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"Thoughts"

"Dialogue"

"Hey old man, you said you went to the Grand Line right?" Luffy asked while walking up to Zeff.

"I did," Zeff replied, still watching the door Don Krieg just scurried out of. Zeff then looked at Luffy and continued, "I was in Paradise for about a year."

"Then do you have a logbook?" Nami perked up at the question and watched the man intently, waiting for his answer.

Zeff looked at Luffy then to Sanji and demanded, "Sanji! Are you going with them or not?!"

Sanji looked at Zeff for a second then asked, "Are you kicking me out?"

"Yeah, dumbass, I'm kicking you out. You can only come back when your bounty is as high as mine was! So get the hell out of here."

Sanji looked dejected for a moment before looking to Luffy and declaring, "You got yourself a cook, Future Pirate King."

"Great! I knew you would be a Straw Hat!" Luffy then looked at the old pirate and questioned, "Oh yeah, Zeff, do you have a logbook?"

"Yeah Yeah, I'll get it. Just wait a damn minute." Zeff ordered while climbing the stairs and grumbling to himself about impatient kids and the Grand Line.

Luffy watched him for a few seconds, before glancing towards the entrance and coincidently the North. "He's here," Luffy thought with a hint of anticipation, because of how massive his aura is. He had heard stories from Shanks of course, but to feel it for himself... It's truely something to behold. Luffy then called out to Zoro, tearing his eyes from the entrance and looking towards his crew, "Zoro! Get ready." This got the attention of everyone in Baratie.

Patty then asked, "Is it Krieg? Has he returned with his crew to finish us?" This question caused every Chef besides Sanji and Patty to pick up their massive utensils in defense. Patty then opened a compartment under the staircase and declared, "If he has, I'll give him some dessert!" He then pulled out a large lobster-shaped bazooka and aimed it towards the entrance.

"Shishishishishishishi..." Luffy unintentionally laughed at the antics of the Chefs, causing some to shout at him in anger and others to stare in confusion.

Zoro also stared at Luffy in confusion for a minute, before asking with evident excitement in his voice, "Is it him?! Is he here?"

Nami then inquired, "Who are you talking about? Who is Him?"

Zoro, still looking at Luffy, answered, "Dracule Mihawk...A Shichibukai and The World's Strongest Swordsman." Hearing this, every Chef dropped their weapons and stared in fear at Zoro, some even dropped to their knees in defeat. "A Warlord has come...Why has a warlord come to the East Blue? We will be lucky to survive... How will the restaurant survive?" All of these thoughts entered the minds of the chefs.

Sanji then took a long drag off his cigarette, blew it out after a few seconds, then asked Luffy, "How long do we have?"

Luffy looked back at the entrance and stated, "Five minutes...At the most."

"Five...minutes" Nami looked at Zoro, who had a maniacal grin on his face. "WHY ARE YOU SMILING?!"

Zoro looked at Nami with the grin still plastered on his face and calmly explained, "It is every swordsman's dream to face the strongest. It is my dream to beat him, although I didn't think our duel would be this soon."

"But you'll die... You can't do this!" Nami stated weakly while looking at the green-haired swordsman, She the looked at Luffy hoping he would support her...

"No, he won't," Luffy declared, "If Mihawk goes for a killing blow... I'll end the duel."

She continued to look at Luffy in disbelief and replied, "Luffy, I know you're strong, but he isn't some run of the mill pirate... The man is a Shichibukai... He's one of the strongest people in the world." Just as Nami finished, Zeff came walking back down the spiral stairs with a leather book in his hands.

He then tossed the small book to Luffy and said, "Here, I hope this helps on your journey." Zeff then stated, "Just remember... The Grand Line isn't a predictable sea. The impossible is possible and happens often. Hurricanes can form in minutes, Tsunamis, Tidal Waves, Waterspouts, even normal navigation is useless there."

