One Piece: SSS-Rank Haki at Age Seventeen

On the cliffs of Kuraigana Island, an ancient castle perched like a lone hawk overlooking the sea. Its Gothic spires pierced the sky.

The gray stone walls were covered in thick, ancient vines. Pointed archways held heavy black wooden doors. Colored stained-glass windows cast mottled light under the sun. The pillars were carved with cold, rigid patterns.

The entire structure radiated an atmosphere of isolation, killing intent, and ancient mystery.

Step… step… step…

With three famous swords hanging from his waist, Roronoa Zoro's sharp eyes shone with determination.

Luffy… to support you, I will definitely become stronger!!

Zoro pushed open the heavy, ancient door.

Inside, a lone figure sat in the main seat. Dracule Mihawk, his eagle-like eyes focused on the newspaper in his hand.

Nearby stood a small floating girl, pouting angrily at Mihawk.

Seeing that Mihawk ignored him completely, Zoro suddenly bent his rigid legs.

THUD!

He dropped to his knees.

His forehead slammed against the floor.

"Please… teach me swordsmanship!!"

Mihawk froze.

A trace of disappointment appeared in his sharp eyes.

"As a swordsman… you would cast aside your pride and beg your enemy to teach you?"

Mihawk slowly stood.

"Don't you realize how ugly you look right now?"

"Stand up… and get out of my sight."

It was clear Mihawk was genuinely angry.

To him, once a swordsman abandoned his pride, he would never reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship.

Roronoa… I truly misjudged you.

But Zoro didn't move.

"I have never forgotten my ambition."

"But I also know that I cannot defeat you right now."

Zoro raised his head.

His gaze was unwavering.

A powerful aura erupted from him.

His sword intent surged.

Crackle… crackle…

Black-and-red lightning flickered through the air, appearing and disappearing as violent winds swept through the room, sending newspapers flying.

Mihawk's eyes widened slightly.

A storm rose in his heart.

If Zoro had been a wandering swordsman awakening Conqueror's Haki, Mihawk wouldn't have been surprised.

But Zoro was a crew member—a fiercely loyal one.

For someone like that, awakening Conqueror's Haki was even harder than mastering Conqueror's Haki Infusion.

"Hahahaha!"

For once, Mihawk actually laughed.

"Then tell me… why are you asking me?"

Zoro's eyes burned with fighting spirit.

"I will surpass you and become the World's Greatest Swordsman."

"Then I will help Luffy become the Pirate King!!"

"…Heh."

Mihawk took a sip of wine.

Even he was impressed by Zoro's resolve.

"Training the man who will one day take my head… huh?"

He walked past Zoro toward the door.

His voice was calm, but carried a subtle warmth.

"It seems you've found something more important than ambition."

"Follow me."

"The training from now on won't be the childish sparring you're used to…"

"Prepare yourself to die."

Zoro quickly stood and followed him.

His determination only grew stronger.

Luffy…

If I can't take the title of World's Greatest Swordsman before you become Pirate King…

You'll be in a difficult position.

The Forest Outside the Castle

Mihawk suddenly stopped.

The surrounding Humandrills instantly showed human-like fear and fled frantically.

Zoro grinned fiercely and drew his three swords.

"Hawkeyes… I only have three months!!"

He stepped forward.

The wind whipped his green coat as he shot forward like a streak of purple lightning.

Three-Sword Style: Rengoku Oni Giri!!

Dark ghostly aura covered the blades.

Black Armament Haki crackled like lightning.

The attack tore through the air.

Yet Mihawk responded casually.

He simply drew his blade—

And swung downward.

For a moment, the world fell silent.

Then—

SLASH!!

A roaring blue sword wave erupted like a massive crescent moon, tearing through the earth toward Zoro.

BOOM!!

The shockwave exploded like a missile detonation.

Rocks and trees were instantly blasted apart.

Zoro flew backward at a speed even faster than his charge.

He smashed through more than ten towering trees before crashing into a distant cliffside like a cannonball.

The impact carved a terrifying crater into the rock wall.

"—Cough…!"

Zoro climbed out of the rubble, wincing as pain surged through his body.

"The gap… really is huge…"

"But—"

He removed his green coat and tossed it aside.

His bare upper body was covered in brutal scars.

The rugged muscles gave him a wild, almost primal aura.

Instead of ugly, the scars carried a strange beauty.

Zoro stomped the ground and shot forward again.

"I'm not giving up that easily!!"

Mihawk gripped the black blade Yoru with both hands.

For once, his sharp eyes were completely serious.

That's it…

Surpass me, Roronoa Zoro.

Marine Headquarters — Marineford

Dim sunlight slowly spread through the gap of opening eyelids.

Akainu (Sakazuki) slowly opened his heavy eyes.

A rotating ceiling fan.

Gray-white walls.

An IV drip beside the bed.

Various life-monitoring machines flickering softly.

"Where… is this?"

His voice was hoarse.

"Well well… you're awake, Sakazuki."

A familiar voice sounded.

Akainu turned his head.

Sure enough—

That annoying monkey.

Admiral Kizaru (Borsalino).

His right leg and left arm were in casts. His chest was wrapped in thick bandages.

Yet he was smiling leisurely while eating a banana.

In the corner of the hospital room was a huge pile of fruit baskets, cigarettes, and expensive liquor.

Clearly gifts from visiting Marine officers.

But seeing that most of the fruit baskets were already empty…

Akainu's mouth twitched slightly.

"…How much have you eaten these past few days?"

Akainu pulled out a bloodstained cigar and lit it.

But even such a simple action triggered a chain reaction.

An overwhelming pain spread through every muscle in his body.

A crushing wave of exhaustion followed.

Cold sweat instantly covered his forehead.

He frowned deeply and checked his condition.

Severe exhaustion.

Multiple organ failure.

At least 40% of his bones fractured.

Massive muscle tears.

Extreme blood loss.

For a normal person—

They would already be dead.

"Don't move."

Kizaru said lazily.

"The doctor said with your condition, you'll need about a week before you can move freely… and half a month for full recovery."

"Your body is basically that of a monster."

Kizaru looked at Akainu with interest.

"Honestly, Sakazuki… you really don't know when to stop."

"Look at Kuzan—he's almost fully recovered already."

Kizaru pointed toward the empty bed near the window, still wearing his usual irritating expression.

Normally, Admirals would enjoy luxury private rooms.

But Marineford had been reduced to ruins, so the hospital was only temporary.

Even this was considered a VIP ward reserved for Admirals.

Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals had to share rooms with ten or twenty people.

"Then why haven't you left yet?"

Akainu stared at him calmly.

There was an enormous mess waiting to be cleaned up, yet this monkey was still slacking.

Akainu's sense of responsibility was simply too high.

A true workhorse of justice.

"Don't say that, Sakazuki."

Kizaru looked heartbroken as he took another bite of banana.

"I took care of you for three whole days and nights."

"That really hurts my feelings."

"And besides…"

He raised his casted arm.

"My injuries haven't healed yet."

Akainu: ???

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