Luffy looked at Sanji, who was doing it again, and his desire to have him as a companion grew stronger.
Krieg picked up the fried rice and devoured it.
"I've finally regained my strength," he said, suddenly standing up and kicking Sanji.
Sanji didn't expect Krieg to attack so suddenly and didn't resist at all, getting kicked flying.
Gin looked at Krieg in disbelief and angrily said, "Captain Krieg, how can you go back on your word? You promised not to attack this restaurant—that's why I brought you here. Besides, that man is our savior! Can you really lay a hand on your savior?"
Looking at Gin, who dared lecture him, Krieg walked over and punched him directly. Gin didn't resist and was sent flying.
This made Luffy furious.
Krieg surveyed the restaurant and nodded. "Nice restaurant. I'm taking this ship. Prepare 200 servings of food for me, or I'll kill you all and take it myself."
The customers, seeing such arrogance, retreated in fear. The chefs, however, all stepped forward, ready to fight.
At that moment, Sanji endured the pain and stepped forward. "Since I caused this trouble, let me resolve it myself."
Krieg sneered as Sanji charged, eyes full of disdain. He flipped open his cloak, revealing golden armor—and several dark gun muzzles emerging from it.
Krieg fired his guns before Sanji could get close, striking him with bullets.
Seeing the injured Sanji, Luffy cried, "Sanji, are you alright?"
Zoro walked over, rage flickering in his eyes as he examined Sanji's wounds. "Luffy, didn't you want him to join us? Are we just going to stand here and watch? Let's go together and take down this bastard first."
Luffy, equally enraged, turned back. "Let's go—don't let this jerk hurt our companion."
Sanji, moved by their concern, didn't show it. The intensity in the air grew.
"Let's go, Zoro." Luffy charged.
Zoro nodded and adopted his Three-Sword Style.
"Gum-Gum Gatling!" Luffy unleashed a barrage of punches aimed at Krieg's chest.
Zoro swung his ultimate move: "Three-Sword Style: Oni Giri!"
"Clang, clang, clang!" Their attacks were blocked by Krieg's alloy armor, leaving no mark.
Shin'ya watched, speechless, and shouted, "Why keep hitting the armored parts? Aim lower—cut his legs and feet!"
Luffy and Zoro slapped their foreheads and looked at each other: "Right! Let's do it!"
They struck at Krieg's legs.
"Gum-Gum Gatling Gun!" Luffy propped himself up, lying prone, kicking Krieg's legs mercilessly.
Zoro took the opportunity to slash at Krieg's feet.
Krieg staggered and, after minutes of relentless attack, his legs were wrecked.
Zeff watched the victorious duo and recalled how Luffy had been pestering Sanji to go to sea—and an idea sparked.
Soon, Krieg couldn't move. Zeff called the chefs to tie up Krieg's pirate crew to hand over to the Marines later.
Just as everyone prepared to resume their meal, a massive green sword energy bolt struck Krieg's pirate ship, cleaving it in two!
"What's going on?" Everyone gasped, stunned.
A small coffin-like boat approached, candles lit at its bow, and a man sat within.
He had short black hair, dark as ink, with a chilling gleam. His eyes were sharp, yellow, penetrating. He wore a black top hat with white fur, shadowing most of his face.
Silence fell upon the scene.
"Hawk-Eyes… Mihawk!" Zoro exclaimed, eyes lighting up with excitement.
Yes—this was the legend Zoro had dreamed of meeting: the World's Greatest Swordsman.
Moments later, Hawk-Eyes stepped onto the deck of Baratie.
Krieg, tied up, yelled at him. "Why? Why pursue us so relentlessly?"
Hawk-Eyes replied calmly, "It's your bad luck. You saw something you shouldn't have."
Krieg snapped back, "What nonsense? We were far away. We wouldn't even see your ship. You used that as an excuse to destroy my Krieg Pirate Fleet—50 warships—and chase us to the East Blue!"
The truth: Hawk-Eyes destroyed them because he'd been taking a bathroom break without toilet paper on his coffin boat—when Krieg's fleet appeared. Embarrassed, he pulled out his Black Blade, Yoru, and cleaved them straight to protect his dignity. Then he chased Krieg down.
Zoro stepped forward. "You are Dracule Mihawk, the World's Greatest Swordsman! I've set out to surpass you. Now that I've met you… I won't let this chance slip. I challenge you!"
Hawk-Eyes eyed Zoro's three swords. "Sword energy? Not bad. You do have courage—but not the qualification."
He turned to Shin'ya, expression serious. "I can sense your strength—something beyond ordinary. You shouldn't be unknown."
Shin'ya scratched his head sheepishly. "Is that so? I've never faced a powerful opponent, so I don't know my true limits. If you have time later, I'd like to spar—and learn."
"Good. We shall fight later," Hawk-Eyes agreed.
Zoro pressed on. "I came out to sea to challenge you—this promise is to a dear friend, even at the cost of my life."
Looking into Zoro's determined eyes, Hawk-Eyes finally agreed. "An ignorant weakling dares to challenge a mountain. I admire your courage. I accept."
Zoro tied his bandana around his head, drew Wado Ichimonji from his waist, bit it between his teeth, and stared at Hawk-Eyes resolutely.
Hawk-Eyes leapt onto a fragment of Krieg's ship. "Let's fight here. Wouldn't want to destroy such a delicious restaurant."
Zoro stood opposite him.
On the deck, customers and chefs crowded the railing to witness this epic clash between the World's Greatest Swordsman and the East Blue swordsman.
Luffy, Nami, Usopp, Johnny, Yosaku, and Shin'ya cheered: "Go, Zoro!"
Amid the crowd's shouts, Zoro focused solely on his opponent. He stared at Hawk-Eyes. "Aren't you going to draw your sword?"
Hawk-Eyes smirked. "Oh—right. Let me see… Aha, here it is."
He touched his sword-shaped necklace, pulling it off and holding it up. "Come at me, swordsman."
Zoro's heart burned with anger, affronted by Hawk-Eyes' dismissal. "Are you looking down on me? Why fight with a toy?"
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