Nami looked away from Luffy, then at the retired pirate with confusion, "Then how is it possible to traverse the sea?"

Zeff looked at her and simply said, "You need a log pose. And don't ask for mine, I threw it out years ago." He then looked around the restaurant and his staff, some of whom were on their knees praying, others crying. "What the hell is wrong with you people? Get back in the damn kitchen, we might have customers soon."

Sanji then said, "I doubt you will have any more guests today, Zeff."

"And why is that brat?" Zeff responded, crossing his arms over his chest. A second later, a massive wave caused most of the chefs and Nami to fall over and scream in panic.

Nami fell but before she hit the floor Sanji caught her and quietly said, "Be careful, Nami-swan. You're 90% of the reason I joined this crew."

"What the fuck was that!?" Zeff yelled, regaining his balance. He then yelled at Patty, "Go lift the Anchor! I will not allow this ship to capsize!"

Luffy looked to Zeff and ominously declared, "He is here." He then threw the logbook at Sanji, who plucked it out of the air. He then ordered, "Give that to Nami! I'm sure it'll be useful." Luffy then ran out of the entrance, followed by Zoro and nearly every chef.

Zeff looked at Sanji, who was still holding Nami and asked, "Who the hell is out there, Sanji? I wasn't told shit."

"Dracule Mihawk has come."

Luffy and Zoro watched as a massive galleon had been cut in half vertically… But as the two waited as the galleon split apart and sank, they soon learned that it wasn't bisected… The galleon had been cut horizontally as well, watching the ship split apart then fold on itself. Luffy noticed Zoro had the look of awe on his face, he then said, "If you are going to have a chance against him… You can't hold back. If you have something experimental…use it. He is the greatest test for anyone who calls themselves swordsman."

Zoro blinked and dropped his head, with a small smile he replied, "I know what he is… I know, I'll be humiliated if I hesitate." Zoro then looked at Luffy and stated, "Luffy…if he goes for the kill...let him. I can't fight at my best if there's nothing to lose…"

Luffy looked at Zoro, only to see he was completely serious. He then looked back to the galleon and declared, "Get ready. I'll get his attention." Just after Luffy finished, he flared his aura as much as possible.

Mihawk turned his head towards the incredibly large aura that flared, but quickly looked back to the bugs who disturbed his journey. He watched with cold indifference as every pirate on the galleon were either swimming for some floating debris or were dead. One of them had the nerve to actually try and shoot him… Before he shot, the Krieg pirate yelled, "What the hell was that for!? We didn't do shit to you!"Just as the weakling shot, Mihawk pulled out Yoru and masterfully deflected the shot back, killing the man. Mihawk then swiftly sheathed his prized blade and looked to the man in the golden armor. He then said, "I assume you were the Captain of this vessel?"

The man with mutton chops then declared, "Yes…I'm Commodore Don Krieg, The greatest pirate of the East Blue. I will take your head for what you have done to my ship."

"I doubt that…"

Krieg's armor started to shift and from his shoulder plates, came four gun barrels. He then pulled out a large golden saucer, extending a handle and hit the end of it on the ground. Causing a blade to extend on the end. "Hahahaha, let's see if you can handle me at Full Power!" Krieg then fired his shoulder guns at Mihawk, but the man disappeared from his sight. Don Krieg could only blink before he was bisected from shoulder to hip. Krieg then dropped to his knees and his torso slid off to the side, landing with a CLANG.

Zoro watched the exchange with extreme interest, but even he could barely see Dracule Mihawk move, let alone attack… Dracule Mihawk then looked to Luffy and Zoro. He blinked and the Hawk-eyed swordsman was gone. A voice behind the two then elegantly stated, "So, you are the child Red-Haired gave his arm for." Zoro then turned around and he saw him… Dracule Mihawk, standing less than a few feet away, looking at his captain.

