Warnings for abuse of structural symmetry?
"That sword," was all Mihawk needed to say because he was the world's strongest swordsman and both of them knew he couldn't possibly miss the ancient threat of blood lust from the cursed katana that gleamed silver in the moonlight. The comment was mostly a question but partly suspicion and Zoro had to force himself to relax. He balanced the weapon in his hand as he considered the point, that any sane swordsman would never lay a finger on Sandai Kitetsu.
(The truth was that he would never forget the dingy store, the challenge or fierce approval. He recognized the dangers of a sword as tainted with blood as this one yet the blade was sleek and steady and because he knew in an instinctive way that it would be worth it, he chose.)
Zoro shrugged. "I don't regret it."
The day before he leaves Hawk Eye's island, Zoro silently vows that next time, he will claim the swordsman's title. The man in question watches on impassively-except for when Mihawk's gaze flickers to the newspaper clipping of two years ago Zoro refused to throw away. The silence is mostly amusement but partly a challenge and this time, Zoro doesn't flinch. He tilts his head and considers the point, that any sane pirate would renounce such a reckless captain like Monkey D. Luffy.
(The truth is that Zoro still remembers a dusty plain, an offer, and a blinding grin. He guessed the risks of joining a boy as fearless as this one, yet the boy is strong and steady and because Zoro knows in an impossible way that the boy is worth it, he will never regret it.)
Zoro answers. "I chose."