Journey to Raftel Chapter 9

Hey friends and fans! Kairomaru is bringing you another chapter of Journey to Raftel! The man himself is here! Dracule ‘Hawk-Eyes’ Mihawk! We all know what’s about to happen! A fated battle that cannot be avoided! How will Mihawk react when he realizes that the Krieg Pirates have already been dealt with? Will he even care?

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So, without further delay, please enjoy.

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Chapter 9 – The Strongest Swordsman

Luffy, Nami, Zoro, Sanji, and Reiju were on the Baratie’s deck, going over what they’d collected from Don Krieg’s ship. The heads with Bounties on them had already been collected, courtesy of Zoro’s swords and a thick cloth sack provided by the Baratie. Several of the cooks were swabbing the decks under Zeff’s orders to try and prevent the blood from staining the wood of the fins. Luffy suddenly perked up and looked out into the distance from where the group was sitting.

“What is it, Luffy?” Nami questioned, having never seen her lover with such a look of interest on his face. Sanji and Reiju followed his gaze, quick to notice what had caught their new captain’s attention.

“Who is that guy?” Luffy asked as he pointed towards the small vessel that was approaching the Baratie. He could practically feel the strength of the lone man sitting in the small boat.

Zoro stared at the incoming man in shock. Well, both shock and excitement. His heart began beating furiously inside his chest. The ship sailing towards them could barely be called a ship. Honestly, it could barely be called a dinghy. It actually looked like a coffin. A rather large coffin, but a coffin all the same. On the edges were candles that seemed to burn with green fire, and the mast resembled an ornate cross. But that wasn't what Zoro paid attention to. No, the green-haired swordsman’s focus was solely on the man sitting with his legs crossed on the only seat in the coffin-like boat.

The lone occupant was a black-haired man, with piercing yellow eyes. He had a short beard, mustache, and sideburns, all of which were sharply trimmed to appear pointed. He wore no shirt, only an open, long black coat. It was red on the inside, with red sleeves and his collar decorated with flower patterns. His pants were a light purple, tucked into strapped boots. He had a large, wide-brimmed, plumed hat. A necklace hung around his neck, with a pendant shaped like a large cross adorning it. And on his back? On his back was a long, deadly looking black blade whose handle was simply a smaller, more ornate version of the cross that served as the mast for his ship.

“Who the hell is that?” Patty blinked owlishly at the approaching man. “And how did he sail all the way here in such a tiny boat?”

“Idiot.” Zoro breathed out slowly. That was the least important question that could be asked right now.

“The better question is; what is he doing here?” Zeff replied, staring at the man approaching his restaurant. “That man is a renowned swordsman…more renowned than any other in the world.” Zeff stated seriously, some actual concern taking hold of him. Depending on why the man was here, none of them may live past today.

“The Greatest Swordsman in the World.” Zoro grinned sharply. “Dracule Mihawk!”

As the small coffin-like boat sailed into the area between the Going Merry and the heavily damaged Galleon, the man sitting on the boat briefly glanced around. His sharp, hawk-like eyes swept over everything in less than a second before he spoke.

“It seems that my entertainment ended before I caught up with it.” Mihawk commented blandly. “So, it goes.” Everyone on the Baratie, Luffy and crew included, watched as the small boat docked at the fins and the man stood from his seat. A flick of his wrist and a prepared line was pulled taunt around a small mooring post at the edge of the fins. The World’s Greatest Swordsman then stepped onto the Baratie.

“Hawk Eyes, did you come to finish off the Krieg Pirates?” Zeff questioned and Mihawk looked over the retired Pirate. In the time it took most people to blink, the yellow eyes of the greatest swordsman took in Zeff and placed a name to the face.

“Indeed, Red Leg, though it seems they were foolish enough to pick a fight with someone else first.” Mihawk replied as his sharp gaze quickly swept over Luffy and crew. Zeff felt a lot of the tension in his shoulders release at the confirmation that Mihawk wasn’t at his restaurant to cause trouble.

“Would you care for something to eat?” Zeff offered politely to the Warlord. Mihawk almost raised an eyebrow at the offer, but none would be able to tell.

“Very well,” Mihawk nodded to the retired Pirate Captain. “Show me to a table and allow me to see the wine list.”

“Of course,” Zeff nodded before turning to the cooks swabbing the deck. “Drop what you’re doing, you little idiots! We have a guest! Get your asses in the kitchen, I want ingredients prepped and ready! One of you go get our wine list!” He personally led the world’s greatest swordsman towards the freshly replaced doors.

