Luffy was as scared as a grandson in front of Senga, and Garp would be envious just seeing that.
He has poured countless Iron Fist of Love into Luffy, yet Luffy still acts the same way whenever he sees him, and sometimes even throws out a "stinky old man" in his face.
Hawk Eyes glanced at the unconscious Zoro on the ground and said expressionlessly,
"Did you knock this guy out?"
Luffy only knew the title "Hawk Eyes"; although he had seen the portrait, he couldn't remember it at all. He tossed his head, a smug look on his face, and said...
"Of course! This little thief somehow managed to sneak into Marineford Luffy. I took him down in less than three moves!"
Sabo patted Luffy on the shoulder from behind and whispered,
"Stop talking, this is Hawk Eyes! Judging from his appearance, he really does seem to have some connection with the guy on the ground!"
"Huh? He's Hawk Eyes?"
Luffy stared intently at Hawk Eyes, looking him up and down, and said...
"He looks familiar... Hey Hawk Eyes, who's that guy on the ground to you?"
"You could say he's my apprentice."
"Forehead..."
The three Luffy brothers exchanged glances, realizing they'd made a huge blunder.
Ace looked at Zoro on the ground and said in disbelief,
"So he just wanted to ask for directions? And he managed to find this place while looking for the Navy Headquarters?"
Sabo paused for a moment, then summarized.
"This person is hopelessly directionally challenged."
Luffy hung his head and sighed.
"The credit I was about to earn has slipped away again. What's going on? Is it so hard for me to get some recognition?"
Hawk Eyes helped Zoro up and checked him over, finding him to be unharmed. Senga then gently woke Zoro up.
"I'm still half asleep, "Zoro mumbled as he woke up.
"Where am I? Damn it, Marineford so huge!"
Hawk Eyes's face flushed slightly. To be honest, he felt a little embarrassed. He should have said he didn't know Zoro earlier.
Luffy complained to Zoro,
"Honestly, you should have just said you wanted directions! You made me go through all that trouble for nothing!"
Zoro remained silent. This time, he had indeed tried to save face by covering up, which aroused suspicion and even led to a fight.
Moreover, he was truly amazed this time; a Marine he randomly encountered at Marine Headquarters, who looked even smaller than him, was surprisingly much stronger.
Moreover, Ace and Sabo were standing behind them, having not yet made a move.
Actually, it was just a coincidence. The talents of Luffy and his two brothers are among the top in the entire Navy, so it's normal that he can't beat them now.
Hawk Eyes crossed his arms and said irritably,
"Stop pretending to be mute. Aren't you going to bow to the King?"
"What?!"
Zoro was jolted awake. He had just woken up and hadn't noticed Senga standing behind Hawk Eyes. When he looked up, he froze on the spot.
Senga's appearance is known to everyone in the entire Pirate World. Even toddlers who have just learned to speak will babble and call him "King" when they see a picture of Senga.
He is the master of the world, the undisputed strongest in this era. There is no need to add words like "man," "creature," or "great swordsman" after "strongest."
For all those obsessed with power, the name Senga means the end of the world.
Zoro suppressed his surging emotions and managed to utter a single word.
"King..."
Senga smiled slightly and replied.
"Zoro, seeing you today, I can see you truly live up to your reputation. You've really broadened my horizons."
Zoro realized that Senga was praising his navigation skills, and if anyone else dared to say that, he would definitely make them experience his troubles.
But if it's Senga...
"I'm so sorry, Your Majesty! I've caused you so much trouble!"
Zoro apologized very readily because he truly respected Senga.
The reason he respected Chiga so much was not only because of Senga's power to suppress everything, but more importantly because Senga had saved the world from the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Senga waved his hand and said,
"It's no trouble at all. Luffy was indeed reckless in this matter. Luffy, go up and show your skills. This isn't how you achieve merit."
Luffy dared not disobey Senga's orders, so he obediently stepped forward and apologized to Zoro.
"I'm so sorry, I mistook you for a bad guy and hit you a little too hard. I hope you can forgive me!"
Sabo and Ace stood arm in arm, looking on with amusement. Such a scene was rare; Senga person in the world who could make Luffy so obedient.
After all, she was the one who helped him King Addiction three times!
Senga and Hawk Eyes watched, like two parents, as their two "children" shook hands and made peace.
After this battle, Zoro realized his own weakness. He went up to Hawk Eyes and knelt down with a thud.
Hawk Eyes paused for a moment, but he quickly understood Zoro's intention. A smile crept onto his face as he thought to himself,
"Am I finally going to become your apprentice?"
With Senga as a witness, Zoro kowtowed to the ground, performing a solemn apprenticeship ceremony.
Hawk Eyes readily accepted; their master-disciple relationship was only missing this formality, and now it was officially confirmed.
After becoming Hawk Eyes's apprentice, Zoro finally addressed him as "Master" and declared that he would surpass Hawk Eyes and become the world's best swordsman.
Hawk Eyes shook his head after hearing this, glanced at Senga beside him, and said,
"Even if you defeat me, you won't be the world's number one. I lost to Senga in swordsmanship before. You'll have to get past him first if you want to become the world's number one!"
"What?! The King's swordsmanship is this strong too?!"
Not only Zoro, but even Luffy and his two brothers looked at Senga in shock. They didn't know that Senga knew swordsmanship and had even defeated Hawk Eyes.
The battle between Senga and Hawk Eyes didn't get widely known at the time, so very few people knew about it.
Senga coughed twice, feigning ignorance. He reiterated that he wasn't skilled in swordsmanship; he had only managed to get Hawk Eyes to the hospital with a hundred-meter-long broadsword.
He treated Hawk Eyes to a big meal, and he still vividly remembers the long bill.
Just as I was thinking this, a gurgling sound suddenly rang out, and then, as if a fuse had been lit, a series of gurgling sounds rang out in succession.
Senga turned his head and saw Hawk Eyes's face was flushed. He pressed down on the brim of his hat and whispered,
"We've been busy traveling these past few days, and there wasn't much food prepared on the ship."
Senga rolled her eyes, thinking to herself, "How much food can your little lousy boat hold?"
Not only Hawk Eyes, but Zoro and Luffy's stomachs also rumbled in unison. Senga smiled helplessly and waved his hand, saying...
"Let's go to the best restaurant at headquarters. I'll treat you all to a good meal today!"