Zoro fought Dracule Mihawk

Dracule Mihawk looked utterly indifferent. "Sorry, I don't have a smaller blade than this. And I'm not the sort of creature that goes all out even when a lion hunts a rabbit. Against a swordsman as unworldly as you, using this knife is already taking you seriously. Come at me. Let me show you the power in this world that you know nothing about."

"Fine. In that case, don't blame me if you die. Three-Sword Style: Oni Giri!" Seeing that Dracule Mihawk still looked down on him, Zoro attacked outright.

Zoro slashed toward Dracule Mihawk at tremendous speed?

Yet a clang rang out, and to everyone's surprise, Dracule Mihawk easily blocked Zoro's attack with his little knife.

"That's impossible!" Zoro's eyes filled with shock, and he attacked rapidly with all three swords.

Clang, clang, clang! Clang, clang, clang, clang!

What Zoro couldn't believe was that no matter how he attacked, Dracule Mihawk's little knife blocked him effortlessly, seemingly without the slightest strain.

Dracule Mihawk looked at Zoro with contempt. "This is the gap between us. You're still far too weak. Although you have the conviction to challenge the world's number one, you've never left this weakest of seas, the East Blue, or seen how vast the world is."

Johnny and Yosaku looked stunned. "Is the gap between them really that huge? Big Bro Zoro is a famous swordsman in the East Blue!"

Aboard the Baratie, Zeff watched the two fighting and shook his head. "Still too young. He's never even left the East Blue. There's no way he can beat Dracule Mihawk. Right now, Dracule Mihawk is just playing around."

The diners around him were incredulous too. "He really deserves his title as the world's number one. What incredible strength, taking every attack from the Pirate Hunter so casually with a little knife."

"Yeah, exactly."

Listening to the discussions aboard the Baratie, Zoro not only refused to give up, but his will to fight grew even firmer. He swung the swords in his hands and exchanged attacks with Dracule Mihawk again, roaring inwardly, I set sail to defeat him! I can't fall here. I have to beat him!

During the fierce battle, his childhood promise with Kuina kept echoing through Zoro's mind. Those dreams of swordsmanship and vows to become the World's Greatest Swordsman surged over him like a tide, spurring him to put ever more strength into his attacks on Dracule Mihawk.

Dracule Mihawk felt the increasing force. Holding his little knife, he precisely parried Zoro's attacks while asking, "What burden do you bear? What do you want once you become strong? Weakling, tell me your answer."

Zoro stopped attacking and looked at Dracule Mihawk. "I want to become the World's Greatest Swordsman, for myself and for my dearest friend."

Then he looked at Dracule Mihawk again. "Since ordinary attacks can't hurt you, I'll use the strongest move I have right now. Watch out. I'm going to use my strongest attack."

With that, Zoro began rotating his three swords, faster and faster, and said, "Three-Sword Style secret art: Three Thousand Worlds!"

Then Zoro began spinning his body along with them, slashing straight toward Dracule Mihawk.

Clang!

Shhk!

The little knife in Dracule Mihawk's hand seemed to come alive, precisely finding the weakness in Zoro's Three Thousand Worlds. It knocked all three of Zoro's swords aside, then pierced straight through his chest.

"This is the gap between us. Do you understand now?" Dracule Mihawk's voice rang out.

"So this is the power of the world's number one? I really can't accept this..." A trace of unwillingness flashed through Zoro's eyes.

Dracule Mihawk looked at Zoro. "You could have dodged just now. Why didn't you take a step back? If you had, you might not have taken that stab."

Hearing this, Zoro looked resolute. "I can't retreat. If I do, so many important vows and promises will be broken. If that happens, I'll never be able to return here."

Zoro spread his arms and looked at Dracule Mihawk. "I lost. Come on. Kill me."

"Hahahaha! You're interesting. To show my respect for you, I'll deliver the final blow with my Black Blade, Yoru." Dracule Mihawk suddenly laughed.

Elsewhere.

Back with the Straw Hat Pirates aboard the Going Merry, Nami was shaking Luffy frantically. "Why aren't you saving him? He'll die!"

