Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece or its characters. If I did, I wouldn't be writing this, I'd be molesting Zoro.
Words in italics represent Zoro's thoughts. Words between the = equal signs = quotes the past.
Strength
Part 1: Stronger
Roronoah Zoro, legendary pirate hunter, often called a monster who has contained the fates of many within his three treasured swords, with a habit of ruthlessly marking death upon those ill-fated, was filled with anticipation.
The man that held his destiny had come to him. All the nights awaiting to see the one who held what the young swordsman had desired since he was a child had in no way even begun to inhabit the thirst that he felt at that moment.
It was time to take what he had vowed to possess. He smirked.
"The Ultimate Power!" The possessive thirst ached within his anxious body, barely suppressed shaking over powering him. All his hopes, all her dreams, lied in the fallen body of a single man. "I have looked for you for a long time."
Mihawk raised an elegant eyebrow, "What do you want from me?"
Zoro removed his bandana from his left arm and enthusiastically retied the black material around his head. Earrings dangling, he repeated, "The Ultimate Power."
The man know as "Hawk Eye," casually sat upon his throne chair, hands clasped over his crossed knee, closed his eyes in calm contemplation.
"You're free, right?" Zoro's smirk widened, "Why don't you fight me?"
At this, a voiced wave crashed, loud outbursts to whispered fears surrounded the two.
"He is Zoro!"
"Roronoah Zoro of the three swords style!"
"The Pirate Hunter?"
"Him?"
In a single graceful leap, Mihawk left behind his floating comfort and joined Zoro on the mangled ship's debris. Arms crossed over his bare chest, eyes hidden, much like Zoro's, beneath a wide brimmed velvet hat, he mauled over his challenge, "Even the greatest swordsman won't fight me because they can estimate their power and cannot compare it to me. Your strong will that wants to challenge me either comes from your brave heart . . .," he paused, " . . .Or from your foolishness."
Unaffected by the man's words, the former pirate hunter prepared himself. Swords in each hand, his most fond one in mouth, he replied, "It is my dream . . ." But hers first . . . " . . . and my promise to my best friend." My sea and my anchor, all in one.
"This does not make you any better," the unmoving hawk eyed man stated.
In stance, Zoro awaited in expectancy the arrival of Mihawk's massive sword. But it never came.
"Hey, what do you think your doing?!" He asked, a vein popped onto his forehead in annoyance.
Mihawk had not reached for his weapon of choice, but rather, had presented a tiny dagger to Zoro's sight. Taking notice of the confusion in the young man's eyes, he explained himself slowly, "I am not a stupid person to use all of what I have to hunt a rabbit." He looked down at his piteous knife, then glanced up at Zoro, almost as if looking at a child. "Unfortunately, I do not carry a smaller knife than this one."
Rage drowned out what little patience Zoro had left. "Man, watch your words," Body in position, swords aimed, he charged towards the owner of the smug half smile, "otherwise, you'll regret it when you die!"
Without a blink, he watched as Zoro swiftly ran towards him, the intention of death evident in his eyes, and thought nothing of it. "You have yet to see the real world."
Head tucked low. Chin touching his collar bone. Arms crossed. Swords held high.
"KILLER SWORD!" Zoro shouted, unleashing his strongest technique, envisioning Mihawk's death as the result, aligned his hand held swords into a steady "X" shape, while the blade held in his mouth crossed the others in the middle. Victory only seconds away, Zoro awaited the strike. Yet, the expected glorious contact was never made.
In disbelief, Zoro's eyes widened in shock.
What?!
The single minuscule knife retained the force of all three swords . . . and Mihawk showed no evidence of strain.
I can't move. How? No one has ever been able to survive this technique, let alone stop it! But he can stop me with this . . . this . . . TOY?! How? Why?
The dumbfounded swordsman stared into the older man's unwavering golden eyes, dismayed.
How can this be? What is the difference between us two? Why is he so different from me?! This is impossible!
Battle cry erupted, Zoro charged again.
The real world can't be so different!!!
*clang* *clang* *clang* *clang*
Millions upon millions of metallic clangs surrounded him. Once comforting, was now suffocating and painful to his ears.
Nothing is connecting! I . . . I . . . can't . . .
He fell on his back, cold perspiration slowly dripping from his body. With little hesitation, he picked himself up and bellowed a new cry to the skies.
*clang* *clang* *clang* *clang*
After all I've been through, all I get is this toy?!
*clang* *clang* *clang* *clang*
"I practice to WIN!"
=It is lucky of you to have been born as a boy. I've always dreamed of being an invincible swordsman.=
You would have been . . .
=One day either you or I will become an invincible swordsman! Okay?=
"I've practiced so hard to defeat this man!"
He thought of the tears shed, her warmth and essence still left on her sword. He thought of her dreams lost . . . and his resolve attained.
=I will become stronger for her=
I thought I had . . .
=I will become stronger! Stronger!=
I want to be stronger!
=Stronger . . . for her. Not for myself, for her!=
=I want to become an invincible swordsman!=
I thought I HAD!
Mihawk's expression turned serious as he asked, "What is your purpose? What do you want from this ultimate power, weakling?"
Thrown back again, feet having only tasted the floor for a swift moment before his tiring limbs returned to his mission.
In despair, Zoro began to feel fear in his heart. What if he lost? The shame in his heart brought images of Kuina- young and beautiful, smiling proudly with a twinge of sorrow-and Rufi - a toothy grin, filled with his own hopes and dreams.
Hn, what had he said once? The strongest swordsman and the king of pirates, the perfect combination? Can I really destroy this belief?
He reposition his hand held swords over Kuina's, back arched.
Can I really break my vow to her? I want to be . . . I promised to her I'd be . . .
"LION KILLING SWORD!!!"
THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD!
He had not felt the pain. He had not felt the cold blade. All he felt was his worried heart being drained of all its fears. The fear of death, the fear of losing, the fear of shame, the fear of regret, all poured out of his beating soul in the form of warm crimson. He no longer feared, because he knew the outcome now. It wasn't an if or a maybe. Zoro knew. He knew.
He had lost.
"Do you want this knife to go through your heart? Why aren't you stepping back?"
Although he knew this, accepting it was another aspect entirely.
"I . . . I don't know," he replied," but I feel that if I take a single step back I have broken my promise, and I will not be able to stand here again."
"Right. That is called losing."
Somehow, Mihawk's comment had not only sounded absolutely true to the defeated young man's ears, but emitted a laughter from deep within himself.
"Haha, I guess that's why I can't step back!"
Mihawk lost his superior gaze and stared intently at Zoro, confusion marring his sophisticated manner.
"Even if it means that you will lose your life?"
Zoro, with a gleam in his eye, answered steadily, filled with confidence, "If I have to lose, I'd rather DIE!"
Eyebrow arched, the experienced swordsman removed the knife from Zoro's chest. Looking upon him with new found admiration, he asked, "What is your name, kid?"
"Roronoah Zoro."
"I'll remember that. I have not met a man to possess such a strong will as yours in a long time." Reaching for his giant jewel rimed ebony sword, facial expression changed, he continued, "To repay this, I will use the black sword, the strongest sword in the world, to end your life."
More and more voices. Shocked screams of unbelief, Joni, Yosaku, Rufi, and . . .
Kuina.
Zoro promptly connected his fisted knuckles, spinning his swords into a circular motion.
This is my final move. If this doesn't work it'll cost me my life. I have to choose . . . the path of an invincible swordsman . . . or death.
"The secret technique of the three swords style! TRI ELEMENTS SWORD!!!"
In panic, he felt his swords crumble to pieces. But not Kuina's. It held strong and his panic left him as he realized this. The only thing which mattered more to him than his own death was not injured. With the departure of the panic, came awareness.
I've . . . lost. I can't defeat him!
The resigned swordsman's blood ran freely from his mouth, now feeling cold to him, as if he were already dead.
Is this the true power of the strongest? I never thought this day would come.
The wielder of the black blade was now to Zoro's back. Realizing this, he quickly turned to face him, arms wide open.
"What are you doing?" Mihawk asked in surprise.
He smiled the smile of a man ready to die. "It's shameful . . . for a swordsman to be hit from behind."
"Splendid!" Mihawk exclaimed in genuine pleasure.
And as he had felt his fears escape his heart earlier, the new coursing nectar of life released everything that Zoro held true. Every little part, every little aspect of his being left him then. Empty of his entity, he let go.
I'm sorry . . . I'm sorry . . . I'm . . . so . . . sorry . . .
He heard Rufi cry out his name, he heard Mihawk advising him to not give up his life so easily . . .
My blood . . . so cold . . .
He heard his sword clash to the wooden floor, he heard the splash of the sea embrace him . . .
And he heard her sob.
My sea, my anchor, have you come to end my voyage?
The End of Part One. TBC.
Ending notes: This wasn't really the idea I had planned for this fic, initially. The first chapter is simply the basis for chapter two, which was my main purpose. This is my first One Piece fic and most likely the first fic I'll ever finished. Let's hope ^^; Goal: One more chapter, maybe two. Overall, I wanted more Kuina, so I'm compensating for it by writing about her, which I haven't YET @.@; Zoro is my absolute favorite and though I'm a new fan to One Piece, I wanted to contribute something to the OP community. Fics are limited, might as well add to 'em, ne?
In short, I'm not recapping the series, just this scene. C&C is appreciated, praised, and begged! Much thanks to Mangascreener.com ^_^
