The gap is massive—there's no way Zoro can win. That much, I know very well.
Pffft!
Mihawk leaned forward and pierced straight through Zoro's chest with a single hand.
"Why didn't you dodge?"
"…I don't know. I just feel that… if I step back here—if I retreat now—then every promise I made in the past will completely lose meaning. And after that… I'll never have the right to face you again."
"You realize that if I pushed just slightly deeper… you'd already be dead, right?"
"If that happens, so be it. But I will never back down."
Mihawk fell silent. Zoro wasn't like the challengers he'd brushed off before—there was none of that cocky 'let's see how strong he is' attitude. The determination burning inside him… was far stronger than anyone Mihawk had seen in years.
"Big bro Zoro!!"
Johnny and Joseph were about to rush forward—but Luffy slammed his arms out, pinning them.
"You can't interfere. This is Zoro's fight. No matter what happens… this duel belongs to him alone."
Even Luffy himself struggled to hold back. His instincts screamed to jump in and save his friend. But he didn't move.
As for me? Well… I already knew Zoro wouldn't die—so I just crossed my arms and watched the show unfold. What about that bastard Krieg…? Hiding somewhere, trembling in his fancy gold armor? Ugh.
"I haven't seen a challenger like you in a long time, boy. State your name."
"Roronoa Zoro!"
"Very well. You're worthy… of seeing the strongest black blade in the world drawn against you."
Mihawk stepped back. Zoro's unwavering resolve had earned at least that much respect—he would face him as a swordsman… not as a joke.
"Really now? …That's an honor."
Zoro lowered his head. The sharp pain in his chest seared through his mind—but he kept standing. The duel wasn't over yet.
This next strike would decide everything. The strongest sword in the world—or death. That was the only outcome.
"Three Sword Style Secret Technique… Three Thousand Worlds!!"
In the blink of an eye, they crossed paths.
You could barely see the motion—but the massive wound across Zoro's chest told the result.
He'd already lost.
Mihawk glanced back. The swords in Zoro's hands—Guiche and Xuezao—were shattered into several broken pieces. A pity, really. Two good blades… gone in an instant.
"Cough… cough!"
A few drops of blood hit the deck, sizzling from the heat of his wound. Zoro knew it—this was defeat. Was this… the world's greatest swordsman? The gap was overwhelming. There was nothing he could do.
But then—Zoro turned around.
And stretched out his arms.
Even Mihawk froze in surprise.
"…What?"
"…A wound on the back is a swordsman's shame!!"
There it was—the first iconic moment. Even in my previous life, I thought this was Zoro's coolest line from the early series.
"Huh? …Impressive."
Mihawk finally looked at Zoro properly. This kid… wasn't ordinary. Given time—he wouldn't just be strong. He might even surpass Mihawk himself one day. He had that potential.
The black blade cut one final strike across Zoro's chest—and sent him flying into the sea.
"BIG BRO ZORO!!"
Johnny and Joseph dove in without hesitation.
Don't die yet, kid. The world is far bigger than you know… and your future still has hope. Mihawk made sure his blade hadn't cut deep enough to kill him.
"Sauron!!"
Luffy screamed with tears bursting in his eyes. He'd sworn not to interfere—but seeing Zoro fall was more painful than any injury.
"…This guy…"Sanji—still on the Baratie—watched in disbelief. Was any dream worth throwing away your life? Wouldn't it be better to give up than die? He couldn't understand.
The pirates stood frozen in awe. To them, the bounty hunter Roronoa Zoro was already a monstrous powerhouse. For someone to defeat him this easily… it was surreal.
"Bastard!!!"
Luffy shot his rubber arms forward like a bullet straight for Mihawk's face—but with ease, Mihawk just tilted his head slightly.
Luffy crashed into the cabin headfirst—stuck like a nail in wood.
"So this guy's a Devil Fruit user too?"
Krieg, still hiding, muttered in surprise—not that it mattered. He'd seen Devil Fruit users on the Grand Line. Heck, he'd even killed one himself. Nothing impressive… and judging by Luffy's clumsy control? Probably not even a tricky ability.
"You're Zoro's comrade? Thank you—for not interfering in his fight. Don't worry. He's not dead."
"…You're saying Zoro's still alive?!"
It took Luffy a while to yank his head free before shouting. But before Mihawk could reply, Johnny and Joseph yelled across the sea.
"Zoro's alive!! He's fine!!!"
They'd gotten him aboard their small boat. Bloodied—but breathing.
