"Zoro-aniki, Mihawk clearly went east—why are you steering west?"
"What? No way. I got the direction wrong?"
"Zoro-aniki… don't tell me you're directionally challenged?"
Zoro: "…"
Johnny & Yosaku: "Let us steer."
Because of this delay, Mihawk had long disappeared from sight.
Fortunately, Johnny and Yosaku reoriented the boat correctly and rowed with everything they had.
On Alvida's Pirate Ship
Rox watched the sea as a small coffin-shaped boat approached quickly.
Even from afar, he sensed the razor-sharp pressure radiating from the black-clad man standing inside it.
Beside him, Yamato's eyes widened.
"That man… could he be the world's strongest swordsman—Hawk-Eye Mihawk?"
Rox nodded. "Correct."
Alvida, who had been quietly shaking in the corner, stiffened so hard she nearly fainted.
H-H-Hawkeye?!
A Shichibukai?!
On this sea?!
She was doomed. Completely doomed.
Even worse off was Nami.
Her throat tightened and she swallowed hard, mind racing at high speed.
"That Shichibukai… he must be here for these two strangers."
"They're even more terrifying than Arlong… They'll definitely fight!"
"And while they're fighting—that's my cue to escape."
Nami quietly began tiptoeing away.
Mihawk stopped exactly fifty meters from Alvida's ship—
the kind of man who calculated even distances precisely.
His hawk-like eyes swept across Rox and Yamato.
He didn't recognize them, but he could feel it.
Both were powerful.
Especially the man—Mihawk sensed a faint but undeniable threat from him.
"Which one of you is the Sea King?"
Mihawk's first sentence nearly made Rox burst out laughing.
The Sea King?
Rox's expression twisted strangely…
Then he remembered Mihawk's friendship with Shanks and instantly understood.
He cleared his throat and answered solemnly:
"The Sea King… the ruler of this ocean. Even the Four Emperors are no match for that being. How could either of us possibly be?"
Mihawk's pupils shrank.
These two… are NOT the Sea King?
Then how terrifying must the real Sea King be?
No wonder Shanks lost an arm to it.
Yamato leaned in and whispered:
"Is there really such a terrifying being? Why have I never heard you mention it?"
"Even saying the name 'Sea King,'" Rox replied calmly,
"is already disrespectful to that existence."
Yamato covered her mouth, shocked.
Mihawk's wariness only deepened.
Only Alvida seemed confused.
She remembered hearing about a large Sea King near Foosha Village named "Lord of the Coast."
Yes, it was scary—but compared to Mihawk or this mysterious man, it was basically a tadpole.
Why were they speaking about it like it was above the Yonko?
Fortunately, Alvida was smart enough not to say anything.
Mihawk's Challenge
"I sensed your Haki earlier," Mihawk said to Rox.
"It's powerful. And you carry a sword. You must be a swordsman."
"I, Dracule Mihawk, challenge you."
He had been traveling the East Blue for a while and hadn't met a single worthy opponent.
His blades were itching for battle.
The Sea King hadn't appeared, but this man—Rox—seemed more than suitable.
Nami's eyes lit up.
"Perfect. They're going to fight! I can escape!"
But then—
"I'm just a scientist," Rox said lightly.
"I have no real combat ability. Give this chance to the young man behind you."
Enter Zoro
After circling around in confusion, Zoro—along with Johnny and Yosaku—finally arrived.
He charged straight at Mihawk, drew all three swords, and shouted:
"My name is Roronoa Zoro! The future world's greatest swordsman!"
"Mihawk—accept my challenge!"
Mihawk frowned lightly and turned once more toward Rox.
This mysterious man truly refused him.
It was unexpected.
Every swordsman dreamed of crossing blades with him.
Even this green-haired boy chased him across the sea for it.
Mihawk exhaled slowly and looked at Zoro.
"So ignorant… so unaware of the vast sky above.
No matter how many of you come, you are dust."
Rox smiled.
"No one starts at the top.
If no one challenges the throne, what meaning does the throne have?"
"How will you know whether this young man might one day surpass you—unless you give him the chance?"
Mihawk froze.
Zoro's spirit surged.
He looked at Rox with heartfelt gratitude.
After a long silence, Mihawk finally turned to face Zoro properly.
"Very well. I'll give you your chance."
Zoro vs. Mihawk
They moved to a nearby small island.
Yamato whispered to Rox:
"This green-haired guy… seems kind of weak. Why do you think so highly of him?"
Rox smiled deeply.
"He is weak—but he has the heart of a strong man. If we recruit him, he could become a powerful asset."
"And look behind him."
Yamato glanced at Johnny and Yosaku.
"I see them."
"One is the Blade God Johnny, the other is Sword Saint Yosaku. If Mihawk dares harm Zoro, they'll 'cut him down.'"
Yamato glared at him.
Even she could tell they were powerless small fry.
They bantered while watching the "battle"…
which ended in seconds.
Mihawk drew… a tiny cross-shaped dagger.
Zoro trembled with rage.
"Are you mocking me?!"
Mihawk didn't answer.
Zoro attacked furiously, three blades spinning like a windmill—
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Every strike was blocked by the tiny dagger.
The more Zoro fought, the more despair filled his eyes.
How could the gap be this big?
"I don't believe it!
Am I really so weak?!"
His eyes turned crimson.
"Three-Sword Style: Tiger Hunt!"
Slice—
He still couldn't touch even Mihawk's coat.
Meanwhile, the small dagger pierced Zoro's chest.
"Why didn't you dodge?" Mihawk asked mildly.
"You could have died."
"For a swordsman," Zoro growled, "defeat is worse than death!"
Mihawk's expression finally shifted.
This boy…
had the heart of a true swordsman.
"Interesting."
He pulled back his dagger—
and drew Yoru, the black blade.
"I acknowledge your spirit.
As a swordsman's duel demands…
I shall use the strongest black blade—Yoru—to send you to your grave."
Zoro grinned around his sword.
"Bring it on!"
"Three-Sword Style Secret Art…
Three Thousand Worlds!!"
CRACK!
Two of Zoro's swords shattered instantly, leaving only Wado Ichimonji intact.
He sheathed it quietly.
Then he turned around, arms spread.
"What are you doing?" Mihawk asked.
Zoro smiled faintly.
"A wound on the back… is a swordsman's shame."
Mihawk was truly moved.
"You… impressive boy.
Roronoa Zoro—I will remember your name."
SWOOSH!
Yoru slashed across Zoro's chest.
Blood burst forth.
Zoro collapsed.
The fight had no unnecessary flair, but every spectator was struck silent.
Rox's Offer
Yamato whispered, awestruck:
"Husband… you were right.
That green-haired man truly does have the spirit of the future world's strongest swordsman."
Rox stepped forward, appearing beside the fallen Zoro.
Zoro's eyes were vacant, tears streaming.
His first complete defeat had shattered him.
Rox extended a hand with a smile.
"Become my subordinate, kid."
"I can give you the strongest power in the world."
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