This is the 20th chapter. Alright guys, this is the first part of battle where Zoro faces Mihawk. I know it's a slow progress for making this story, but the only reason is because I've been working on those two stories which some of you are may or may not be aware which that's fine. Anyway, I'll do what I can though so there's no promise that I'll be able to finish that story. So, I may come up with that solution, this story is going to be the first volume of the 'Straw Hats Dragoon' and I'll be planning to make another volume in the future after I finish this first one.
I don't own the series of One Piece.
No flame reviews.
Clash of Two Swordsmen! 'Hawkeye' Mihawk vs Roronoa Zoro!
Somewhere at sea, Baratie
After the ship was split into three when 'Hawkeye' Mihawk use his sword to stop the Krieg pirates from the attack and Nami stole the Going Merry ship, the Straw Hat crew dragged Johnny and Yosaku out of the ocean, placing them in the Baratie when they panted heavily with exhaustion. Luffy, Usopp, and Zoro were very angry when they heard that Nami have stolen the Going Merry and toss the two bounty hunters overboard, except Ventus which he was napping at the crows nest.
"What you say!?" Usopp shouts with a glare.
"For real? Nami's sailed off with the Going Merry?" Luffy asks with panic expression.
"I need a straight answer! Now what happen!?" Zoro demands with serious glare.
"Well, it only happen in only few minutes..."
With that, Johnny and Yosaku begin explain about why they were tossed overboard. They explain that Nami was leaning against the wooden rail, looking at the bounty of Arlong, the same fishman invaded her home years ago. Both Johnny and Yosaku were explaining about his bounty which it was way too high, telling her that he's keeping at a low profile for a while and staying out of sight, but he's been causing a lot of trouble which invading her village is one of them. Even though, Arlong was strong and they could die easily. However, she wasn't paying attention when she uses her sex appeal, persuading them to turn around when she about to change, leaving them blushed as they then turned around.
Unknown to them, Ventus was watching them when he's still at the crows nest since he heard their explanation, but what got him to blush was that Nami was using her sex appeal, quickly hides himself while cover his manhood with his hands. Even though, he's going through his puberty despite his age and he's way too young to look at naked women.
Until, Nami then pushes Johnny and Yosaku overboard, causing the two bounty hunters to get upset when they want to know is why would she do that? Apparently, Nami wasn't officially apart of Luffy's crew, telling them that she's thief that stole treasures from pirates which she was planning on stealing the ship. She was only traveling with them, though she spend a short amount of time with them. She wants to give them a message: If it's truly meant to be, I'll see them real soon.
With that, Nami then set sail towards the next island with the stowaway which she doesn't know that Ventus was still in the Going Merry.
When Johnny and Yosaku explains, they spoke.
"So that's the story of how Big Sis Nami took the ship." Johnny told them with their heads down.
"We're sorry." Yosaku apologize, causing Zoro to punch the wall.
"Dammit! She just had to make a bad situation worse!?" Zoro growled when his veins popped his head.
"The heartless thief! Kaya gave us that ship!?" Usopp added when his veins popped his head.
"Wait! I see a ship! It's the Going Merry!" Luffy told his crew, seeing the Going Merry that was sailing far away from the Baratie as he then turn his head to the two bounty hunters. "Tell me where your boat is."
"We have it mourn to the restaurant." Yosaku told him.
"Zoro, Usopp, don't just stand there! Take their ship and go get Nami!" Luddy ordered seriously.
"Calm down, let her keep the ship. Trust me, that woman is way more trouble than she worth." Zoro told him, doesn't want to accept the order, but realized. "Wait! Was the kid with her!?"
"We haven't seen him since he flew up in the crows nest. He's probably taking a nap or something." Johnny told him with a shrug. "As far as I know, he's still up there."
"Good, as least that'll give us time to go and fetch the kid along with the ship." Zoro stated. "I told him to stay inside the ship since Don Krieg barged inside of the Baratie."
"All I care was that Nami was the only personal accept as the ship's navigator." Luffy declared seriously.
