18. Zoro Falls at Sea

CHAPTER 18: ZORO FALLS AT SEA

Zoro stood amidst the wreckage of the fallen Krieg Pirates' ship, the air heavy with the scent of salt and smoke. The debris of shattered planks and broken barrels floated around him, a testament to the ferocity of Dracule Mihawk's earlier assault. Each step Zoro took towards Mihawk was deliberate, his mind focused solely on the confrontation ahead.

He walked with a determined stride, the weight of Kuina's promise and his own dreams pressing on his shoulders. His eyes locked onto Mihawk, who stood on his small boat, calm and unbothered by the chaos around him.

"Mihawk!" Zoro's voice cut through the tension. "I am Roronoa Zoro, and my goal is to become the world's greatest swordsman. I challenge you to a duel, one on one, to defeat you and take your place!"

Mihawk glanced at Zoro with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "If you were serious about this challenge," he said, "you would already know the vast difference in our strengths just by looking at me."

Zoro's jaw tightened. "It is my life's goal," he insisted, his voice unwavering.

Mihawk contemplated Zoro for a moment before nodding. "Very well. I accept your challenge."

With a confident smile, Zoro drew two of his lower-level swords, his grip steady and firm. Mihawk, in response, reached for the cross-shaped necklace on his chest, pulling it open to reveal a tiny dagger. The sight of the small weapon made Zoro's blood boil.

"I wanted a real fight," Zoro growled.

Mihawk shrugged, his demeanor nonchalant. "I do not hunt rabbits with cannons."

Annoyed by Mihawk's arrogance, Zoro charged forward, his eyes blazing with determination.

Zoro's first attack was a powerful overhead swing, aimed directly at Mihawk's head. With minimal effort, Mihawk raised his tiny dagger and parried the blow, the force of the clash sending a shockwave through the air. Zoro felt the sting of the impact reverberate up his arms, but he pushed forward, slashing horizontally with his other sword.

Mihawk sidestepped gracefully, his dagger a blur as it deflected Zoro's strike. With a swift movement, Mihawk's dagger sliced across Zoro's side, drawing blood. Zoro winced but remained undeterred.

Refusing to back down, Zoro attacked again, his swords a flurry of relentless strikes. Mihawk moved with almost supernatural ease, his small dagger blocking and countering each of Zoro's moves. Their blades clashed repeatedly, the sound of metal on metal ringing out.

With a quick twist, Mihawk's dagger found its mark, cutting into Zoro's shoulder. Zoro gritted his teeth against the pain, his determination unwavering.

Breathing heavily, Zoro launched himself at Mihawk once more. This time, he tried a feint, hoping to catch Mihawk off guard. But Mihawk was ready, his dagger slipping past Zoro's defenses and scoring a deep gash along his arm. Zoro hissed in pain but refused to falter.

"Why are you fighting?" Mihawk asked, his voice almost curious.

Zoro's eyes blazed with intensity. "I made a promise. It is my dream."

Impressed by Zoro's resolve, Mihawk engaged him again. Zoro's attacks were fierce but increasingly desperate. Mihawk's movements were fluid and precise, each block and counter executed with effortless grace. A quick flick of Mihawk's wrist, and his dagger sliced across Zoro's chest.

Despite the mounting injuries, Zoro's spirit remained unbroken. His focus was absolute, his goal clear.

In their final encounter, Zoro put everything he had into his attacks. His swords moved with blinding speed, his strength and determination pushing him beyond his limits. Mihawk, however, remained unphased. With a swift, almost casual motion, he drove his dagger into Zoro's shoulder, pinning him to the spot.

Zoro gasped in pain, blood dripping from his numerous wounds. Mihawk looked at him with a mix of respect and pity. "You have strong will and determination. Very well, I will grant you the honor of facing my true sword."

With an ominous air, Mihawk reached behind him and unstrapped the massive sword on his back. The giant black blade glinted in the sunlight, its sheer size and weight a stark contrast to the tiny dagger he had been using.

Zoro's eyes widened in awe and fear as Mihawk brandished the immense weapon. He fell to his knees, blood pouring from his mouth. Summoning the last of his strength, Zoro untied the bandana from his arm and wrapped it around his head. With deliberate slowness, he drew the Wado Ichimonji and placed it in his mouth, assuming his iconic three-sword style stance.

The spectators, Krieg Pirates and cooks alike, watched with bated breath. "He's getting serious," one pirate muttered, awe-struck by Zoro's tenacity.

Goku and Usopp watched intently, their faces etched with worry. Johnny and Yosaku cheered Zoro on, their voices filled with encouragement and concern. 

Sanji walked up to Goku, concern etched on his face. "Shouldn't you interfere? Zoro is your first mate."

