The Swordsman's Resolve and a Clash with the World's Strongest

A few days after leaving Syrup Village, I called Kaya over and briefly explained my abilities before checking her status window.

I handed her the High-Grade Recovery Potion I was carrying. The moment she drank it, the status condition was lifted and her Stamina rank appeared as F. The rest of her stats could be raised once we reached Baratie, so we headed out onto the deck.

Once on deck, I spotted the Going Merry with its iconic straw-hat Jolly Roger sail up ahead.

From a distance, I could see Usopp teaching Zoro how to steer the ship. Zoro took the wheel and practiced moving slowly. Luffy, thrilled that he finally had his own ship, fired a cannon at a small rock that looked like a hill in the distance. When he missed, he handed the wheel to Zoro and let Usopp take a shot. Usopp hit the target perfectly on his first try, leaving Luffy stunned.

Just like in the original story, the rock was where the scurvy-stricken Yosaku and his caretaker Johnny had collapsed. I asked Nami to bring us closer to Luffy's ship, then crossed over to the Going Merry. After squeezing some lime juice and feeding it to them, the two recovered almost instantly.

"I couldn't say anything earlier because getting a ship was the priority, but Alvida's been cooking for you guys this whole time. What were you planning to do when we split up?"

"Hmm... I see. Guess we need a musician on the ship—"

"Hmm... I see. Guess we need a cook on the ship—"

Luffy and Zoro spoke at the same time. At least Zoro sounded more reasonable than Luffy.

After hearing about the Hawk-Eyes from Yosaku and Johnny, Luffy's crew set sail for Baratie. That's where they ran into the trouble I remembered.

"For now, the positions I've roughly decided on are..."

Jin — Captain

Nami — Navigator

Alvida — Combatant

Kaya — Ship Doctor

I still needed to pick a vice-captain, but I was still thinking about it. Alvida was currently handling cooking too, but I had a different cook candidate in mind, so I assigned her to combat instead. Kaya had dreamed of becoming a doctor in the original story, so I made her the ship's doctor. Medical studies wouldn't be mastered overnight, but I could bring her medical books from the real world. For now we had potions and elixirs, so it should be fine.

"That's a secret."

I decided to think about the crew name and ship name later. Looking toward Baratie, I saw Gin sailing away in the distance. We went inside the restaurant with the rest of the Straw Hats—minus Luffy—to grab a bite.

Since there were so many of us, we took a large group table and chatted happily while waiting for our food.

"Ahhh, my love♡ In this cruel world—"

"I've heard that one before, Sanji."

"Tch! I wasn't talking to you!! How dare you interrupt my serenade for the lovely ladies!"

"Our regular treatment is really something... Should we just leave?"

"I'll bring you some wine on the house."

"Deal!"

Watching him hurry back from the kitchen with complimentary wine, I thought, Yep, that's Sanji for you—extra service the moment girls show up.

"Jin, you've really gained a lot of crewmates."

"Yeah, I have."

Bang!

Right as we were talking, the door flew open and in walked Gin and Krieg.

"Sorry... Could we get some water and food? We can pay."

People recognized Krieg's infamous reputation and watched warily instead of helping. Some even shouted that we should report them to the Marines instead of helping.

"I won't cause any trouble. I swear we'll eat quietly and leave. Leftover rice, anything at all... Please."

Krieg dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the floor, begging. But the customers didn't trust him and kept yelling not to help.

"Move."

Sanji pushed through the crowd, carrying a plate of food, and walked over to Gin.

"Gin, give this to that guy."

"Ugh! Thanks, Sanji."

Gin handed the food to Krieg, who began wolfing it down. One of the cooks from the same restaurant as Sanji started explaining just how terrible Krieg was and listed all the awful things he'd done.

"What the—? Are you a Krieg fan? How do you know his entire life story?"

Wham!!

While the explainer was still talking, Krieg finished eating, stood up, and sent Sanji flying with a punch.

"Sanji!"

Luffy shouted in alarm. Gin immediately confronted Krieg.

"This wasn't the deal, Captain Krieg! I only brought you here on the condition that you wouldn't touch the restaurant!"

Squeeze!

"Guh!"

Krieg grabbed Gin by the throat and looked around the restaurant.

"This tastes incredible. I feel reborn. What a fine restaurant. I'll be taking this ship."

At Krieg's declaration, the customers fled in panic. Kaya was still weak, so this place was too dangerous. I took my girls (not quite yet) and returned to our own ship.

Once aboard, I raised Kaya's Stamina rank to B to ensure her safety, then sat on the railing to watch what happened next.

Sanji tried to share food with Krieg's starving crew while the other cooks tried to stop him. Their argument was interrupted when Zeff emerged from the kitchen carrying a huge sack packed with food and handed it to Krieg. Shocked to see Zeff, Krieg demanded his logbook of the Grand Line. Zeff refused.