"Yeah, well I'm more worried about the kid." Zoro counters. "Just as long as he stays hidden, she won't notice him. Otherwise, she might throw him overboard, but with his dragon traits, he can fly his way back at the ship. Johnny, Yosaku, do know where she's heading."
Johnny and Yosaku then ponder for a few seconds and then realize what Nami was heading as they spoke.
"If it's where Big Sis Nami was heading, then she'll get herself killed by Arlong." Johnny explains.
"She's heading to Cocoyashi Village." Yosaku added. "That's where Arlong and his crew were at."
That got Zoro widen his eyes with shock, realize that Ventus was heading there which he might face Arlong and his crew on his own. He couldn't help but feel worried that Ventus is going to get himself killed by the hands of Arlong.
"Dammit! Usopp, let's get going!" Zoro shouts. "We need to get to Ventus before Arlong kills him!"
Usopp give him a nod with a reply, leaving Johnny and Yosaku the ship when they sailed close to the Baratie as they then drop the anchor.
"The ship's ready new action, Big Bro Zoro." Johnny and Yosaku told him in unison.
"Hey, what about you?" Zoro inquired.
"I should probably stick around til' I get thing settled with the restaurant. Know what I mean?" Luffy told him, thrust his thumb.
"Well, be careful." Zoro told his captain. "This situation here could get really bad really fast."
"Yeah, got that right." Luffy nod with an agreement.
The Krieg pirates was still holding on the destroyed ship which they have no idea that the ship was split into three which they thought they're safe from harm, but they thought wrong. 'Hawkeye' Mihawk was sailing when the Krieg pirates seen him with shock and frightful expression on their faces as one of the spoke.
"DON KRIEG! THE MAN WHO DESTROYED OUR SHIP IS BACK! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO!?"
However, that shout have got their attention, mostly Zoro when he saw 'Hawkeye' Mihawk.
"That's...That's him." Zoro said with shock, made his heart beating with excitement. "That man is..."
Don Krieg then see 'Hawkeye' Mihawk sailing towards the sea restaurant with a scowl.
'That son of a bitch.' Don Krieg mentally cursed while the Krieg pirates looked at him with fright.
"That psycho followed us back here! He's gonna kill us all!?"
"Everybody's gonna die!?"
"Hey, who's that?" Luffy asks with confusing which Zoro stood in silent when they saw 'Hawkeye' Mihawk.
"That's the man I've been looking for. 'Hawkeye' Mihawk." Zoro answered.
"So that's Mihawk?" Luffy question seriously.
"Yeah, the Greatest Swordsman." Zoro answered.
Of course, the chefs, Patty, Carne, Sanji, and Zeff seen 'Hawkeye' Mihawk sailing towards the Baratie with shocked expression on their faces, but Zeff and Sanji look at him seriously which the atmosphere was starting to grew more intense.
"That's gotta be the guy who destroyed Krieg's fleet, he sink 50 pirate ships out on the Grand Line all by himself." Patty said, holding his giant fork.
"Looks like he came back to finish the job, but is that all he wants?" Carne questions.
"Wait a minute! He just looks like any ordinary man, he doesn't even appear to have any kind of special weapons with him."
"He carries his weapon on his back." Zeff told him, leaving the chefs shocked.
"That's impossible!" Patty exclaims with deny.
"He could've have destroyed a galleon like that using nothing but a sword." Carne added.
"'Hawkeye' Mihawk is the true master, he's without a doubt 'The Greatest Swordsman in the World'." Zeff explains, leaving 'Hawkeye' Mihawk lift his head with his murderous gaze.
'I never thought that I would meet him so soon. The time has come, for me to fulfill my promise.' Zoro mentally thought with a smirk and excitement, swallowed a lump on his throat while drew his katana. One of the Krieg pirates grew angry as he spoke.
"You...You monster! Why are you doing this to us!? What the hell have we ever done to you!?"
'Hawkeye' Mihawk was just silent when he look slightly at him as he spoke.
"Just killing time." Mihawk answered simply, causing the Krieg pirate drew out two of his pistols.
"BASTARD!?"
Before he would fire his pistols, 'Hawkeye' Mihawk then drew out his black long sword, aiming at him as the Krieg pirate fire his pistols as the bullets was heading towards him, but Mihawk use the tip of his blade to divert them, leaving them shocked.
