"Is that even possible? Is that the sword he used to slice that massive sailboat?" one of Krieg's men asked in disbelief.
"He is the great swordsman Mihawk, the man who stands at the pinnacle of the world's swordsmen," Zeff confirmed with a nod.
"Bastard! What did we ever do to you to make you attack us like this?" Krieg's crew, now shifting from fear to anger, shouted at Mihawk.
"Just passing the time," Mihawk responded nonchalantly.
"Stop joking around!" One pirate, enraged, pulled out two guns and fired at Mihawk. But Mihawk used his black sword to deflect the bullets with ease.
"What the...? I aimed right at him!" the pirate yelled in disbelief.
"He used the blade to change the bullets' trajectory," Zoro said, suddenly appearing behind the pirate on the wrecked ship.
"Impossible... Wait, who are you?" the pirate asked, realizing he didn't recognize Zoro.
"Three swords... You're..." another pirate began, noticing the three swords on Zoro's waist. Recognition dawned. "That's Roronoa Zoro!"
"I've never seen such a dull blade," Zoro said, stepping forward to face Mihawk.
"A sword wielded with brute strength alone lacks true power," Mihawk remarked, giving Zoro a quick glance.
"Was that the sword that cut the ship?"
"Indeed."
"I see. You are the strongest..." Zoro said, pulling out his headband and tying it around his head, preparing for battle.
"What's your goal?"
"To be the strongest!" Zoro tightened his headband with resolve.
"Hmph. Foolish," Mihawk smiled disdainfully.
"You're free, aren't you? Let's have a duel," Zoro said, drawing his sword.
"Three-sword style... He really is Roronoa Zoro!" The pirates, who hadn't realized before, now whispered among themselves.
"What?!"
"Huh? A pirate hunter?" Krieg, standing up and resting his foot on the fence, also recognized Zoro.
"That guy?!" Sanji was equally surprised, realizing that the green-haired swordsman was none other than the infamous Roronoa Zoro.
"Luffy, the Going Merry is almost out of sight!" Usopp shouted at that moment.
"Go after her yourself. Use the transponder snail to contact us when you catch up," Clover instructed Usopp, then jumped off the ship.
"Huh? Me?" Usopp asked, stunned.
"What? Can't handle one woman?" Clover teased with a smile.
"Leave it to me!" Usopp replied, instantly motivated. But seeing the duel about to begin between Zoro and Mihawk, Usopp hesitated and brought the boat back to watch.
Zoro drew his three swords and charged at Mihawk in anger, furious that Mihawk had only pulled out a tiny dagger to fight him.
The pirates, who had planned to storm the restaurant, stopped in their tracks, mesmerized by the duel. The fight was completely one-sided, with Mihawk effortlessly toying with Zoro using just his small dagger. Every one of Zoro's attacks was easily parried.
Mihawk even mocked Zoro during the fight, angering him further. Johnny and Joseph, enraged by Mihawk's taunts, were about to jump into the fray, but Luffy stopped them, not wanting anyone to interfere in the duel.
In the end, Zoro was almost stabbed in the heart. After a brief but honorable exchange, Mihawk acknowledged Zoro's resolve. Zoro unleashed his strongest attack, Three Thousand Worlds, prompting Mihawk to finally draw his mighty black blade, Yoru, showing Zoro the respect he deserved.
In their final clash, Zoro's two swords shattered. Defeated, Zoro sheathed his Wado Ichimonji, turned to face Mihawk, and spread his arms wide.
"What are you doing?" Mihawk asked, confused.
Zoro grinned. "Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame."
"Impressive," Mihawk said, smiling before delivering a slash across Zoro's chest, carefully avoiding any fatal injuries.
"Zoro!"
"Brother!" Everyone shouted in panic. Zoro collapsed into the sea, and Joseph and Johnny quickly dove in to save him.
"Bastard!" Luffy, furious, stretched his arm to grab the fence near Mihawk and launched himself at him. Mihawk calmly sidestepped, causing Luffy to crash into the cabin.
"Are you the young swordsman's comrade? Thank you for not interfering," Mihawk said, turning to Luffy.
Luffy struggled to free his head from the wreckage, glaring at Mihawk.
"Don't worry, he's still alive," Mihawk added.
"Huh?" Luffy looked toward the sea and saw Zoro being pulled onto Usopp's boat, still breathing.
"It's too early for you to die. I am Dracule Mihawk. See yourself clearly, see the world clearly, and grow stronger. No matter how many years pass, I will wait for you at the top, as the world's greatest swordsman. Surpass this blade, surpass me, Roronoa Zoro!" Mihawk shouted toward Zoro.
Turning to Luffy, Mihawk asked, "What's your goal?"
"To get the One Piece and become King of the Pirates," Luffy answered with unwavering determination.
Mihawk chuckled. "That's a much more perilous path than surpassing me."
"I don't care. I'm going to be the one to claim it," Luffy declared.
"Still alive!" Johnny shouted as Zoro regained consciousness. Luffy looked over with relief.
Zoro raised his Wado Ichimonji. "Luffy... can you hear me?"
"Yeah! I can hear you!" Luffy shouted back.
"I'm sorry I worried you... If I don't become the world's greatest swordsman, you'll be troubled. I... I won't lose again!" Zoro yelled, tears streaming down his face. "Until I defeat him and become the greatest swordsman, I will never lose again! Do you hear me? Pirate King!"
"Heh, no complaints here!" Luffy grinned.
"Not a bad crew. I look forward to seeing you again someday," Mihawk said, preparing to leave. Before Clover could challenge him, Krieg stepped forward.
"Hey, Mihawk! Are you here to take my head, the mighty ruler of the East Blue, Don Krieg?" Krieg yelled.
"Get lost." Clover suddenly appeared beside Krieg and kicked him away.
"Captain Krieg!" Krieg's crew gasped in horror. Was there a monster in their midst capable of taking down their leader?
"My turn, Mihawk," Clover said, picking up a sword from the ground.