Okay

Okay! Zoro vs. Mihawk time! Last stretch of the test! Don't expect good fighting scenes because I suck!

Vivi: Sounds like you're getting better.

Hell yeah! After this chapter, I have a real treat for those who like super sweet and fluffy scenes.

Vivi: Really!?

It's not completely done, but yeah! I'm really excited!

Vivi: I can't wait for it to be completely done!

You just have too! Like everyone else!

Vivi: Aww!

Enjoy everyone!

Chapter 35: Fight between Two Amazing Swordsmen!

The ten-minute breather was up, and Zoro heard footsteps and looked to see Mihawk, with the black blade sword.

"Ready lad?" Mihawk said.

Zoro took his bandana off from his arm and tied it onto his head, got into his ready stance and grinned. "Been ready!" He said as he placed the third sword into his mouth.

There was a pausing silence as the two faced each other.

Everything was still, even the smallest amount of wind stilled as the two faced each other. No one saw or heard the beginning signal, but what they did see was the two swordsmen's blades collide, making a loud sound that seemed to echo throughout the island. No one could follow the intense speed of the two as sounds of metal on metal were heard.

In the eyes of Zoro, there's only him, Mihawk, and the platform, there's nothing else in the world where he was concerned.

No one saw what happened, but they saw the two of the three swords fly up into the air and landed, blade down, into the platform.

Zoro didn't back away though. He took the third sword from his mouth and did some one-sword-style moves before attempting to do one last move: Lion's Song.

"You've improved…" Mihawk said as a tear appeared on his sleeve. "But you still much to learn."

Zoro knew he was beat and any normal person would just bow and admit that they lost, but he wasn't a normal person. He sheathed his sword and got up, knowing one honorable way to end this fight without wounding or disappointing himself, Mihawk, and their pride as swordsmen. He turned to face the other and spread his arms out on either side, causing confusion throughout the stadium.

"What the hell is that idiot doing?" Sanji said.

Luffy's expression was that of worry, but he trusted the other's decision, even if he didn't fully agree with it.

"He's not doing what I think he's doing…" Brooke said in awed shock.

"What is it?" Usopp, Chopper, Johnny, and Yosaku asked while the others were watching intensely. They were slightly shocked how serious Luffy really looked as well as they saw the white knuckles form on his closed fists.

"What now?" Mihawk said.

"It's shameful for a swordsman to be hit from behind." Zoro said with a grin that said he didn't regret this.

(Yes, I had to steal this line from the manga.)

Mihawk grinned as well. "Well said."

There was a collective gasp when Mihawk lifted his sword and swung down across the green-haired man's chest. There was a moment of stillness before the sight of blood came.

"ZOROOO!!" Luffy called out when the mentioned other fell backward onto the platform.

The older teen heard Luffy, but didn't feel bad about what he had decided.

"You made quite a stir, Roronoa Zoro." Mihawk said.

"Hey…"

"Aye…"

"Until we meet again, I won't loose in any of my future fights…"

Mihawk grinned with a proud air. "Good… Now rest, don't want to rush to your death now would we?"

Zoro didn't need to be told because he was already asleep.

Back on the Ground

"BASTARD!!" Luffy said as he tried to get a punch in at Mihawk.

"He's not dead…" Mihawk said simply.

Luffy just stared at the older man when his friend came by on a stretcher. He took one more look at the master swordsman and gave out a small grin before following the guys that were taking Zoro onto Robin's ship, where Chopper's clinic was located.

"Good team…" Mihawk said as Shanks walked up to him.

"You just have to make it so dramatic, don't ya." He said with some light tone.

"He wanted it that way, and neither one of us would have it any other way."

Shanks sighed. "Aye… But a cut that deep is gonna leave a scar…"

"Is that a problem?"

"Nah! But I'm worried about Luffy though…"

"He'll be fine… Those two look out for one another."

"Aye, Luffy didn't speak a word after he came back to sit with us. And he didn't cheer for Zoro like everyone else."

"A good friend would know that sometimes the greatest amount of support to give to a person is not speak at all and believe in them."

Shanks laughed. "That sounds like Luffy all right!"

Mihawk just smirked. "They're good for each other, that's all I have to say about those two."

Shanks nodded in agreement. "Well! The tests are over and done with."

"That they have."

"Zoro-san won't be too happy to know by the time he wakes up you're already gone back out to sea."

"I don't think he has a problem with that."

"No?"

"After this, he said that the next time we meet he will be stronger. He must've known that I wasn't going to stick around a nut house all summer."

"That's cold…" Shanks said with a child-like pout.

"Don't give me that." Mihawk said with a bored expression. "I've already had a chat with your youngest, and I certainly don't want to have the same talk with you."

"You're no fun man!"

"Get over it."

"How about a drink?"

Mihawk sighed. "Fine! You better have a good selection then."

"Not a problem! I picked up only the finest I could find!"

Mihawk rolled his eyes, but walked side-by-side with the man nevertheless.

I know its short and I'm almost done with the next chapter, so please be patient.

Vivi: R&R!