Thank goodness… just as expected. I knew the plot armor would hold. Still…
Guiche and Xuezao were broken.
"Well, that's unfortunate. If I'd known, I wouldn't have handed those two over to Zoro so soon… though it shouldn't change much long-term, right?"
My focus was probably… different from everyone else's. Zoro's survival was guaranteed. But seeing the blades I lent him in pieces… ugh. For a moment, I actually considered using a trial card to fight Mihawk myself.
But I shook the thought away. This pain—the journey of surpassing Mihawk—belongs to Zoro. Using a system cheat to interfere would be ridiculous. He has to earn that victory through his own blood and resolve.
Besides… Mihawk had no real grudge against me. Not yet anyway. No reason to fight him.
"You're far from death, young man," Mihawk said softly toward Zoro. "I am Dracule Mihawk. See the world clearly. Learn your place—and grow stronger."
"…!"
"No matter how long it takes… I will wait at the summit. Surpass this blade. Surpass me—Roronoa Zoro!"
Gasps broke out everywhere.
Mihawk had recognized Zoro. Not only that—he believed… that one day, Zoro might even rise above him.
"To make that man say such words… that kid should be proud," Zeff muttered from afar. He knew Mihawk's status—standing at the absolute peak of swordsmanship. And for someone like that to speak in such a way… it was nothing short of miraculous.
Mihawk then turned to Luffy.
"Boy. What is your goal?"
"To become the Pirate King!"
The answer came without hesitation. Mihawk let out a faint smile.
"That path is far more difficult… than surpassing me."
"I don't care! I'll still become it!!"
This kid had spirit—and Mihawk could tell. If Luffy had the self-control to not interrupt the duel, then he held at least a swordsman's respect for battle. Mihawk couldn't help but acknowledge that.
"Lu… Luffy…"
Zoro's weak voice came from the boat. Luffy instantly shouted back.
"Sorry I made you worry… If I… can't become the world's strongest swordsman… will that be trouble for you, Captain?"
His voice trembled. Blood was still flowing from his wounds.
"I won't lose again. Until the day I defeat him—until I defeat Dracule Mihawk—I will never lose again! ANY objections… Pirate King?!"
"…Heh. Not a single one!"
Luffy grinned. For the first time—Zoro accepted Luffy's dream completely.
"A fine team… I hope to meet you again."
With that, Mihawk turned to leave. He'd followed Krieg's crew all the way to the East Blue just to pass the time—but unexpectedly found something worth remembering.
He prepared to depart—but of course… someone just had to open his big mouth.
"HEY, MIHAWK! The world's best swordsman! Didn't you come here to take MY head?! You're just gonna run now?!"
Krieg stepped out with wide eyes—finally crawling from his hole, probably thinking this was his 'cool moment.'
I see… so you do have guts. …Well, have fun dying.
"I did come with that intention," Mihawk said calmly. "But I've had my fun. I'm returning now."
"…."
Krieg shut up instantly. The calculation was clear—if Mihawk walked away, he was better off not stopping him.
As Mihawk sailed off into the distance, even I was surprised. Huh. In the original story, Krieg acted way more cowardly than this. Weird.
Maybe my presence has already shifted a few small gears in the plot…? I don't know. But the cutscene was finishing—meaning it was nearly my turn.
"Usopp! Take Zoro and go after Nami first—I'll catch up later!"
Luffy cupped his hands and yelled.
"Roger! And don't forget to bring a cook! The SIX of us will set sail for the Grand Line together!!"
Usopp had been itching to leave—he jumped with excitement the moment he heard it.
"Kiana, you coming too? We're gonna fight next."
Luffy turned to me.
"Nope. I haven't moved in a few days—my body's starting to rust. Might as well stretch my legs, Captain."
"Alright then. Don't get rusty!"
I drew Raiden Mei's blade: Raichel, planting one foot onto the railing. My eyes locked onto Krieg—gold armor… diamonds the size of bird eggs… glittering all over him.
Sorry, Krieg. But you're already marked.
You're my prey.
"Oh? I didn't notice her before! A beautiful girl watching me with those fiery eyes… You wanna be my woman, sweethea—"
BANG!
One swift flash step—nearly fifty meters in a blink. The seawater parted behind me like a wall.
My heel slammed straight into Krieg's face—silencing him mid-laugh. He crashed into the cabin like a snapped twig.
"L–LEADER KRIEG!!!"
"BOSS!!!"