"If you won't give it to me, I'll just take it. With that logbook, I'll challenge the Grand Line again! And once I get my hands on the One Piece, I'll become the king of this pirate era!"

"Hold it!! I'm the one who's gonna be Pirate King!"

"Huh? Who the hell are you, brat?"

"I'm a pirate!"

"Want some help, Luffy?"

"Nah, I'm good, Zoro."

Luffy turned down Zoro's offer. Krieg sneered at them and continued.

"Kahahahaha! Those guys are your crew? Don't make me laugh!! This is the Devil's Sea where a fleet of five thousand was wiped out ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in just seven days! You really think punks like you could survive there?!"

"They're just admitting how weak they were. Why are they bragging about it?"

Krieg told them to abandon the ship if they wanted to live, then returned to his own vessel to distribute the food to his men.

"Luffy, just beat that guy and tell the old man you're quitting the chore boy job."

"Whoa! Jin, you're so smart! Gramps, if I take him down, I can quit being a chore boy, right?"

"Heh. Do whatever you want."

Whether it was from eating or recovering, Krieg's subordinates stormed Baratie. Right before the battle could break out, my Observation Haki tingled sharply. I sensed Mihawk approaching. This was the strongest opponent I'd felt since the Kage fight, so I was both nervous and excited.

Slash!

Boom!!!

With one clean strike from Mihawk, Krieg's main ship was sliced in half. The gunpowder inside detonated, causing a massive explosion that sent it sinking.

I stared at Mihawk and activated Sage's Eye.

His skills and Haki didn't show up, so I couldn't gauge his exact strength, but just from his physical stats he was at least three ranks above me. If his skill mastery and Haki were factored in, the gap would be even more overwhelming.

Mihawk's arrival silenced the entire area.

"I came out to sea to meet you."

"What's your goal?"

"The Strongest. Sounds boring, right? Let's fight."

The people around finally realized who Zoro was and began murmuring among themselves.

"Any decent swordsman could tell the difference in our skill without even crossing blades. Was the courage to challenge me born from sheer willpower? Or just ignorance?"

"Because of my ambition... and a promise I made to a friend."

Clack!

Zoro bit down on one sword and raised the other two, pointing them at Mihawk.

"What are those? Toy swords?"

"I'm not some idiot beast that goes all-out even when hunting rabbits. If you want me to draw this black blade, you'd need to be at least as strong as that guy over there to even cross swords with me once."

"I'm not even doing anything and my hands are sweating..."

Mihawk's words while looking at me made me tense up. Zoro glanced back at me briefly, then asked Mihawk again.

"Are you saying there's that big a gap between me and him too?"

"To me you're similar, but that guy is at least fox-level."

"There's a limit to how much you can look down on someone! Don't regret it after you die!"

Goblin Beheading!

Clang!

The moment Zoro's swords crossed, Mihawk stabbed precisely into that single point. Zoro couldn't advance even an inch and froze in place.

"Uwaaaaaaaaah!"

Zoro abandoned technique entirely and began swinging wildly, but none of his attacks reached Mihawk.

"What a savage sword style. What burden are you carrying? What are you trying to become stronger for, you pathetic weakling?"

Tiger Hunt!

Stab!

Zoro brought his sword down, but Mihawk effortlessly pierced his chest with that tiny dagger.

"Why aren't you retreating? Do you want your heart run through?"

"I don't know... If I take even one step back now, it feels like all the oaths I've made, all the promises, all the things I hold dear will break... and I'll never be able to come back here again..."

"Yes... That is defeat."

"Haha, then I definitely can't back down."

"Even if it means death...?"

"I'd rather die!"

"Tell me your name, brat."

"Roronoa Zoro."

"I'll remember it. It's been a while since I've met a worthy opponent... As a swordsman, I will show you proper respect and finish you with the world's strongest black blade."

Three-Sword Style Secret Technique — Three Thousand Worlds!

Clang!

He unleashed his ultimate technique, but it failed miserably. Both swords in his hands shattered. Zoro sheathed the Wado Ichimonji that had been in his mouth, turned around, and spread his arms wide.

"Huh?"

"A scar on the back is a swordsman's shame."

"Not bad."

Slice!

Mihawk slashed Zoro across the chest. As Zoro collapsed, Luffy charged at Mihawk, but he simply sidestepped the attack. I walked over and stopped Luffy before he could get up and attack again.

"Tch."

"Relax, Luffy. Zoro's still alive."

"Really?! Zoro!!"

Luffy ran to Zoro. Mihawk spoke to him.

"Learn about the world! Learn about yourself! Get stronger, Roronoa! My name is Dracule Mihawk. I will wait for you on the seat of the world's strongest for as many years or months as it takes! Step over me and climb, Roronoa!!"