Luffy then replied, "Yes… Shanks is the man who saved my life, my name is Monkey D. Luffy." Luffy then looked back at the wreckage of the galleon and the rest of the Krieg Pirates, who were still in shock by what happened less than thirty seconds ago. He then said, "I see we got your attention."

"You did… To feel an aura like that in this sea is… extraordinary. To then notice it was concealed is even more impressive."

Zoro then injected with hints of excitement, "You used Yoru to cut that galleon, correct?"

Only then did Mihawk look to the Green-haired Swordsman. Mihawk then fully faced Zoro and responded, "I did."

"Would you be willing to duel? You seem to have some time to waste, chasing trash like that." Zoro stated, motioning back to the wreckage and remaining Krieg Pirates.

Mihawk gave the swordsman a calculative glance, looked at his three katana and saw Wado Ichimonji... The youth had a strong aura. Mihawk then ordered, "Come, we will duel on the wreckage." Mihawk then disappeared, only to reappear on the other side of the wreckage, facing Baratie. Zoro jumped to the wreckage and Mihawk asked, "What's your name?"

"Roronoa Zoro" Zoro announced, putting on his bandana and pulling out his three katana, making a Z.

Amused by his actions, Mihawk asked, "Are you prepared?".

Zoro went into his Three Sword Style stance and inadvertently releasing the entirety of his killing intent.

"I see… As a sign of respect towards the previous owner of that meito, I will sink you with mine." As Mihawk said this, he slowly pulled out Yuro.

Luffy was watching the standoff, when Johnny and Yosaku pushed through the crowd of chefs screaming, "Big Brother Zoro! Where are you!" The two saw Luffy and continued to push towards him.

"Johnny...Yosaku, be quiet and watch." Luffy ordered the two, pointing at the swordsmen who had yet to move.

Johnny then asked fearfully, "Is that?"

Zeff moved beside Luffy and stated, "Dracule Mihawk, The World's Greatest Swordsman. He is the man that stands above all others in the ways of the sword."

"But, Big Brother is already the Strongest! He has never been beaten!" Yosaku yelled, pumping his fist.

"Maybe in this sea, but the World is much bigger than just the East Blue, boy. Don't forget, this is the Weakest Sea." Zeff declared, glaring at Yosaku.

Nami then walked to Luffy and inquired, "What are they doing?"

Luffy looked to his right and saw Nami and Sanji. Then behind him and saw Johnny, Yosaku, and the Chefs crowding around him. He then loudly stated, "For Zoro, he is looking for an opening and strategizing. For Mihawk though… I assume he is evaluating him and waiting for Zoro's attack. He does use an unorthodox style."

Just as Luffy finished, Zoro yelled, "Three Sword Style, 108 Pound Phoenix!" And sent three blue compressed slashes through the air, leaving thick gashes in the quadrisected galleon and destroying where Mihawk was standing. Mihawk jumped in the air the avoid the slashes. Zoro sent three more slashes, hoping the man was at the mercy of gravity. Just as the attack got close to Mihawk, he sent his own powerful green slash. The attack completely overpowered Zoro's and forced him to rush forward. Zoro then planted his right foot in the ground, twisting his body as hard as he could to his left and with an aura of a dragon he yelled, "Dragon Twister!" Sending the attack towards the swordsman who was about to land.

To all of the spectators, a Tornado suddenly erupted as Zoro spun, threatening to drag in and consume everything too weak to resist its winds. Wreckage, water and body parts of the Krieg Pirates could be seen inside the cyclone, being cut and sliced over and over again. The tornado then started to drift to Mihawk, who was curiously watching the tornado of blades and death rage towards him. With a single vertical slash, the tornado dissipated… Leaving only a panting Roronoa Zoro and Dracule Mihawk, Mihawk then taunted him, "I'm disappointed Roronoa Zoro… To be tired after only three attacks, I expected more from you."