"What! I missed!? But I aim straight for him!"
"He diverted them." Zoro told him, leaving him spooked. "He change the course of the bullet, using the tip of his sword."
'Hawkeye' Mihawk then placed his sword on his back.
"That can't be!"
Zoro then walk past him with an excited smirk on his face.
"Hold on! Who do you think you are?"
Then one of the Krieg pirates then look at Zoro's swords, realized who he is.
"He's got three swords! It couldn't be..."
"I've never seen a sword handled so gently, or with such grace." Zoro stated.
"There's no strength in swordplay based on force." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk told him, looking at Zoro.
"Did you also use that sword to slice up this ship?" Zoro asks.
"I did." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk answered.
"Then its true, you're the best." Zoro proclaimed, excitedly. "I set sail for only one reason, to meet you."
"And what is your goal?" 'Hawkeye' Mihawk inquired.
"To beat you." Zoro answered, placing his bandana on his head.
"How foolish." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk scoffed with a smirk, leaving Zoro drew out his Wado Ichimonji. "
"You've got spare time. So lets do this." Zoro declared.
"Whoa, no way! It's him, Rorona Zoro! It's Zoro the 'Three-Sword Style'!"
"It is!?"
"Really? A Pirate Hunter." Don Krieg said, unamused.
"He's a what!?" Sanji exclaims with shock.
Zeff knew that this fight is between the two swordsman while Usopp saw that the Going Merry was about to disappear as he turned to Luffy and spoke.
"Hey Luffy, we better hurry, come on! The Going Merry is about to sail right out of sight." Usopp told his captain, but Luffy was standing there, watching the two swordsmen. "Hey, Luffy."
"A fight." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk said with disappointment tone, looking at him. "You're a weak, pitiful creature."
Zoro didn't like his words which he scowled as 'Hawkeye' Mihawk then leap off his raft in a blink of an eye, landed on the wreck as he spoke.
"If you are in fact a competent swordsman, you should see the disparity in our abilities even before we cross swords." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk told him in a stoic fashion, cross him arms. "I must ask you, why have you challenged me? Could it be your courage? Or is it simply your ignorance?"
"My ambition drives me." Zoro answered with a smirk, placing his sword on his mouth while drew out his swords. "Also, I made a promise I intend to keep."
"'The Greatest Swordsman in the World' going up against Roronoa Zoro, two masters of swordplay, what kind of a fight is this gonna turn out to be?" Patty said, looking at the two swordsmen.
"There isn't a person alive who can defeat Big Bro!?" Yosaku stated with a yell, leaving Johnny chuckled with an agreement. "He's already the best in the world."
'Hawkeye' Mihawk then pull out his crucifix pendent, leaving Zoro wonder with confusion as he then drew it out which happens to be the dagger as spoke.
"Funny, what are you think you're going to do with that?" Zoro questions seriously.
"It'll be more than adequate. After all, you wouldn't kill a fly with a cannon, would you?" 'Hawkeye' Mihawk asks with sarcasm. "You may have quite the reputation on the East Blue, but that doesn't mean much to me. This sea is by far the weakest of the four. Unfortunately, I don't carry any blade smaller than this one."
"I have had just about had enough of your attitude." Zoro said, grit his teeth as he then rush after him. "Now you die!?"
"You have no idea how big the world really is." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk said with a glare.
"Oni Giri" Zoro then crosses his two swords across his chest as he then swings his swords at him, but 'Hawkeye' Mihawk easily block that attack with his dagger, leaving Zoro shocked. "What the!?"
"Zoro!" Luffy called him with worry.
"What!? Big Bro's 'Oni Giri' was stopped!?" Johnny exclaims with shock.
"But that's crazy!?" Yosaku added with shock. "That attack never fails to stop an enemy! What's going on here!?"
Zoro was trying to move his three swords, but it won't budge an inch because 'Hawkeye' Mihawk have stopped that attack with his dagger dead in center.