After saying that, he looked at Luffy.

"Brat, what's your goal?"

"Pirate King."

"That's an even harder path than stepping over me. What a splendid crew."

Then he turned to me.

"A swordsman who uses Marine fighting techniques... Who are you?"

"My grandpa is a Marine."

"You don't look like a Marine. Are you a pirate?"

"No, I'm an adventurer and pirate hunter?"

"What an interesting fellow. Draw your blade. Let me see your skill."

The viewers who usually told me to stop goofing around and fight were now worried the moment it was clear I'd get hurt. Yeah, we're a team after all. I let out a dry laugh, and the tension eased.

"Sure, let's go one round. Body and soul as one. Become the ashes of the dead. Ryujin Jakka!"

Whoosh!

I raised the blade wreathed in crimson flames and faced Mihawk. He looked at my unusual Zanpakuto with interest, then pointed his black blade at me.

"Brat, your name?"

"Jin."

Bang!

Ryujin Jakka + Dragon Fang Slash — Original Fire Dragon Slash!

Whoosh!

Clang!

I charged in fast, swinging the blade horizontally while activating the skill, but Mihawk casually parried it and twisted his wrist, stabbing toward my shoulder.

Fire Dragon Wave!

I barely knocked aside the thrust aimed at me and retreated far back. I poured even more flames into the blade and unleashed another skill at him.

Fire Dragon River!

KABOOM!

A sword wave shaped like a red flame dragon flew at Mihawk, but he simply shifted his body and it smashed into one of Krieg's remaining ships behind him, destroying it completely.

I didn't have the luxury or reason to care about those guys. Determined to land at least one hit on Mihawk, I leaped high into the air.

Eight Gates — First Gate: Gate of Opening! + Heavenly Demon Divine Art — Heavenly Demon Great Annihilation!

KABOOOOOM!!!!

I poured ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠every ounce of power into swinging Ryujin Jakka toward where Mihawk stood. The flying sword wave left a massive 天-shaped scar on the sea, splitting the water for a moment.

Krieg's pirates turned deathly pale at my attack. Luffy's crew and the cooks of Baratie stared with their mouths hanging open in shock.

"Haa... haa... Damn, that really didn't connect at all."

I'd only opened the first gate, but I'd poured more internal energy into the Eight Gates than necessary. Exhausted, I caught my breath and spoke to Mihawk. He stood calmly in front of me, having dodged this attack too.

"No. Your attack did reach me."

The hem of Mihawk's coat was slightly singed, with clear burn marks.

"Hahaha. For now, this is enough. Next time will be different."

"I'll look forward to it."

With that, he swung his blade and left a wound on my chest. I collapsed.

"Ow, fuck, that hurts like hell."

I couldn't let them see my wound healing yet, so I fell face-down. Once Mihawk left, I returned to my companions.

When I reached the ship, the girls rushed over in worry, trying to strip my clothes off to treat me.

"Let me see the wound! Are you okay? Take it off quick so I can put medicine on it!"

"It's embarrassing during the day. How about tonight in my room?"

Nami: "Idiot! Is this really the time for jokes?!"

Alvida: "Master, that's a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bit..."

Kaya: "Jin..."

They looked so worried that I'd only meant to reassure them with a joke, but I guess I'd crossed a line...

"J-just kidding. You all looked too serious so I tried to lighten ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the mood. You know I have special powers, right? I'm already fully healed. See? Not even a scar."

"You're really completely fine?!"

"Yeah, so stop worrying so much. Alvida, can you bring me a change of clothes?"

"Yes! Master♡"

After calming them down, I called Yosaku and Johnny over and had them bring Zoro. I fed the unconscious Zoro a High-Grade Recovery Potion to heal his wounds, told him to rest, then went to watch Luffy fight Krieg. But it was already over.

My earlier attack had pretty much wiped out Gin, Pearl, and most of the crew. Only Krieg remained, but the mental shock from watching me and Mihawk fight had left him trembling in fear. Even after Mihawk left, the fact that I was still there made him shake. Luffy knocked him out easily.

We handed Krieg's crew over to the arriving Marines. Then came Sanji's iconic scene.

"Don't catch a cold, Sanji."

Thud!

"Chef Zeff! Thank you for everything all this time!"

Sanji bowed deeply in a dogeza, tears streaming down his face as he boarded the Going Merry with Luffy's crew. They decided to follow us to Nami's village, rest for a day, and then set off on their next adventure.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"I'm going back!! I was tricked!!! Why are all the beautiful women on that guy's ship while I'm stuck here with a bunch of smelly men?!?!?!"

When Sanji had casually asked earlier if I'd gained a lot of crewmates, I hadn't told him the truth.

"Sorry, Sanji...."