RORONOA ZORO FALLS INTO THE SEA

On the deck of a large ship, Dracule Mihawk stands with his back to the viewer, black coat billowing, while Roronoa Zoro faces him in a wide stance, three swords drawn. Enormous Japanese sound effects “どん!!” explode across the sky. In a close-up Mihawk crosses his arms and remarks, “A WASTE, IF YOU ASK ME.” Zoro, gripping a sword, replies, “I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE ABLE TO MEET YOU SO EARLY ON… TO BE HONEST,”

At the Baratie restaurant, onlookers watch from the upper deck as a small boat carrying several figures floats nearby. A speech bubble declares “VERSUS THE PIRATE HUNTER ZORO…!” and another states “THE WORLD'S STRONGEST SWORDSMAN.” Below, Monkey D. Luffy stands with Sanji and others, declaring, “THERE'S NOT A CHANCE SOMEONE CAN MATCH OUR BRO!” Don Krieg, seated in ornate armor, points and shouts, “THAT MAN… JUST WHAT DID HE DO TO THIS SHIP…!”

Close-up of Roronoa Zoro glaring, asking, “JUST WHAT'RE YOU PLANNING TO DO WITH THATI” Dracule Mihawk draws a small dagger with a sharp “SHING” and answers, “I'M DIFFERENT FROM THOSE STUPID BRUTES WHO'D GO ALL OUT JUST TO HUNT A MERE RABBIT. THOUGH YOU MAY BE A SWORDSMAN OF SOME RENOWN,” A large panel displays a map of the world divided by the Red Line and Grand Line, labeling the four seas: NORTH BLUE, EAST BLUE, SOUTH BLUE, WEST BLUE. A caption notes, “THIS IS EAST BLUE, THE WEAKEST OF THE FOUR SEAS.”

Mihawk stands with his tiny dagger drawn, speaking calmly. "TO JUST HOW MUCH YOU CAN UNDERESTIMATE ME...! THERE'S A LIMIT, UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT HAVE A BLADE SMALLER THAN THIS AT THE MOMENT." Zoro charges forward on the shattered deck. Mihawk swings, unleashing a massive slash that tears through the air with "ZIII!! PA!!" The impact hurls debris everywhere. "YOU BETTER NOT REGRET IT WHEN YOU DIE!" In close quarters, Zoro unleashes his attack, shouting "ONI!! (demon)" as his swords cross. Mihawk's voice cuts through: "IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO REALIZE THAT THE WORLD IS BIGGER THAN WHAT IT SEEMS FROM YOUR WELL. HEAR ME, LITTLE FROG IN HIS WELL."

Zoro's three swords clash violently against Mihawk's dagger in a blinding cross of steel. Massive impact lines explode outward with "GIRI!! (cut)" as the blades grind together. Zoro's eyes widen in shock, sweat flying, "!!I" Mihawk presses the attack without mercy. Below, Zoro gasps in pain, "AH...!" as the force overwhelms him and sends him staggering back amid flying splinters and broken wood.

Locked blade-to-blade, Mihawk's black coat flares as Zoro's "ONI GIRI" is halted completely. Onlookers react in disbelief: "HIS SIGNATURE ATTACK THAT SENDS HIS OPPONENTS FLYING 100% WAS STOPPED!I BROTHER'S 'ONI GIRI' WAS STOPPED!" Luffy stares in horror, "ZOROI" Mihawk remains composed, thinking "RIDICULOUS!!! THIS IS..." while Zoro strains, sweat pouring down, "I... CAN'T MOVE... THERE HASN'T BEEN A SINGLE MAN WHO COULD SEE THROUGH THAT MOVE UNTIL NOW! SO HOW CAN HE STOP ME WITH THAT TOY...!I"

Zoro roars in defiance, "IT'S NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE WORLD TO BE THIS FAR AWAY!" as he forces his swords forward. Mihawk counters with overwhelming power, the clash producing shattering sound effects "ギギギギ!!!" and "ギギ!!!" Zoro's body trembles violently, blood and sweat flying, "ARGHHHHH! THERE SHOULDN'T BE SUCH A VAST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US! THERE CAN'T BE!" Mihawk's final strike lands, sending Zoro flying backward with a pained "UGH!" and impact "ザッ!!"

Mihawk clashes fiercely with Zoro, his black blade sending shockwaves. "SUCH FEROCITY..." he remarks coldly. Nearby voices shout encouragement: "COME ON, BRO! SHOW HIM WHAT YOU'VE REALLY GOT! COME ON!" Zoro is driven back, sweat flying. "HE'S EASILY TAKING ON RORONOA ZORO'S 3 SWORDS WITH THAT LITTLE THING!" A sudden flashback shows young Zoro training beside a dark-haired girl. She smiles sadly: "...I WANTED TO BECOME THE WORLD'S BEST TOO, ZORO. YOU'RE LUCKY YOU'RE A BOY, ZORO." Zoro answers with fierce determination: "I TRAINED TO WIN! JUST TO FIGHT AGAINST THIS STUPID LITTLE TOY...! I DIDN'T TRAIN SO HARD UNTIL TODAY." Steel rings again as the duel resumes.