'I can't move my swords! What has he done? No ones been able to defend against that technique!? He's stopped it with a pocket knife!' Zoro mentally thought while trying to move his swords. 'No! This...This can't be happening!? He can't be this much better than me!? There's no way our skills that this far apart!?'
'Hawkeye' Mihawk deepened his scowl when Zoro manage to take a few steps back as he then charge after him.
"I Am Not That Far Behind The World's Strongest!?" Zoro yelled as he unleash the flurry of slashes at him, leaving him blocking every single of his attacks with his dagger as 'Hawkeye' Mihawk then rotate his direction while blocking those attacks, knocking Zoro out.
"You're just toying with him, right? Fight for real, Big Bro!?" Yosaku shouts with shock.
"Big Bro!?" Johnny shouts.
"You can't be that much better than me." Zoro growled when he stood up as he then charge after 'Hawkeye' Mihawk.
Zoro then began to unleash the flurry of slashes, but 'Hawkeye' Mihawk was still in defense since he kept blocking every attacks with his dagger. When he leap at the top of the wooden rail, he then leap when manage to dodge that slash, leaving Zoro slice the wooden rail when 'Hawkeye' Mihawk landed behind him as Zoro then chase after him and unleash his attack, cause him to block with his dagger.
"Such ferocious swordplay." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk said as Zoro then use the sword from his mouth to attack, leaving him to block and cause a shockwave which led up to a stalemate. When they broke off the stalemate, Zoro then unleash the flurry of slashes with ferocity while 'Hawkeye' Mihawk keeps on blocking those attacks.
'I did not devote my entire life to swordsmanship to be despats by a toy like this.' Zoro mentally thought when he kept attack, but he heard Kuina's voice calling his name as he then remembered her, but he lost his focus when 'Hawkeye' Mihawk dodge his attack as he then chop the back of Zoro's neck with his hand, leaving him cough in pain. Zoro then remember the time when he was defeated by Kuina during the sword fights countless times when he was a child and made a promise to her that one of them will become the 'World's Greatest Swordsman', but he also remembered how Kuina died when he tends to the funeral since the promise was broken. Zoro then remembered that his teacher have given him the Wado Ichimonji when he told him the resolve and his goal since he made a promise to Kuina.
When his flashbacks ended, he then look at 'Hawkeye' Mihawk standing which he hasn't even breaking a sweat while Zoro then pants heavily because he kept going on the offense.
'I will defeat this man, for her!' Zoro mentally shouts as he then stood up which he was feeling a bit fatigued as he slowly when he was about to attack him, but 'Hawkeye' Mihawk dodged while Zoro then collapse down to the wrecked ship, panting heavily as he spoke.
"What is it then? What weight do you carry upon your shoulders?" 'Hawkeye' Mihawk questioned seriously. "Speak up, weakling."
"How dare you call him weakling!? You pay for that!?" Yosaku yelled with anger, holding his sword.
"We'll teach you a lession!?" Johnny added with anger as they drew out their swords, about to charge after him.
"No! Johnny, Yosaku, get back here!" Luffy yelled when he stretched his arms to grab hold of the two bounty hunters, dragging them back as he hold them down. "Just stay put!"
Both Johnny and Yosaku were struggling on Luffy's hold since they didn't have much of a choice, but not to interfere the fight when Usopp look at his captain. Zoro then stood up as he spoke.
"No, I won't lose. I refuse to be defeated." Zoro told him seriously, leaving them into a standstill when the Straw Hat crew, Krieg pirates, and the chefs were watching the fight since this is getting intense as he then raise his swords over his shoulders. "Tiger Hunt"
When he was about to attack by swinging forth a forward descending slash, 'Hawkeye' Mihawk stopped him in his tracks when he impaled him at the chest with his dagger, causing the blood dripping down which Mihawk was surprised that Zoro didn't step back.
"You're defeated, yet you won't step back. Why not?" 'Hawkeye' Mihawk questions.
"I don't know." Zoro answered. "But, I will not run. Even if I retreat a single step, I would be shattering the promises I've made. I can't run, I would lose my honor. You see, without that, there would be nothing left for me."
"That's what 'defeat' is?" 'Hawkeye' Mihawk questions with a scowl.
"Then I won't accept defeat." Zoro told him.
