(AUTHOR'S NOTE: So this is the last chapter of Baratie Arc, which I hope no one's upset about, but I only had a few ideas for this Arc so I did the ones I had and am now going to move on to Arlong Park. This chapter ALSO contains some tea. So I hope you enjoy the chapter!)

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Chapter Fifteen:

" Zoro's Vow And Mihawk's Words"

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(NO POV)

Isaac, Zoro, and Usopp pulled Johnny and Yosaku out of the water, Zoro immediately demanded an explanation about what happened and how Nami stole the Going Merry. Johnny and Yosaku proceeded to explain how Nami had deceived them, asking them to turn around and claiming she was going to change clothes. Then before they realized it they were pushed overboard, "Big Sis Nami said she was stealing the ship as her 'next score' and then she made off with it! We're sorry!" Johnny cried, "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU TWO FELL FOR THAT! WHAT KIND OF WOMAN OR PERSON, IN GENERAL, WOULD ACTUALLY CHANGE OUT IN THE OPEN LIKE THAT!?" Isaac scolded. Zoro punched the wall of the Baratie, "Dammit! She just had to make a bad situation worse!" He scowled, "The heartless thief! Kaya gave us that ship!" Usopp added. Luffy stood up on the ship's railing, scanning the open ocean from what he could see, "Wait! I can still see it! The Going Merry!" He exclaimed before looking down at Johnny and Yosaku, "Where's your boat!?" He asked. 

"We have it docked to the restaurant." Yosaku replied, "Zoro, Usopp, Isaac! Take their ship and go get Nami!" Luffy ordered. "Just forget about her and let her keep the ship. She's way more trouble than she's worth." Zoro said dismissively, "I won't accept anyone else as the ship's navigator!" Luffy declared, the captain and the first mate stared at each other before Zoro caved in, facepalming. "Fine, I'll do it. What a high-maintenance captain..." He grumbled before looking at Usopp and Isaac, "Let's go, you two." Johnny and Yosaku brought over their boat but before Zoro boarded, he looked back to Luffy and asked, "So what about you?" Luffy explained, "I gotta stick around here until I get things settled with the restaurant." "Well be careful. The situation can get really bad here really fast." Luffy nodded, "I know." Isaac looked on the deck of the Baratie for Meteora to wish her a quick goodbye, but was unable to locate her. "Hey have any of you seen-" He was interrupted by a meowing at his feet and he smiled, "There you are! Does this mean you're coming with me?" He asked hopefully. Meteora meowed in response, making Isaac smile, "Good to have 'ya!"

Suddenly a loud cry from one of Don Krieg's men were heard, "Don Krieg! The man who destroyed our fleet is back! What're we gonna do!?" Zoro gulped nervously as he saw the man floating in the small black boat, "Who's that?" Luffy asked. "It's the man I've been looking for...Hawk-Eye Mihawk!" Zoro replied, from the boat, Isaac looked at the man from afar, his curiosity growing. 'So that's the owner of the title, 'World's Greatest Swordsman'? Is he really as strong as I've heard he is?' He thought. 

"You-You monster! Why the Hell are you doing this to us!? What've we ever done to you!?" A member of Don Krieg's crew shouted, the man on the boat, Mihawk, didn't look at him and stated bluntly, "Just killing time." This angered the crew member and he pulled out two guns, and Mihawk pulled out his sword and pointed it in the man's direction as he fired two bullets at him. As the bullets flew toward Mihawk, he used the blade of his sword to deflect them, shocking the man who fired them in the first place. "What!? But I was sure I aimed straight for him!" "He averted them." Zoro was suddenly behind the man and some other crewmates, "He changed the course of the bullets using the tip of his sword." Zoro explained. "That can't be!"

Zoro walked past the pirates, confusing them, "Wait a minute, who the Hell are you!?" Another member of the crew noticed the 3 swords attached to Zoro's hip, "He has 3 swords...No, he couldn't be!" "I've never seen a sword handled so gently." Zoro said to Mihawk, "There is no strength in swordplay based only on force." Mihawk explained, not turning his head but his eye still looked in Zoro's direction. "Did you use that sword to slice up this ship as well?" Zoro asked, "I did." Zoro smirked, "Then it's true...You're the strongest...I set sail for only one reason, to meet you!" He reached for his bandanna and wrapped it around his head, "And what is your goal?" Mihawk asked. "To beat you!"

Mihawk chuckled, "How foolish." Zoro drew one of his swords, "You've got spare time, right? Let's fight!" He shouted. The pirates looked at Zoro shocked, "It's him! Roronoa Zoro of the Three-Sword-Style!" "What!?" Usopp turned over to Luffy, "We've gotta hurry! The Going Merry's sailing right out of sight!" He exclaimed. "A fight? You're a weak pitiful creature." Mihawk mocked, which made Isaac clench his fist in annoyance, 'He won't be calling Zoro weak and pitiful by the time he's beaten him!' He thought. Mihawk jumped from his boat to the large piece of wrecked ship where Zoro stood challenging him, he crossed his arms, "If you are a competent swordsman, you should see the disparity in our abilities even before we cross swords. Is it your courage or ignorance that causes you to turn your sword on me?"