Hearing his criticism was worse than all of the losses to Kuina and every insult he ever received, "Is the gap that big? After all these years of training and hard work? No! I didn't come all this way just to lose like this!" Zoro then regained his breath, "Hahaha… We have only just started." Zoro sprinted towards Mihawk, when he was close he put his katana on either side of his head, dropped his stance and yelled, "Oni Giri!". The attack was stopped perfectly, but it didn't deter Zoro. He pushed him off and sent an intense barrage of strikes towards the Warlord, but each was either blocked or deflected. He put all his strength in his strikes, trying to use as much force as possible without losing technique and he had the World's Strongest on his heels, but then he lunged… and the Swordsman disappeared from his sight.

Luffy was watching the duel with extreme interest. His best friend, First Mate, Nakama, was in a fight that meant more to him than anything else in the world. He's in the fight of his dreams and he was making Mihawk respect him. For his determination, his will, strength, and style. Although that was all he would accomplish against him, Zoro was slowly, gradually losing speed and ferocity with every strike deflected. Then it happened, Zoro lunged and gave Mihawk a giant opening and he took it. Mihawk struck Zoro on the back of the neck with the guard of Yoru, knocking him to the ground and seemingly unconscious.

He was losing consciousness, but Kuina's voice kept him awake. He could hardly move, but his master's teachings echoed in his mind. With a jolt, Zoro had a small burst of energy fill his body… It took all of his strength to stand, let alone lift his katana. Zoro stumbled his way towards the swordsman and lunged again. Putting all his weight and strength behind the attack, but Mihawk merely sidestepped and watched as he fell to the ground. Zoro felt darkness overpower him, but as the world faded, Luffy's voice ripped through the void, "Zoro! Get back up! You haven't even scratched him yet! I thought your ambition was to be the best this world had to offer!" Zoro willed his eyes open and his body to stand.

Mihawk watched as the swordsman stood again, and his curiosity got the better of him. "Most wouldn't have lasted this long… What is driving you to such lengths? Is it your Captain? Your Ambition?"

"I can't…afford to lose… If I do…then everything I've worked for…all of my promises and oaths would be lost. I will take death before that!" Zoro finished with newfound strength.

"I see… So it is will that drives you forward. I will give you one more attack Roronoa Zoro. I expect to see your best, so don't disappoint me." Mihawk declared, getting into a stance with Yoru at his side.

Zoro smiled and held out his hands, each katana facing opposite ways. Zoro then yelled, "Three Sword Style-Secret Skill," Then Zoro started to spin the katana in opposite directions, his right hand clockwise, his left counter-clockwise and started sprinting towards Mihawk. Mihawk met him halfway and with his final attack Zoro yelled with everything he had left, his heart, will, and strength... "3000 Worlds!" As the blades made contact, a force exploded from Zoro, knocking out the remaining Krieg Pirates, but it wasn't enough... Blood exploded from Zoro's chest and for a few moments, everything was quiet… Then the katana in Zoro's hands shattered like glass. Zoro discarded the dead blades and sheathed Wado before turning towards Mihawk, who had a small cut on his cheek.

"What are you doing?"

Zoro held Wado Ichimonji in his right hand and with a large smile said, "Scars on the back, are a swordsman's shame." Leaving himself open for death, Zoro closed his eyes and waited for the strike...

Dracule Mihawk flashed him a genuine smile and stated, "Admirable!" and slashed.

"Zoro!" Luffy and Nami yelled.

"BIG BRO!" The two bounty hunters screamed, already having tears streaming down their faces.

"That dumbass!" Sanji declared with his mouth wide open, dropping his cigarette.

Nami then gave Luffy a death glare and screamed, "I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO STOP THE FIGHT?!"

Luffy looked at Nami with a reassuring smile and replied, "He didn't kill him," Luffy looked at the Chefs around him and inquired, "Do any of you have medical training?"