No one was expecting for Zoro to stand up and walk towards Dracule Mihawk. Though Luffy looked like he was less surprised than the others.

“Dracule Mihawk?” Zoro asked as he walked closer to the older swordsman.

“Do you need something, boy?” Mihawk eyed the green-haired young man.

“I set sail to meet you!” Zoro smirked as he rested his hand on Wado Ichimonji. Mihawk looked over Zoro with a modicum of curiosity, noticing the two low quality swords next to the named sword that rested on his hip.

“And what is your reason for seeking me out?” Mihawk questioned, looking as though he’d heard this countless times before.

“To surpass you!” Zoro reached for his bandana. “Shall we duel?”

“Pitiful weakling.” Mihawk spoke with narrowed eyes. “If you are a competent swordsman, then you know the difference between us without needing to cross blades.” He spoke crisply, as if merely stating facts. “Yet you still dare challenge me. Is it conviction or ignorance that fuels you?”

“Neither.” Zoro answered as he tied his bandana around his head. “My ambition fuels me, and my promise to my departed friend.” He drew his three swords while Mihawk stood there with his arms crossed, looking unimpressed. “To be honest, I never imagined I would find you so soon.”

“That is not to your favor.” Mihawk replied flatly. For him this was a song and dance he’d done countless times with far too many upstarts to ever hope to remember. “I’m about to sit down for a meal. If you can display patience for that long, I’ll give you a small about of my time afterwards.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” Zoro sheathed his swords as he stared into the unflinching eyes of his goal. Their stare down was broken as Zeff led Mihawk into the Baratie.

“Shishishishi! Looks like you’ll get to try for your Dream a lot sooner than you thought, Zoro!” Luffy chuckled from beside the green-haired man.

“I’m looking forward to it.” Zoro smirked, his eyes burning with challenge and determination.

“You’re gonna get your ass kicked, Marimo.” Sanji spoke up with a shrug of his shoulders. “But it might be fun to watch.”

“Shut up, idiot.” Zoro ignored Sanji and the cook scoffed at the swordsman for rushing headlong into a fight he couldn’t win.

“Let’s get a snack, since we have time to kill.” Luffy remarked as he casually entered the Baratie without a care.

“You just ate a huge meal a couple of hours ago!” Sanji barked at Luffy with sharp teeth.

“Don’t bother, Sanji.” Nami collected the papers that she’d recorded all of their newly acquired loot on. She’d need to get an actual ledger book soon if they kept making so much money. “Luffy could eat all day and still be ready for dessert.”

“Quite the appetite.” Reiju giggled as the group followed Luffy inside.

Inside the Baratie, Mihawk sat at a table with a freshly opened bottle of red wine. The hawk-eyed man twirled the liquid in the wine glass before taking a quick sniff of the drink’s aroma. He closed his eyes and sipped the wine, completely at ease and relaxed. It was clear that there was noting in the East Blue that Mihawk worried about. Setting his glass down, he briefly glanced at the group that had wiped out the remainder of the Krieg Pirates.

‘An odd bunch, to say the least.’ Mihawk thought to himself as he waited for his meal. He’d easily deduced that they weren’t Pirates, the lack of a Jolly Roger on the only other vessel aside from Krieg’s made that blatantly obvious. Whether they were just sailors or Bounty Hunters mattered not. He’d have a short duel with their swordsman and then be on his way.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Zeff walked over to the table with a tray in hand. “Your meal is ready.” He placed down the plate of high-grade steak, cooked with all of his skill and experience, along with sauteed vegetables and potatoes. A glass of chilled fruit juice was placed on the table as well, ordered for both its taste and vitamin C content.

“Thank you.” Mihawk gave a polite reply as Zeff headed back to the kitchen. The meal would hold him over until he got to his next stop. He had a bit of a trip before he returned home, but it was always good to get out for a while and see what was going on in the world. He placed the first bite of steak into his mouth and enjoyed the flavor. ‘It seems that the stories of Red Leg being an excellent Chef weren’t exaggerated after all.’ He noted the incredible flavor of the steak and was quick to try the vegetables next.

“Sanji, food!” Luffy cheered with a laugh just as the blonde emerged from the kitchen.

“Hold your damn horses, you glutton!” Sanji snapped back as he served Nami first and then Reiju, before placing down a large plate that was piled high with food in front of Luffy.

“Yes!” Luffy had a massive smile on his face as he dug into his food. Sanji rolled his eyes as he set a plate in front of Zoro without a care. The swordsman ignoring him and starting on his food.

