Dragon Ball: Super Goten

Chapter 116 Zoro's Challenge!

Picking up where we left off, Krieg, who had been humbly begging for food, turned on Sanji after he had eaten and drunk his fill, kicking him away and declaring that he would take over the barracks' ship and return to challenge the Grand Line once more...

Krieg offered 100 meals to his crew, which immediately drew collective protest from the cooks, who said Krieg was daydreaming. However, the next second, Krieg decisively took off his outer garment, revealing his full armor: diamond gauntlets, super alloy armor, and more...

He was also equipped with a miniature machine gun and cannon barrel capable of firing shells and bullets. Seeing that the chefs were not moving, Krieg was about to make his move when Goten decisively interrupted his spellcasting. The moment Krieg launched his attack, Goten blasted him away with an energy wave...

After chasing Krieg away, Goten shouted, "You idiot customers, why aren't you running for your lives?! Are you crazy?!" Hearing Goten's words, the restaurant customers began to surge out, boarding their boats and fleeing for their lives...

Just then, Krieg's large ship arrived in front of the floating restaurant, but strangely, Luffy and his crew's Going Merry had already left the restaurant's vicinity...

After driving Krieg away, Arkin apologized, saying, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect Captain Krieg to go back on his word. He clearly said he would challenge the Grand Line again after he had eaten his fill..."

Luffy then asked, "Gin, you guys have been to the Grand Line, right? What's it like there...?"

Upon hearing this, Akin's expression immediately tensed up, and he said in horror, "Although I've been to the Grand Line, I still can't tell whether what happened on the seventh day was reality or a dream..."

As he spoke, cold sweat poured down Akin's face, and his voice trembled as he said, "He easily took down a fleet of 50 ships by himself!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the restaurant was instantly shocked. Goten, however, excitedly blurted out, "That's awesome! This is the kind of opponent that makes a real fight! I thought everyone here was just a bunch of good-for-nothings. I never expected to find such a powerful fighter. So, there are such powerful fighters on the Grand Line, right? Alright then, Luffy! I've decided! Let's go to the Grand Line together! I can't wait..."

Seeing this, Luffy laughed heartily and replied, "You're right, Goten. Then let's go together after I've dealt with things here..."

As Luffy was still speaking, Krieg's ship outside was suddenly cut in half. The powerful attack even shook the sea restaurant. When everyone went out of the restaurant, they found Krieg's ship in pieces. Looking around, Goten was surprised to find that the Going Merry was gone!

Just then, Johnny and Joseph swam over from the sea and shouted, "It's terrible, Zoro! Nami has left with all the treasure and the ship!"

Upon hearing this, Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp were instantly stunned and shouted, "What did you say?!"

Goten, however, was staring into the distance and remarked, "This might not be so bad. Luckily, she sailed the ship away, otherwise the Going Merry would have ended up like that wrecked ship..."

Goten continued, "It seems that the powerful guy Gin mentioned is already chasing after them. Look! There's a swordsman with eagle-like eyes on that small boat. I can sense he's an incredibly strong expert!" Goten pointed into the distance...

Luffy and his crew looked in the direction Goten was pointing, but Zoro suddenly shouted, "That man... there's no doubt about it! I chose to set sail to challenge him, and I never expected to see him here, Hawkeye Mihawk!"

As he spoke, Zoro decisively leaped forward, preparing to challenge his opponent. Seeing this, Goten loudly warned Zoro, "Zoro, what are you doing! Although I know you want to become the world's greatest swordsman, you're still..."

Seeing this, Luffy immediately interrupted, "Goten! Shut up! Zoro has made up his mind. Just watch. Zoro has already risked his life. Now, all we need to do is watch..."

Upon hearing this, Goten said nothing more, watching helplessly as Zoro continued to approach Mihawk. Sanji was also shocked; in his eyes, Zoro's actions were tantamount to courting death...

Zoro approached Mihawk and unceremoniously challenged him to a solo duel. However, Mihawk scoffed, "Dare to draw your sword against me? Is that courage... or ignorance?"

Upon hearing this, Zoro immediately put on his bandana and replied firmly, "It's pure ambition! And a vow I made to my best friend!" He then swiftly armed his three swords...

