Chapter 18

The Hawk

Maxwell turned to Zoro, not believing his ears. The hawk-eyed man, the one who destroyed Don Kreig's feet, was sought after by Zoro. "What do you mean this is the guy you're searching for!?"

"According to what Johnny said..." Zoro suddenly frowns, "Ah damn it, that idiot got his information mixed up!" He crosses his arms in frustration.

Luffy wasn't paying attention, "Hm? What about Johnny?"

"Nothing," Zoro sighed, "Never mind."

"No. Zoro this is not something you can just dismiss—!"

"Did he bear some grudge against you guys?" Sanji asked Gin. "For him to destroy your entire fleet like that..."

"I don't remember anything like that! He just attacked us all of a sudden!"

"Perhaps you disturbed his afternoon nap."

"That's bullshit!" yelled Gin. "You mean to tell me he destroyed our entire fleet for that!?"

"No need to get so irritated, it was just an example. That's just the kind of place the Grand Line is," Zeff explained

The Strawhats had listened in and look at the chef confused, "A place where even the abnormal is normal, huh?"

Luffy only got excited, "Shishishi! That sound like such a thrill! We definitely got to go there!" "Could you at least try to think of the danger!?" Usopp scolded Luffy.

Zoro kicked his feat up, looking suspiciously satisfied, "But with this, it looks like my own goal is inextricably tied with the Grand Line, considering that man is there as well!" Maxwell twist's his ear, "Owowowow!" "Listen to me when I'm scolding you!"

Sanji glances over at the Strawhats and leers at how nonchalant their acting. They're talking about an impossible man while the Baratie is about to be invaded. "...Bunch of idiots. You lot are the type to rush to their deaths."

Zoro swipes away Maxwell's hand. He had heard Sanji and addresses him, "True, but I'd rather have yo leave out the 'idiot' part..." Zoro glares up at Maxwell, asking him to back off and let him speak. Maxwell sighs and walks way from the table, heading for the injured chefs.

"Ever since I've decided to become the world's greatest swordsman, I threw away my attachment to life." Zoro looks directly at Sanji, "The only one who has the right to call me an idiot is me alone."

"Ooh! Me too!" "As a real man, the same goes for me too." "Don't believe those idiots!"

Sanji turns his head away, "...Psh. What a load of crap."

Patty decides to get thing back in order, "Hey retards! Haven't you realized the situation we're in right now!? The gigantic galleon that's parked in front of our restaurant belongs to Don Krieg! The ship of the strongest pirate in all of East Blue! You got that? So you can continue your little conversation after we've gotten ourselves out of this mess!"

A gun shot could be heard outside, followed by silence. Then everyone could hear the sounds of feet running towards them. The chefs brace for tide of battle, but just as they see the pirates something happens.

The telltale sound of chopped wood, the crashing of waves. Don Kreig's galleon was split in two.

"WHAT!?" Everybody looks at the ship in shock. In no way was that natural. Krieg's crew could be heard screaming to try and find a hold, scrambling as they're knocked off their feet. The galleon was split cleanly in two!

Maxwell's eyes widen, "THE MERRY!"

The boys immediately rush outside, "Crap! Our ship was outside too, with Nami, Yosaku, and Johnny!" "It might already be too late!"

They see the bounty hunters in the water. "Bro!" "Brother Zoro!"

Zoro leans over the rails, "Yosaku! Johnny! You alright?" The Going Merry is gone, "The ship! Where's our ship!? What happened to Nami!?"

Maxwell throws a life persevere, "Here! Grab on!"

They both grab onto the float, "About that... We're sorry bro...! She not here anymore!"

"Sister Nami...! Took the treasure and sailed away!" Both hunters cried at their uselessness.

"WHAT!?" the boys cry out. Maxwell pulls them over back in the side of deck.

"We're sorry, bro!"

Maxwell kneels down beside Johnny, "Tell us what happened!"

Sis Nami was acting all weird when she saw all the bounty posters. And we took to discussing who we could possibly fight against. That's when she started dragging the treasure on deck. She then tricked us into turning around and pushed us overboard! We demanded to know what she was doing!

"What do you mean 'what!?' It's business! After all, I am a thief specializing in stealing from pirates! This ship is no exception. I never recall agreeing to be one of the crew, only that we were cooperating! Oh but your treasures are an exception! It was a short while being with Luffy and the others, but it was a lot of fun...! Well, see ya then! They'll the others that if we're truly linked by fate, we'll meet again!"

