Chapter 254: The Temporary Residents
Kuraigana Island · Outside the Castle
A breeze brushed over the shattered stone bricks. Zoro, covered in bandages, could no longer restrain himself.
Watching Kuina manage to approach Mihawk's blade range just moments ago made his blood boil instantly!
"MIHAWK—!!!"
With a SWISH, three swords were unsheathed simultaneously. Ignoring Chopper's attempt to stop him, Zoro stomped the ground and charged: "LET'S FIGHT AGAIN!!!"
Mihawk didn't even turn his head. The Black Blade "Yoru" was sheathed on his back.
"The wounded should lie down and behave."
"ZORO!!!" Chopper practically flew at him crying, hugging Zoro's leg tightly, tears streaming down his face.
"Your wounds haven't healed yet! If you keep fighting, you'll die!!!"
Veins popped on Kuina's forehead. She held her face and sighed. "Idiot..."
"FLAP-FLAP—!"
Just then, the sound of wings breaking the wind came from the sky. A News Coo swooped down, dropping a fresh newspaper.
Kuina reached out and caught it. The moment she unfolded it, everyone's gaze was drawn to the headline:
[MARINES ANNIHILATE WHITEBEARD REMNANTS! SABAODY ARCHIPELAGO BATTLE CONCLUDES!]
In the accompanying photo, Roy stood atop collapsing ruins. Behind him, Ace, Luffy, Nami, and Usopp stood with heads held high, the embers of war still burning in the background.
Zoro's eyes widened, fists creaking, blood rushing wildly in his chest.
"That guy Luffy... he's already able to fight monster-level enemies like that?"
"And I..."
Zoro looked down at his bandage-wrapped hands. "Am stuck here healing?!"
He looked up abruptly at Mihawk, his gaze burning like fire. "Oi! MIHAWK!!!"
"When my injuries are healed, fight me again!!!"
Mihawk finally turned his head, a rare flash of interest in his golden eyes.
"Then get stronger, quickly."
He turned slowly, his cape flapping loudly in the wind. "When you are qualified to make me get serious..."
"I will show you—the World's Greatest Sword."
Mihawk walked into the castle entrance, his final words echoing in the plaza.
Kuina whispered, "That day won't be too far off..."
Seeing Zoro finally calm down, Chopper hurriedly hopped over to Kuina, skillfully removing her bandages to check the wound.
When he saw the cuts inflicted by the Black Blade healing at a speed visible to the naked eye, the little reindeer's eyes widened.
"This recovery speed... Mythical Zoans are really amazing!"
Kuina moved her shoulder lightly. "Yeah, it's mostly fine now."
"Why is the gap between Zoans so big..." Chopper muttered to himself.
Zoro still held his three swords, but the manic frustration from earlier had faded from his expression.
He looked slowly at Kuina and spoke in a low voice. "Oi, Kuina."
Kuina paused. "Hm?"
Zoro hooked up a smile. "Since Big Brother Roy didn't call us back, then we..."
Kuina met Zoro's eyes. In an instant, both understood each other's thoughts.
The corner of Kuina's mouth lifted slightly. "Yeah. Let's stay here."
Zoro grinned fiercely, showing his white teeth. "Just what I wanted!"
...
Castle Great Hall
The morning mist hadn't fully dispersed. Mihawk had just changed out of his combat attire into a casual open shirt, swirling a glass of red wine in his fingers.
"CREAK—"
The old wooden doors were pushed open. Zoro, Kuina, and Chopper walked in together.
Mihawk raised his eyelids, a brow twitching slightly. "You three?"
Zoro was straightforward. "We're training here."
Kuina took a half-step forward. "We want to stay here temporarily until we can truly challenge you."
Mihawk intended to refuse immediately, but suddenly remembered the letter Roy sent. The wine glass stopped at his lips—
At the very bottom of that crumpled letter, written in incredibly small, almost invisible text:
> Count it as I owe you one.
His golden pupils narrowed slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching imperceptibly.
He put down the wine glass gently, his voice carrying a trace of resignation. "Do as you please."
"But don't disturb my drinking."
From that day on, the three formally took up residence in Hawkeye's castle.
Every day, Zoro wielded bamboo swords, fighting life-and-death battles with the island's baboon legion—the "Human Imitators"—without using Haki.
His Santoryu (Three Sword Style) was constantly tempered in actual combat, every slash carrying a sharper killing intent.
Kuina, under Mihawk's occasional personal guidance, thoroughly integrated the characteristics of the Mythical Zoan · Vampire Fruit into her swordsmanship.
The combination of scarlet Onibi and Shimotsuki Style techniques meant her every cut could steal the enemy's vitality.
Aside from providing medical support, Chopper was also chased all over the mountains by the baboons. To avoid being bullied, Chopper was forced to develop various new combat forms, resulting in an unexpected and significant boost in combat power.
...
One Night
The fire in the fireplace crackled, orange warmth illuminating the castle hall.
Zoro sat cross-legged on a chair, three swords resting on his knees. He looked up thoughtfully at Mihawk.
"Oi, Mihawk. How did you meet Big Brother Roy?"
Mihawk's hand holding the wine glass paused slightly. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, and the corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Kuina and Chopper were also piqued by this question, three pairs of curious eyes staring at Mihawk in unison.
Mihawk slowly put down his glass and sighed lightly. "...How I met that guy, is it?"
[Flashback]
Four Years Ago, Kuraigana Island
At that time, Mihawk had just moved into this abandoned castle. He was sitting alone at a stone table in the courtyard, a glass of red wine in hand, golden pupils quiet as a lake.
Under the setting sun, the only sounds on the island were the sea breeze and the cries of baboons.
Suddenly—
"SWISH!"
Space twisted, and a young figure appeared abruptly in the center of the courtyard.
"Yo~ So this is the World's Strongest Swordsman?"
The young man, wearing a Marine uniform with hands in his pockets, looked at Mihawk with a smile. His gaze held no fear, perhaps even a hint of playfulness.
"Golden pupils, really. Just like the rumors say."
Mihawk frowned slightly, tone cold. "A Marine?"
The young man grinned, tone casual. "Name's Roy. Came specially today to see the sword of the 'World's Strongest'."
Mihawk had no interest. He stood up to leave. "I have no interest in brats seeking death."
Roy suddenly spoke up: "I fought Red-Haired Shanks."
Mihawk's steps halted. He turned slowly, a rare battle intent surfacing in his golden eyes.
Roy raised an eyebrow, laughing softly. "What? Interested now?"
Mihawk slowly drew the Black Blade "Yoru," the edge flashing cold light under the sunset. "Let's take it outside."
Two figures vanished from the courtyard instantly, followed by the sound of an earth-shattering collision heard across the entire island.
...
[Present Day]
Thoughts returning to the present, Mihawk took another sip of wine and didn't continue the story.
Zoro couldn't help but press, "So, in the end... who won?"
Mihawk paused for a moment, glanced at him, didn't answer, and simply stood up to walk toward the stairs.
"Bedtime."
Zoro: "..."
Kuina rubbed her temples, sighing helplessly. "Idiot, do you even need to ask?"
Chopper whispered, "Big Brother Roy definitely won, right..."
Mihawk's back paused slightly at the turn of the stairs. He muttered in a low voice:
"That brat... just likes to play dirty."
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