After Mihawk was done with his meal, the world’s greatest swordsman took a bit of time to refresh himself in the restroom and wash up. When he emerged back into the main dining area, it was to see Zoro waiting for him next to the doors of the restaurant. Without a word, the two swordsmen exited the building and moved to stand across from each other on the large fins. Everyone in the Baratie was either out on the edge of the deck to watch, or watching through the windows.

“I hope you enjoyed your meal.” Zoro spoke as he tied his bandana onto his head and drew his swords. “It might be your last.”

“Yes, it was quite good. I may have to return sometime to try something else.” Mihawk replied while ignoring the threat in Zoro’s words entirely. “As promised, I’ll give you a few moments of my time.” With a pull on the bottom of the cross-shaped charm on his necklace, he unsheathed a tiny kogatana that was hidden inside it.

“And just what are you planning on doing with that?” Zoro's eyes narrowed, seeing the lack of care Mihawk was showing for their upcoming duel.

“I am not the kind of brute that would hunt a rabbit with a cannon. Though you may be a swordsman of some renown, this is still the East Blue. Of the Four Seas divided by the Red Line and the Grand Line, this is easily the weakest of them all.” Mihawk held the tiny knife in a ready grip. “I apologize though. Unfortunately, I have no blade smaller than this on me.”

“Do you really think you can take me on with that small blade?” Zoro glared at the tiny knife.

“Can you prove me wrong?” Mihawk stared straight into Zoro’s eyes with the least amount of concern possible.

Zoro clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowed in anger, at seeing this disrespect. Did this man truly think he wasn’t even worth drawing an actual sword against? ‘Wait a minute.’ He thought as the rage that had begun to bubble up inside cooled. ‘I don’t even draw all three of my swords against the upstart amateurs that have tried to fight me so they could boost their own reputations. This is the same thing, isn’t it?’

During his thinking Zoro didn’t notice Mihawk’s expression at all, but the World’s Greatest Swordsman gave some respect to the younger man for not immediately flying off the handle as most of his challengers did.

“I see,” Zoro breathed deeply before exhaling. “I have to prove I’m worth drawing your sword against.” He looked Mihawk in the eye. “I get it; I’ve done the same myself.” Zoro took his stance properly and prepared his signature attack. “So, I’ll just force you to draw your sword.” With speed no other swordsman in East Blue could hope to match, Zoro closed the distance between them and attacked. “Oni-”

“Hear me, little frog in his well…you’re but someone who has yet to experience the realworld.” Mihawk stated, not even flinching at Zoro's speed.

“Giri!” Zoro finished, his three blades aiming to slice Mihawk in into four pieces. A metallic ringing was heard and jaws dropped as Mihawk’s tiny knife impacted the technique in the exact place the three blades were crossed. Zoro’s forward momentum was stopped dead, and no matter how much of his strength he put into his strike, he couldn't get the knife to budge even a centimeter. Mihawk’s arm didn't waver in the slightest. The man didn’t even seem to have his full attention on the fight.

“He caught Zoro perfectly.” Luffy commented absently, his eyes used to tracking high-speed movement.

‘I can't move…’ Zoro realized as a bead of sweat dripped down from his temple to his chin. ‘Not a single person has ever seen through this technique! Not one! Yet he stopped it with what amounts to a pocket knife?!’ He stared at Mihawk’s expressionless face, the man’s piercing eyes practically boring a hole into Zoro’s own. ‘This is insane!’ Zoro leapt back before attacking again, fast swings and combos from his three swords were all rendered meaningless in the face of Mihawk’s overwhelming skill and experience. ‘Am I truly so far from him?!’ Mihawk's small knife parried every single strike easily, as if he was merely humoring the younger man. Finally, an actual push from the older swordsman knocked Zoro backwards and onto the deck fins. ‘Is there really this much difference between us?’ Zoro wondered as he got up and reset himself. ‘I’ve trained too hard to let him beat me with a pocket knife!’ Memories of every fight with Kuina; every bit of training he did back home as a kid; inheriting Wado Ichimonji after she died. Even the continued harsh training with Luffy passed through his mind as he clashed with Mihawk again.

“Such drive.” Mihawk noted of Zoro’s unique style of swordsmanship. The young man was doing passably for what had to be a self-created style. Most of the young amateurs that challenged him either lost their cool completely when he drew his kogatana, or they simply swung their swords about like iron bars.