Seeing that Zoro was fully equipped, Mihawk merely drew a small knife from his chest. Zoro instantly felt severely underestimated upon seeing Mihawk wielding a knife the size of a fruit knife. However, Mihawk's next words—"Sorry, I don't have a smaller knife than this"—were a blatant insult…

Upon hearing this, Zoro instantly rushed towards Mihawk, unleashing his Oni-Giri attack. However, Mihawk, with a small knife, effortlessly seized an opening in his Oni-Giri, stopping the attack with ease. Furthermore, with just a slight exertion, Mihawk sent Zoro crashing to the ground, unable to control himself…

Zoro sprang to his feet and immediately charged at Mihawk again, effortlessly deflecting his continuous attacks. Seeing this, Zoro gradually realized the difference in skill between them. However, Zoro now had no way out and could only fight with all his might...

After being knocked down again, Zoro immediately got up and prepared to launch "Three-Sword Style - Tiger Hunt". However, before he could launch the attack, Mihawk's thrust pierced his chest. Mihawk looked at Zoro and questioned, "Why didn't you choose to retreat? Did you want your heart pierced?"

Zoro replied, "I don't know. I just feel that if I back down even one step here, all those important vows and promises will disappear, and I'll never be able to come back here again."

Upon hearing this, Mihawk affirmed, "That's right... this is defeat!"

Zoro chuckled and said, "Then we absolutely cannot back down."

Hawkeye Mihawk demanded, "You won't back down even if it means death?"

Zoro declared firmly, "I'd rather die than retreat!"

Upon hearing this, Mihawk thought to himself (What a powerful mind! Would he rather die than be defeated?). He then drew his dagger, sheathed it, and demanded, "Boy, state your name!"

Seeing this, Zoro immediately prepared his next move and introduced himself: "Roronoa Zoro!"

Hawkeye Mihawk, holding the black sword on his back, said to Zoro, "Roronoa Zoro, I will remember this. So, to show the swordsman's etiquette, I will use this strongest black sword in the world to make you perish at sea."

Upon hearing this, Zoro excitedly replied, "That's truly an honor!"

At this moment, Luffy forcefully restrained the impulsive Johnny and Joseph, even though he himself was on the verge of exploding, he still respected Zoro's decision...

Zoro spun his twin swords, charged up, and roared, "Three Thousand Worlds!" He charged forward, colliding with Mihawk's attack. After the collision, blood gushed from Zoro's body, and his twin swords shattered. Realizing his defeat, Zoro sheathed his last remaining sword, Wado Ichimonji, turned around, and opened his arms wide...

Seeing this, Mihawk asked, "What do you mean by this?"

Zoro, however, grinned and said, "A wound on the back is a swordsman's shame!"

Upon hearing this, Mihawk affirmed, "Truly remarkable..." and then decisively swung his sword, striking Zoro. Zoro, struck by the blow, collapsed helplessly into the sea...

Upon seeing this, Goten immediately jumped into the sea to rescue Zoro, while Luffy, believing Zoro had been killed by Mihawk, fired a Gum-Gum Pistol, which Mihawk dodged. Luffy then charged towards Mihawk, who dodged again. Mihawk then reminded him, "Are you that swordsman's partner? Thank you for watching until the end. Don't worry, he's not dead yet..."

At this moment, Goten pulled Zoro onto the small boat, and Mihawk shouted to Zoro, "It's too early for you to die now, young swordsman! I am Dracule Mihawk! See yourself clearly, understand the world, and become stronger! No matter how much time passes, I will always be here waiting for you. Surpass this sword, surpass me, Roronoa Zoro!"

After finishing his sentence, Hawkeye Mihawk asked Luffy, "Kid, what's your goal?"

Without hesitation, Luffy declared, "I will become the Pirate King!"

Mihawk scoffed, "That's a much harder goal than surpassing me."

Luffy made a face and said, "I don't care, I just want to be..."

Zoro, having recovered, raised his Wado Ichimonji and shouted at Luffy, "Luffy! Can you hear me? I'm sorry to have worried you. I... you'll be troubled if I don't become the world's strongest swordsman, won't you? I... I absolutely... I will never lose again! I will never lose again until I defeat that guy and become the Great Swordsman! Do you have a problem with that, Pirate King!"

Luffy laughed heartily and affirmed, "No!"

Seeing this, Mihawk couldn't help but exclaim, "Not bad team!" He then prepared to leave, but at this moment, Krieg suddenly appeared out of nowhere and taunted Hawkeye Mihawk, "Wait, don't you want the head of the strongest man in the East Blue?"

No sooner had Krik provoked him than he unleashed a barrage of fire at Mihawk, and after a cloud of smoke, Mihawk had vanished...

Sanji, who witnessed the whole thing, also seemed to be touched by something...

(End of this chapter)