"Dunno." Zoro said. "But...I will not run! If I took so much as one step back, then I'd lose everything that made me what I am right now, including my pride. Without that, I'm nothing."
"That is defeat."
"I refuse defeat."
"Then you get death."
"I prefer death!" Zoro said without hesitation.
'Such strong conviction.' Mihawk thought before he pulled his knife from Zoro's chest and resheathed it. "State your name."
"My name...Roronoa Zoro." Zoro said as he pulled his swords up to make some sort of triangle. "I'll remember it." Mihawk said as he pulled out his black sword. "It's been some time since someone as strong as you faced me. As a swordsman courtesy, I'll end you with the world's strongest black blade."
"I appreciate it." Zoro said as Johnny and Yosaku begged him to stop, which he ignored. 'This is it.' he thought. 'The greatest...or death.' He then began to spin his swords around in front of him. "Three Sword Style: Secret Technique."
"FALL!" Mihawk said as he dashed towards him.
"THREE THOUSAND WORLDS!" Zoro said as Mihawk ran past him. Both stayed motionless for a moment until the swords in Zoro's hands shattered and a slash came across his chest as he fell to his knees.
"BIG BRO!" screamed Johnny and Yosaku. 'I lost.' Zoro thought as he took his white sword from his mouth and resheated it. 'So this is the strength of the best.' He turned to face Mihawk and held his arms out wide.
"Hmm?" Mihawk said in confusion. Zoro mearly looked up with a smile.
"Wounds on the back are a swordsman's shame."
"Fine." Mihawk said with a smirk before he slashed at Zoro. All was calm, then blood erupted from Zoro's chest as he fell to the sea.
"ZOOOOROOOOOOO!" Luffy screamed as some of his haki escaped from him, causing a few around them to faint while the rest felt shivers down their spines. However, everyone thought it was from seeing the infamous Zoro being slashed open. Hawk-Eye could feel Luffy's Haki though as he motionlessly eyed Luffy. 'That power...something is strange about that kid.' Mihawk thought before he said that Zoro shouldn't rush these things. Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku screamed Zoro's name. Johnny and Yosaku dived for Zoro as Sanji stared.
'Why would he do something that stupid?' Sanji thought. 'He should've known he was outclassed. Why didn't he run?' "DON'T BE A FOOL! STOP DREAMING AND LIVE!" he shouted.
"You bastard!" Luffy said in a low tone as he shook. He knew this would happen, but the sight of Zoro being hurt brought back horrible memories of losing his friend to the marines all over again. He vanished before appearing next to Hawk-Eye with a deadly look in his eye. Everyone just stared at Luffy's disappearing, reappearing 'trick.'
'Conqueror's Haki...from a man in the East Blue?' thought Mihawk. 'Most definitely not an ordinary man.' "Are you the young warrior's comrade?" he asked Luffy. "I'm impressed with you for not interfering. Fear not, your friend is alive." Luffy calmed down at those words as he turned to look and see Johnny and Yosaku fish Zoro out of the water.
"Zoro!" Luffy called. Zoro coughed up blood as Johnny and Yosaku pulled him to a boat with Usopp waiting with some medicine.
"It is still far too early for you to die." Mihawk said. "My name is Dracule Mihawk! You're strong, but you still have a long way to go. No matter the years, I'll hold this title as the greatest swordsman and wait for you. Hone your skills until that day, then seek me out, RORONOA ZORO!" Everyone stared as Zeff said that not just anyone could earn Hawk-Eye's regards. Mihawk then turned to Luffy. "What is your goal boy?"
"To be the King." Luffy said without hesitation. "That's quite a goal." Mihawk said with a smile. "One even more challenging than defeating me."
"Let me worry about that." Luffy said as he stuck his tongue out at him like before. He turned to the boat again as Usopp shouted that Zoro is alive and was just out cold. Johnny and Yosaku were yelling at him to say something. "Zoro!" Luffy yelled. He then saw Zoro's white sword being pointed into the air.
"Luffy...can you hear me?" Zoro said in a pained gasp.
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry for disappointing you." he said. "I know you need nothing but the best swordsman in the world. I've let you down. Please forgive me." Luffy just stared in surprise. Even though he heard it before, Zoro's vow had the same impact as before. "Until the day comes, when I beat that man and take his title," Zoro continued, with Mihawk smiling at the sound of a challenge. "I vow...to never be defeated by anyone ever again! Is that okay with you?!" Zoro screamed as tears fell from his eyes. "KING OF THE PIRATES?!"
Luffy smiled at all that. "Yep."
"You're a very good team." Mihawk said as he walked toward his boat. "I hope our paths cross again one day."
"Hey Mihawk!" Krieg shouted with a cocky grin. "I thought you were here for my head. Weren't you here to kill Don Krieg? Ruler of the East Blue?"
"It crossed my mind," Mihawk said without looking back. "But I've had enough fun for one day. I'm going home to rest."