“I couldn’t make my dream a reality without drive.” Zoro panted for a moment, before breathing deeply and readying another attack. Mihawk easily moved around the blade and readied a parry. His hand snapped forward faster than most could see and caught Zoro’s right sword with a deft swipe. Zoro was sent crashing to the floor in a blur of motion that most couldn’t keep up with.

“What burdens you so, boy? What do you desire at the extent of your strength?” Mihawk questioned the other swordsman.

“To defeat you and become the World’s Greatest Swordsman.” Zoro replied as he stood up again. “To become the best so that even those in the Heavens will know my name.” An image of his promise with Kuina appeared in his mind for a brief moment.

“Luffy, should we do something? Zoro is getting tossed around like a ragdoll.” Nami looked curiously at her lover, only for Luffy to speak up without taking his eyes off the fight.

“This is Zoro's dream. This is why he set sail. No one has the right to take this from him!” Luffy stated even as a he narrowed his eyes at the ongoing fight. Nami grimaced as Zoro was sent backwards again. Sanji took a long drag off his cigarette, the only sign that he was actually worried about his new crewmate. Reiju simply watched on, her blue eyes following the strikes and noticing just how outmatched Zoro was.

“If you wish to attain your goal, then you’ll need to do far better than what I’ve seen so far.” Mihawk remarked and was slightly surprised when Zoro nodded in agreement.

“That I do. So let me give everything I have.” Zoro offered as he held his two nameless swords over his shoulders. His arms almost blurred as he slashed down, and two air blades flew towards Mihawk.

“Interesting, but not enough.” Mihawk was the picture of calm as his kogatana deftly moved into the path of the air blades and gracefully redirected them. They flew off to his right and left throwing up a spray of water when they hit the ocean behind him.

Zoro didn’t waste a second, already moving forward before Mihawk had even deflected his attack. Both of his swords were behind Wado Ichimonji, pointing towards the ground. “Tora!” He reached Mihawk just as the spray from the ocean began to descend. “Gari!” But Mihawk hadn’t taken his eyes off of his opponent for even a second.

“You are stronger than I expected. I never thought I would meet a swordsman in the East Blue capable of performing a Flying Cut. Even as unpolished as it is, that was far better than I would have expected from someone who has never stepped foot in the Grand Line.” Mihawk commented as he stabbed forward, burying his knife into Zoro’s ribcage. Blood immediately gushed from the wound, splashing on the deck. Some also started leaking from Zoro’s mouth. The rest of the crew clenched their teeth and Luffy’s knuckles audibly cracked as he clenched his hands into fists. Tears welled in Nami’s eyes as she watched her nakama get stabbed.

“Do you wish for me to pierce your heart? Why do you not retreat?” Mihawk questioned the younger swordsman. Though his kogatana was buried in Zoro's chest, the other man refused to take a step back.

“Heh…hell if I know.” Zoro was panting, his jaw clenched around Wado Ichimonji. “But I know…that if I take a single step back…I’d be losing something very important to me.” Blood continued dribbling down his chin. “A promise or an oath…it would be irreversibly broken, and I could never stand here again.”

“Yes…that is called defeat.” Mihawk responded his infamous gaze locked with Zoro’s.

“Yeah…that’s why I can’t step back.” Zoro chuckled through the pain in his chest.

“Even if it would mean your death?” Mihawk asked, not breaking eye contact.

“Death would be better!” Zoro gruffly stated. “I could never live with myself if I shuffled away with my tail between my legs!”

‘True conviction!’ Mihawk realized as he stepped back, easily sliding his knife out of Zoro's chest and swinging it to remove all of the blood. The cross of his necklace was completed as he sheathed the kogatana. “Boy…tell me your name.”

“Roronoa…Zoro!” Zoro moved his swords so that they were all at angles to each other. All of them pointed in different directions, sort of like a three-pointed star.

“I shall remember it…” Mihawk promised as he reached over his shoulder and pulled Yoru, widely regarded as the best sword in the world, from his back. “For your strength is not often seen in this world.” He held the ornate, black blade in front of him. “And to pay my respect to your skill with your swords and your conviction, I shall end you with this sword.”

‘This is it.’ Zoro thought calmly, almost in a meditative state. “I appreciate it.” His thoughts were serene, the complete opposite of what was about to be a violent clash. ‘The World's Greatest…or death!’

“Fall!” For the first time in the entire duel, Mihawk actually attacked directly. He blurred forward at an astounding speed, as Zoro began spinning the two nameless swords in his hands. Mihawk’s eyes sharpened while he gazed at the technique, already analyzing it and breaking it down to create a perfect counter.

