The Krieg Pirates, who were originally the main characters, have now become spectators. When they encounter characters like Zoro and Hawk-Eye, the roles of main and supporting characters immediately switch.
When challenged by Zoro, Mihawk accepted after only a moment's thought, simply because Zoro's goal was to become the World's Greatest Swordsman! A young man from the East Blue aiming for the top spot?
Mihawk didn't think the young man was joking or exaggerating. The East Blue was a magical sea area, with an average strength that was among the lowest in the world, but it had many top-notch figures. He was very curious about what made this sea area so special.
The young man in front of him might be able to give him the answer, and the boy wearing Straw Hat next to him also caught his attention!
The battle took place on the wreckage of Don Krieg's ship. Although Mihawk was somewhat interested in Zoro, not everyone was worthy of making him draw the Black Blade from his back!
Zoro is currently several levels below Mihawk, so he is no match for Mihawk. Zoro's three swords cannot even break through the small knife in Mihawk's hand.
Although Zoro felt insulted by his opponent's use of a knife, he found himself struggling to even defend himself when they actually fought. It was then that Zoro realized just how weak he truly was!
The East Blue is too small a stage; he's like a frog trapped in a well, only able to see a small patch of sky above the well's opening. No wonder the lost old man wanted to take Kuina to the Grand Line. Just how strong is Kuina now?
Zoro recalled his recent declaration to Luffy: to become the World's Greatest Swordsman and to keep winning. Luffy had unconditionally trusted his ambition, but now, his own words sounded harsh and presumptuous.
Mihawk noticed Zoro's distraction. How could he think of anything else while fighting him? Without hesitation, Mihawk plunged the dagger in Zoro's hand into his chest. The world seemed to fall silent for a moment. Nami tightly covered her mouth to prevent herself from making a scream that would disturb the two in the arena.
Johnny and Yosaku looked angry and worried, wanting to rush up and Luffy Mihawk, but Luffy held them back. Even someone as strong as Zoro couldn't withstand a single knife from that Hawk-Eye man, so it would be pointless for these two to rush up. Besides, Zoro hadn't fallen yet; this was Zoro's own battle!
Despite being stabbed in the chest, Zoro showed no fear on his face; in fact, a smile appeared on his face. This man had made him see himself clearly and realize his weakness. If he could survive this, everything would be different!
Mihawk sensed Zoro's indomitable spirit and strong will, and Zoro's energy and spirit underwent a great change. Mihawk, who had been watching Zoro from beginning to end, naturally noticed this as well!
At this moment, Zoro truly resembled a swordsman. Even Mihawk felt that fighting Zoro with a dagger was an insult to the title of swordsman. He sheathed his dagger and drew the Supreme Great Grade Sword Black Blade from his back. He would take the upcoming battle seriously!
Mihawk learned the name of the man before him from Zoro — Roronoa Zoro, a name he would remember!
Afterwards, the two reached a tacit understanding in silence. Next, they would decide the outcome with one move. Zoro used his strongest sword technique to date - Three Thousand Worlds. Hawk-Eye did not say a word from beginning to end. The two finished their battle in an instant and turned their backs to each other.
Although Zoro remained motionless in the stance after executing his sword move, he knew he had lost, utterly lost. The swords in his hands seemed to understand his will, and apart from the Great Grade Sword Wado Ichimonji he was biting with his teeth, the other two shattered instantly!
Zoro knew that Hawk-Eye had held back. Although Hawkeye had drawn his sword as a sign of respect, he still didn't harm him. This precise control made him realize that he had lost completely this time.
Zoro drew his sword from its sheath, slowly sheathed the Wado Ichimonji, turned around, raised his hands without resistance, and uttered his famous line. "The scars on my back are a swordsman's shame!"
Mihawk instantly understood the young man's intention: to die rather than be defeated. But having finally witnessed the swordsman's strong will, how could he possibly kill this young man?
So he simply left a long scar on Zoro's chest. This scar was like a mark, a mark that represented this defeat. Whenever the young man saw this mark in the future, he would remember today's battle, remember the defeat, and forge ahead bravely!
Mihawk saw and acknowledged Zoro's strong will. He also wanted to see how far Zoro could grow in the future, so he left a long scar on Zoro's chest, one that Zoro would definitely see when he looked down.
"Don't worry, he won't die."
Seeing Kuina gripping the Wado Ichimonji, Vic said calmly, "Although Zoro was knocked into the sea by Hawk-Eye, his injuries aren't that serious. Apart from the large wound and a lot of bleeding, it's not deep. With some stitches, he'll be fine in no time."
Moreover, Johnny and Yosaku, who were quick-witted and agile, had already gone into the sea to rescue the people. Vic stopped Kuina from intervening, saying that now was not the time to act.
"Young man! Don't be in such a hurry to die!"
" Zoro! Damn it!"
Seeing Zoro fall into the sea after being slashed by Hawk-Eye, Luffy thought Zoro had been killed by Hawk-Eye. At this moment, he finally couldn't help but take action. He stretched out his arm, grabbed a piece of the ship's plank, and rammed into it. However, against Hawk-Eye, who had Observation Haki, Luffy's attack was ineffective, and he even buried his head in the ship's plank.
"Are you that young swordsman's partner? Thank you for seeing him through to the end! Don't worry, that man is still alive!"
Mihawk acknowledged Zoro and recognized Luffy's straw Straw Hat, so he offered an explanation. He wouldn't have bothered to say anything more to anyone else.
Upon hearing this, Luffy finally calmed down. Then he saw Johnny and Yosaku rescue Zoro, who had fallen into the sea. Seeing Zoro spew out a mouthful of seawater, Luffy finally breathed a sigh of relief; his first invited crewmate was still alive.
"You're too young to die! I am Jora Mihawk! See yourself clearly, understand the world, and become stronger! No matter how many years pass, I will be waiting for you. Surpass this sword, surpass me, Roronoa Zoro!"
"Kid! What's your goal?"
" Pirate King!"
That's a path even more arduous than surpassing me!
"I don't care! I'm going to be it!"
After giving Zoro some words of encouragement, Mihawk asked the straw- Straw Hat boy in front of him a question. The Straw Hat Boy's answer surprised him, but then, thinking of a certain man with a missing arm, he felt it made perfect sense!