Zeff watched the duel with intrigue until the end, then he couldn't believe his eyes…Conqueror's Haki… He knew the kid was strong, but to have the qualities of a king… Zeff then looked at Luffy, "I doubt he would follow someone he doesn't completely respect…" Zeff then pushed Luffy shoulder and asked, "Hey Kid, what did you say your name was?"

He looked at Zeff and answered, "Monkey D. Luffy, Future Pirate King."

Zeff then looked back at Mihawk with a smile, "Your Garp's grandson aren't you?"

"I am" He then disappeared…

Dracule Mihawk strode to the unconscious and bleeding man, contemplating whether he to take his life now…"He would be a worthy adversary with some training and experience… He might even usurp my title, but he will have to survive insurmountable odds..." Mihawk then looked to the man with the Straw Hat and thought, "If he follows him… I need to see the man's resolve for myself." He then put Yoru to Zoro's neck and leaked some killing intent. The result was instantaneous, The man named Monkey D. Luffy appeared before him and swiped Yoru away with his now blackened pipe.

"I can't let you kill my First Mate, Shichibukai." Luffy announced with a glare, twirling the pipe around his fingers.

Mihawk nearly laughed at his sudden change of demeanor, "Oh, you think you can stop me?"

"No battle is guaranteed… I will do everything within my power to ensure his survival."

Johnny and Yosaku were already swimming to the wreckage and when they arrived, Luffy ordered, "You two get him out of here. A chef on Baratie is waiting…He'll help him." The bounty hunters never even looked at Luffy. Johnny pulled Zoro on some floating debris, while Yosaku grabbed Wado Ichimonji and they started to swim back to the restaurant, pushing him along the way.

Mihawk watched the two for a while before looking back to Luffy. The man's aura was flaring with anger and his glare could break a Vice Admiral's will with ease. Luffy then yelled, "Repentance!" Mihawk watched with overwhelming curiosity at what he assumed to be a Devil Fruit, but unlike any, he had seen before. He had a brilliant, and blazing golden halo above his head, along with his blackened pipe. The two stood at least a hundred feet apart, but Mihawk could still feel the radiating heat… He felt overwhelming killing intent coming for the man and when the steam around him became thick enough, he disappeared. Luffy reappeared behind the Shichibukai and with two hands he brought the pipe down on his head with all his might. Mihawk felt the intent through observation and spun bringing Yoru up to deflect the blow, but he still felt the full weight of the attack. The heat of the fire caused his sweat to evaporate as Mihawk pushed him off his blade and rushed to unleashed an onslaught of attacks while he recovered. Thrusts, swipes, strikes, all of them were smooth, controlled, calculated and powerful. The attacks were too fast for everyone, except Luffy, then a pattern became apparent in the assault, and Luffy found an opening. Mihawk jabbed again but Luffy spun missing the blade by millimeters, he then swiped across his body aiming at Mihawk's face.

Mihawk saw the attack a moment too late, although he was able to negate much of the damage because of his late block. Mihawk was propelled back to the end of the makeshift arena by the blow and a bruise started to form under the cut made by Roronoa Zoro. Mihawk sprinted forward and was about to send a overhead slash at Luffy. Luffy could have dodged the attack, but he felt Zoro stirring, which acquired his attention for just a moment. A moment was all Mihawk needed, he jumped in the air, adding his haki to his already imbued blade and brought it down on the pirate's head. Luffy noticed just in time and brought his pipe up to block the attack, but it didn't matter… Yoru sliced through the pipe like butter. The Straw Hat fell from Luffy's head, landing on the ground next to him. Luffy looked at the Straw Hat, then looked back at the swordsman as he strode towards him with a smile on his face. Mihawk then put Yoru to Luffy's throat and spoke, "You did much better than I expected, Monkey D. Luffy. Although, I do have the World Government to consider, I am a Shichibukai after all… Maybe I should snuff out this flame before a wildfire engulfs the world."

