Chapter 17: A Swordsman's Resolve
Chapter 17: A Swordsman's Resolve
The sea remained a relentless surge beneath the Wave Strider, now coasting down the calmer currents after the intense climb up Reverse Mountain. The crew was in high spirits, the adrenaline of the ascent still buzzing in their veins. Ryu and Ren adjusted the sails, the wind catching the canvas and propelling them forward. Seraphina was in the kitchen, preparing the sea beast meat for a feast, her sharp knives slicing through the flesh with practiced precision. Nadia steered the ship, her eyes scanning the horizon.
"I can't believe we made it," Ryu said, leaning against the railing, his gaze fixed on the vast, open waters of the Grand Line. "This place really is something else."
"It's just the beginning," Ren said, his grin wide and confident. "And we've only gotten stronger."
But before Ryu could respond, Nadia's eyes narrowed, her hands tightening on the helm. "Hey… what's that?"
Far ahead, a massive ship sailed toward Reverse Mountain at an alarming speed. It was dark, imposing, and bore a Jolly Roger with a cross-shaped sword. Following close behind was a fleet of ships, bearing the symbol of the Krieg Pirates. They were sailing frantically, as if fleeing from something — or someone.
"Krieg Pirates?" Nadia muttered. "But why are they running?"
Before anyone could answer, a smaller coffin-shaped boat appeared, gliding effortlessly over the waves. A single figure stood upon it, his eyes sharp as a hawk's and a massive, cross-shaped sword strapped to his back. Dracule Mihawk.
Ryu's grip tightened around the hilt of Kurotsume, his knuckles white. His heart pounded in his chest as he watched the world's strongest swordsman pass by without a word, his expression as calm and disinterested as the wind. The Krieg Pirates continued to flee, shouting in terror as Mihawk sliced through their ships effortlessly, as though he were simply passing the time.
"That's…" Ryu's breath caught in his throat. "Mihawk."
The crew was silent, the air heavy with Mihawk's overwhelming presence. Even Ren felt a bead of sweat run down his temple as Mihawk's gaze briefly flicked toward the Wave Strider. For a moment, their eyes met, and Ren's armament haki instinctively flared, a reflexive pulse of power radiating from his fists. But Mihawk simply smirked, his coffin boat continuing its course as the Krieg ships sank behind him.
Ryu swallowed, his grip tightening further. The words of his goal echoed in his mind — to become the world's strongest swordsman. And right now, the man holding that title was right in front of him.
"Ryu," Ren said, his voice low and steady. "Don't."
Ryu exhaled sharply, but his eyes remained fixed on Mihawk. "I have to."
Ren sighed but nodded. "Fine. Let's go."
---
They lowered a small boat and rowed toward Mihawk's coffin ship. The sea was eerily calm, as if the ocean itself feared the man standing alone atop the small vessel. Mihawk watched them approach, his expression unreadable.
Ryu climbed onto the coffin boat first, followed by Ren. Mihawk's eyes flicked lazily between them, his arms crossed. "You two… what do you want?"
Ryu stepped forward, his jaw clenched. "I want to challenge you."
Mihawk sighed, his eyes half-lidded. "A challenge? You're not ready."
"I know," Ryu said, drawing Kurotsume. "But I have to. If I want to be the strongest swordsman in the world… I have to start by facing you."
Mihawk's gaze sharpened slightly, and for a moment, a chill swept over the deck. "Fine. But I won't even draw my sword."
Ryu charged, swinging Kurotsume with all his strength. Mihawk didn't move, his eyes calmly following the blade's arc. At the last moment, he lifted a single finger, deflecting the blade effortlessly.
Ryu lunged forward, slashing at Mihawk with a ferocity fueled by desperation. Each swing was met with the same calm, precise block from Mihawk's small pocket knife. Ryu gritted his teeth, refusing to back down as he launched a barrage of strikes, each one deflected with chilling ease. Mihawk remained unmoved, his eyes cold and calculating, as Ryu's attacks grew more frantic.
Mihawk slipped past Ryu's guard, slashing across Ryu's shoulder and sending him staggering back. Blood dripped down Ryu's arm, but he steadied himself, eyes blazing. "Is that all?" Mihawk taunted.
Ryu closed his eyes, centering himself as Kai had taught him. The world seemed to slow, and in that fleeting moment, he could feel Mihawk's presence — a towering, unyielding force. His senses sharpened, his Observation Haki flaring for a split second. He swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming where he thought Mihawk would move. But Mihawk's presence dissolved like mist, reappearing behind him.
A sharp pain tore through Ryu's side as Mihawk's knife grazed his ribs. Ryu gasped, stumbling forward. His vision blurred, and the deck tilted beneath him. Still, he forced himself to stand, his legs trembling. "Again," he growled, gripping his sword tighter. "I can still fight."
Mihawk's eyes narrowed. "Your spirit is admirable, but courage without skill is mere recklessness."
Ryu lunged again, pouring every ounce of his strength into a flurry of strikes. Each swing was desperate, driven by sheer determination. But Mihawk met each blow with effortless precision. Finally, Mihawk sidestepped Ryu's last attack, bringing his knife up and pressing it against Ryu's throat. "Enough. You are not ready."
Ryu's sword fell from his grasp, clattering against the deck. His knees buckled, and he collapsed, blood staining the wood beneath him. "One day… I will surpass you," he whispered before losing consciousness.
Ren rushed to his side, kneeling as Ryu's eyes fluttered shut. Mihawk turned, stepping back onto his coffin boat without another word.
Nadia and Seraphina pulled Ryu onto the Wave Strider. "We need to find a doctor, and fast," Ren said, his jaw clenched.
Nadia pulled out her log pose, eyes scanning the horizon. "There's an island not far from here. We can make it."
"Then let's go," Ren said, determination burning in his eyes as they sailed toward the unknown island, racing against time to save their fallen swordsman.