Chapter 50: Are You with the Government... or the Navy?
The renowned Pirate Hunter of the East Blue, Zoro of the Three Sword Style, issued a challenge to the man standing atop the world's swordsmanship summit—Dracule Mihawk, the "Hawk Eye."
Whether it was the terrified pirates, the restaurant chefs, or the customers who hadn't yet fled, anyone who had heard these two names was struck dumb by the sudden duel.
One was the formidable Three Sword Style master famous throughout the East Blue; the other was the legendary world's greatest, standing at the pinnacle of all swordsmen!
After their initial shock, Johnny and Yosaku leaped to their feet, shouting themselves hoarse to cheer for their "Big Bro Zoro."
Facing Zoro's fighting spirit and declaration, Hawk Eye's expression remained cold and stern.
His gaze swept over Zoro.
"As a swordsman, you should be able to see the gap between us. Knowing this, yet still issuing a challenge... is it due to steadfast conviction in your heart, or merely foolishness born of ignorance?"
Zoro clenched Wado Ichimonji between his teeth, gripping the hilts of his swords tightly as he met Hawk Eye's gaze.
"World's Greatest Swordsman... that title has been my goal since childhood! Later, I also took on a promise to a friend!"
"The gap? Of course I know! Especially after hearing that 'the East Blue is the weakest sea' and witnessing you cut that massive ship in half with my own eyes... this gap is even wider than I imagined!"
"But—I still challenge you!"
Zoro abruptly pointed his blade at Hawk Eye.
"If I lack even the courage to draw my sword against my goal, then my dream might as well end right here!"
Listening intently nearby, Ralph felt an inexplicable stir in his heart.
Knowing he couldn't win, yet still drawing his sword... why does this feel so familiar?
Strange associations flashed through his mind.
Damn, if Zoro understood anything about "the spirit of drawing the sword," the cannons on the Going Merry might as well be replaced with Italian ones...
Despite Zoro's declaration being full of determination and courage, Hawk Eye's expression showed little change.
He simply nodded faintly. "I accept your challenge."
As he spoke, he reached up and removed the small cross necklace hanging around his neck.
With a light flick of his finger, the cross transformed in his hand into... a tiny dagger with a blade barely ten centimeters long.
Holding the small knife, Hawk Eye looked calmly at Zoro.
"I'm different from those who believe 'even a lion must use full force to catch a rabbit.' Against an opponent like you, this small knife is already excessive."
He paused, adding regretfully, "Unfortunately, I can't find a smaller blade on me."
"Bastard... there should be limits to looking down on people!"
Zoro's anger ignited—this was not just contempt for his strength but a trampling of his dreams!
"Your anger precisely shows that you still... don't fully grasp the gap between us."
Seeing this, Zoro said no more!
"Three Sword Style—Oni Giri!"
With a roar, Zoro charged forward, his three swords slashing down simultaneously at precise angles. The interweaving blades formed a deadly net, carrying his unwavering conviction straight toward Hawk Eye.
However, what happened next made every onlooker hold their breath.
Facing this ultimate technique that could carve a fearsome reputation across the East Blue, Hawk Eye merely tilted the tip of his small knife forward with unerring precision, executing a gentle thrust.
Clink!
A crisp sound rang out.
Zoro's unstoppable Three Sword Style: Oni Giri was forcibly "frozen" mid-air!
The intersection of his three blades was pinpointed by the tip of that tiny knife, dissolving all momentum and speed at that single point.
Zoro felt as though he had struck an invisible mountain—unable to advance even an inch further!
His pupils contracted briefly, and shock flashed across his face for less than half a second.
His honed combat instincts kicked in immediately. His three swords whirled like a raging storm, their gleam as dense as ocean waves, striking from every tricky angle toward Hawk Eye.
Yet Hawk Eye remained rooted in place, not even shifting his feet.
His knife-wielding arm moved at speeds barely visible to the naked eye, parrying and blocking.
Each movement was minimal, yet perfectly timed to intercept Zoro's onslaught, effortlessly deflecting or repelling every fierce slash.
Then, in what seemed like a casual upward flick, Hawk Eye twisted his wrist.
Clang!
A subtle yet powerful force shot through Zoro's arm, numbing it instantly. He lost control and stumbled backward, landing hard on the deck with a thud!
Humiliation—utter humiliation.
Even though he had mentally prepared himself, even though he knew his opponent was the world's strongest, seeing the gap displayed so starkly before him filled Zoro with unbearable frustration.
Hawk Eye hadn't even tapped into the terrifying power capable of slicing through battleships—he was toying with him using sheer skill alone.
Now that he saw the difference… should he just admit defeat?
Impossible!
Fighting with everything he had—even if it meant death—would be an honor!
He was a man determined to become the world's greatest swordsman. If he backed down here, all the sweat and vows of the past would be rendered meaningless!
"Zoro, because you're a boy, you can chase your dreams… I wish I could become the world's greatest too!"
"My dream is to become the Pirate King, so of course my crewmate has to be the world's greatest swordsman!"
The voices of his dearest friend and his captain roared in his mind, fueling him with boundless courage to raise his swords once more.
"Tiger Hunt—!!!"
Stronger resolve brought forth an even fiercer slash!
Yet the outcome remained unchanged.
Hawk Eye once again pinpointed the flaw in Zoro's assault.
Not only that—he seized the fleeting opening, thrusting his wrist forward.
Squelch!
The small knife plunged effortlessly into Zoro's chest.
Time seemed to freeze.
The onlookers—whether Johnny and Yosaku, the restaurant chefs, or even the remaining Krieg Pirates—were all struck speechless with shock.
Zoro of the Three Sword Style, renowned throughout the East Blue… had truly been pierced through the chest by the world's greatest swordsman… using a knife as small as a toy?!
"Big Bro Zoro!!!"
Johnny and Yosaku's eyes widened in fury, blood boiling as they roared and prepared to charge forward recklessly.
"Wait!"
Lufia's voice was unusually stern as she firmly held back the impulsive duo. "Don't go! This is Zoro's fight!"
Her head was lowered, her straw hat hiding her expression. Though her eyes brimmed with worry, she stood firm, respecting her comrade's choice.
Hawk Eye did not immediately withdraw the small knife. He looked at Zoro, who was still glaring fiercely at him from close range, and calmly asked:
"Would you rather have your heart pierced than retreat even one step?"
Zoro's face was pale from the pain, but his voice remained exceptionally clear:
"I can't really explain it... I just feel I can't retreat... If I take even one step back here... then every promise I've ever made... would be negated by my own actions... and I could never get them back again..."
"You'd rather die than admit defeat?"
A faint glimmer flickered in Mihawk's eyes.
"Dying while pursuing your dream..." Zoro recalled Lufia's words, a smile appearing on his face, "That would be... a good thing!"
Seeing the blood continuously gushing from Zoro's chest and his resolute, heart-wrenching gaze, Nami could no longer hold back.
She couldn't understand, "Why... what is Zoro fighting for? How could he throw away his life to challenge that... unbeatable monster?!"
Ralph stood beside her, watching the tragic scene on the sea with complex emotions, speaking as if answering her, yet also as if talking to himself: "Perhaps... It's because there really are some things in this world that make people unable to resist pursuing and adhering to them, even when they know it might mean death."
These words acted like a key, unlocking a painful memory in Nami's heart.
She remembered many years ago, on that hellish day, that thin yet determined figure standing between her and her sister, facing the fishman's gun.
"..."
Tears suddenly welled up in her eyes, rolling down her cheeks. Nami began to sob quietly, repeating,
"What could be more important than life? Living... isn't living good enough? Why must people die for things they can't see or touch..."
Sanji had also been shocked by Zoro's actions, but when he saw Nami crying, he immediately wanted to comfort her.
However, Nami naturally pushed away Sanji's outstretched hand and instead buried herself in Ralph's embrace, pressing her face against his chest while her shoulders shook uncontrollably.
"Miss Nami..."
Sanji's outstretched hand froze in mid-air. Watching Nami in Ralph's arms, a fire mixing heartache, disappointment, and intense jealousy instantly burned through his entire body.
He was so angry that veins bulged on his forehead, gritting his teeth, yet he couldn't forcibly pull Nami away when she was emotionally distraught. He could only stand there fuming.
You bastard! Don't you like Miss Lufia?! How can you be as fickle as me?!
Though holding a beauty in his arms, Ralph currently had no romantic thoughts whatsoever.
His arms were somewhat stiff, his gaze still fixed on Zoro. His heart was stirred by both the words he had just spoken and the scene before him.
What things are more important than life?
Family, friendship, love, dreams, justice, righteousness...
He could easily list these words, even eloquently expound on them with classical references.
But in all honesty, if truly faced with a life-or-death choice, could he, Ralph, this transmigrator from an era of peace who crossed over with a system, really be like Zoro—calmly confronting death for the sake of a promise, a dream?
In terms of hardships and trials endured, even the "weakest" on the ship, Usopp, or an ordinary East Blue pirate, had likely experienced far more than he, this transmigrator, ever had.
The Straw Hat crew's adventures had only just begun. For now, everything was still barely under his control, thanks to his knowledge of the original story and the system's assistance.
But what about the future?
Entering the Grand Line, facing the Four Emperors, Admirals, those true monsters... What if he truly encountered a trial that demanded he stake his life to uphold something...
Could he do it?
His fondness for Lufia and desire to join the Straw Hat crew were partly due to the strategy and the system, but deep down, wasn't he also yearning to become like them—people with pure faith and burning souls?
He just didn't know whether resolve or trial would come first.
And when the true trial descended, would he be able to withstand it?
Just as Ralph's heart churned with turmoil, the situation on the sea shifted once more. Zoro had gained the recognition of Dracule "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk.
