Battle Between Swordsman: Zoro vs. Mihawk
Sure enough there was the man with a huge sword heading their way.
"It can't be... that's Hawk-Eye?" Zoro asked.
Even the chefs were surprised by this.
Turned out that man cut the Galleon with that huge sword alone and was the greatest of all swordsmen.
The man's real name was Hawk-eyes Mihawk.
The Krieg pirates demanded to know why he cut their ship.
"Just to kill some time," Mihawk replied.
A pirate shot at Mihawk.
Mihawk blocked the bullet with his sword.
"No matter how many times you shoot, he'll deflect it," Zoro said, "He changes the bullet's trajectory with the tip of his sword."
Zoro apparently snuck onto the remains of Krieg Pirate's ship.
"I've never seen such graceful movements," Zoro said.
"A sword without grace is no strong sword," Mihawk explained.
"Did you cut this ship as well with that sword?" Zoro asked.
"Yes, indeed," Mihawk replied.
"No wonder, you really are the strongest," Zoro responded with a smirk.
Krieg pirates noticed that Zoro had three swords and started to wonder about something.
"I set sail to meet you!" Zoro told Mihawk as he untied the bandana around his arm
"What do you aim for?" Mihawk asked.
"To be the greatest swordsman," Zoro replied as he tied his bandana around his head, "You said you're free, right? So let's duel."
"It's him! Roronoa Zoro of the three sword style!" a pirate yelled.
"The pirate hunter?" Krieg responded.
"Him?" Sanji asked.
"Hey! We're gonna lose sight of the ship!" Usopp yelled.
"Bro..." Johnny responded.
"Pitiful weakling," Mihawk told Zoro as he got on the remains of the ship, "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 to challenge me. Does your bravery come from your conviction or your ignorance?"
"It comes from my ambition, and a promise to a friend," Zoro said as he drew out all three Katanas and placed one in his mouth.
Zoro summoned a little bit of Haki.
However, Mihawk wasn't fazed by it.
"So, you're haki user," Mihawk said, "But even I can tell you don't have the complete dicipline to control it. So it won't help you win."
"We'll see about that," Zoro responded.
"Zoro and I been practicing using Haki, and Zoro has improved, but is it enough?" Usopp asked.
"Probably not," Luffy responded.
"What?" Usopp responded.
"But Zoro can't fully unleash his Haki until he goes through a life or death situation," Luffy stated.
...
Nami was crying as the ship sailed away from the Baratie.
She wondered if she will ever meet the rest of the Straw Hat Crew again, and still be friends.
"I want to hurry up and become free, Bellemere," Nami cried.
...
Mihawk and Zoro face each other.
Zoro formed his Haki into armor.
"To be honest, I never thought I'd be able to meet you so early," Zoro said.
"A waste, if you ask me," Mihawk said.
...
The world's strongest swordsman versus the Pirate Hunter Zoro," Pati said.
"There's not a chance someone can match our bro!" Johnny said.
...
"That man ... what did he do to this ship?" Krieg wondered.
...
Mihawk pulled out a small blade.
"Just what're you planning to do with that?" Zoro asked.
"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 and clearly beginning to tap into your Haki, this is the East Blue sea. The weakest of the four seas that are separated by the Red Line and the Grand Line," Mihawk said, "Unfortunately, I do not have a blade smaller than this at the moment."
"There's a limit to just how much you can underestimate me!" Zoro said, "You better not regret it when you die!"
Zoro started charging at Mihawk.
"Hear me, little frog in his well. It's time for you to realize that the world is bigger than what it seems from your well," Mihawk stated.
"Oni Giri!" Zoro yelled as he crossed two of his katanas in his hands while one touches te blade of the Katana in his mouth.
Mihawk used the tip of his blade to block all three Katanas.
"What?" Zoro responded.
"Zoro!" Luffy yelled.
"Brother's Oni Giri was stopped!" Johnny yelled.
"His signature attack that sends he opponents flying 100% was stopped!" Yosaku yelled.
"I can't move. There hasn't been a single man who could see through that move until now, and I combined it with Haki, which should increase the power. So how can he stop me with that toy," Zoro thought, "This is ... ridiculous!"
Zoro started sending multiple attacks with all three katanas.
However, Mihawk blocked each katana with one blade.
Mihawk finally send Zoro backwords with his blade.
"There shouldn't be such a vast difference between us! There can't be!" Zoro thought, "Haki shouldn't be useless against him either, unless..."
Zoro look at Luffy and realized it.
"I get it now! Not only you're immune to Haki, but you have experience fighting Haki users," Zoro responded.
"You noticed huh? That's correct. You're not the first Haki user I fought. In fact, I even fought the greatest of Hoki users once," Mihawk said.
"What?" Luffy responded.
"I didn't kill him, but I did learn how handle Haki users of all types," Mihawk said, "The sad thing is, I only met few from the East Blue that are good enough with Haki that were able to catch me by surprise, but I wouldn't say they're the strongest."
Mihawk seem to look at Luffy when he said the last bit, as if knowing something about Luffy.
"Hmm..." Luffy responded.
"Then I'll have to fight you without Haki!" Zoro said as he send more attacks.
...
"Come on, bro! Show him what you've really got!" Johnny yelled.
"Come on!" Yosaku yelled.
...
"Such Ferocity!" Mihawk said as he tried to block each attack.
With each attack he remember his promise to Kuina.
"What burdens you so? What do you still desire at the extent of your strength weakling?" Mihawk asked.
...
Luffy stopped Johnny and Yosaku from interfering.
'This is Zoro's fight! Don't interfere!" Luffy told them.
"Luffy..." Usopp responded.
...
Once again Mihawk send Zoro backwards.
