Zoro gripped his three swords tightly, the bandana around his head fluttering in the sea breeze. Mihawk stood casually, one hand on his tiny cross-shaped dagger, almost amused.
Jack stood near the railing, watching closely, he didn't want to interrupt this fight same like Luffy.
Luffy crossed his arms, he can feel Mihawk is someone that even Zoro cannot beat but as captain he still cheered his crewmate. "Do your best, Zoro."
Zoro eyes burned. "Three Sword Style… Oni Giri!"
He charged forward in a flash, blades slashing like fangs.
Clang!
Mihawk blocked all three swords with a single motion of his dagger, not even stepping back.
"What?" Zoro growled, shocked. "How can that small dagger stopped my attack."
Mihawk's yellow eyes gleamed.
He casually flicked his wrist, pushing Zoro back like he weighed nothing.
Zoro snarled and lunged again. "Tatsu Maki!"
A spinning tornado of blades sliced toward Mihawk.
But Mihawk simply sidestepped, carving through Zoro's attack with effortless precision. His movements were calm, almost lazy, as if toying with Zoro.
"Weakling."
Jack jaw tightened. He's not even trying. This is a one-sided battle.
Luffy started to worry, he tried his best not to step into the fight.
Zoro's breath came faster as sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Stop mocking me!" he shouted, swinging all three swords at once.
Mihawk's dagger caught them again, this time with a little more force, shoving Zoro backward across the deck.
"You have strong spirit," Mihawk said softly. "But you are not yet ready to reach my level. Your ambition is greater than your strength."
"Shut up!" Zoro roared.
He leapt high, bringing all three swords down in a single crushing strike but once again Mihawk easily stopped him.
"I will honor this fight using my black blade yoru," said Mihawk after seeing the raw sword skill that Zoro just unleashed.
Mihawk finally drew his true weapon, the massive black sword Yoru.
CLANG!
The sound of their clash rang across the ocean. Zoro swords rattled against Yoru like fragile glass. Mihawk didn't even move his feet.
Then, with a single flick, Mihawk shattered two of Zoro's swords, leaving only Wado Ichimonji in Zoro mouth.
Zoro's eyes widened in shock.
Mihawk stepped forward slowly. "You have courage. I will grant you the honor of dying with your strongest stance."
Zoro's hands trembled but he took a deep breath. His mind flashed with memories of Kuina, of their childhood promise.
He turned his back to Mihawk, spreading his arms wide. "A swordsman never shows his back to his opponent."
Luffy face was shocked. "Zoro…"
Jack hands twitched toward his gun. Don't die on me, Zoro.
Mihawk's gaze softened slightly. "A honor man indeed."
With a single slash, Mihawk's black blade cut through Zoro's chest.
Blood sprayed across the deck, and Zoro dropped to his knees and fall to the ocean.
Johnny and Yosaku catched the drowned Zoro.
"Zoro!" Luffy shouted, rushing forward and attacking Mihawk.
Mihawk sidestepped and said to luffy that his friend are stil alive.
Luffy looked towards the direction where Zoro just drowned and found Johnny and Yosaku just saved Zoro.
"Zoro!" shouted Luffy.
Zoro with blood dripping from his mouth.
"Luffy.. Captain… I swear… I will never lose again. To anyone. Until I become the greatest swordsman in the world!"
He collapsed onto the deck, still conscious but barely.
Mihawk sheathed Yoru and turned away. "Grow strong, Zoro. Surpass me… if you can."
Black leg zeff who had known Mihawk trough rumour was shocked seeing the man asked Zoro to become strong.
Luffy went to Zoro to check his condition, meanwhile Jack stepped forward.
..
Mihawk turned to his ship. He was ready to leave, but Jack stepped forward towards him.
The world seemed to go quiet as Jack raised his hand.
A faint shimmer rippled around them and suddenly, the sounds of the sea and the shouts of the crew disappeared.
Mihawk golden eyes narrowed. "Hoh? What trick is this?"
Jack smirked faintly. "Not a trick. Just a little… privacy."
Mihawk tilted his head, intrigued but not alarmed. "Illusionary power?"
Jack didn't answer. Instead, he spoke calmly. "Let's trade. Question for question."
Mihawk scoffed softly. "I have no interest in games."
"This isn't a game." Jack tone sharpened. "This is about the Shichibukai system."
That made Mihawk pause. His sharp eyes narrowed slightly, interest now piqued. "You have my attention. Speak."
Jack inhaled deeply and asked his question. "I want to know how to learn Armament Haki, the training method."
Mihawk's expression shifted. His gaze became more serious, almost studying Jack for a moment. "You… do not have Haki."
"Yes," Jack said, smiling faintly. "But my crew will learn it."
Mihawk's grip on Yoru loosened, and he gave a slight nod. "Very well. And your trade?"
Jack raised his hand again, this time weaving a different illusion, an image of Seraphim Mihawk, the Pacifista-like clone wielding a big sword just like Yoru.
"This," Jack said quietly, "is what the World Government is working on in secret. They are taking the DNA of the Seven Warlords, including you, to create a new generation of weapons."
Mihawk's eyes widened slightly. "...Clones?"
Jack nodded. "Yes. Machines with your strength, your sword style but loyal only to the World Government. If they ever ask you to provide blood or genetic material, refuse. Because once they succeed, they won't need the Shichibukai system anymore. And you, Mihawk… will no longer be their ally. You'll be their target."
For a long moment, Mihawk was silent, studying the illusion in front of him. Then he slowly let out a low chuckle. "Interesting. So… the hunters will one day become the hunted."
He lowered Yoru and nodded. "That information is valuable. You have my word... I will not give them what they want."
"And the deal?" Jack asked.
Mihawk smiled faintly, the barest hint of respect in his expression. "Close your eyes. Listen carefully. Armament Haki is not learned with your mind.. it is forged with will."
He then gave Jack a detailed explanation how to focus his will, how to harden his body, how to train by pushing his physical limits and mastering his own fear. He even demonstrated a small coating of Haki around his arm.
Jack grinned. "Thanks. This will save me a lot of trial and error."
Mihawk turned to leave but paused. "You are an odd one, you smell like neither pirate nor marine. If you survive this sea… perhaps we will meet again."
Jack deactivated the illusion, and sound returned to the deck, the crash of waves, the wind against the sails, and the worried voices of the crew.
"Jack!" Luffy shouted. "What were you talking about with Hawkeye?"
Jack smirked. "I will tell you later captain."
Zoro, still lying down but awake enough to listen, smirked weakly. "Better not be making secret deals with my future rival."
Jack chuckled. "No deals... just some advice."
Mihawk stepped back into his coffin boat. "Straw Hat," he called to Luffy. "Take care of your swordsman."
Then, without another word, Mihawk sailed away, leaving behind a stunned crew and Jack, whose mind was now racing with new possibilities.
Armament Haki training… finally.
The crew can grow a lot stronger, he can't learn armament due to different physique.