"My ambition drives me!" Zoro exclaimed, putting his 3rd sword in his mouth and holding his other two, "Also I made a promise I intend to keep!" Mihawk took off the cross-shaped necklace he wore, revealing the cross to be a small knife, "Funny, what do you think you're gonna do with that?" Zoro asked. "It will me more than adequate. After all, I'm no beast that goes all out hunting a rabbit. Even if you're a swordsman who's earned a bit of a name for himself, the East Blue sea is the weakest among the four. Unfortunately, I don't carry any blade smaller than this one." Mihawk explained. Zoro growled, "I've had enough of you making fun of me! Better not regret it when you die!" He then began running towards Mihawk, "You have no idea how big the world really is..." Mihawk said.

"ONI...GIRI!"

Zoro and everyone watching the fight were shocked to see that all 3 of his swords were blocked by the small knife Mihawk had unsheathed. "What!? Big Bro's Onigiri was stopped!?" Johnny shouted in disbelief, "But that's crazy! That attack never fails to stop an enemy!" Yosaku added. Zoro seemed visibly angered by this outcome and began to rapidly strike at Mihawk, only to keep getting blocked by the same knife or simply having his attack dodged. Isaac bit his bottom lip, 'Come on Zoro...Beat his ass!' He thought to himself, "Such ferocious swordplay." Mihawk commented. Zoro then went again to strike at Mihawk before getting chopped down by Mihawk's hand, being knocked down. He got back up but appeared to stumble, growing more and more tired but still relentlessly trying to strike at the other swordsman before falling over. Mihawk looked down at Zoro, "So what weight are you bearing on your shoulders? Speak up, weakling!" 

Johnny and Yosaku glared in Mihawk's direction, "How dare you call Big Bro Zoro weak!" Yosaku shouted as he and Johnny drew their swords, "We'll be sure to teach you a lesson!-"

"WAIT STOP!" Isaac grabbed Johnny and Yosaku's wrists, stopping them both with all the strength he had. "Shut up and don't interfere with his fight! Have faith that Zoro can pull through this!" He cried, Luffy nodded in agreement as he grabbed Johnny and Yosaku and pulled them away. "That's right, you two just stay put!" He said. Zoro stood back up, swords in hand, "No, I can't lose...I refuse to be defeated!" 

"Tiger..."

As Zoro readied his swords for another attack, his mind was racing. 

"The world's greatest swordsman? Sounds pretty good! The King of the Pirates wouldn't have any less than the best on his crew!"

"...When I first met you and witnessed your skills, I could tell that you had worked hard to get to the level of strength you're at now. You said that day that you were determined to become the world's greatest swordsman, and I know that you can...Roronoa Zoro! I humbly beg of you to train me to wield a sword! I'll follow any orders you give me, I'll go through as much hard training as I have to in order to get stronger!"

"...TRAP!"

Suddenly Zoro felt the piercing of Mihawk's small blade going into his chest. "You are defeated yet you won't step back. Why not?" Mihawk asked, "I don't know why, but...even if I withdrew a single step, I'd be shattering the promises I've made. I can't run or I'd lose my honor, because without that there'd be nothing left for me." Zoro explained. "That's what defeat is." Mihawk said, and Zoro chuckled, "Then I won't accept defeat." "Even if you'll die?"

"I'd rather die than give up!"

'What a strong heart indeed! He chooses death before defeat.' Mihawk thought before withdrawing his blade from Zoro's chest. "Sir, state your name." Mihawk ordered, "I am Roronoa Zoro!" Zoro exclaimed. Mihawk began to draw the sword that had remained on his back, "I'll remember it. No one as strong as you has come in quite some time. Thus...As a swordsman's courtesy I'll use the world's strongest black sword to finish you!" Everyone stared at Mihawk's well-renowned sword that had finally been drawn. Mihawk and Zoro readied themselves to go after each other, Johnny and Yosaku crying out for Zoro to withdraw for the sake of living. 

"Three Sword Style Secret Technique!"
 

Mihawk ran towards him, about to strike then they both struck at once.

"Three Thousand Worlds!"

Both swords in Zoro's hands shattered, more blood seeped out from under Zoro's skin, and he fell onto his knee. 'I lost...I never imagined I'd ever lose...' Zoro thought as he resheathed his remaining sword, 'So this is the power of the world's strongest...' He stood up and turned around, facing Mihawk with his stance wide. "But why..." Mihawk pondered. Zoro smirked, "Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame." He stated, Mihawk smirked as well, "Admirable..." Before slicing Zoro's chest with his sword, blood gushing out of the fresh wound as Zoro's body fell into the water below.

