My Name Is Roronoa Zoro!

After dispelling Mihawk's first slash with the Dark-Dark Fruit, Bane had no desire to entangle himself with such a powerful opponent.

Though he planned to eliminate Crocodile and Mihawk, both of whom were among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Bane didn't consider the current Crocodile, who hadn't yet undergone his "Dragon Cave Enlightenment" in Impel Down, and Mihawk to be in the same league of strength.

Crocodile had fallen, but Mihawk was the genuine World's Greatest Swordsman!

If they were to truly clash, Bane couldn't imagine any possibility of winning!

"Quick, quick, change course! Use our speed to shake him off!" Bane quickly called back.

Nami, after a brief moment of shock, quickly regained her senses. She pulled out her whistle, preparing to summon Momoo, who was following beneath the ship, to tow them and make their escape at the fastest possible speed.

The crew on board, after a short period of panic, also began to act swiftly, raising sails and turning the rudder as needed.

With the speed of that small boat, it should have been impossible to catch up to this large, well-performing three-masted galleon.

However, Bane didn't let his guard down because of this. At this distance, with Mihawk's strength, if he were to abandon his boat and pursue them, it would only take an instant.

Yet, before Bane could even finish worrying about Mihawk abandoning his boat to chase them, Zoro, who had been sitting at the base of the mast, suddenly stood up, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Zoro!" Bane was about to yell at him not to cause trouble, but it was already too late.

Given Zoro's personality, he would never let go of an opportunity to encounter a master of Sword Arts!

Without a word, Zoro took several quick steps and leaped off the deck, plunging into the sea. He then activated Geppo, stepping on the waves as he charged towards Mihawk.

For a fleeting moment, Bane deeply regretted teaching the guy the Rokushiki!

But it was only for that moment. Zoro had already charged out, and Bane knew he couldn't stop him. After a moment of gritted-teeth hesitation, he cursed, "Damn it, these damn swordsmen, all of them so impulsive!"

After uttering this, Bane raised his hand and shouted, "Stop the ship!"

Though the crew didn't understand Bane's order, as their captain, they could only comply.

Meanwhile, Mihawk had initially only been mildly interested in Bane. He hadn't expected a swordsman to charge out from the other side before he even pursued them!

As an old hand who had sailed the seas for many years, and having even been known as the "Marine Hunter," Mihawk immediately recognized the Rokushiki, a technique of the Marines, being used by the approaching figure.

"Marines?" Mihawk's initial guess was this, but he quickly dismissed it. It didn't seem like it.

He couldn't be bothered to guess the other's identity. Standing on his small boat, he watched with interest as the young swordsman rapidly approached him.

Initially, Zoro didn't know who the person opposite him was. He only sensed a master of Sword Arts. But as the distance between them rapidly closed, Zoro could clearly see the other man's appearance.

He might not recognize the Admirals, or know who the Four Emperors were, but he would never mistake the World's Greatest Swordsman, Hawk Eyes, Dracule Mihawk!

The moment he recognized Mihawk's identity, Zoro felt not fear, but excitement, extreme excitement!

Even though he had witnessed the terrifying power of the world's top-tier fighters in Loguetown through the scene created by Garp's punch, at this very moment, he still chose to press forward. He wanted to draw his sword against the world's strongest swordsman!

How sharp were Mihawk's eyes? In this brief moment, he saw the expression change on the young swordsman opposite him.

"Interesting. It's been a long time since I've encountered a swordsman who dares to draw his blade against me." A slight smile played on Mihawk's lips, tinged with admiration.

Whether it was arrogant ignorance or something else, in Mihawk's eyes, a true swordsman must bravely draw their blade against a stronger opponent. No matter how good their technique, how strong their power, or how outstanding their talent, without that spirit of unwavering advance, they could never reach the pinnacle of Sword Arts!

He recalled how he himself was once such a reckless swordsman, his single blade cutting down the entire sea, eventually earning him the throne of the strongest in Sword Arts!

Bane, having stopped the ship, also prepared for battle. However, he didn't charge in rashly. Instead, he carefully observed Mihawk's current state. When he saw that Mihawk's attention was focused on the charging Zoro and that he wasn't immediately attacking Zoro, his heart eased slightly. Perhaps things weren't as bad as he imagined?