“Santōryū Ōgi!” Zoro called out. “Sanzen Sekai!” The sounds of multiple slashes rang through the air as the two men stood with their backs to each other, both of their strikes completed. For a brief moment, nothing happened, before Zoro’s two nameless swords completely shattered. Blood splashed out of his chest as another cut opened up. ‘I lost.’ He acknowledged as he dropped the two useless handles and pulled Wado Ichimonji from between his teeth, blood spilling even more from his mouth. ‘This wasn't what I was expecting. So, this is what it means to be the strongest in the world?’ He sheathed his treasured sword with a click, before turning around and presenting himself, arms held out wide with Wado Ichimonji gripped in his left hand.

“What's this?” Mihawk questioned the younger swordsman.

“A wound on one’s back…” Zoro was grinning, even as blood dripped from the edge of his mouth. “Is a swordsman's shame.”

“Splendid!” Mihawk exclaimed with a wide grin. He slashed down, splitting Zoro open from his left collarbone to his right hipbone. ‘Don't rush to death, young one.’ Mihawk thought, even as Zoro collapsed backwards onto the deck, his prized sword clenched tightly in his fist. ‘It is not your time yet.’

“Zoro!” Luffy roared, while Nami stumbled backwards, both hands over her mouth in horror. Tears streamed from her eyes as she watched her nakama fall.

“Idiot!” Sanji yelled at the downed Zoro. “If you’ve already admitted that you lost, then you don’t let the other guy keep hitting you afterwards!” He was a Chef, not a swordsman, but if this was the mentality of a swordsman then he was glad he’d never learned it!

“So, you're that young man's comrade?” Mihawk asked Luffy as he blocked the strike of the straw-hatted man’s staff with Yoru. The sheer force behind the strike made a powerful gust of wind kick up. “I thank you for not interfering in our duel. That took more willpower than most possess.” He eyed the furious Luffy, noticing that the young man was obviously a Zoan Fruit user since he now looked incredibly monkey-like, fangs in his jaws and fur covering his body. “Fear not, your friend shall live.” Luffy blinked, the rage in his eyes disappearing while he looked over to where Zoro lay. Nami, Reiju, and Sanji were gathered around Zoro and applying first aid to his injuries, even as the green-haired swordsman coughed up some blood.

“Zoro!” Luffy yelled happily, seeing Zoro alive and hearing Reiju ordering the Baratie cooks to bring medicine and bandages from inside the restaurant. “Zoro are you alright?!”

“Of course, he’s not alright!” Nami yelled back with sharp teeth. “But he's still alive and we’re damn sure going to keep him that way!”

“Where did you get that staff?” Mihawk questioned Luffy, bringing the Captain’s attention back to himself. His sharp gaze had looked over every inch of the weapon and he was positive that he’d identified it.

“Huh?” Luffy looked down at the staff in his hand. “I stole it from some rich noble guy’s house when I was a kid.” He didn’t care about outright admitting to theft from years ago.

“While most have at least some passing familiarity with the Named Blades of the world, far fewer know that there are also many un-bladed weapons that are of similar quality.” Mihawk informed the monkey-like teen. “I make it a point to remember the appearance of weapons that match that quality. I must admit that I didn’t expect to see the Ruyi Jingu Bang in the East Blue.”

“Is that what this staff is called?” Luffy blinked at the weapon he was holding.

“Yes, it is probably one of the best made staff weapons in the world.” Mihawk answered before he placed Yoru on his back. “It would be considered of the same grade as the sword on my back if it was a bladed weapon.” Seeing the blank look on Luffy’s face, the swordsman decided to clarify. “Yoru is one of only twelve Supreme Grade swords in the entire world. Your staff would be considered a Supreme Grade weapon by anyone that was even halfway competent at grading weapons.”

“Oh, cool.” Luffy grinned at his weapon and Mihawk almost felt his eye twitch. This boy reminded him of Red-Hair…and that was when he recalled the memory. The first time that he and Red-Hair had sparred when the man had returned to the New World after a prolonged vacation, as the easy-going Captain had called it. A story about a boy with a monkey tail and a big dream.

“H-hey Luffy! C-can you hear me?” Zoro questioned from where he lay on the deck.

“You idiot!” Nami chided with tears still on her cheeks. “Stop exerting yourself!” Zoro promptly ignored her and continued speaking.

