Sailing at Sea: The Breath of the Day at the Start

Page 203

As Ron spoke, his figure gradually floated up.

As it flew over Hawkeye Mihawk.

A life card floated to Hawkeye's face.

He reached out and took it.

"This is my life card. You can use this to find me later."

Ron's voice faded into the distance.

Hawkeye Mihawk looked down at the corner of the Vivre Card in his hand, a slight smile playing on his usually cold lips: "To actually hand over a Vivre Card to an opponent I've only just fought once... Interesting man."

"Did you enjoy the game? ... I haven't had this much fun in many years."

Hawkeye Mihawk gazed in the direction Ron had gone.

At this moment, his long-dormant heart was stirred with excitement that he hadn't felt in nearly a decade, and his blood as a swordsman was boiling.

He hadn't felt this way in a long time.

"You must still have a lot of strength you haven't shown yet... your domineering aura and your sword techniques."

"The next competition will truly be a battle of all strength, to see who is the world's greatest swordsman..."

"It seems we won't be bored on this vast sea anymore... Night."

The world's strongest black sword, Night, emanated from behind him, emitting bursts of sword cries.

It seemed as if she was agreeing with him.

A man, a boat, and a sword slowly disappeared into the night-covered sea.

…………

After Ron returned to the sea restaurant.

Krieg and his crew, who had previously tried to seize the floating restaurant, have been defeated by Luffy.

"Ron!"

Under Luffy and Nami's surprised gazes.

Ron floated down from the sky and landed on the wreckage of the large ship that had been cleaved in two by Hawkeye's sword.

With his upper body bandaged, Zoro sat cross-legged on the ground, staring intently at him:

"It really is you, Ron..."

Ron, with his eyes closed, faced him and smiled:

"Long time no see, Zoro, you've gotten stronger."

His black overcoat, with several cuts, and his half-long black hair fluttered gently in the night breeze.

The people inside the seaside restaurant watched his retreating figure through the glass, their voices trembling slightly as they spoke:

"Has his fight with Hawkeye come to a conclusion?"

"What on earth is going on?!"

"Who won? Was it Hawkeye Mihawk, or... him?"

Is the title of the world's greatest swordsman about to change hands?

The dark-haired young man appeared gentle and composed, without any hint of ferocity or menace, but

The thought that some of the earth-shattering strikes during the day were his doing sent chills down one's spine.

Zoro listened to his words and gave a self-deprecating laugh: "Have I gotten stronger? But I'm still far inferior to you guys. I still couldn't fulfill the promise I made at the Coffin."

However, at this moment, Zoro seemed to have resolved some inner conflict, no longer dwelling on it, and instead chose to face himself squarely.

He looked up at Ron in front of him and said very seriously:

"You healed my wounds, thank you so much."

"Don't worry about it, it was just a small favor. Besides, I only sped up the healing of your wound, I didn't completely cure you."

Even so, it was a great help.

Zoro said seriously.

He changed the subject.

"Are your eyes alright?"

Ron gently touched his eyes with his fingers and smiled, "It's alright, they'll open in a while."

"Is that so?"

Zoro nodded, then asked again:

"Is Kuina alright? Is she with you?"

"Kuina is doing well and should be in the Sabaody Archipelago on the Grand Line right now."

Standing outside the sea restaurant, Sanji, a cigarette dangling from his lips, stared at the two people talking and listened to their conversation, feeling increasingly annoyed.

"That green-haired bastard, he doesn't ask about important things, but insists on saying thank you. He's so useless!"

The others shared the same thought, glaring fiercely at the swordsman with the green algae-like hair.

Ask me what's important first, you bastard!

Finally, Zoro asked the question they were most concerned about.

"Who won your duel with that guy?"

Red-Leg Zeff, Sanji, Gin, Luffy, Nami, and everyone else at the Baratie were all staring intently at Ron, waiting for his answer.

"If we're talking purely about swordsmanship, it's a draw."

Ron smiled.

Everyone felt a slight jolt.

A draw... huh.

"He fought to a draw in swordsmanship with the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk..."

Some people swallowed hard, staring in shock at the tall, slender figure.

"So, he also possesses swordsmanship comparable to the world's greatest swordsman?!"

Number one in the world.

This word carries immense weight.

That is the highest peak that countless swordsmen have tried to climb.

At that lofty and lonely summit, there can only be one throne.

Although Zoro had already made a prediction in his mind, hearing this news from Ron still made him slightly shaken, and his gaze towards the person in front of him was somewhat complicated.

He and Kuina made a promise that one of them would defeat Ron and become the world's number one swordsman. Little did they know that their words would come true.

Defeating Ron and becoming the world's greatest swordsman became one thing...

Wearing a straw hat, Luffy crossed his arms and grinned at Ron, saying:

"Number one in the world... That's amazing!"

Standing beside Luffy, Nami gazed at Ron and murmured to herself, "He keeps getting stronger, keeps surpassing others, how could he not be amazing..."

He had told Nami back then that there were many people on the high seas stronger than Arlong, even stronger than him at the time.

Now, those who were stronger than him back then have gradually been surpassed by him and left far behind, so far that they can't even see his back anymore.

Nami gazed at that retreating figure, a strange and intense feeling welling up inside her.

One day, he will surpass all the strong in this world and reach a height that is unattainable for all living beings...

……

(And later)

180, Tashigi's Frustration

Ron and Zoro had a long talk on the shipwreck, inquiring about the dojo and Koushirou, and both seemed to be alright.

Upon learning from Ron that Kuina had already reached the level of a great swordsman, Zoro's face darkened: "As expected, I still can't meet her now."

Afterwards, Ron chatted with Luffy for a while.

After learning that Sabo was not dead and was now with the Revolutionary Army, and that Ace had joined the Whitebeard Pirates.

Luffy was very happy.

"I really look forward to the four of us meeting up again on the sea someday, hehehe."

……

In the latter half of that night.

Nami sat on the roof of the Baratie sea restaurant, with Ron lying beside her.