Young Zoro clenches his fists, swearing with tears in his eyes: "I SWEAR I'LL BECOME THE WORLD'S STRONGEST SWORDSMAN WHOSE NAME IS FAMOUS ENOUGH TO REACH EVEN THE HEAVENS! I'LL BECOME EVEN STRONGER FOR HER SAKE! I CAME TO BEAT THIS MAN! LET'S COMPETE TO SEE WHICH OF US WILL BE THAT PERSON! SOMEDAY, ONE OF US WILL BECOME THE WORLD'S GREATEST SWORDSMAN! IT'S A PROMISE!" Johnny and Yosaku watch in awe, impressed by his skill. "WE'RE IMPRESSED BY YOUR SKILL! LET US WORK TOGETHER WITH YOU! EVEN CRYING BABIES WILL ALMOST STOP CRYING BY A SLIM MARGIN AT THE MERE MENTION OF OUR NAMES! WE'RE THE BOUNTY HUNTERS, YOSAKU AND JOHNNY! IT'S PIRATE HUNTER ZORO!" The scene shifts back to the present duel. Mihawk's eyes narrow. "WEAKLING...I WHAT BURDENS YOU SOI WHAT DO YOU STILL DESIRE AT THE EXTENT OF YOUR STRENGTH," he asks as Zoro struggles.

Johnny and Yosaku lunge forward in outrage. "WE OUGHTA TEACH YOU A LESSON, YOU BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU CALL OUR BRO A WEAKLING!I" Zoro yells desperately, "STOP, YOSAKU! JOHNNY! DON'T INTERFERE!" Luffy watches tensely from the side. "LUFFY... STAY PUT RIGHT HERE...!" he warns. In a blur of motion Mihawk strikes, sending Zoro flying backward with a heavy impact. "OOF!" Luffy's face twists in shock as the swordsman is hurled across the deck.

Zoro refuses to yield, crossing his swords overhead. "TORA (tiger)" he roars as the blades clash violently with Mihawk's. Luffy grins with excitement. "YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH AT LEAST THAT MUCH! OTHERWISE, IT'LL BE EMBARRASSING FOR ME! WORLD'S STRONGEST SWORDSMAN! SOUNDS GREAT! IF YOU'RE GONNA BE THE PIRATE KING'S SHIPMATE," he cheers. Mihawk's glare intensifies. "THE WORLD'S GREATEST..." he growls as another crushing blow lands, the impact marked "GARI (hunting)".

Zoro and Mihawk clash violently in the center of the dock, their blades locked in a massive cross of steel. Impact lines explode outward as Mihawk's massive black sword forces Zoro back, his feet skidding across the wood. Zoro grits his teeth, refusing to yield. Below, Luffy watches in horror, face twisted as he screams "NGHH!!" and grits through the pain of watching his friend. A nearby man with sunglasses yells "BRO!!!" in anguish. Mihawk stands firm, eyes cold, while Zoro's hand visibly trembles yet tightens its grip on his swords.

Mihawk's boots plant firmly on the wooden planks as he holds his sword steady. He asks, "DO YOU WISH FOR ME TO PIERCE YOUR HEART THUSI" Zoro, breathing heavily with blades crossed defensively, demands, "WHY DO YOU REFUSE TO STEP BACKI" Mihawk replies that even one step back would break an important promise or oath, something he could never return from. He admits the situation "BEATS ME... NOT REALLY SURE MYSELF... BUT I GET THE FEELING..." as sweat drips down his face.

Mihawk declares in close-up, "SUCH IS DEFEAT." Zoro answers simply, "YES." Mihawk presses, "EVEN IF IT MEANS YOUR DEATH...I" Zoro laughs, "HAHA... THEN THAT'S WHY I CAN'T STEP BACK." Mihawk acknowledges, "TO RATHER CHOOSE DEATH THAN DEFEAT... WHAT CONVICTION HE POSSESSES!" Zoro states firmly, "I'D MUCH RATHER DIE." Mihawk then asks, "KID... TELL ME YOUR NAME."

Zoro stands tall, swords raised, and announces, "RORONOA ZORO." Mihawk draws his black blade, noting it is the world's strongest sword, and declares, "I SHALL END THIS DUEL WITH MY BLACK SWORD, THE WORLD'S STRONGEST SWORD." He continues, "I SHALL REMEMBER IT, AND TO PAY MY RESPECT TO YOU AS A FELLOW SWORDSMAN, FOR YOUR STRENGTH IS NOT OFT SEEN IN THIS WORLD."

On the shattered deck of the Baratie, the black-coated swordsman unsheathes his massive blade. A voice cries out, "THAT SWORD HE USED TO CUT OUR SHIP WITH!" Another shouts, "HE... UNSHEATHED IT!" Zoro grips his three swords and roars, "DIE!" as he charges. In close-up he thinks, "TO BE THE WORLD'S STRONGEST... OR TO DIE HERE AND NOW...!" and "SO THIS IS IT... THE FINAL BLOW... IF I MISS HERE... I'LL DIE..." Luffy's voice cuts in desperately, "BRO, THAT'S ENOUGH! STOP!" Zoro unleashes his ultimate technique, blades spinning in a massive wheel of steel: "SANTORYUU OUGI!! OUGI!! (Three swords style secret)" The impact sends shockwaves across the restaurant ship.

Zoro is hurled backward through the air, swords flying from his hands. The massive strike lands with the cry "SANZEN SEKA I!!" Scattered blades tumble around him. In a small panel he whispers, "I LOST..." and "I'M NO MATCH FOR HIM..." Below, he forces his swords back into their sheaths with the word "SHEATHE" while thinking, "SO THIS IS... THE STRENGTH OF THE WORLD'S STRONGEST...!" and "NEVER EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSING..." The final impact cracks the deck beneath him.

Mihawk stands with Yoru still raised. Zoro, back to the enemy, asks in shock, "WHAT...I" Mihawk calmly states, "SPLENDID." He continues, "IS THE SHAME OF A SWORDSMAN." and "A WOUND ON ONE'S BACK." Zoro's eyes widen in disbelief. From the side Luffy screams, "ZORO!" as the defeated swordsman remains standing with arms outstretched, blood running down his chest.

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