"After saying that, she ran away!" Yosaku and Johnny bowed their heads.

"Damn that woman! Just because she was acting all nice recently. I let my guard down for one moment and then this happens!" "How dare she pull a fast one over us, especially during this crisis!" "Fade damn it! She can't have gone far!"

Luffy looks out, "Wait! I can still see our ship!" They all follow Luffy's gaze. "Yosaku! Johnny! Where's your ship!?"

"We still have ours."

"Max! Zoro! Usopp!"

Zoro waves his hand, "Just let her go. No good will come of chasing after that thief."

"But she took our ship!" Usopp protests. "That ship's important!"

"Well what in Thedas are we supposed to do!? We don't even know where she's going!"

Luffy makes a decision though, "I want her to be our navigator, no matter what!"

...

Maxwell approaches his captain, "...Luffy are you sure about this?"

"Yes."

Maxwell and Luffy stare at each other testing the resolve of their persons.

"...Okay," Maxwell nods. "Johnny! Yosaku! Prepare to set sail!"

Zoro facepalms, "Fine. ...Why'd I have to follow such a troublesome captain... Oi, Usopp! We're going!"

"R-Right!"

"Brother Zoro! We're ready to set sail!" Yosaku calls out.

Usopp turns back to their captain, "Luffy, what about you?"

"Sorry, but I can't. I still haven't paid this restaurant back for what I did."

Zoro looks at his captain, "Be careful. The situation here is getting a little crazy."

"Yeah, don't worry."

"IT'S HIM!" a pirate calls out. "Don Krieg it's him! The one who destroyed our fleet! He followed us all the way out here! He's come to kill us all!"

A man sat on a throne in his small ship. It's hull was shaped like a coffin and had candles burning on it's edges. It's mast, shaped like the hilt of his sword, was folded as it sailed through the wreckage.

Zoro couldn't believe his eyes, "I-It can't be... is that the hawk-eyed man...!?" for there sat, Dracule "Hawk-Eyes" Mihawk.

The Strongest Swordsman in the World.

Maxwell stared at the man as if it were a millennia. The Fade pounded in his ears as if trying to drag him into the abyss. He could hear the cries of battle, of men cut down by that man's blade. And... just for a moment, Maxwell swore he saw a giant black hawk, gazing down at him from an eery sky as if it could see into his very his soul.

"...We're done for." Some of the Don Krieg pirates fell to their knees in disappear. One pirate though, was desperate enough to yell at him, "Damn it! What did we ever do to you! Why the hell do you have to follow us all the way out here!"

Mihawk only looks at the man, "...Just to kill some time."

"That's bullshit!" The pirate draws his pistols and tries to shoot Mihawk. The swordsman however draws his giant cross shaped saber, and does the darnedest thing.

"He deflected it. It'll be the same no matter how many times you shoot. He changes the bullets trajectory with the tip of his blade." Zoro had already jumped of the boat and onto the wreckage. The pirates demanded to know who he was but Zoro only had eyes for Mihawk, "I've never seen such graceful movements."

Maxwell quickly snaps out of it, realizing Zoro wasn't with them any more.

"A sword without grace is no strong sword." Mihawk returns the sword to his back.

"Did you cut this ship with that sword as well?"

"Yes, indeed."

Zoro grins, "No wonder... You really are the strongest." The pirates begin to recognize him for his katanas. "I set sail to meet you!" Zoro calls out.

"...What do you aim for?"

"To be the strongest," Zoro ties on his bandana. "You said you're free right? So let's have a duel."

"What!? Zoro! What are you doing!?" Maxwell calls out. Usopp voices similar concerns, "Hey! We're going to lose sight of the ship!" The others can only watch in anticipation. This is what Zoro has been looking for.

"Pitiful weakling," Mihawk boards the wreckage platform Zoro was standing on. "If you're a competent swordsman by any means, then I can demonstrate the clear difference in strength between you and I, without needing to cross blades at all. But still, you dare challenge me. Does your bravery come from your conviction... or from ignorance?" Mihawk raises his head as if the look down on him.

Zoro equips his swords, "It comes from my ambition, and a promise to a friend." Maxwell and the others can only stare at the showdown. "To be honest, I never thought I'd be able to meet you so early on..."

"A waste if you ask me."

