Learning Zeff's true identity, Krieg demanded Zeff's old navigation logs from his Grand Line days, but Zeff refused. As Krieg distributed food to his crew, Gin told Sanji and the others about their encounter on the Grand Line—a single man, alone, had decimated their fleet of fifty ships. Luffy and the crew were stunned, while Zeff and Zoro both suspected the man was Mihawk.
With food, Krieg's crew regained strength and prepared for battle, while Baratie's cooks vowed to defend the restaurant. But before the fight began, Krieg's flagship was suddenly split in two.
"Dracule Hawkeye Mihawk!" Zoro trembled with excitement, recognizing the world's strongest swordsman—his reason for setting out to sea.
"Why do you keep chasing us? What grudge do you hold?" a terrified member of Krieg's crew asked Mihawk.
"To pass the time," Mihawk replied, his expression bored.
"You look free right now. Fight me!" Zoro challenged, his voice trembling with anticipation.
"You weakling," Mihawk dismissed, "Can't you see the vast difference between us? Or are you just that ignorant?"
"It's a promise. I will become the world's greatest swordsman, and defeating you is the proof!" Zoro declared, drawing his three swords.
With a faint smile, Mihawk removed the cross-shaped necklace from his chest—a tiny blade, yet enough in his hands. "Though you may be a well-known swordsman in East Blue, East Blue is the weakest sea. I'm not a fool who wastes my full strength on small prey, so this will do."
"Show some respect! You'll regret underestimating me!" Furious, Zoro charged Mihawk.
The duel was entirely one-sided, with Zoro unable even to touch Mihawk despite his full effort.
"Why won't you dodge? Do you want me to pierce your heart?" Mihawk asked as his tiny blade found its way into Zoro.
"I don't know," Zoro coughed blood. "But if I retreat, everything I've stood for will disappear."
"Indeed—that's defeat," Mihawk remarked.
"Heh, then I won't retreat!" Zoro replied with a defiant smile.
"Even if it means death?" Mihawk asked seriously.
"Death would be better!" Zoro responded without hesitation.
Mihawk, impressed by Zoro's resolve, drew back his small blade and unsheathed his massive Black Sword. "Boy, tell me your name!"
"Roronoa Zoro"
Mihawk recognized Zoro's spirit and chose to let him face the world's strongest black blade.
With one final, devastating strike, Zoro's two swords shattered, leaving only Wado Ichimonji intact. Zoro stood tall, facing Mihawk with his chest exposed.
"What's this?" Mihawk asked, intrigued.
"A swordsman's shame is a wound on his back," Zoro replied with a grin.
"Excellent!" Mihawk acknowledged, delivering a cut from Zoro's left shoulder to his right hip.
As Zoro collapsed, the bounty hunter duo rushed to his aid, while Luffy charged at Mihawk.
"Oh? A friend of this young swordsman? Do you also wish to see the world as it truly is?" Mihawk asked, intrigued by Luffy's ferocity.
"He has his own path! Warlord Dracule Mihawk!" A steady voice called out from above. A Marine officer, cloak emblazoned with the word "Justice," stood atop the wreckage of Krieg's ship, addressing Mihawk.
"A Marine?" Mihawk glanced over in curiosity.
"Big Brother!" two voices called out in unison.
Zoro, now on a small boat with the bounty hunters, was receiving emergency treatment from Usopp. Luffy, relieved to know Zoro was still alive, momentarily forgot his curiosity about the unexpected Marine's arrival.
"Finally caught up! Krieg Pirates, you really made me work to find you!" Standing on top of the ship's mast was none other than Ryu.
"And who the heck are you?" Krieg muttered, wondering if his luck was cursed, with one unexpected intruder after another causing trouble.
"I'll deal with you small fries in a moment," Ryu said, directing his focus at Mihawk. "As for you, Mihawk, even though you're technically not a pirate anymore, I still advise you not to harm him."