"Then you'll die." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk stated.
"I'd rather die than give up." Zoro retorts, leaving him surprised.
'A strong heart indeed. He chooses death before defeat.' 'Hawkeye' Mihawk mentally thought as he pulls out his dagger, taking a few steps back as he spoke while placed his sheathe on his dagger. "Sir, state your name."
Zoro then holds his swords at the angle against each other as he spoke.
"I am Roronoa Zoro." Zoro answered as 'Hawkeye' Mihawk then grabbed his sword.
"I'll remember it, no one as strong as you has come around for quite some time." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk said, drawing out his sword.
His sword was like a Western-like sword that was in a cruciform and well-ornated with a curved, single-edge, black sword. The hilt of the sword was two-handed with a bandage wrapped grip, a top large blue rounded cabochon to serve as a pommel, golden crossguard that resembles a crucifix, blue and green gems.
"So as swordman's courtesy, I'll use the 'World's Strongest' black sword to finish you." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk declared.
"Thank you, I appreciate it." Zoro thanked him.
The Krieg pirates then realize that 'Hawkeye' Mihawk drew out the sword, the same black sword that destroyed the entire pirate fleet.
'So this is it, either I will be the 'World's Strongest' or death.' Zoro mentally thought as they get into their fighting stance. Luffy was watching with his serious look on his face while both Johnny and Yosaku pleaded him to stop this fight. "Three Sword Style Secret Technique"
Zoro then rotates his swords to create the momentum as 'Hawkeye' Mihawk then charges after him.
"Three Thousand Worlds"
When both of the swordsman then clashed each other while into a standstill, Zoro was defeated when his two katanas were shattered into pieces and was slashed, leaving him collapse down to his knee. He then took his Wado Ichimonji out of his mouth while placing it on his scbbard.
'I've lost, never in my life did I imagine I'd lose. So this is the power of the 'Greatest in the World'.' Zoro mentally thought as he stood up while turned to him, raise his arms.
"But why?" 'Hawkeye' Mihawk questions with shock.
"Scars on a back are swordsman shame." Zoro told him with a smirk, leaving 'Hawkeye' Mihawk accepts as he then slash his chest once more, leaving the blood splatter over his chest, nearly killed him.
'ZOOORRRROOOOOOOOOOOOO!?" Luffy yelled with shock.
"You shouldn't rush these things, young man." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk told him as Zoro then head towards the water.
"Zoro!?" Usopp yelled.
"Big Bro!?" Johnny and Yosaku yelled with teary eyes.
"NNNNNOOOOOOOOO!?" Luffy yelled.
'Why!?' Sanji mentally thought with serious expression, remembered Zoro told him that he devoted his entire life to become the 'World's Greatest Swordsman'. 'He's insane! His opponent was way out of league! How that fight would end is clear from start! Why choose death!?'
"DON'T BE STUPID! GIVE UP YOUR AMBITION AND LIVE!?" Sanji yelled.
The Krieg then saw the power of 'Hawkeye' Mihawk which it was terrifying, even going towards the Grand Line was terrifying when Gin have witnessed it firsthand. Luffy was now really angry as he then stretch his hand towards him while the two bounty hunters head towards the ocean to get Zoro. When Luffy grab the wooden rail, he then flew himself after 'Hawkeye' Mihawk with anger, leaving the chefs and Sanji shocked for what they have saw.
"He must be some kind of freak."
"So, that loudmouth little twerp has the power of a Devil Fruit." Don Krieg said.
Luffy was about to punch him, but 'Hawkeye' Mihawk dodged his attack with ease, leaving Luffy crashing towards the wreck as he then tried to pull himself out.
"Are you that young warrior's comrade? I'm impressed with you for not interfering." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk said as Luffy pulls his head out of the wreck. "There's nothing to be upset about. Your friend will live."
Luffy was confused at first, but Mihawk was telling the truth when he saw the two bounty hunters got a hold of Zoro, begging him to speak as Luffy stood up.
"Zoro!?" Luffy called him with a shout, leaving Zoro cough a bit of his blood. "ZOOOORRROOOOO!?"
