Chapter 87

Luo Xing said, "Even mentioning the name 'King of the Near Seas' would be a grave disrespect to that existence."

Yamato opened her small mouth, utterly shocked.

Mihawk grew even more wary of the King of the Near Seas.

Only Alvida was somewhat bewildered.

She remembered that in the waters surrounding Windmill Village, there seemed to be a Sea King called the King of the Near Seas.

Although it was indeed terrifying, in front of Mihawk, a Warlord of the Sea, and that terrifying man, it was at most just a small loach.

Why were they speaking of the King of the Near Seas as if he were more formidable than the Emperors?

Though Alvida was bewildered, she was sensible enough not to voice a single word of doubt.

Here, she had no place to speak.

Mihawk looked at Luo Xing and said:

"Although you are not the King of the Near Seas, I sensed your Haki earlier; it is quite formidable."

"The sword at your waist suggests you are also a swordsman."

"I, Mihawk Dracule, issue you a challenge!"

Mihawk had been wandering the East Blue for some time and had not encountered a single worthy strongman.

He had long been itching to fight.

Though he had yet to meet the King of the Near Seas, encountering Luo Xing was not bad; they could fight first and see.

Nami, who had been quietly retreating, brightened her eyes; indeed, these two terrifying figures were about to fight.

Unexpectedly, the next second, Luo Xing's voice was heard:

"I am merely a scientist with no strength. You should leave the opportunity for the young man behind you."

It turned out.

Zoro, Johnny, and Yosaku had taken a long detour and had finally arrived.

Without a word, Zoro rushed to Mihawk, drew his three swords, and shouted loudly:

"My name is Roronoa Zoro, the future world's greatest swordsman!"

"Mihawk, accept my challenge!"

Mihawk frowned.

Looking deeply at Luo Xing, this strange and mysterious man who refused his challenge, exceeded his expectations.

For in this sea, any swordsman who did not wish to spar with him, Mihawk, was nonexistent.

Did he not see that green-haired man had chased so far just to challenge him?

Mihawk found Luo Xing somewhat unreadable and glanced at Zoro, saying:

"Such an ignorant young man, who knows not the height of the sky nor the depth of the earth; no matter how many come, they are but insignificant dust."

Hearing this, Luo Xing smiled.

"No one stands in the heavens from the beginning; the Wang Zuo of the sky must be contested by someone to be interesting."

"Mihawk, if you do not give him a chance, how will you know whether this young man might be a swordsman who surpasses you in the future?"

Luo Xing's words not only shook Mihawk but also resonated deeply with Zoro.

Zoro's gaze toward Luo Xing was inevitably filled with gratitude.

Mihawk fell silent for a moment, then finally turned and looked Zoro straight in the eye.

"Very well, I give you this chance."

The two leaped to a nearby desolate island.

Yamato asked Luo Xing with confusion:

"That green-haired man seems very weak; why do you, husband, hold him in such high regard?"

Luo Xing said with deep meaning:

"Though this man is weak, he possesses the spirit to become strong. If we can bring him into our Beasts Pirates, he will not fail to be a powerful force in the future."

"Moreover, did you see the two sword-wielding men behind him?"

Yamato looked at Johnny and Yosaku behind Zoro and nodded: "I see them."

"Those two, one is the Sword God Johnny, the other is the Sword Saint Yosaku. If Mihawk dares to harm the green-haired man, they will cut Mihawk down."

Yamato rolled her eyes at Luo Xing in annoyance.

Even if she were as foolish and innocent as she was, she could see that Johnny and Yosaku were the weakest of weaklings.

The couple bantered while watching the battle on the desolate island.

It was called a battle, but it actually ended in a few seconds.

Mihawk took a small cross-shaped dagger from his chest.

Zoro's eyes widened in disbelief, feeling deeply insulted.

"Are you looking down on me?"

Mihawk remained expressionless, too disdainful to even answer.

Enraged, Zoro launched his attack.

The three swords swung like a windmill, moving very fast.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

All were blocked by Mihawk's small dagger.

The more Zoro fought, the more shocked he became; the more he fought, the more desperate he felt, cold sweat streaming down, his mind trembling.

How could the gap between him and the opponent be so vast?!

"I don't believe it! Am I really such a weak man!"

Zoro's eyes turned blood-red; he drew both blades back, assuming the stance of a fierce tiger.

"Three-Sword Style: Tiger Hunt!"

Pfft~

He still failed to even graze the hem of Mihawk's robe.

Mihawk's small dagger, however, pierced his chest.

"Why didn't 507 retreat? Do you want to be stabbed through the heart?" 8

Mihawk's cold expression finally showed a trace of emotion. 1

"Rather than defeat, I would choose death!" 1

Mihawk was moved again. 7

Though his strength was weak, did he already possess the heart of a strong man? 3

"Interesting." 7

Mihawk voluntarily withdrew his dagger and drew the black blade Yoru from his back. 6

"I acknowledge your dignity as a swordsman. To honor the etiquette of a duel between swordsmen, I shall use this world's strongest black blade, Yoru, to bury you here!" 6

Zoro grinned, his mouth still gripping the hilt of his sword: 6

"I wouldn't have it any other way!"

"Three-Sword Style Secret Technique: Three Thousand Worlds!"

With a sharp crack, both of Zoro's swords broke, save for Wado Ichimonji.

Zoro silently sheathed Wado Ichimonji.

He turned around, spread his arms, and faced Mihawk.

"What are you doing?" Mihawk asked.

Zoro smiled: "A scar on the back is a swordsman's shame."

Mihawk was thoroughly moved.

"You brat... magnificent! I have remembered your name, Roronoa Zoro!"

Voom!

The black blade Yoru sliced through the air, striking Zoro's chest.

Blood splattered in all directions.

Zoro fell to the ground.

This battle, devoid of any flashy spectacle, left the onlookers silent.

Yamato said, shaken:

"Husband, you were right just now. That green-haired guy has the spirit to become the world's strongest swordsman."