'Tap—'
Zoro turned sharply, his entire body went rigid.
His gaze locked onto Mike, who was now awkwardly trying to explain himself to an indignant Tashigi.
The surrounding noise of the Loguetown market seemed to fade into a dull roar, leaving only the man in the white Marine uniform in his sights.
'This man...'
Zoro's heart began to pound in his chest.
It's him.
It has to be him.
The man Mihawk spoke of—the one who wields a sword style even the World's Greatest couldn't fully comprehend.
All the pieces fit:
Marine Headquarters.
Captain Mike.
The owner of that impossibly powerful blade.
This handsome, infuriatingly lazy-looking man was the one he had to surpass before he could even think about challenging Mihawk again.
This was the man Mihawk himself acknowledged as the next to sit on the throne of 'World's Strongest Swordsman'.
Zoro's grip tightened on the hilt of Wado Ichimonji.
His defeat at the Baratie had shattered his arrogance but forged his resolve into something unbreakable.
He had seen the summit, and now he knew the true length of the path he had to climb.
He had to grow stronger, and stronger still.
'Let me see it' Zoro thought, his fighting spirit blazing.
Let me see for myself the gap between us.
He swiftly untied the dark green bandana from his arm and firmly tied it around his forehead.
It was a ritual, a switch that flipped his mind into a state of pure combat.
Gripping his sword, Zoro strode forward, his eyes burning with an unyielding fire.
Mike was mid-conversation with Tashigi when he noticed Zoro approaching with the intensity of a predator.
His brow lifted slightly.
He saw the bandana, the fire in Zoro's eyes, and the hand gripping his sword.
'Oh no...' he thought with a sinking feeling.
"Ahem," Zoro cleared his throat, raising Wado Ichimonji to point directly at Mike.
"Excuse me. You're Captain Mike of Marine Headquarters, right?" His voice was low, serious, and left no room for argument.
"Fight me. Here and now."
"Mike? I'm not—" Mike began, trying to deny it on pure instinct, but Zoro's stubborn, fiery gaze told him it was useless.
He was already convinced.
'Damn you, Mihawk' Mike cursed inwardly.
'Next time you visit HQ, you're bringing me two extra crates of top-tier wine as an apology!'
"I know who you're looking for," Mike said, shifting tactics with a faint, charming smile.
"The papers mentioned him, right? The swordsman whose techniques even Mihawk couldn't decipher. That's the other Captain Mike, the great swordsman of Marine Headquarters!" He paused, shaking his head with mock modesty.
"But me? I'm Captain Mike, newly promoted. Before this, I was just a lazy Captain at Branch 186. I'm not the guy you're looking for! You've got the wrong man! He's waiting for you at Marineford!"
"..."
Zoro stared at him and remained unblinking.
After a moment of silence, a low chuckle escaped his lips.
"Mihawk said the man's name was Mike. Promoted from Branch 186." He took a step closer.
"So. It's you."
The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward.
'Damn it!' Mike screamed internally.
'Why did Mihawk have to be so talkative?! Isn't your whole character supposed to be the strong, silent type?!'
He looked at the determined swordsman before him and sighed softly.
It seemed this fight was unavoidable.
Knowing Zoro's personality, he was the kind of stubborn man who would chase him right into the Redlight District and that would be far too awkward.
So, Mike leisurely lit a cigar, took a slow drag and spoke in a lazy, slightly intrigued tone.
"What else did that old hawk have to say about me?"
Zoro's eyes lit up. He'd accepted the challenge.
"Mihawk said you would be the next man to ascend to the throne of the 'World's Strongest Swordsman.'"
Mike raised an eyebrow. "Oh? He thinks that highly of me?"
He took another puff of his cigar. "I have no interest in that throne. I'm just an ordinary man who enjoys a quiet life."
He looked Zoro up and down. "You, on the other hand, must have a reason to want it, don't you?"
"I do," Zoro said, his voice ringing with conviction. "My goal is to surpass you, surpass Mihawk, and become the strongest swordsman in the world."
"A fine goal," Mike nodded. "Then keep moving toward it."
He flicked his cigar ash. "On one condition. After this fight, you don't pester me anymore."
"No problem!" Zoro replied firmly.
"Good." Mike waved a hand, signaling to Commander Hayes and the other Marines.
"Clear the area. Don't want to break anything."
....
Soon, a large open space was cleared in the bustling marketplace.
The surrounding townsfolk were ushered to safe viewing spots, a nervous excitement spreading through them.
"Oh no, Captain Mike is about to fight that swordsman!" one vendor whispered.
"I recognize him! That's 'Pirate Hunter' Roronoa Zoro!" another exclaimed.
"Then we're doomed! The Captain might not be his match!"
"Doesn't matter! Let's cheer for the Captain! Go, Captain Mike!"
"Go for it, handsome guy! You can do it!" a clear, youthful voice called out.
Mike turned his head.
It was the little girl from the ice cream shop, holding a yogurt and cheering for him.
A thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
'Should I go for a little power-up? Something utterly cool and badass?'
'Yes. Defeat him in one move. Once he truly understands the gap between us, he'll give up.'
'That settles it, then!'
Mike took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with an ironclad determination.
As he gradually gripped the hilt of Kusanagi, the entire atmosphere shifted.
The air seemed to freeze, and a palpable pressure settled over the square.
'Hum—'
The blade vibrated faintly, like a beast awakened from its slumber.
"Roronoa Zoro," Mike spoke, his voice calm and carrying a hint of coldness.
"Let me give you a lesson."
He exhaled a warm breath and faint, crimson markings, like flickering flames, began to appear on his forehead.
The Markings spread like an ominous omen.
Mike felt his body temperature skyrocketing.
This was a legendary technique from another world, one that required burning one's own life force.
But for him, thanks to the system, it was an ability he had naturally mastered with no side effects.
It was just... tiring.
He wouldn't normally use it casually.
But with his little fangirl watching, looking cool was all that mattered.
'Break my bones if you must, but never mess up my hairstyle! Demon slayer marks, full power!'
....
Not far away, the remaining four members of the Straw Hat Pirates, having finally regrouped, were just heading toward the marketplace and was drawn by the sudden commotion.