Facing Hawk-Eye Mihawk!

"Krieg..."

Zero watched helplessly as the pirate Krieg, clad in golden armor yet now staggering as he walked, entered the sea restaurant. He could not help but sigh inwardly.

This pirate crew had truly been unlucky. The moment they entered the Grand Line, they ran into the world's strongest swordsman. Their massive force of fifty ships and five thousand men had been reduced to a single flagship and a scant handful of survivors. They had even fallen so low as to come begging for food!

As for why Hawk-Eye had destroyed that fleet, Zero did not know the exact reason. But he could more or less guess that perhaps the fleet had happened to run straight into his bad mood. People capable of influencing this world tended to act as they pleased, and fifty ships were nothing more than a few swings of a blade to him!

His thoughts drifted, but he kept his Observation Haki activated, closely monitoring the situation inside the restaurant.

Suddenly, he noticed that Nami was standing at the bow, staring blankly at a pale yellow sheet of paper in her hand, looking somewhat forlorn.

"Nami..."

As someone who knew the story, Zero naturally understood why Nami was like this. Seeing her in that state made his heart ache faintly.

Although she usually hid her emotions well, as long as the root of that pain remained, she would never truly be able to open her heart to others!

Damn Arlong!

At that moment, Zero seemed to understand why Luffy had been so furious in the original story.

"...Sigh."

Zero sighed and came down from the ship's second floor to Nami's side, quietly keeping her company.

Nami seemed to sense Zero's presence as well.

She did not turn around. After a moment of silence, she said, "Zero, I'm leaving."

"Do you really have to go?"

"Yes. There's something I absolutely have to do!"

"What if I stop you from leaving?"

"Even then, I still want to try. I don't want to let even the slightest possibility slip away!"

"..."

The atmosphere fell silent once more.

After a while, Zero slowly said:

"I won't stop you if you want to leave. But please remember this—we're your companions! No matter where you are, we'll come find you. We definitely, definitely will bring you back!"

Hearing those words, tears suddenly welled up in Nami's eyes. But in the next moment, she sniffed hard and said firmly, "Okay, I understand. Thank you, Zero!"

Zero still wanted to say something, but then a pair of slender arms, smooth as jade, wrapped around his waist.

"Nami..."

His heart trembled as he murmured her name. Hearing him, Nami tightened her arms around him. The two of them sank into that atmosphere and said nothing more.

Nami still left.

Zero did not force her to stay.

In truth, from Nami's answer, he had already understood how determined she was. No matter how much he tried to persuade her, it would have been useless.

Honestly, it would be better to settle things here as quickly as possible, then hurry to Cocoyasi Village. That would be the best course of action!

"Big Brother Zero, why did Boss Nami suddenly leave?"

"Yeah, where is she going after abandoning us?"

Johnny and Joseph tearfully watched the Going Merry sail away, utterly confused by Nami's departure.

"It's okay. Once we settle things here, we'll go find her!"

Zero watched the ship grow smaller and smaller on the sea, his gaze gradually becoming resolute.

"Hm?"

As if sensing something, Zero's eyes narrowed. A powerful aura erupted from his body, directly knocking Johnny and Joseph, who were still in the sea, unconscious. They sank underwater, choked on seawater, then struggled back to the surface.

The two stared at Zero in terror. They had never expected this quiet-looking man to be so terrifying!

"That feeling... Hawk-Eye Mihawk!"

The instant Zero's words fell, a piercing sound suddenly rang out over the sea. The ship, even larger than the sea restaurant and the Going Merry combined, instantly split apart. The people aboard struggled to escape, but they still could not avoid falling into the water!

"Ah! The ship split apart!"

"What's happening? What's happening? Save me!"

"Captain Krieg, save us!"

"..."

Cries for help rose and fell, suddenly echoing across the sea.

"That bastard actually followed us here!"

Krieg stared with bloodshot eyes at the miserable state of his pirate crew. Then terror appeared in his gaze as he fixed his eyes on the black figure that had suddenly appeared on the sea, as though he had once again recalled the horrifying scene of his fleet being destroyed!

Meanwhile, Luffy and the others learned from Johnny and Joseph that Nami had stolen the Going Merry, so they prepared to chase after it in a small boat.

Roronoa Zoro had originally planned to pursue her with them, but when he saw Hawk-Eye Mihawk approach, he immediately disembarked onto the deck and challenged Mihawk to a duel!

Watching from behind, Zero shook his head. Although Roronoa Zoro's Swordsmanship was quite good in the East Blue, compared to Mihawk, he was still far too inferior.

Sure enough, Mihawk merely took out a small knife and blocked Roronoa Zoro's airtight assault. He even looked completely at ease, without the slightest sign of strain.

Later on, Mihawk seemed to have been moved by Roronoa Zoro's determination. He drew the enormous black blade from his back, showing his respect for Roronoa Zoro.

"Three-Sword Style Secret Technique, Three Thousand Worlds!"

Without question, Roronoa Zoro lost. Even after using his strongest sword technique, his weapons were shattered beneath Mihawk's single strike—except for Wado Ichimonji, which had originally been one of the Great Grade Blades.

At that moment, Roronoa Zoro turned around to face Mihawk.

"What are you doing?"

"Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame!"

"Magnificent!"

Mihawk praised him, then slashed directly across Roronoa Zoro's front. The battle ended with Roronoa Zoro, severely wounded, falling into the sea!

"Zoro!"

Luffy fired a Gum-Gum Pistol at Mihawk, but Mihawk merely shifted slightly to evade it. In an instant, Luffy plunged headfirst into the opposing deck, struggling several times before finally pulling his head free.

Fortunately, Roronoa Zoro had merely fainted from his severe injuries. After Mihawk seriously introduced himself to him, he woke up and made a solemn promise to Luffy—

Before becoming the world's greatest swordsman, he would never lose to anyone again!

"Do you have any objections, Pirate King!"

Luffy answered with a hearty laugh:

"No!"

Just as Mihawk was about to leave, a figure that suddenly appeared before him caught his attention.

"Hawk-Eye Mihawk, my name is Zero. Fight me! Hehe!"

As those words fell, a heaven-shaking aura surged forth. That terrifying power made even the surrounding space feel oppressive!