Chapter 14: Hawk-Eyes Mihawk – The World's Strongest Blade and a Swordsman's Pride
"But it's fine—the real show is about to start outside," Sol said mysteriously, a sly grin on his face.
Before anyone could ask what he meant, the massive Krieg pirate warship was suddenly sliced clean in half at the waterline.
"What just happened?!"
"The ship…!"
"A vessel that huge—cut in half so perfectly?!"
"That's impossible!"
Everyone from the Baratie and Luffy's crew rushed to the deck, looking around frantically to see what caused it.
From the wreckage of Krieg's flagship, a pirate with binoculars shouted in terror. "Captain! That demon—the man who destroyed our fleet—is here! He's going to wipe us out!"
A man appeared, standing on a small coffin-shaped sailboat. It was none other than Dracule Mihawk, known as "Hawk-Eyes" Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman.
The moment Zoro saw him, his heart pounded. He gripped Wado Ichimonji tightly.
"Damn it! What grudge do you have with us? Why keep chasing us down?!" a pirate yelled at Mihawk.
"Because I was bored," Mihawk replied calmly from his chair.
"You've got to be kidding—because of that?!" Furious, the pirate emptied his pistol clip at Mihawk.
Mihawk drew his sword with a casual flick. The bullets ricocheted harmlessly into the sea.
"Did I hit him?"
"No use firing any amount of bullets. He deflected them with the flat of his blade. I've never seen a sword so flexible," Zoro stepped forward from the crowd to explain.
"A sword with only power and no softness has no true strength," Mihawk replied, sheathing his blade again as he addressed Zoro.
"Did you cut that ship in half with the sword on your back too?"
"Correct."
"As expected from the world's greatest swordsman," Zoro said, tension and excitement mixing. He tied on his bandana, eyes blazing with battle spirit as he stared at Mihawk.
"I set sail to fight you—to become the strongest. You're bored? Then let me be your opponent. Let's duel!" Zoro issued the challenge.
Mihawk stepped down from his boat and regarded Zoro. "Pitiful weakling. If you were truly a first-rate swordsman, you'd see the vast chasm between us even without crossing blades."
"You still dare challenge me? I can't tell if you're naive or fearless," Mihawk crossed his arms, looking down with contempt.
"This is my ambition—my dream. And it's also to fulfill a promise to my dearest friend," Zoro bit down on Wado Ichimonji, assuming his three-sword stance and charging.
A pirate from Krieg's crew finally recognized him. "That guy's the famous three-sword pirate hunter from East Blue!"
Mihawk drew the small cross-shaped dagger hanging from his chest. Zoro froze. "What's that supposed to mean?!"
"I don't draw my full strength against prey I'm merely hunting. Unfortunately, this is the smallest blade I carry," Mihawk shrugged.
"You bastard—don't underestimate me! If you die, don't blame me!" Zoro roared, blades crossed, and rushed forward.
Mihawk raised his voice. "Come then, frog in the well who has never seen the world—behold how vast it truly is!"
"Oni Giri!"
Zoro's slash flashed—but to his shock, Mihawk's tiny dagger precisely struck the exact center of the three-blade intersection, locking him in place.
"Impossible—I can't move! What did he do? No one's ever seen through this move!" Zoro gasped, sweat beading on his forehead. "How can the gap be this wide?!"
Zoro leaped back, staring at the nonchalant Mihawk. "The world shouldn't be this far out of reach!"
He charged again—uppercuts, left slashes, right cuts—every move anticipated and countered. Each attack landed exactly on Mihawk's small blade as if Zoro had aimed for it himself. Clang! Clang! Clang!
Looking at the desperate man, Mihawk spoke. "I don't care what burdens you carry. In my eyes—you are still a weakling!"
Johnny and Yosaku exploded in rage, drawing swords. "Damn you—who do you think you are?!" But Luffy and Sol each pinned one by the head to hold them back.
Mihawk flicked upward, sending Zoro flying. Zoro twisted mid-air and landed. Visions of Kuina and their promise flashed through his mind. He gripped his blades tighter.
But as he closed in, Mihawk's dagger pierced his chest. Blood poured. More spilled from his mouth.
"Why didn't you dodge or retreat? Trying to get your heart pierced?" Mihawk asked, puzzled.
"I don't know… but if I back down—even once—all those vows and promises disappear…" Zoro stared straight into Mihawk's eyes.
"Exactly. That is defeat," Mihawk said, beginning to respect him.
"Hmph. Then I definitely can't back down!" Zoro grinned through the blood.
"What incredible resolve—choosing death over defeat?" Mihawk sheathed his cross dagger. "It's been a long time since I met a true 'strong one.' What is your name?"
"Roronoa Zoro."
"I will remember that name. And as a swordsman's courtesy—I will use my world's strongest black blade to give you a burial at sea!" Mihawk slowly drew Yoru, the massive black sword on his back.
"I'm honored," Zoro took a deep breath. He spun his blades like windmills. "Three Sword Style Secret Technique: Three Thousand Worlds!"
Their paths crossed in an instant.
Zoro's two side blades shattered into fragments. Only Wado Ichimonji in his mouth remained intact.
"I never imagined I'd lose so completely… Is this the power of the world's greatest swordsman?" Zoro sheathed Wado Ichimonji, then turned and spread his arms wide toward Mihawk.
"What are you doing?" Mihawk asked.
"A swordsman's shame is a wound on the back!" Zoro grinned through bloodied teeth.
"Magnificent!" Mihawk gave him an admiring look—then slashed, sending Zoro flying into the sea. "No need to rush toward death, young swordsman!"
"Zoro!" Luffy shouted, stretching his arm toward Mihawk. "Sol—go save Zoro! I'll handle this guy!"
Mihawk sidestepped Luffy's attack effortlessly. "You're that young swordsman's comrade too? Then watch from the sidelines. My name is Dracule Mihawk!"
"You're too early to die. Grow stronger. See yourself clearly. See through the world, Roronoa Zoro!"
"No matter how many years pass—I will remain on the throne of the world's greatest swordsman, waiting for your challenge! Come and surpass me, Roronoa!"
Mihawk shouted toward the sea where Sol had already fished Zoro out and begun healing him.
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