But he didn't let his guard down. Zoro was his junior, his first companion. He had promised their master to look after him, and Bane would never abandon him!

Moreover, although Bane knew he couldn't defeat Mihawk, he wasn't entirely without hope. At worst, he could open a portal and escape with Zoro and Nami. Mihawk couldn't possibly chase them all the way to The Empire, could he?

As swift as lightning, while everyone's thoughts were racing, Zoro had already reached Mihawk. His hands were on the hilts of the two swords at his waist, and he held the unsheathed Wado Ichimonji in his mouth.

Because he had already recognized his opponent as the strongest in Sword Arts, there was no need for any probing attacks. He went straight for the killing blow!

"Three Sword Style: Secret Technique: Three Thousand Worlds!!!" Zoro drew his two swords, spinning them instantly. With a fierce roar, he used the Soru technique in the final two steps, instantly closing the distance between himself and Mihawk.

But as expected of the strongest swordsman, at this moment, Mihawk could still inwardly critique Zoro's swordsmanship.

"The timing and technique are both excellent, but still too immature..."

His thoughts flashed through his mind. Mihawk's hawk-like eyes, even without using Observation Haki, could still see through Zoro's killing move. In an instant, his Black Blade Yoru was elegantly brought up to block in front of him.

The next moment, with a clang, Zoro's three swords were sheathed and crossed, striking Mihawk's Black Blade Yoru.

The Secret Technique: Three Thousand Worlds was instantly blocked!

"What!?" Zoro was shocked, disbelief in his eyes.

He knew his opponent was strong, but he hadn't expected him to block his secret technique with such apparent ease!

At this moment, he felt like a mere child who had just learned to hold a sword in front of his opponent!

However, the shock lasted only a moment. Zoro's will was incredibly firm. His eyes darkened, and he changed his stance. His three swords spread out instantly, and his body spun, attacking Mihawk from three directions simultaneously like a sword dance.

"Decisive, firm will, unyielding, daring to attack a strong opponent even when the gap is known." Mihawk inwardly gave Zoro another positive evaluation.

At the same time, his body moved with elegant agility, seemingly not walking, but precisely evading all of Zoro's attacks. He then seized an opening, raised his hand, and his Black Blade sliced through the air.

With a crisp ding, Zoro's Yubashiri was somehow disarmed and fell directly onto Mihawk's small boat.

Before Zoro could even react, he felt a pain in his neck, and blood began to flow. He then saw Mihawk's Black Blade Yoru resting on his shoulder. The sharp blade's aura pierced Zoro's skin, leaving a shallow wound.

At this moment, Zoro knew he had lost. And before this, Bane had already charged towards them, using Geppo.

Mihawk glanced at the figure of Bane, then remarked with an appreciative tone, "You have a fine companion."

"That guy is my senior brother," Roronoa Zoro said in a calm tone. This was the first time he had voluntarily referred to Bane as his 'senior brother' in front of an outsider.

"Oh? Your senior brother? In that case, is his talent for Sword Arts also exceptional? Is he even more formidable than you?" Mihawk asked with keen interest.

Hearing this, and without the slightest concern that his life was currently entrusted to another's hands, Roronoa Zoro curled his lips into a grin and said, "No, his talent for Sword Arts is a complete disaster."

"Hahahaha!" Mihawk suddenly burst into laughter, saying, "What an interesting pair of brothers you are."

As his words faded, he lowered the blade in his hand and looked toward Roronoa Zoro, asking, "State your name, young swordsman."

The moment he lowered his blade, Bane also stopped in his tracks, stepping on the air with Geppo to stand upon the surface of the sea, watching both Mihawk and Roronoa Zoro.

Roronoa Zoro's gaze darkened, devoid of any fear or hesitation, and he looked at Mihawk with unwavering resolve: "Roronoa Zoro!"

Then, before Mihawk could even speak, he added with a resonant, forceful tone: "The World's Greatest Swordsman who will surely defeat you in the future and stand at the pinnacle of Sword Arts!"