The battlefield around Baratie was quiet at last.
Broken planks floated on the sea, and the once-feared Don Krieg lay defeated his massive armor shattered by the combined might of the Straw Hat Pirates and Shiro, the mysterious swordsman who appeared from nowhere.
Luffy laughed proudly, standing tall despite his bruises. "That's what happens when you mess with us!"
Sanji flicked his lighter and took a drag from his cigarette. "You idiots almost destroyed my restaurant, but… not bad."
Shiro stood near the railing, his sword resting at his side, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
> So far, everything's following the story… he thought.
Next should be
His heart skipped a beat.
> Mihawk.
The Arrival of the Greatest Swordsman
From the mist came a small black coffin-shaped boat gliding effortlessly through the water. A tall man stood aboard it, dressed in black with golden, piercing eyes sharp and cold like a hawk.
The chefs froze. Even Zeff's wooden leg trembled.
"That's no ordinary man…" Zeff muttered. "That's Dracule Mihawk the strongest swordsman in the world!"
Luffy blinked. "Whoa! He looks cool!"
But Zoro's face lit up with something else excitement, fear, and respect.
"That's the one… the man I've been searching for."
Shiro clenched his fist. He already knew this moment. He'd watched it in the anime dozens of times but now it was happening right in front of him.
The Hawk's Curiosity
Mihawk stepped onto the Baratie deck without a sound, scanning the destroyed battlefield.
"So this was Krieg's fleet," he said, his voice smooth yet cold. "Pathetic. I followed them out of boredom, and now they've already been defeated."
His golden eyes shifted toward Luffy and the crew.
"You're the ones who ended this?"
Luffy grinned. "Yup!"
Zeff nodded. "They took him down."
Mihawk smirked faintly. "Interesting… the weakest sea still manages to produce surprises."
Then his gaze landed on Zoro.
"You there… your sword spirit is loud. Tell me, are you seeking me?"
Zoro stepped forward without hesitation. "Yes. I'm Roronoa Zoro the man who will surpass you and become the world's greatest swordsman!"
Mihawk's eyes glimmered. "Then show me your resolve."
The Duel of Fate
Mihawk drew only the smallest knife from his cross-shaped pendant. The entire restaurant gasped.
"You mock me?" Zoro shouted.
Mihawk replied calmly, "No. I simply don't use a larger blade against small prey."
Zoro roared and attacked. His three swords clashed with Mihawk's tiny dagger and sparks flew like lightning.
Shiro watched, heart pounding.
> It's the same… just like the anime. But being here, feeling the pressure it's terrifying.
Each strike Zoro made was powerful but wild, while Mihawk moved effortlessly, precise and calm.
Finally, with one swift motion, Mihawk shattered Zoro's swords and stopped his dagger at the swordsman's chest.
"Your technique is admirable," Mihawk said softly, "but your ambition exceeds your strength."
Zoro smiled despite his wounds. "Then strike me from the front. I'll never turn my back on my dream."
For the first time, Mihawk smiled. "Magnificent."
He drew his black blade Yoru and slashed.
The air itself seemed to split.
Zoro fell, bleeding, but smiling.
The Hawk and the Stranger
As the Straw Hats rushed to Zoro's side, Mihawk turned to leave but suddenly stopped.
His golden eyes narrowed.
Shiro stood silently a few meters away, meeting his gaze.
The world seemed to fade around them. The sea went still.
Mihawk spoke quietly. "You… I sense something unusual about you. Your aura doesn't belong to this sea no, perhaps not even this world."
Shiro stayed calm, though his heart raced. "I'm just a swordsman who got lost."
Mihawk smirked. "Lost? No. You're something more. A blade that doesn't yet know its true edge."
He turned toward his small ship. "When you reach the Grand Line, we'll meet again. Don't disappoint me."
As Mihawk sailed away, Shiro exhaled deeply.
> He noticed. Even in this world, Mihawk felt it… I'm not from here.
New Crewmates
Zoro's wounds were bandaged, and though weak, his spirit burned brighter than ever.
"I'll surpass him someday," he muttered.
Luffy smiled proudly. "Of course you will!"
Then he turned to Sanji, grinning wide. "Hey, Cook! You're strong and your food's the best I've ever had. Join my crew!"
Sanji blinked. "What? Me? On your crazy ship?"
Luffy nodded. "You'll find the All Blue with us!"
Sanji paused then smirked. "Alright, Captain. You got yourself a cook."
Then Luffy looked at Shiro. "And you, Shiro! You're awesome! Join us too!"
Shiro looked out at the sea where Mihawk had vanished. "You're heading for the Grand Line, right? That's where real challenges begin."
He smiled faintly. "Count me in."
Zoro grinned weakly from the floor. "Another swordsman, huh? Don't slow me down."
Shiro chuckled. "I could say the same."
As the sun sank over Baratie, the Straw Hat Pirates now with Sanji the cook and Shiro the swordsman from another world set sail once more.
Far on the horizon, Mihawk's voice echoed softly in the wind:
"A blade from another world… fate truly has an odd sense of humor."