Luffy grabbed the blade with his hands and with a smirk, he replied, "If you take my life, I will take what defines you and what you value the most." He then heated the tip of Yoru, making it glow brightly to emphasize his point. Mihawk pulled Yoru from his grasp and let the man stand. Luffy looked down at his Straw Hat and his pipe, Luffy threw the pieces of pipe into the sea and watched them sink, thinking of his brothers and their dream. Luffy then inspected the hat on the ground, seeing a thick gash on the brim, he then picked it up and thought, "I hope it can be repaired… Maybe Nami can help."

Mihawk then asked, "What is your ambition, Monkey D. Luffy?"

Luffy gazed at the man and replied, "To be the freest man in the world… So, I need to find the One Piece."

Mihawk then told him, "I see. Although, to become the King… One will have to fight the Yonko… Can you survive against Kaido, WhiteBeard, or even Big Mom? They are immovable objects that will oppose you and stand in your path in the New World. I doubt even I could contend with them."

"If they are in the New World, then we have time to prepare for such enemies. We will cross those roads when we get to them."

Zoro awoke and looked around him, everyone was still looking towards something. He grabbed Sanji's leg and asked, "Where's Luffy?"

Sanji looked down at Zoro and pointed ahead, then replied, "He's fighting Mihawk."

"What? Why?"

Nami looked at Zoro and said, "When the duel was over, He was going to kill you…He was about to kill you, but Luffy stopped him."

Zoro looked to his right and saw Yosaku crying his eyes out and clutching Wado Ichimonji. Zoro pulled the meito from his grasp and unsheathed the katana, holding the blade to the sky and above his body. He then yelled, "Luffy! Can you hear me?!"

Luffy looked over to Baratie, he yelled, "Yeah! I can hear you!

"I'm sorry that I lost… If I can't become the Greatest Swordsman of this World, you would have problems… Cough… I vow to never…Lose Again! Even against the man who stands before you now. I will never be defeated again! Is that alright with you, Pirate King?!" Zoro finished in tears.

Luffy flashed a smile and replied, "It's fine!"

He then looked at Mihawk and saw a genuine smile on his face. Mihawk then announced, "It is too early for you to die, Roronoa Zoro! Learn about the World! Learn about yourself! And become strong, strong enough to surpass this blade. I will wait for you at the top, prepared for our final duel! No matter how many years it takes! Surpass me, Roronoa Zoro!"

The next day…

"Sanji! We gotta go!" Luffy yelled, looking at the entrance of Baratie while waiting for his cook.

Nami walked up to Luffy, handed him his Straw Hat with a smile she stated, "It was an easy fix, I also put a string on it so you can wear it around your neck." She then put her arms on the banister a gazed at Baratie for a while, she then said, "It was nice of them to give us supplies. I bet we could make it to LogueTown easily with everything we have."

Luffy put the Straw Hat back on his head and replied, "Think of it as compensation for stopping Don Krieg. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been free."

Sanji walked out of the entrance with a sack and a briefcase pushing through the chefs in his way, when he got to Merry, he said, "Let's go."

Luffy asked, "No goodbyes?"

"Nah"

Sanji went to jump on to the Going Merry but was stopped by the man he respects most. "Sanji!" Zeff yelled. "Don't die out there."

Sanji looked back to Zeff with tears in his eyes, he got down on his hands and knees and screamed, "ZEFF! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE! I OWE YOU SO MUCH! I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR ME! NOR WILL I FORGET YOUR TEACHINGS! I WILL FIND THE ALL BLUE, AND RETURN TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT!"

Zeff wiped the tears from his eyes and replied, "Dumbass, men should leave without looking back or saying a word."

Sanji jumped on to the Going Merry and Luffy yelled, "Let's set sail, for Conomi Islands!"

Thanks for all the favs and follows... And sorry for the longish wait, classes have been a bitch these last couple weeks. Please leave a review on how I could improve the fight scenes, I think they are my weakest link.