Zoro, with a dagger pierced through his chest, his resolute reply and gaze, seemed to have finally moved the world's strongest swordsman before him.
Hawk Eyes slowly withdrew the small dagger, blood gushing out.
He looked at Zoro, pale-faced yet still standing tall. "State your name."
Enduring the excruciating pain, Zoro raised his head high and roared with his last ounce of strength, "Roronoa Zoro!"
"I'll remember it."
Hawk Eyes nodded, sheathed the bloodstained dagger, and transformed it back into a cross hanging from his neck.
Then, he slowly reached out and grasped the hilt of the jet-black longsword behind him—the blade symbolizing the "World's Strongest," the hilt of "Yoru."
"Then, as a response to your resolve..."
Hawk Eyes' voice carried a solemn weight, "I shall use this 'World's Strongest' black blade to grant you... a swordsman's deserved courtesy."
He drew the black blade "Yoru," an intangible pressure spreading tangibly.
In Zoro's eyes, there was no fear—only battle spirit burning to its limit and a serene acceptance without regrets.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the sharp pain in his chest, and assumed his final stance with the two swords in his hands, Wado Ichimonji clenched tightly between his teeth.
"Three Sword Style Secret Technique—
"Three! Thousand! Worlds————!!!"
He unleashed his most powerful slash at this moment, his figure and blade light merging as one, transforming into a resolute meteor crashing toward the towering mountain known as the "World's First"!
Hawk Eyes' gaze sharpened, his hand gripping the black blade "Yoru" as he and Zoro crossed paths.
There was no earth-shattering sound.
Only two faint, crisp snaps.
"..."
The two swords in Zoro's hands shattered instantly upon contact with the black blade "Yoru"!
Ultimate technique expended, weapons broken.
Zoro finally, completely, acknowledged his defeat.
He had lost thoroughly, wholeheartedly convinced.
Slowly, he sheathed Wado Ichimonji.
Then, under the disbelieving gazes of everyone, he faced Hawk Eyes, faced that black blade that had slain countless powerful foes, and slowly... spread open his arms.
He straightened his arm and puffed out his chest.
"A swordsman's shame lies in scars upon his back!"
Zoro's voice carried an indescribable pride and acceptance.
Though Ralph didn't completely agree with this sentiment internally, an almost imperceptible trace of appreciation seemed to flicker across Hawk Eye's perpetually stern face.
"Well said."
As the words fell, the blade of the black sword "Yoru" transformed into an elegant black arc, descending diagonally.
"Thud—!"
Blood bloomed across Zoro's chest like the most tragic yet beautiful flower.
A massive wound stretching from his shoulder down to his waist, deep enough to reveal bone, appeared on his body.
If one were to follow Zoro's own logic, this frontal strike endured from the world's greatest swordsman should be considered... the highest honor a swordsman could receive!
Zoro's body swayed, tilting backward as he fell toward the icy seawater below.
"Zoro—!!!"
Lufia could no longer restrain herself, letting out a heart-wrenching scream.
She could respect her comrade's choice to give everything for his dream, but she couldn't accept watching him die right before her eyes!
Her rubber arm instantly coiled, ready to launch recklessly toward Hawk Eye.
However, her movement was halted by a hand.
It was Ralph.
He had somehow already released Nami from his embrace and quickly instructed Lufia: "Don't act rashly! Zoro's still alive!"
Before the words fully faded, a light sound came from the deck beneath Ralph's feet as his figure abruptly vanished!
"Soru!"
When he reappeared, he had already retrieved Zoro from the seawater, laying him flat on relatively stable wreckage.
Ralph took out emergency medical supplies and bandages he had prepared in advance, ready to perform emergency bleeding control and dressing on Zoro.
The wound on Zoro's chest was horrifying to behold, but just as his Observation Haki had sensed, it had avoided absolutely vital areas. Though the bleeding was heavy, timely treatment could still save his life.
Hawk Eye had indeed shown mercy.
At that moment, a voice sounded above Ralph: "Are you this young swordsman's companion?"
Ralph's movements paused slightly. Without looking up, he continued bandaging while simply responding, "Hmm."
The voice continued questioning,
"Your movement technique... that's 'Soru' from the 'Six Powers,' isn't it?"
Ralph's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Despite all his calculations, he hadn't anticipated this! Back in East Blue, neither Pirates nor Navy personnel had recognized that his techniques originated from the World Government's direct secret force CP9's "Six Powers," which had subconsciously made him lower his guard.
He'd forgotten that the man before him was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the widely experienced Dracule "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk!
Hawk Eye's voice remained measured as he pressed further:
"Are you... with the Government? Or perhaps the Navy?"
Though spoken quietly, these words landed like a thunderclap.
Not only did they make Ralph's heart constrict violently, but they also drew suspicious glances from those with sharp ears in the distance. Even the severely wounded, unconscious Zoro's eyes flew wide open.
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