A Vow to Never Lose Again

"A strong will."

Hawk Eyes slowly withdrew the small sword from Zoro's chest, drawing a string of blood beads.

He took a step back, putting away his casual demeanor, and looked at Zoro as an opponent for the first time:

"Kid, state your name!"

Zoro, enduring the intense pain in his chest, reset his stance, gripping his swords with both hands, the Wado Ichimonji in his mouth, and said each word with force:

"Roronoa Zoro!"

"Roronoa Zoro..." Hawk Eyes repeated in a low voice.

Then, under the watchful eyes of hundreds of people holding their breath, he slowly extended his right hand and grasped the massive black blade behind him, symbolizing the world's strongest.

"Buzz--!"

The moment the black blade Yoru was unsheathed, a terrifying pressure swept across the entire Baratie.

It was the might of a supreme grade blade, and the spirit of the World's Greatest Swordsman.

"I will remember you, a worthy opponent after a long time!"

Hawk Eyes held the black blade, its tip pointing diagonally at the sea: "Then... to show the courtesy of a swordsman, I will use this world's strongest black blade—Yoru—to send you off!"

"That is truly... most appreciated!"

Zoro took a deep breath, pouring all his Strength, all his Blood Essence, all his Spirit into the three swords in his hands.

He began to spin the two swords in his hands rapidly, his entire body transforming into a storm.

"Three Sword Style Secret Art—"

Hawk Eyes' figure instantly vanished, turning into a stream of black light.

Zoro also moved, charging headlong towards the stream of light that could cleave the heavens and earth!

"—Three Thousand Worlds!!!"

"Clang--!!!"

The two figures crossed paths in mid-air.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

The waves stopped crashing, the seagulls stopped calling.

"Crack! Crack!"

Crisp breaking sounds shattered the dead silence.

The two ordinary samurai swords in Zoro's hands, under the sharp edge of the black blade Yoru, instantly shattered into countless fragments, scattering in the air like butterflies.

And on Zoro's chest, a massive bloody gash suddenly tore open, blood spurting out like a fountain.

"Plop."

Zoro knelt on one knee, the broken sword slipping from his grasp.

"Lost..."

"I never imagined... I would actually lose!"

He slowly sheathed the only intact "Wado Ichimonji".

"Is this... the power of the world's strongest!"

Zoro slowly stood up.

He turned around, and then, he made a move that surprised everyone.

He spread his arms, openly exposing his chest, facing Hawk Eyes squarely, a fearless smile on his face.

Hawk Eyes tilted his head slightly, a flicker of confusion in his golden eyes: "What are you doing?"

Zoro grinned, revealing blood-stained teeth, and uttered the famous line that would shake the entire sea:

"A scar on the back is a swordsman's shame."

Hawk Eyes' pupils contracted sharply.

The next second, the corner of his mouth curved into an arc of extreme admiration.

"Impressive!"

"Swish--!"

The black blade Yoru drew a tragically beautiful black arc in the air, and without mercy, slashed down towards Zoro's unguarded chest!

"Ch-k!"

Blood instantly dyed the sky red, and Zoro's body, like a kite with a broken string, flew backward, crashing heavily into the sea.

"Zoro!!!"

This scene made Luffy, who had been suppressing his emotions, enraged to the point of his eyes splitting.

"Bastard!!"

Luffy let out a sharp roar, his arm stretching out violently, about to rush forward and fight Hawk Eyes to the death.

Just then, a strong hand firmly grasped Luffy's shoulder.

"Calm down! Luffy!"

Ronan's voice, like a thunderous bell, exploded in Luffy's ears.

"Let go of me! Ronan! Zoro..." Luffy's eyes were red, struggling desperately.

"Your mind is in chaos!"

Ronan shouted, "Use your Observation Haki to feel it! Zoro isn't dead! He's not even seriously injured!"

"Wh-what?" Luffy froze, his struggles stopping.

He tried to calm his breathing and sense.

Indeed, in the sea stained red with blood, Zoro's aura, though weak, was still burning stubbornly, his heartbeat still strong.

"Zoro... is okay?" Luffy said blankly.

"Of course, he's okay."

Ronan released his hand, looking at Hawk Eyes sheathing his sword, a glint flashing in his eyes:

"Aside from Hawk Eyes showing mercy... did you forget? What Zoro has been through this past week."

Thirteen Protectors Hard Qi Training, second stage—Bronze Skin Iron Bones.

Hawk Eyes watched as Zoro, who had fallen into the water, was hastily rescued by Johnny and Joseph.

He looked at the blood-covered young man, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"A powerful physique..."

Hawk Eyes lowered his head and looked at his black blade.

As the World's Greatest Swordsman, his control over Strength was already exquisite.

Although he had avoided vital points with that strike just now, he was very clear about the force behind it.

But the feel of the blade cutting into Zoro's body surprised him.

It wasn't just the resistance of muscle.

Zoro's skin was as tough as oxhide, his muscles as firm as steel, and even his bones were astonishingly hard.

It was a body far beyond ordinary people, tempered through countless trials.

"Is it innate talent... or has he practiced some special body technique?"

Hawk Eyes praised inwardly.

It was precisely because of this unreasonably powerful body that the strike only cut through flesh and did not injure his internal organs or his core.

"Are you his companions?"

Hawk Eyes turned around and looked at Ronan, Luffy, and the others standing on the deck.

"Thank you... for watching until the end from the sidelines."

Hawk Eyes' voice grew louder as he looked at Zoro, with the expectation of a senior towards a junior, echoing throughout the sea:

"It's too early for you to die!"

"I am Dracule Mihawk! See yourself clearly, see the world clearly, and become stronger!"

"No matter how many years pass, I will be waiting for you in this strongest position!"

"Young man with a strong heart and a resilient body... Surpass me! Roronoa Zoro!!"

These words, like a thunderclap, announced the beginning of a new era.

Under everyone's gaze, Zoro, lying on the deck, wrapped entirely in bandages, with blood still seeping out, struggled to raise the only sword in his hand—Wado Ichimonji.

The tip pointed straight at the sky, shimmering with a dazzling light under the sun.

Tears streamed from the corners of Zoro's eyes, mixing with the blood.

He cried like a child but let out a man's most solemn vow:

"Lu... Luffy... Ronan..."

"I made you... worry..."

"If I don't become the World's Greatest Swordsman... it would be troublesome for you, right?"

Zoro roared with all his might:

"I... I won't lose again!!!"

"Before I defeat him and become the World's Greatest Swordsman... I absolutely! Absolutely will not lose again!!!"

"Do you have any objections! Pirate King!!!"

Luffy looked at his companion who had raised his sword and sworn, and broke into the most brilliant smile:

"Heeheehee! No!!"

Ronan stood by, watching the scene, his heart stirred.