“Sorry for worrying you… I know that if I don't become the World’s Greatest Swordsman, you'll be embarrassed.” Zoro coughed out blood, clearing his airway. He raised Wado into the air, holding it steady despite his injuries. “I swear…that until the day I fight him and win…I'll never lose again!” Mihawk's grin returned at this declaration. “Until the day I fight him and win, I'll never lose again!” Luffy’s wide grinned easily eclipsed Mihawk’s. “Any problems with that, Captain?!”

“Shishishishi! Nope!” Luffy relaxed, grinning brightly now that he knew his nakama would be alright. Nami was also smiling, along with Reiju as they finished patching him up.  Sanji shook his head at the crazy crew he’d joined as he pulled out a new cigarette to ease his nerves.

“It is much too soon for you to die.” Mihawk yelled out. “My name is Dracule Mihawk! Learn about yourself! Learn about the world! Become strong, Roronoa Zoro!” He had his arms crossed as he looked over at the man lying on the deck. “No matter how many years pass, I shall stand at the top of the world and wait for you! Forge ahead with that fierce heart! Surpass my blade! Surpass me, Roronoa Zoro!”

Zeff heard Mihawk’s words and was watching the proceedings with far greater understanding than anyone else there. “To think that Dracule Mihawk of all people would be heard saying words like that.”

“Boy, what is your goal?” Mihawk questioned Luffy.

“To be the Freest Man Alive!" Luffy faced him with the same conviction Zoro had shown. “I’ll sail to the ends of the seas, to the island that only the Pirate King ever found! I’ll claim the ultimate treasure, the One Piece!”

“Then you're an even bigger fool than he is. That’s a tougher path than his shall be.” Mihawk grinned as he closed his eyes. How many big names was this young man going to trample over to achieve his dream? How many decades of fighting between Emperors in the New World would be all for naught if this young man’s conviction held true?

“I don't care.” Luffy retorted. “I’m going to do it because I want to!” Mihawk actually chuckled at his words.

“You’ll make yourself an enemy of incredibly powerful Pirates and even the World Government, all for your Dream?” Mihawk’s eyes were sharp, the very idea of how much this young man could turn the world on its head nearly made him laugh.

“Yeah.” Luffy’s simple answer got another genuine chuckle out of the world’s greatest swordsman. “Though I don’t know what kind of problem the World Government would have with me. But if they decide to call me an outlaw eventually, I’ll deal with it then.” He waved off without a care. Why would the World Government care if he sailed around the Grand Line and found Raftel? Was it just because they couldn’t find it themselves? That would be dumb.

Let it never be said that Luffy was a deep thinker capable of connecting the many facets and players of the world together to form the big picture.

Mihawk made his way back to the coffin-like boat he arrived in with a grin. The mooring line was quickly undone and with what appeared to be a light kick, he shoved off and his small boat easily passed through ten meters of distance in a second.

“Roronoa Zoro.” Mihawk spoke loudly so everyone could hear him. Looking back and seeing the green-haired swordsman turned to face him from his prone position on the deck, Mihawk continued. “If you wish to surpass me, then this is the level your Flying Cut needs to exceed.” With a motion that was too fast for anyone watching to comprehend, Mihawk drew Yoru, swung it three times, and replaced it on his back. What everyone was able to see were the three large, greenish waves of displaced air that cleanly sliced through the Krieg Pirate’s Galleon. The Galleon appeared to be fine for a moment before it neatly separated into four pieces and collapsed into the ocean. The waves that emerged from the large wooden pieces slamming into the water covered Mihawk’s departure, and when everyone could see again the World’s Greatest Swordsman was nowhere to be seen. Not even his small coffin-like boat.

“Good to know…” Zoro grinned before dozing off. Everyone else was still staring in shock, barring Luffy whose eyes were wide and filled with stars at the display.

-End Chapter-

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Meeting the Strongest Swordsman in the world! Mihawk has a nice meal, whoops Zoro’s ass while instilling a determination so strong that it’ll never break, and then demonstrates the actual level that Zoro needs to surpass.

What a fucking Chad.

He’s also very much reminded of Shanks when talking to Luffy. Both are easy-going normally, but will fuck shit up if given a reason! It almost seems like Mihawk wouldn’t mind Luffy turning the world upside down, huh?

The Straw Hats will soon depart from the Baratie and sail for Cocoyashi!

Is Arlong hearing Boss Music yet? Does it have lyrics? Are those lyrics in LATIN?!

Keep reading to find out!

Until next time, later!