"Come on, let's hurry up and get him out of the water." Usopp told them as the two bounty hunters dragged Zoro out of the water while placing him on the small boat. Usopp then rush towards him when he got the medicine from the cabin. "I've got some medicine, here."
"It's still far too early for you to die." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk told him. "My name is 'Hawkeye' Mihawk. You're strong, but there is much for you to learn. No matter how many years it takes, I will hold this title as the 'Greatest in the World' and wait for you. Until that day, you must hone your skills. Then, seek me out, Roronoa Zoro!"
The two bounty then begs Zoro to say something as Zeff spoke.
"Not just anyone can earn the regard of 'Hawkeye' Mihawk." Zeff stated seriously.
"You, what is your goal?" 'Hawkeye' Mihawk asks, turned to Luffy.
"To be the King." Luffy answered, leaving 'Hawkeye' Mihawk smirked.
'Your ambitions are even loftier than your friends, that's quite a task." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk said.
"Yeah, well you just let me worry about that." Luffy told him, stick his tongue out.
"He's alive!?' Yosaku yelled, earned his attention.
"He was just unconscious." Usopp said with relief.
"Big Bro!?" Yosaku said with teary eyes.
"If you're alive, then say something!?" Johnny pleads with teary eyes.
With that, Zoro then raise his sword up at the sky and spoke.
"Luffy...can you hear me?" Zoro asks with a groan.
"Yeah." Luffy answered.
"I'm sorry for disappointing you, I know that you need nothing less than the 'Greatest Swordsman in the World'. I've let you down. Please forgive me." Zoro said, leaving Luffy shocked as then cough his blood. "I solemnly swear...From this moment forward, that I will never lose again. Until the day comes, when I defeat him and take his title...I will never, never be defeated!? Is that okay!? King of the Pirates!?"
"Yep." Luffy said with a smile, chuckle a bit.
"You're a good team." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk said with a smirk as he then began to leave with his ship. "I hope to see you again, someday."
However, Don Krieg then landed down to the wreck as he spoke.
"Hey, 'Hawkeye'." Don Krieg called him as he stopped. "I was under the impression that you would come here to take me life. Weren't you here to kill Don Krieg, Ruler of the East Blue?"
"The thought hadn't cross my mind." 'Hawkeye' Mihawk told him. "But I had enough fun for today, so I'm going home to get some rest."
Don Krieg then crack his shoulders with a smirk as he spoke.
"I don't care if you've had enough, I haven't even gotten started." Don Krieg stated.
However, the Krieg pirates tried to warn him that it's not a good idea to keep him any longer, but he doesn't care as he unleash his arsenals from armor, aiming at 'Hawkeye' Mihawk.
"NOW IT'S TIME TO DIE!?" Don Krieg yelled as he then fire the weapons at him, leaving him drew out his sword.
"He just won't learn, will he?" 'Hawkeye' Mihawk said with annoyance.
He then cause a huge shockwave when he sliced up the wreck and blocked those bullets, leaving the Krieg pirates holding on the wrecked ship and the swordsman have escaped from him.
"Ah damn, he escaped." Don Krieg cursed.
Luffy then grabbed the wooden rail while landing on it, trying to hold on and not try to get into the ocean because the Devil Fruit power takes their ability to swim. When the dust cleared, the wrecked ship was now scattered because 'Hawkeye' Mihawk sliced the ship.
"Usopp!?" Luffy called him, earned his attention. "Go on ahead! I'll leave Nami and Ventus to you!"
"Roger that, don't you worry about a thing! Zoro and I are gonna get them right back, and make sure you get that cook to join our crew!?" Usopp shouts with a smile as he then threw the Straw Hat. "And then, on the Going Merry, we'll finally set sail to the Grand Line!?"
Luffy then grabs hold of his straw hat as he spoke.
"Yeah! Let's do it!" Luffy yelled with excitement.
With that, the Krieg pirates then gathered around with their captain since they ran into some distraction from the plan because of the showdown between the two swordsman, but fight of the Baratie was about to begin. Luffy then ask Zeff that he can stop doing the chores after he sent those pirates packing which the head chef accepts.
That's it for the 20th chapter.