"Oh? As I understand, he's a pirate. When did the Marines start protecting pirates?" Mihawk chuckled.
Though Ryu was a Marine captain, facing Mihawk, the legendary "Hawkeye," was still beyond him.
"Maybe he's a pirate, but he's also my brother, and I won't let you harm him!" Ryu said firmly, positioning himself in front of Luffy.
Everyone, including Luffy, was stunned. A Marine captain as an older brother? Why would Luffy bother being a pirate with family like this?
"Huh? My brother? Who are you?" Luffy asked, confused.
From the boat, Zoro, barely conscious, held his beloved sword, Wado Ichimonji, and shouted to the sky, "Luffy, can you hear me?"
"Zoro? Are you alright? I can hear you!" Luffy immediately turned his attention to Zoro.
"I've caused you worry. If I can't even become the world's greatest swordsman, I'll just be a burden to you. But I swear, I won't lose again. Until I defeat him and become the greatest, I won't lose again. Got it, Pirate King?"
Luffy smiled, "No problem!"
"Not a bad crew," Mihawk said with a smile and began to leave.
"Hey, Hawkeye, weren't you here to take my head? I'm the ruler of East Blue!" Krieg suddenly appeared behind Mihawk, pointing a pistol at him.
"You? Sorry, not interested. I had my fun today, so I'm off to rest. You might want to think about dealing with that Marine over there," Mihawk smirked, casting a glance at Ryu before jumping onto his small boat.
Realizing that a Marine was still present, everyone's attention shifted back to Ryu.
"So, who exactly are you?" Luffy asked curiously.
With a smile, Ryu responded, "Rear Admiral Ryu, also known as the 'Purple Dragon' of Marine Headquarters."
Due to his mastery of Purple Mist Divine Art, Ryu's face would glow faintly with a purple hue when he activated his inner strength, earning him the title "Purple Dragon."
Mihawk, already on his boat, turned back, intrigued. "So you're that rising Marine prodigy, Rear Admiral Purple Dragon, considered the most likely to become an Admiral among the young Marines?"
"That's right. And for the record, I oppose the Seven Warlords system!" Ryu declared, locking eyes with Mihawk.
"Heh, the Warlords? Doesn't make a difference to me," Mihawk chuckled and sailed away.
After Mihawk left, Ryu finally relaxed. He knew he was no match for Mihawk at this point.
"Why'd you say you were my brother? I don't know you," Luffy asked, picking his nose nonchalantly.
Ryu held back the urge to kick him, amused by his resemblance to Garp. "I've shared a drink with Ace, and he told me he has a younger brother. Also, I'm your grandpa's student."
"Ace? You met Ace? How's he doing?" Luffy's eyes lit up, completely ignoring the mention of Garp.
Ryu smiled, "He's doing great. When you reach the New World, you'll see him. We can chat more later, but first, let me deal with the trash in front of us."
With that, Ryu turned to Krieg. "Krieg, two years ago, you massacred the residents of Filly Island. Do you remember?"
"Filly Island? Which one was that? I've raided so many islands I can't keep track," Krieg laughed, unfazed.
"Filly Island... A peaceful place, until your pirates came along. That's also my hometown," Ryu said as he walked toward Krieg.
"Oh, that small, miserable island? There was nothing of value there, so I decided to wipe them out," Krieg sneered, recalling how he ordered the slaughter of the town's inhabitants after his men were attacked there.
Zeff, watching from the ship, shook his head and went back inside. The chefs looked at him, puzzled.
"Old man, where are you going?" Sanji asked.
"Let's go. Didn't you hear what Mihawk said? This Marine captain has already made a name for himself in the Grand Line, maybe even the New World. Krieg's got no chance against him," Zeff said, not looking back.
"Is he really that strong?" The chefs turned to watch Ryu, who now held Krieg like a ragdoll.
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Started editing the chapters now ^^
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