Johnny and Yosaku look excited, "The Worlds Strongest Swordsman versus the Pirate Hunter Zoro...! There's not a chance someone can match our bro!"

Maxwell swings his staff at both of their heads, "Are you both out of your minds!?" The bounty hunter clutch their heads in pain. "Zoro could very well die from this! Besides..." Maxwell looks at Mihawk's sword fearfully. He could hear whispers of the Fade emanating off that blade. And Maxwell knew no one here could stand against him. Mihawk draws a small knife instead.

Zoro narrows his eyes, "Just what are you planning to do with that?"

"I'm different from those stupid brutes who'd go all out just to hunt a mere rabbit. Though you may be a swordsman of some renown, this is the East Blue. The weakest of the Four Seas, separated by the Red Line and the Grant Line. Unfortunately, I do not have a smaller knife blade than this at the moment."

"There's a limit to just how much you can underestimate me...!" Zoro charges, "You better not regret it when you die!"

"Hear me, little frog in his well. It is time for you to realize the the world is bigger than what is seems from your well.

"ONI GIRI!" Mihawk merely blocks by pointing his dagger. The blade touching the cross section of Zoro's three swords. Zoro tries to overpower it, but he can't budge the dagger.

Maxwell and the other look at them shocked. "Zoro?" Luffy can't believe his eyes.

"Brother's Oni GIRI was stopped!" "His signature attack that sends his opponents flying 100% was stopped!?"

"ARGH!" Zoro swipes as fast as he can, trying to land a blow. Mihawk only blocks every blade, until he counters and pushes Zoro on his back, "Ugh!" Zoro doesn't quit though and tries again, still getting blocked.

"Such ferocity..." Mihawk only looks at Zoro, mildly interested. Johnny and Yosaku try to cheer Zoro on, but he's not making any progress.

"I trained to win! I came to beat this man!" He swings his best, remembering why he set sought Mihawk in the first place. Kuina.

"What burdens you so? What do you still desire at the extent of your strength, weakling...?"

Johnny and Yosaku take offence to this. "How dare you call our bro a weakling!" "We ought to teach you a lesson, you bastard!" Luffy catches them before they can jump into the fight.

"Stop, Yosaku! Johnny! Don't interfere!" He pins them by their heads, "Stay put right here...!" But Luffy is just as worried about Zoro as they are.

"Luffy..."

Mihawk flings Zoro back again, but Zoro rolls. He gets into another stance, "TORA," and charges, "GARI!" only to be stabbed in the chest.

"Bro!" "Zoro!"

Zoro clenches his teeth and tries to remain firm. Mihawk notices this, "Do you wish for me to pierce your heart thus? Why do you refuse to step back?"

"Beats me..." Zoro fights the instinct to fall back. "Not really sure myself... But I get the feeling that if I were to take one step back right now, I'd lose something very important to me... A promise or an oath... or whatever it is would be irreversibly broken, and I would never be able to return to where I'm standing right now.

"Yes," Mihawk stares directly into Zoro's eyes. "Such is defeat."

"Haha... Then that is why I can't step back."

Mihawk narrows his eyes, "Even if it means your death...?"

"I would much rather die." Zoro grins, despite the katana in his mouth.

Mihawk glares at the lesser swordsman before him, as if trying to determine his worth. "Kid... Tell me your name," and withdraws the dagger from Zoro's chest.

"Roronoa Zoro," he gets into one last swords stance wielding his blade as if to create a triskelion.

Mihawk draws his true sword, "I shall remember it, for your strength is not often seen in this world." He presents his blade, "And to pay my respect to you as a fellow swordsman, I shall end this duel with my black sword, the world's strongest sword, Yoru." The swordsmen move for one last bout, "Die!"

"Bro, that's enough! Stop!" The Strawhats can only stare at the climax, worrying for their friend's life.

"Santoryu Ogi!" Zoro starts to spin his blades and clashes with Mihawk, "SANZEN SEKAI!"

They clash, moving past each other, but is is clear Zoro lost.

Two of his katanas are broken, and he coughs up blood. Despite this, he sheaths his last katana, the Wado Ichimonji, and accepts his loss. All the same, he spins around and faces his opponent with his arms open wide. Mihawk looks at him suprised, "What...?"

"A wound on one's back, is a swordsman's shame."

Mihawk smiles, "Splendid," and slashes Zoro in a downstroke.

