On a massive deserted island near Kuraigana Island in the New World, two figures stood facing each other.
One had green hair, wore a black suit, and had three teardrop-shaped golden earrings on his left ear. In his hand was a black sword.
The other had short black hair, sharp eagle-like yellow eyes, and a short beard. He wore a wine-red patterned shirt and held a massive black blade.
"Hahaha, Roronoa Zoro, come on. Surpass me however you want," the middle-aged man said with a laugh.
"Dracule Mihawk, I've waited a long time for this day. It's been over ten years," Zoro replied calmly.
The two standing on this deserted island were none other than Mihawk and Zoro.
When Zoro first arrived on Kuraigana Island, his strength had already reached the level of a top Emperor's First Mate, brushing against Admiral-class power. After undergoing Mihawk's swordsmanship training, his overall strength had risen once again.
He had even begun to grasp the infusion of Haoshoku Haki.
Rolan had brought Zoro to Kuraigana Island for two reasons. The first was to sharpen his strength. The second was to help him achieve his dream of becoming the world's greatest swordsman.
After finishing his training the previous day, Mihawk had told him:
"Roronoa Zoro, you may not be the most talented swordsman I've seen, but you are the most hardworking. There is nothing more I can teach you. Everyone walks a different path. Only by forging your own sword path can you surpass yourself and stand at the top of the world."
Zoro had already realized this himself.
Creating his own sword path was not something that could be done by simply thinking. Instead of overanalyzing, a true battle against someone stronger would push him forward.
That was how this confrontation came to be.
At that moment, a small wooden boat floated just off the island. Two beautiful women watched from a distance.
"Sister Gion, will that green-haired idiot be okay?" Perona asked, floating in the air with worry written all over her face.
During this period, Gion had grown extremely close to Zoro. They spent their days together, and their relationship had deepened naturally over time.
Because of Perona's Hollow abilities, she had unintentionally become aware of everything that happened between them. Eventually, she stopped holding herself back and became involved with Zoro as well.
Now, seeing him face Mihawk, she could not stay calm.
"He'll win," Gion said with quiet confidence.
With her Observation Haki, she could sense both of their presences clearly. Their auras were nearly equal.
There was no reason to doubt him.
More importantly, Zoro had a reason he could not afford to lose. His ambition, tied to a promise from his past, burned stronger than anything else.
"I hope so," Perona muttered, then her expression turned cold. "If Mihawk hurts him, I'll make him apologize on his knees."
Gion glanced at her and shook her head slightly. With the level of Haki Mihawk and Zoro possessed now, Perona's Negative Hollows would have no effect on them.
At that moment, two overwhelming auras erupted from the island.
They spread outward like a storm, shaking the sea and splitting the sky into two opposing forces. One side roared with violent winds, while the other crackled with thunder.
Perona's face turned pale.
"What kind of power is this…"
Her breathing grew heavy, and her heart pounded uncontrollably. This was the first time she had witnessed such terrifying presence.
And this was only their aura.
If they truly clashed, the destruction would be unimaginable.
Gion's eyes sharpened as she observed the battlefield.
"Zoro has really reached this level…"
She still remembered their first encounter, when she could still suppress him slightly. Now, his presence had already surpassed hers completely.
His growth in just over a year was unbelievable.
Part of that was due to Rolan, but most of it came from Zoro's relentless effort.
A faint smile appeared on her lips, filled with pride.
Back on the island, Mihawk raised his blade.
"Not bad. Let me show you how high the ceiling of this world truly is."
With a single swing of his black sword, Yoru, a massive green slash shot forward.
It expanded rapidly, growing into a towering blade of energy hundreds of meters high. The ground split apart wherever it passed, forming a deep chasm that widened as the force continued forward.
The island itself was nearly torn in two.
In an instant, the attack reached Zoro.
Zoro tightened his grip, and advanced Armament Haki flowed into his sword, coating Wado Ichimonji completely.
He swung forward.
Boom.
The two forces collided violently. The impact sent a shockwave across the battlefield.
Zoro's muscles tensed as he pushed back against the overwhelming pressure. Veins bulged along his arm as he forced more strength into the clash.
With a sharp shout, he split the attack apart.
The massive slash shot upward into the sky before exploding, tearing a hole through the clouds above.
Mihawk's eyes narrowed slightly.
That strike had not been casual, yet Zoro had blocked it head-on.
"Hawkeye, if that's all you've got, then I'll be taking that title from you," Zoro said.
Even so, he could feel it clearly.
He was still just short.
Without hesitation, he pushed off the ground and charged forward at incredible speed, closing the distance instantly.
Mihawk laughed, his eyes gleaming.
"The title is right here. Take it if you can."
He stepped forward as well, meeting Zoro head-on.