Chapter 9 - 9: Betrayal and The Word strongest Swordsman!

"It's been a while hasn't it, Luffy?" Asked a man standing on a coffin shaped boat. Luffy smirked before he replied.

"Indeed it has...Hawk-Eye," Luffy said as he stared at the man now name named Hawk-Eye. All of the chefs had come outside and are now standing behind Luffy and Zeff who stood there watching Hawk-Eye's interaction with the Kreig Pirates. Zoro who was Luffy's right was staring at Hawk-Eye with a look of pure excitement.

'There he is...the greatest swordsman in the world,' Zoro though excitedly as he placed his hands on his swords. 'I didn't think I would meet him so soon, but I am not about to back down now,' He thought with conviction. Before he could continue his thought the voice of one of the cooks interrupted his thought.

"How did he split that giant galleon in half?!" asked/yelled a random cook. Zoro too had wondered that, how did one man break a ship that size into two. It was at that time Luffy chuckled a bit before he provided everyone an answer to the cook's question.

"He cut it," Luffy said while narrowing his eyes at Hawk-Eye while everyone else stared at Luffy waiting for him to elaborate a bit more, but he never did. Zeff saw the confusion on his chefs and Zoro's face and decided to try and help them understand.

"That man right there is Dracule Mihawk, also known as Hawk-Eye. He is the greatest swordsman in the world," Zeff said surprising the chefs. Mihawk was a tall lean man with black hair, a short beard, mustache, and sideburns that point upwards. His eyes were strangely colored yellow which resembled a hawk. He wore a black and red ornate clothing with a crucifix pendant, which gives him the appearance of a Spanish swordsman. His attire consists of a wide-brimmed black hat decorated with a large plume, and a long, open black coat with no shirt underneath, with red, flower-patterned sleeves and collar. He had on light purple pants held up by a decorated belt and tucked inside overly large boots in comparison to his leg size. "And if you are wondering what he cut that ship with...he cut it with that sword that is strapped to his back," Zeff said causing everyone looking at Mihawk's back to get a look at the swords. The blade was an ornately decorated and very long blade. On the hilt of this blade is a crossguard, though the bars between the blade and the hilt are much longer than average. The blade itself is pitch-black with a very strong sheen, a single-edged long sword with a slight curve at the end of the blade. Overall, the blade looks like a large black cross.

One of the chefs looked like he was about to say something about Mihawk's sword but as he was about to Mihawk reached behind him and grabbed the hilt of his sword getting ready to draw it causing Luffy to narrow his eyes and placing his hand on his sword getting ready to defend himself if necessary. Everyone held their breath waiting to see what Mihawk was about to do, Luffy was about to ask him what he is planning but before he could speak Zoro walked out from behind Luffy and moved to stand beside Luffy with his green bandana tied around his head. Luffy turned and looked at him to see what he was planning, but with one look Luffy already knew what Zoro was planning. As Zoro was about to jump off of the restaurant and head towards Mihawk Luffy grabbed him by the back of his shirt collar and tossed Zoro behind him. Zoro being surprised by Luffy's action jumped up to his feet and yelled at him.

"Why the hell did you do that?!" he asked/yelled. Luffy kept his eyes on Mihawk and didn't even turn towards Zoro as he replied.

"You were about to throw away your life for no reason," Luffy said pissing Zoro off.

"What is that suppose to mean?" Zoro asked angrily. "Are you saying I can't beat him!?" He yelled out. Luffy who still had his back towards him spoke in his usual emotionless tone.

"That is exactly what I am saying," Luffy said surprising the Kreig pirates and the chefs there. "You have no idea just how big the ocean is and just how small a fish you are in that ocean," Luffy said as he unsheathed his sword and raised it in the air before he continued to speak. "If you can't even do this you are no way ready to challenge the world's greatest," He said. As he finished speaking Luffy brought his sword down in one swift motion aimed at the already split in half Kreig pirate ship. As Luffy's sword came down the next thing everyone saw was both halves of the pirate ship split into two right down the middle causing the ship to split into four pieces. Zoro and the chefs stared at the sight with eyes as wide as dinner plates. The pirates along with Kreig who were still on the ship were screaming and clutching on pieces of wood that broke off of the ship in order to stay afloat. Kreig himself manage to climb back onto a piece of the ship and stood there soaking wet and stared at Luffy with a look of pure hatred. Luffy paid him no mind instead he turned towards Zoro and spoke.

"Still think you got what it takes?" Luffy asked. Zoro looked at him for a while before he tightens his bandana around his head and spoke.

"Only one way to find out," he said before he leaped off of the restaurant and landed on a large piece of the ship that broke off. Luffy sighed and looked towards Mihawk before he spoke.

"I want him back alive Hawk-Eye," Luffy said with a sighed. Mihawk looked at Zoro for a while before he turned and looked towards Luffy and spoke with a light chuckle.

"I'll try," he said causing Luffy to narrow his eyes. Zoro then unsheathed all of his swords and spoke to Mihawk.

"Dracule Mihawk," he said getting everyone's attention. "I challenge you to a duel for the title of world strongest swordsmen," Zoro said with conviction causing Mihawk to step off of his coffin-shaped boat and hop onto the same broken piece of the ship before he spoke.

"Luffy was right. You have no idea just how big this world is and just how little a fish you are in this world," Mihawk said pissing Zoro off. Zoro was about to charge towards Hawk-Eye but before he could everyone heard someone yelling off to their right.

"LLUUFFYY!" came the voice that was too familiar for Zoro and Luffy. Everyone turned towards their right and saw Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku on a small lifeboat rowing towards them. The one thing Luffy noted was that Nami was not with them.

"What's wrong and where is Nami?" Luffy asked as he walked over to the side to met them. Usopp after he finally stopped yelled calmed down and spoke to Luffy.

"It's Nami, she tossed us off of the ship and stole it," Usopp said. As soon as he said that Luffy turned his head quickly towards Zoro and yelled out.

"I thought I told you to keep an eye on her!" Luffy yelled at Zoro. Zoro took his sword out of his mouth and replied to Luffy.

"I was watching her all the time before he left to go move the ship," Zoro yelled back. "How was I suppose to know she was going to steal the ship?" Zoro asked. Luffy was about to reply but Mihawk spoke before he could say anything.

"My my looks like you already have a mutiny on your crew, Luffy," Mihawk said with a chuckle pissing Luffy off. Soon blue electric sparks could be seen around Luffy's body, the wind started to pick up and skies overhead started to darken and was completely covered with thunderclouds. The all of a sudden a loud booming thunder sounded overhead scaring everyone even Mihawk a bit. Luffy then turned towards Zoro and spoke in a deadly tone.

"Hurry up whatever you are doing there and go get me my ship back while I get a cook and kill Kreig," Luffy said causing Zoro to nod his head in agreement. Luffy then turned towards Usopp and spoke. "After Zoro finishes I want you guys to follow Nami and get the ship back. I will be right behind you guys and I will deal with Nami myself," Luffy said causing everyone there to think one thing in common.

'I feel sorry for her,' they all thought. Luffy then turned towards Zoro and Mihawk to watch their fight which had already begun. Mihawk was fighting Zoro with a small dagger that Luffy know he carried hidden in the cross pendant around his neck. Luffy could see Zoro was trying his hardest but couldn't match Mihawk's skill but was pissed off because Mihawk was using a small dagger and not his actual sword. Luffy and everyone there watches as Mihawk stop Zoro's strongest attach with little to no effort at all.

'Welcome to the real world, Zoro,' Luffy thought as he watched Zoro start to question his strength after having his attack stopped. Everyone around couldn't believe what they were seeing. They couldn't believe that even the great bounty hunter Zoro couldn't beat Mihawk. Luffy paid no attention to murmurings that were happening around instead he kept his eyes on Zoro. The next thing that happened surprised everyone including Luffy. Mihawk stabbed Zoro right in the c.h.e.s.t. From the angle that Luffy was standing, it looked as though Zoro got stabbed right in his heart. However even though he was stabbed Zoro did not back down, he did not fall. Instead, he placed his guard up and attacked Mihawk again. Luff could see that they were talking to each other but he could not hear what they were saying. Whatever Zoro said to Hawk-Eye it made he smile before he took out his actual sword and slashed at Zoro breaking two of his swords and cutting him across his c.h.e.s.t. Zoro then fell into the water causing Usopp and the bounty hunter duo to scream out.

"ZORO!" they yelled as they jumped into the water to save Zoro. Luffy placed his hand on his sword and unsheathed it all while staring at Mihawk who was staring right back at Luffy with a smirk on his face. The next thing everyone was was Luffy disappear from where he was standing causing the pirates and cooks eyes to widen at the speed he possessed. The next thing everyone heard metal hitting metal right before a huge shock wave was felt causing debris to go flying all over the place along with knocking a few chefs and pirates off their feet, while at the same time creating large waves brocking the restaurant and the unstable pieces of what's left of the Kreig pirate ship. At first, it puzzled everyone when it came to where the shockwave came from. It wasn't until they looked at the center of everything only to see Mihawk and Luffy standing there with their swords clashing. Luffy looked eyes with Mihawk before he spoke.

"I thought I said I want him back alive," Luffy said before he pushed off of Mihawk's sword and placed some distance between him and Mihawk. Mihawk placed his guard up before he replied to Luffy.

"Guess I got carried away," he said. As he said that Luffy kicked off and rushed him faster than anyone's eyes could track. Mihawk was barely able to raise his sword in order to block Luffy downward slashed. As the two swords connected it created another shockwave causing a lot of pirates and chefs to fall over. Kreig stared at the two swordsmen with wide eyes before he whispered to himself.

"Such power in a single swing of their swords," he whispered as he stared at Luffy and Mihawk as they squared off in the middle of everyone. Sanji who also had his eyes widen at the sheer power of the two men couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Are they even human?" Sanji asked out loud. Zeff scoffed and folded his arms before he replied.

"That's what exists in the Grand Line," he said before he tapped Sanji's shoulder causing him to look at Zeff. "Look at the sky," he said as he pointed to the sky. Sanji and the rest of the chefs along with the Kreig pirates and Usopp and company looked up to the sky to see all of the previous thunderclouds were split right down the middle creating a sort of trench in the sky. Clouds from both sides were rushing into the trench, but neither one dare crossed over the trench. Everyone stared at the sky in utter disbelief.

"They split the sky..no the heavens in two," a scared cook said in a surprised voice. Everyone was brought of their staring by Zoro's voice.

"LUFFY!" Zoro yelled out getting everyone's attention especially Luffy and Mihawk who separated the moment they heard Zoro's voice. Luffy looked over to Zoro to see him laying on his back with one hand holding the only sword he has left in the air. "Luffy, can you hear me?" Zoro asked in a shaky voice. Luffy sighed before he chuckled and resheathed his sword before he replied with a smile.

"Yeah, I hear you," Luffy said. Zoro took a breath before he began to speak again.

"Sorry for worrying you," Zoro said causing Luffy to smile. "If I don't become the greatest swordsman in the world you'd be in a dilemma now, right?" he said before he coughed up some blood causing the bounty hunter duo to yell at him to stop and save his energy which Zoro ignored and continued to speak instead. "I will...I will never...LOSE AGAIN!" Zoro yelled out with tears streaming down his face. "Until I defeat him and become the world greatest swordsman I'll never be defeated anymore!" As Zoro said that Mihawk and Luffy's face split into a wide grin after hearing with Zoro said. "Do you have a problem with that...PIRATE KING!?" Zoro yelled/asked. Luffy chuckled to himself before he replied.

"Not a single problem," Luffy said. Luffy then turned to Mihawk and saw him standing there with his arms folded and his sword already strapped to his back. Luffy was about to speak to him but Mihawk looks in the direction and spoke first.

"It is still too early for you to die. My name is Hawk-Eye Mihawk you are strong but there is still much for you to learn. No matter how much years it takes I will hold this title as the greatest in the world and wait for you. Until that day you must hone your skills then...SEEK ME OUT RORONOA ZORO!" Hawk-Eye said surprising everyone there including Luffy. Hawk-Eye then turned towards Luffy and spoke. "Is your goal still to become the King of the Pirates?" he asked. Luffy smirked before he replied

"You already know the answer to that question," Luffy said causing Mihawk to chuckle before he turned started walking back to his boat. As he was walking away Luffy spoke once again. "By the way," he said getting Mihawk's attention, "If you come across shanks let him know I'll be entering paradise in a week," he said before he turned and headed back to the floating restaurant. Mihawk turned back around and continued to walk to his boat. As he was about to reach his boat the sound of someone landing of the piece the broken ship got his and everyone's attention. He looked over his shoulder to see Don Kreig standing there in his golden armor.

"Hawk-Eye," Kreig said making Hawk-eyes turn around to look at him. "I was under the impression you were here to kill me," Kreig said. hawk-eye looked at him with a bored expression on his face before he replied.

"I was but I had enough fun for today. So, I am going back home to rest," he said before he turns around and began walking back to his boat. As he was walking back to his boat Kreig spoke again.

"That's too bad because I am just getting started," he said as he pulled out two pistols and activated his hidden guns that were hidden under his armor and aimed it all at Mihawk. Just as he was about to pull the trigger a bolt of lightning came out of the sky and struck Kreig causing him to collapse on the ground smoking. Everyone stared at the smoking form of Krieg with wide eyes before he looked back up at the cloudy sky.

"it is as though the gods themselves judged Kreig," Patty said in a voice of utter disbelief as he stared up at the sky. Luffy was looking at all of them with an amused look on his face.

"You know I could have handled that Luffy. I didn't need your help," Mihawk said causing everyone to look at Luffy with eyes the size of dinner plates. Luffy chuckled before he replied

"I know, but I got a deal with the old man," he said earning a nod from Mihawk before he stepped onto his boat and sailed away. Luffy then turned his attention towards Usopp and company who had just got finished bandaging up Zoro. "Usopp," Luffy called out getting his attention. "You four head after Nami. I will catch up with once I get the cook," Luffy said making Usopp standing up straight and salute him before he replied.

"You can count on the great captain Usopp to get the ship back," Usopp said before the four of them sailed after Nami. Luffy then looked at Zeff and spoke.

"I do hope our deal still stands?" Luffy asked earning a chuckle and a nod from Zeff. "Good," he said before he turned and Look at Kreig who was now try to stand back up. Luffy turned his body to lightning surprising everyone there and teleported himself in front of Kreig. When Kreig stood up straight he saw Luffy standing right in front of him looking at him with a bored expression on his face. Kreig stared right back at Luffy with a look of pure hatred before he raised one of his pistols and pointed it at Luffy's head. The chefs were beginning to get worried for Luffy while the pirates all smiled at the fact that their captain was going to kill the straw hat boy. Even though he had a gun pointed to his head Luffy expression didn't change, he had that same bored expression on his face which pissed Kreig off even more. One of the chefs was about to yell at Luffy to move out of the way but before he could Kreig pulled the trigger. What happened next surprised everyone, even Kreig and Zeff. The bullet hit Luffy right between the eyes and seem to just pass right through him as though he was a ghost. When Kreig saw this he stumbled back a few steps in surprise before he pulled the trigger again and again only to have the same thing happen each time. dropping his gun Kreig began to stutter.

"Y-you...ate...a...devil fruit," he said surprising everyone who was there. People around Luffy began murmuring about hearing about devil fruits and myths about devil fruits. Luffy just tuned all of them out and focused on Kreig who regained his composure and began to speak. "It doesn't matter if you ate a devil fruit or not, " he said causing the murmuring to stop and Luffy to raise an eyebrow in curiosity. "I'll just blow you into the water and have you drown," he said before he reached behind him and pulled out a speak with two big gold plates, like the one ones on his shoulder, on the side. Kreig then rushed towards Luffy and tried to strike him in his c.h.e.s.t, but Luffy side-stepped and grabbed the wooden pole of the spear with his left hand and held onto it preventing Kreig from pulling it away.

"You are without a doubt the biggest idiot I have ever met," Luffy said in a bored tone as he held on the spear.

"What did you say, brat!?" asked an angry Kreig. Luffy just sighed before he replied.

"What kind of idiot puts a metal speak with two giant gold-plated disks ON A PIECE OF STICK!" Luffy yelled before he crushed the wooden stick with his left hand causing Kreig's eyes to widen. As the tip of the spear was falling to the ground Luffy spun clockwise and kicked it in the direction of Kreig's ship. The spear sail in the air before he stuck onto Kreig's ship right in the middle of a group of pirates. As the tip hit the ground it exploded blowing the group of pirates away and into the water. Luffy then looked at Kreig who had a look of fear written all over his face. Faster than anyone could blink Luffy grabbed onto Kreig's face and smashed his head into the ground. Luffy then stood up and placed his right foot on Kreig's c.h.e.s.t plate before he spoke.

"You should be careful walking around with all this metal, Kreig," Luffy said in a voice that sent chills down the spine of everyone there. "You could get struck by lightning," he said before he covered his entire body in lightning and electrocuted Kreig. Everyone staring at the scene could clearly see Kreig was in a great deal of pain and he was trying to scream, yet no voice came out. Gin stared at his captain with wide eyes, he wanted to help his captain, but fear didn't let him move from the spot that he was in. Luffy electrocuted Kreig for about four minutes before he finally turned off the lightning and stepped off of Kreig and began walking back to the chefs. Everyone stared at Kreig to see with he was going to get up, but with one look everyone there knew. Don Kreig, the pirate admiral, and ruler of the East Blue was dead. As Luffy was walking back to the restaurant he stopped and turned to the pirates and looked at them with cold eyes causing them to flinch under his gaze.

"I suggest all of you get out of here before I kill you as well," Luffy said causing them to scramble and run to find pieces of the broken ship to use as a boat. When Luffy reached the chefs Zeff was the first one to speak.

"You are just going to let them go?" he asked. Luffy chuckled and smiled at him before he spoke.

"A dead man tells no tales," he said before he walked into the restaurant. As he said that Zeff started to laugh.

"Indeed they don't," Zeff said before he followed Luffy into the restaurant along with the rest of the cooks.

**CHAPTER END**