"ZORO!" "BRO!"

Zoro falls back into the ocean. The crew immediately springs into action. Maxwell tries to cast Barrier, hoping it can affect Zoro, and cursing himself for not learning that Revival spell. Johnny and Yosaku jump overboard to swim after their friend. Luffy however, is outraged, "DAMN YOU!" and stretches out to grab a broken rail. He retracts to fly after Mihawk, screaming in rage.

Naturally, the cooks and Krieg pirates are surprised at this.

"A comrade of the young swordsman?" Mihawk simply moves out of Luffy's line of fire. "So you've also witnessed what just transpired...!" Luffy's pulls himself out of the wreckage he crashed into, "Fear not. That man is still alive."

Luffy opens his eyes shocked, and looks out to the water. "Bro! Answer us, bro! Zoro!" Johnny and Yosaku resurface with Zoro in their arms. He's still breathing.

"Zoro!" "Hurry up and get him on the boat!"

"I am Dracule Mihawk! It is much to early for you to die." "Usopp grab the medicine bag! I can't heal this like I normally can." "Know thyself!" "Hurry! Apply the medicine on his wounds!" "Know thy World! And become strong, Roronoa!"

"No matter how many months or years pass by, I shall stand here at the top of the world and wait for you! So forge ahead with that fierce conviction and try to surpass my sword! SURPASS ME, RORONOA!"

Maxwell pours all his energy into trying to close the wound but the spell isn't working like it's supposed to. At most, it closes the gap, but it doesn't accelerate the healing. He can sense a bit of energy in it too.

Mihawk looks down at Luffy, "Boy, what do you aim for?"

"I'm going to be King of the Pirates!"

Mihawk closes his eyes, "A tough path indeed. Even tougher that surpassing myself."

"Whatever! I'm going to do it anyways!" He looks back at his crew, "Max! Is Zoro alright!?"

"He's still alive, but I can't heal the wound like I usually do! He's unconscious right now." Johnny and Yosaku can only watch as Maxwell tries to heal him. But they all flinch back as Zoro suddenly raises his sword to the sky, surprising everyone.

"L-Luffy... C... Can you hear me...?"

"Yeah!" Luffy stands up to try and get a better look.

"Sorry for worrying you... I know... that if I don't become... the World's greatest swordsman, it will only embarrass you...!" Luffy can only look at stunned at Zoro's words.

Zoro coughs up blood again,, but keeps his sword in the air, "Bro! Please don't talk anymore!" "Bro!" "Lie still! You can't afford to move as you are right now!"

"I SWEAR!" Zoro continues on anyway, even with tears in his eyes, "I SWEAR I'M NEVER GOING TO LOSE AGAIN! Until the day I fight him and win... I swear! TO NEVER LOSE AGAIN!" Mihawk and Luffy smile at the swordsman, knowing just how determined he is.

"Any problems? Pirate King!?"

"Shishishi! Nope!"

"Okay, you said your piece, now shut up and let me work! Johnny! Yosaku! Grab some gauze and bandages!" Maxwell redoubles his efforts to treat Zoro's wounds.

"You make a good team. I'd like to see you two again, sometime in the future..." Mihawk moves to leave in his boat.

"Hawk-Eyes!" Don Krieg appears on the platform. "Did you come all the way out here for my head? The head of the infamous ruler of East Blue, Don Krieg!?" he smiles arrogantly.

"For a while, yes. But I've already enjoyed myself here. And so I'll go back to my nap."

"No need to be so curt. You may have had your fun, but I sure haven't!" Krieg's crew looks at him like he's crazy. Krieg mounts his guns, "How about you die before leaving!?"

"Hmph, you never learn do you... Farewell." Mihawk slashes with Yoru. Water and pressure surges forward with his blade and rocks the wreckage. Krieg's men are tossed around again, and Mihawk disappears.

"Hmph, gone already..." Krieg's Gomes smoke from the gunpowder.

Luffy is knocked back towards the Baratie, "Woah!" He quickly looks toward his crew though, "Max! Usopp! Go on ahead!"

"Alright!" Usopp calls back as Max focuses on Zoro. "Zoro, Max, and I will definitely bring back Nami! So you make sure to get us a cook! Once we have six people on our crew, let's head to the Grand Line!"

"Yeah! Let's!"

Johnny and Yosaku sail the ship to follow the Merry, on the horizon. Hoping it's not to late.