Luffy told Nami solemnly, "This is a man's battle. We can't interfere. If we help him, Zoro will hate us."

Liu Qing looked at the crying Nami. "Haha, it's fine. Dracule Mihawk won't kill him. At worst, Zoro will be seriously injured. His life won't be in danger. Bring him back afterward, and once I treat him, he'll be full of life again."

Just as Liu Qing finished speaking, Dracule Mihawk's attack swept across Zoro's chest. A hideous wound instantly opened there, flesh peeling outward and blood pouring out.

"Zoro!"

Like a rubber cannonball, Luffy used an edge of the wreckage of Krieg's pirate ship to launch himself to Zoro's side, then helped him up.

Before Luffy could call out, Liu Qing appeared beside him in a burst of speed and immediately activated Hand Seal-less Healing to treat Zoro's injuries. In just a few seconds, Zoro's wound had healed.

Seeing that Zoro was all right, Liu Qing said, "Zoro, I left that scar for you. Consider it motivation for your future training."

Zoro looked grateful. "Thank you. This scar will be my motivation to keep moving forward."

Dracule Mihawk was astonished, but said little about it. He turned to Zoro. "In the years to come, I'll be waiting for you on the throne of the World's Strongest. Strive to become stronger. Become strong enough to surpass me. I've sat on the throne of number one for far too long, Roronoa Zoro."

With that, Dracule Mihawk looked at Luffy in his straw hat, formed a guess, and asked him, "Boy, what's your goal?"

"Pirate King!" Luffy answered without hesitation.

"Is that so? Then you'd better work hard. That's a road filled with hardships and dangers," Dracule Mihawk said with feeling.

Just then.

With tears streaming down his face, Zoro looked at Luffy. "Luffy, sorry for worrying you all. I won't ever lose again. Until I defeat him and become a great swordsman, I'll never lose again! Any objections, Pirate King?"

"None!" Luffy answered, then laughed. "Heehee!"

Liu Qing looked at Zoro with distaste. "You two can go back to the ship to chat. Next is my fight with him. Protect the Going Merry. Things might get a little intense."

Luffy slapped Liu Qing hard on the back, a series of smacks ringing out. "Fight without worrying. Leave protecting the ship to us."

Once Luffy and the others reached the Going Merry, Liu Qing looked at Dracule Mihawk. "Let's go farther away. My moves cover a pretty big area. I'm afraid I'll tear this place apart."

"All right. Didn't you say earlier that you wanted a favor from me? What is it?" Dracule Mihawk suddenly asked.

Liu Qing said, "I want training methods for Haki, both Armament Haki and Observation Haki. My current fighting strength, in your terms, is purely that of a Devil Fruit User, but my ability is pretty powerful. Although I don't have Armament Haki, my fruit has a special energy (Senjutsu), so I can still hit Logia Devil Fruit users. But I feel learning some Haki would be good too."

"Oh, I see. Let's fight first. I'll write down the training methods for you afterward. Your companions can learn them too. They're too weak," Dracule Mihawk said in realization.

"Sure, let's do it!" Liu Qing answered excitedly.

"But before we start, I need to make a battlefield first," Liu Qing continued. "Wait here a moment. I'll be right back."

Before his words had faded, Liu Qing flashed away. With a few lightning-fast leaps, he left the Sea Restaurant Baratie behind in the blink of an eye and came to a steady stop far away from them.

Liu Qing stood on the surging sea, his feet planted firmly as though rooted there. He took a deep breath, slowly pressed his palms together, and chanted, "Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"

As Liu Qing's words fell, a faint green glow rose around him, spreading outward like ripples.

At the same time, everyone far away at the Baratie suddenly felt a slight tremor, as though the entire sea were shaking. They stared at the water in astonishment, only to see a huge forest suddenly emerge upon the previously turbulent sea!

The forest covered dozens of miles. At a glance, densely packed trees blotted out the sky and sun, making it feel as though one stood in a green ocean. The trees in the forest were tall and thick, their luxuriant branches and leaves forming a natural barrier.