Goku shook his head, his gaze never leaving the duel. "Mihawk won't kill Zoro."

Turning to Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku, Goku gave them urgent instructions. "Get a small boat left by the customers who fled in a hurry and follow after Nami. This fight is about to end. Take Zoro with you."

The trio looked confused but nodded, trusting Goku's judgment. "What about you?" Sanji asked.

Goku's eyes hardened. "We'll deal with Krieg and the rest of his crew."

Back at the duel, Zoro faced Mihawk in his iconic three-sword style, ready for their final clash. Mihawk, holding his massive sword aloft, declared, "This will be our final encounter."

Zoro charged forward, his determination unwavering. "Santoryu Ogi: Sanzen Sekai!" he shouted, his swords a blur as he launched his most powerful attack.

Mihawk met Zoro's attack head-on, his massive sword cutting through the air with a deadly grace. The clash was titanic, the force of their strikes sending shockwaves through the water. Zoro's two lower-level swords shattered under the immense pressure, leaving only the Wado Ichimonji intact in his mouth.

With a final, defiant look, Zoro sheathed the Wado Ichimonji and turned to Mihawk. "Wounds on the back are a swordsman's shame," he declared.

Mihawk smiled, a rare look of respect crossing his features. "Indeed," he agreed, and with a swift, precise motion, he slashed across Zoro's chest.

Zoro collapsed, blood gushing from the deep wound. As he lay on the ground, Goku appeared by his side in an instant, his speed blinding. He scanned Zoro's bloody body, his face a mask of concern and determination.

Mihawk, meanwhile, caught sight of Goku's straw hat. "Interesting hat," he remarked, returning to his small boat.

As he prepared to sail away, Mihawk turned to Goku. "What is your goal?"

Goku's eyes burned with intensity. "To be the Pirate King."

Mihawk's expression was thoughtful. "That is a task greater than defeating me." Looking down at Zoro, he added, "Your time is not yet here. Live on, get stronger, and seek me out. I will remain the world's greatest swordsman until then."

Goku carefully lifted Zoro's unconscious body and carried him over to the ship where Johnny, Yosaku, and Usopp waited. "Follow Nami," he instructed. "Sanji and I will deal with Krieg and his crew."

As Johnny, Yosaku, and Usopp set sail with Zoro, Goku and Sanji prepared to face the remaining threats, their hearts heavy with the weight of the battles yet to come. The journey was far from over, but their resolve was stronger than ever.

Goku leaped back across the rubble of the galleon debris, his eyes fixed on the fins of Baratie where Don Krieg awaited him. The wreckage of the once-mighty ship lay scattered around him, a testament to the destructive power of Dracule Mihawk. As Goku prepared to confront Don Krieg, a familiar voice called out to him from behind.

"Goku!" Zoro's voice was hoarse but filled with determination.

Goku turned to see Zoro struggling to stand, his body battered and bloodied from his duel with Mihawk. Zoro's eyes blazed with resolve as he staggered forward, leaning on his Wado Ichimonji for support.

"Forgive me for losing," Zoro said, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "I swear on my life, I will never lose again until I defeat him. Is that alright, King of the Pirates?" He looked at Goku with a mix of respect and resolve, his declaration hanging in the air.

Goku's heart swelled with pride. "Yeah, that's cool with me. Our journey is just starting."

As the small boat carrying Zoro and the others sailed away, Mihawk, who was still within earshot, paused. He turned back to the scene, a rare smile playing on his lips. "What an interesting duo. I will be waiting for you in the Grand Line," he murmured.

Usopp, looking determined, shouted to Goku, "We'll track down Nami! Yosaku will stay behind and guide you towards her trail."

Yosaku, hearing his name, jumped across the debris with surprising agility, barely making it to the Baratie without sinking. He landed next to Goku, panting but resolute.

"Alright, now let's deal with these small timers," Goku said, his eyes narrowing as he turned his attention back to Don Krieg.

"Who are you calling small timers?!" Krieg roared, his diamond-encrusted fist swinging towards Goku with incredible force.

Goku took the hit head-on, his body unmoving as if nothing had happened. The force of the punch did not even make him flinch. Instead, Krieg recoiled in pain, clutching his arm and screaming in agony. The diamond-encrusted fist had shattered upon impact with Goku's rock-solid body.

Krieg stumbled back, fear and shock in his eyes. "What are you...?"

Goku's expression remained calm, his eyes piercing. "Like I said, you're just a small timer. Let me show you the power of a Saiyan when he's pissed off!"

Krieg's eyes widened as Goku's power began to surge. The air around him crackled with energy, his aura flaring brightly. The cooks and pirates watched in awe and terror as Goku prepared to unleash his true strength.

To be continued...

[A/N: Read 10 chapters ahead of this series available on my patreon right now. patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels