The metallic scrape of metal on metal echoed through the ruins around two men as they battled against one another. Dracule Mihawk and Roronoa Zoro, two of the fiercest swordsmen on the grandline stood locked in a battle of will and strength. Their blades screeched as the metal clashed and rattled with the strength their wielders forced onto them.

Sweat trickled down Zoro's tanned skin and his wounds – barely healed – ached against the tight bandages wound around them. Emerald eyes narrowed against the poisonous yellow orbs that glared back at him. The bastard didn't even look like he was trying! Zoro pushed his muscles harder and couldn't help a smirk as his opponent grunted and shifted ever so slightly in the clash.

As soon as it started it was over as the two drew back simultaneously, blades sparking at the sudden friction. They leapt back to get space between them and stared each other down. Zoro took note that Mihawk was giving him ithat/i look again. It was one he was familiar with and he knew it all too well. It was the hunter looking at his prey; Roronoa Zoro was nobody's prey. He frowned and flexed his fingers around the blades in his hands, tightening his grip. To his surprise, Mihawk dropped his stance and smirked at him.

"That's enough for today." He stated and turned his back on Zoro.

"I can still fight!" Zoro shouted, angry at the sudden stop in his training.

"I'm hungry," Mihawk replied blandly and paused in his stride. He turned to look at Zoro over his shoulder. "And you're exhausted."

Zoro cursed, but dropped his stance and sheathed his blades. He'd learned by now that arguing and protest would get him nowhere. His eyes once again met the poison ones of Mihawk and his frown deepened.

"What?" he demanded, tired of the scrutiny.

Mihawk snorted gently and turned away from Zoro again. He resumed his slow pace back towards his home and Zoro reluctantly followed.

"I wonder," the older man said as they walked, amusement dripping from his tone, "if you can handle all I have to teach you, boy?"

"I can take anything you throw at me." Zoro answered cockily.

"Is that so?" Mihawk replied. "Anything?"

"Anything." Zoro repeated, annoyed by his smug tone.

"Then I suppose our time together could turn out to be quite 'fun', boy."

Zoro huffed and turned his face away to glare at the ruins around them. Mihawk doubted the young man had any idea what he had in mind, but Zoro ihad/i said he could take ianything/i. Yes, this could prove to be quite fun indeed...