Zoro got up and summoned as much haki as he could.
"Even if Haki doesn't work, I will win," Zoro thought.
Zoro moved the katanas in his hands above his third Kataan and placed them where the blade goes down behind the third Katana.
"Tora Gari!" Zoro yelled going at Mihawk.
However, not only did Mihawk stopped Zoro, but he stabbed Zoro near the shoulder.
Thankfully, Zoro had a burst of Haki, that was strong enough to keep the blade from going in deep, but it was enough to do damage.
"Well, I never thought I would meet another person who could summon enough Haki to keep me from killing them," Mihawk said.
"I'm not sure how I did it, but I do have a clue," Zoro responded, "Someone once told me that whenever he's angry enough, or when his life is on the line, his Haki is at it's strongest..."
"I see, so it's the urge to survive that keeps your haki strong," Mihawk said as he removed his blade, "Tell me your name kid."
"Roronoa Zoro!" Zoro replied as he took a new stance.
Mihawh took out his huge sword.
I shall remember your name and respect you as a swordsman. I shall end this duel with my black swordl, the worlds strongest sword."
Mihawk charged in for an attack.
"Die!" Mihawk yelled.
"I won't die!" Zoro responded as a serge of Haki surrounded him as he took a new stance, "Santouryuu Ougi!"
Zoro's two katana's seem to spin in front of him.
Both Zoro and Mihawk struck at the same time.
However Zoro's two black handle Katanas were cut in half, leaving only the white handle one (that once belong to Kuina) in one piece.
Zoro's haki once again protected him from deep wounds, but Zoro still receive a slash that could be a problem later.
Zoro sheathed his last Katana and turned to Mihawk.
"So ... are you going to finish me?" Zoro asked Mihawk.
Mihawk rose his sword, but lowered it.
"No, I'll let you live, for now," Mihawk said, "We will fight again in the future, but not until you fully master using Haki, and combine it with your skills of a swordsman."
"Why? I thought Haki don't work on you?" Zoro asked.
"Most don't, but then again, one's will power can surpass even those immune to Haki," Mihawk explained
There was a sudden burst of Haki.
Everyone turned to Luffy, who was the source.
Luffy stretched his arm and grabbed part of the part of the ship Mihawk and Zoro was on.
Everyone was shock seeing it.
"Gum-Gum Rocket!" Luffy yelled as he was pulled towards Mihawk and Zoro.
"He must be a devil fruit user," Krieg responded.
"Unlike your young companion, you seem to have mastered using Haki," Mihawk said.
Luffy crashed into the remains of the ship.
Luffy got back up, still releasing Haki.
"Zoro! Get on the boat!" Luffy told Zoro, "Go find Nami."
"Fine," Zoro responded.
Knowing his duel was over, as he limp toward Johnny's and Yosaku's boat.
Yosaku Johnny and Usopp were already on the boat.
Before Zoro got on board he raise his katana.
"Luffy! I know this lost might have embarrassed you. That's why before I leave, I swear I won't lose anymore until I fight Mihawk again!"
"Okay!" Luffy agreed.
"We'll find Nami, Luffy!" Usopp yelled as they sail away.
"Grow stronger Roronoa. I'll wait for you," Mihawk said.
"What's your name young haki user?" Mihawk asked.
"Monkey D. Luffy," Luffy responded.
"Monkey D. Luffy ... I think I heard that name from a Haki user I know," Mihawk said, "Red Hair Shanks."
"You know Shanks?" Luffy asked.
"Yes, we cross paths several times," Mihawk responded, "Now, let me ask you something I ask your companion... what is your goal?"
"I'm going to become the greatest Haki User known and King of the Pirates," Luffy replied.
"A tough path indeed, even tougher than surpassing me," Mihawk said.
"Whatever! I'm going to do it anyways!" Luffy said as he stuck his tongue out.
"You're the one who taught Zoro how to use Haki right?" Mihawk asked.
"So what if I did?" Luffy asked.
"Why teach someone how to use Haki, when they could become your rival in becoming the greatest Haki user?" Mihawk asked.
"Because I don't care if they do become my rivals or not. I taught my brothers how to use Haki, I taught most of my crew how to use Haki, and I'll keep teaching others who wants to learn from me how to use haki, including future crewmembers if it'll help us achieve our goals!"
"I see. A respective answer. One I'll remember Monkey D. Luffy," Mihawk said, "I'll see you and Roronoa Zoro again... Oh also..."
"Huh?" Luffy responded.
"Word of Warning. The one I mention as the greatest Haki user," Mihawk said, "He was a member of Gold Rogers' crew."
"Why are you telling me that?" Luffy asked.
"Because, not only he's still alive, but despite his age, he still has great power in his haki," Mihawk said, "He's the only man to defeat me, even with Haki. To become the greatest Haki user, you must surpass him."
"Then I'll do it!" Luffy responded.
"Hawk eyes!" Krieg finally spoke up to Mihawk, "Did you come all the way out here for my head? The head of the infamous ruler of the East Blue: Don Krieg?" Krieg asked.
"For a while, yes. But I've already enjoyed myself here. And so I'll return back to my nap," Mihawk replied.
"No need to be so curt. You may have had your fun, but I sure haven't!" Krieg responded.
"Why is Don purposely trying to prevent that man from leaving?" one of Krieg's pirates asked.
"How about you die before leaving!" Krieg yelled as the gun barrels popped out of his armor and shot at Mihawk.
"Hmph, you never learn, do you?" Mihawk asked as he grabbed his black sword, "Farewell!"
Mihawk swipped his sword, and not only repel Krieg's bullets, but destroyed more of Krieg's ship, well more of what was left of it.
Mihawk disappeared after that.