"Where did you go just now? Why didn't I see you?" Usopp asked Lock.
Lock ignored Usopp and looked at Zoro instead.
"How do you feel, Zoro?"
"Ah, I feel much better after your treatment," Zoro replied while sheathing his sword.
"Are you even listening to me?!" Usopp complained fiercely beside him.
"Instantly healing wounds... similar to a Devil Fruit ability? Hmph, nothing worth watching."
After thinking aloud, Mihawk turned to leave, walking toward his small boat.
"Don't leave so quickly, Dracule Mihawk."
Everyone looked in shock at Lock, who had suddenly appeared on Mihawk's deck.
"This guy... when did he get there?!"
"He was just on that boat more than ten meters away a second ago!"
Mihawk turned his head slightly.
"What is your purpose?"
"Purpose? Nothing much... just to play a game with you."
Lock chuckled, brushing a strand of hair back as he spoke.
Hearing this, Zoro stood up despite his wounds.
"What is Lock trying to do?!"
"Crazy... he's insane! That guy said he wants to play games with Mihawk?"
The surrounding pirates looked at Lock like he was a fool.
"That guy's with them, too. What's he planning by stopping Mihawk?" Sanji asked, cigarette dangling from his lips.
"I'd guess he wants to challenge Mihawk—or vent his anger for his friend," Zeff answered, his eyes fixed on the confrontation.
"Are they all idiots? Didn't he just see Mihawk's strength? Even if he can fly, Mihawk would cut him down in a single blow."
One of the Baratie chefs complained bitterly.
"I don't know..." Zeff muttered. "But let's wait and see."
"Game? You..." Mihawk began.
"What's wrong with me?" Lock interrupted with a smile he thought looked "kind."
Mihawk crossed his arms.
"If this game doesn't bore me..."
"Don't worry. I promise you won't be bored."
"What guarantee do you offer?"
Lock pointed to himself.
"How about my life?"
The pirates gasped.
"No way! From his tone... he intends to fight Mihawk too!"
"Lock..." Zoro clenched his sword, worry written across his face.
"Lock..." Luffy called out seriously.
"Luffy, wait."
Lock smiled at him.
"I'm just testing Mihawk's true strength—for Zoro. You won't stop me, will you?"
Luffy's face grew serious.
"I won't stop you... But be careful. He's really strong."
"Don't worry," Lock chuckled. "I'll only be stronger than him."
"Arrogant... way too arrogant!"
"Who does he think he is, saying he's stronger than Mihawk?"
Sanji exhaled smoke.
"Tch... they're both insane. Brave, but insane."
"I'll go play with Mihawk first. See you later, Luffy..."
Lock waved, and the next moment—
"Eh—?!"
Lock vanished into thin air.
"He's gone!"
"Mihawk too... both of them disappeared?!"
Everyone stared in disbelief at the empty deck.
Mihawk blinked as the world around him suddenly shifted.
"...This place—"
"Welcome to the subspace I created."
Lock appeared before him, smiling faintly.
"So... this is your ability." Mihawk glanced around at the trees, mountains, and rivers surrounding them.
"Magic, then... the magic that Straw Hat mentioned."
[No one can leave this subspace unless the caster cancels it, or the caster dies.]
[If someone is brought in, the caster must either bring them out—or kill them.]
[Its defense and recovery are tied to the caster. Magicians from the Western Fantasy Continent often use such realms to trap and destroy their enemies—or force them into servitude.]
[But if the opponent is stronger than the caster... It's another story.]
Mihawk slowly drew his small blade again.
"Then... let's begin this 'game' you spoke of."
Lock raised a weapon of identical shape, conjured by his magic.
"Then let's get started."
Whoosh—CLANG!
Their blades collided, sparks flying.
Mihawk's eyes narrowed in satisfaction.
Lock, too, grinned—this was the first time he had fought someone evenly matched in swordsmanship.
In the Western Fantasy Continent, Lock had never wielded a sword—only magic. His sword talent was pitiful.
But now, through Mirror Magic, he perfectly copied Mihawk's skills, power, and weapons.
[Mirror Magic – Allows the caster to replicate all of a person's stats and abilities within sight. However, the caster's strength is not added to the copy—unless the mirror state is released.]
This fight wasn't about killing Mihawk. Lock simply wanted to push him, to help Zoro understand the gap between them.
Whoosh—clang—clang!
Their blades clashed in a flurry of strikes, neither gaining the upper hand.
"If this blade cannot decide the winner..." Mihawk's expression sharpened as he drew Yoru, the Black Sword.
Lock instantly conjured a mirrored Yoru in his own hands.
Mihawk's lips curled slightly.
"So... your ability can even copy my blade. Interesting."
"You're right. I can copy it," Lock replied calmly.
"Then let's see—who wields the Black Sword better."
With a blur of motion, Mihawk vanished, reappearing at Lock's side with a deadly slash.
Lock twisted aside, countering with a mirrored strike.
CLANG—!
The two swords met, force shaking the ground beneath them.
"I didn't expect to find such a swordsman in the East Blue..." Mihawk said mid-strike.
"There aren't any here," Lock replied smoothly. "I'm not from this sea."
Their blades rang out again and again, the battle between Lock and Mihawk intensifying in the subspace.