"ZORO!" Luffy and Isaac cried. "Don't live so hastily, young man," Mihawk said. Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku cried out for their friend as well before Johnny and Yosaku dove into the water to save Zoro. "Damn you..." Luffy growled before using his devil fruit powers to launch himself at Mihawk, he dodged Luffy and Luffy crashed into the side of the broken ship. "Are you one of the young swordsman's comrades?" Mihawk asked him, "I'm impressed with you for not interfering." Luffy pulled his head out of the hole he made in the ship, "There's nothing to be upset about, your friend will live." 

Johnny and Yosaku managed to retrieve Zoro's body, lying him down on the surface of their boat, Isaac holding Zoro's head in his lap, "I've got some medicine, here!" Usopp exclaimed. "It is still too early for you to die. My name is Dracule Mihawk! You are strong but there is much for you to learn! No matter how many years it takes I will hold this title as the world's greatest and wait for you. Until that day you must hone your skills, then...SEEK ME OUT, RORONOA ZORO!" Mihawk declared. Isaac felt the tears slipping from his eyes, "Zoro! Zoro please say something! Anything! I just need to know that you're okay!" He sobbed. "Please don't leave us...Don't leave me..."

Zoro then started coughing as he slowly opened his eyes, "He's alive! He was just unconscious!" Usopp exclaimed in relief. "Big Bro if you're alive then say something!" Johnny cried, Zoro then suddenly pulled out his sword, raising it into the air. "Luffy! Can you hear me?" He said weakly, "Yeah!" Luffy replied. "I'm sorry for disappointing you! I know you need nothing less than the world's greatest swordsman on your crew! And Isaac, I'm sorry to you too! I don't deserve to be your teacher after all this! I've let both of you down...Please forgive me!" He then coughed up blood, causing everyone on the boat to panic. "I solemnly swear...From this moment forward..." Zoro put his other hand over his face, "I will never lose again! Until the day comes when I defeat him and take his title...I will never, ever, be defeated! Is that okay!? KING OF THE PIRATES!?" He shouted. Luffy laughed, "Yup!" and Isaac cried while smiling, "You're such an idiot, but I can't wait to keep training with you...Matcha-Boy." 

He looked up at Mihawk, grinning but still teary-eyed. "Ya' hear that, Hawk-Man!? Until the day he beats you Zoro will never allow himself to lose ever again! He's coming for your ass so prepare yourself!" He shouted. Mihawk looked at the boy with the pink and brown hair, and if anyone had paid attention, they would've been able to witness the brief expression of surprise on the swordsman's face when seeing the boy's appearance. 'That boy...' He thought, 'He looks just like...'

From the shade of pink in his hair to his big brown eyes, even down to the all too familiar "Z-shaped" cheek marks adorning his cheeks, this boy looked almost like the spitting image of someone Mihawk remembered from a long, long time ago. Mihawk's hand reached down into one of his pockets, holding in his hand something he had kept on him for years, he locked eyes with the young man. "You there! What's your name!?" He shouted, causing Isaac to look around confused, 'I guess he means me?'. Isaac gulped nervously, "I'm Isaac! I'm a member of Luffy and Zoro's crew!" He shouted back trying not to look intimidated.

Isaac saw Mihawk take something from his pocket before throwing it in his direction, the object landing in his hands. Isaac looked down to see a pendant with a bloodstone attached and he looked at it confused before looking back at Mihawk, "Wait a minute! What the Hell is this!?" He asked. Mihawk turned away from him, waving a hand, "Something intended for you that was long overdue. And a word of advice: Once you reach the Grand Line, learn as much as you can about the Sea Witch and her history. We shall meet again, Young Man." He said before disappearing with a slash of his sword causing immense damage to the ship once again.

"Usopp! Isaac!" Luffy shouted, snapping Isaac out of his confused thoughts. "Go on ahead! I'll leave Nami to you guys!" He shouted, "Roger that! You don't need to worry about a thing! Zoro, Isaac, and I will bring Nami back for sure! Just make sure you get that cook to join us!" Usopp shouted back. "Then when all of us are reunited we'll set sail straight for the Grand Line!"

Luffy laughed, "Yeah let's do that!"

As the small boat sailed away from the Baratie, Isaac couldn't help but feel confused as he stared at the bloodstone pendant he now held in his hands and thought about what Mihawk had said. "Learn as much as I can about the Sea Witch...But who is the Sea Witch?" Isaac muttered. Meteora lay next to him and looked up at him, wide-eyed. "You wouldn't happen to know anything-would you?" He asked the cat jokingly before sighing, "Of course you wouldn't. And even if you did, you can't talk. Because as far as I know, talking animals don't exist..."

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TO BE CONTINUED...