"Who are you? Where's my master?" a young Zoro, clutching three swords, demanded of Doflamingo.
"Me? I'm just a passerby," Doflamingo replied slowly, hearing Zoro's question.
"A passerby?" Zoro muttered, but his eyes were drawn to the sword hanging at Doflamingo's waist. "You're a swordsman too," he asked, his tone curious.
"I'm not a swordsman. I just know a little," Doflamingo answered.
"Then..." Zoro started to ask, his gaze fixed on the sword, Gryphon.
"Are you talking about this? It's one of my trophies," Doflamingo said, drawing Gryphon from its sheath. The blade's cold glint was pointed at Zoro.
"What a fine sword. It has the aura of a fierce beast," Zoro said, his praise genuine as he looked at Gryphon.
"Want to give it a try?" Doflamingo asked.
"Can I?" Zoro asked with curiosity.
"Of course," Doflamingo affirmed.
He sheathed the blade and tossed Gryphon to Zoro.
Zoro quickly put down his own three swords and caught it.
Clang.
With a crisp sound, Zoro drew Gryphon from its sheath.
He carefully examined the blade, swung it a few times, then quickly sheathed it and handed it back to Doflamingo.
"Did you get a good look?" Doflamingo inquired.
"It's an excellent sword. A pity it's not mine," Zoro said, showing no sign of attachment, his eyes clear.
"Fuffuffuffu. You know your swords, kid," Doflamingo said with a laugh, taking Gryphon back from Zoro's hand.
"I'm still a long way off, but one day I'll become the World's Greatest Swordsman, so my name will reach heaven!" Zoro declared with conviction.
"You have great ambition, kid. But the world is a vast place. Let me test your mettle. Take this," Doflamingo praised him, then swiftly swung his sword at Zoro.
Doflamingo had promised Koushirou, so it was only right that he give Zoro a lesson along the way. Who said only Mihawk could teach Zoro? Couldn't he, Donquixote Doflamingo, do it as well?
There was no powerful aura, no Haki imbued in the strike. It was just an ordinary cut, yet Doflamingo's blade seemed to lock onto Zoro, closing in on him relentlessly.
The pressure on Zoro was immense. Although the attack seemed simple, without any impressive aura, and didn't look particularly strong, only by facing it directly could one understand the pressure it carried.
Forced by Doflamingo's attack, Zoro quickly retreated, picking up his three swords. He held two ordinary blades in his hands and clamped the Wado Ichimonji firmly between his teeth. His eyes were like those of a tiger, his fighting spirit soaring, and he showed no fear.
"Three-Sword Style: Oni Giri!"
Zoro shouted the name of his technique, the Wado Ichimonji still clenched in his mouth. It was impressive the sword didn't fall out.
CLANG!
Their blades met, and a powerful force surged through Zoro's body.
Such immense power! Zoro thought, as he disengaged and flew backward.
"Not bad," Doflamingo commented.
Having absorbed the force, Zoro's eyes were fixed on Doflamingo. "And you say you're not a swordsman. I will defeat you," he said with determination.
"Swords, fists... they are merely my methods of fighting. My power far exceeds yours. Even though I don't use a sword, I can still defeat you with ease," Doflamingo replied.
"A swordsman must have a swordsman's resolve. I carry the honor of a swordsman on my back. I won't let you defeat me so easily," Zoro said stubbornly, his gaze unwavering.
"What good eyes. In that case, let your swords do the talking. Everything else is an illusion. Only the strength in your hands is real. If you want to achieve your dream, how can you do it without putting in the effort?"
"I'll show you."
With a determined look, Zoro swung his swords and charged at Doflamingo again.
Clang, clang, clang!
Zoro's attacks were like a storm, fierce and rapid. If Doflamingo were his age and had learned swordsmanship alongside him, he certainly wouldn't be Zoro's opponent.
Doflamingo easily parried Zoro's swords. With the experience gained from fighting two master swordsmen like Roger and Red-Hair, even though he wasn't a true swordsman, he could surpass eighty percent of the swordsmen on the sea.
Don't think becoming a Master Swordsman is easy. That one step holds back countless people. It's perfectly normal for those without talent or a master's guidance to be stuck there forever.
"Damn it... why... why is this happening?"
Zoro attacked Doflamingo with all his might, but he couldn't inflict a single scratch. It felt like the man was just playing with him. Zoro was plunged into deep self-doubt.
"What's wrong? For a swordsman to lose his cool is a grave mistake. Do I really have to teach you that?" Doflamingo's words were sharp and unforgiving.
CLANG!
Zoro clashed with Doflamingo one last time, using the force to push himself back a few steps. He let out a breath, casting aside all his anxiety and frustration.
Then, he thanked Doflamingo. "You're right. A swordsman must remain calm at all times. Only then can he face anything."
"Very good," Doflamingo nodded. As expected of Zoro, he had adjusted so quickly.
"Do you have any other moves?" Doflamingo asked.
"I have one more, but I haven't mastered it yet. What if I hurt..."
Before Zoro could finish, Doflamingo cut him off. "Kid, there's a limit to looking down on people. Use your full power. As if you could hurt me with what you've shown so far."
"Then here I come! Get ready! Three-Sword Style Secret Technique: Three Thousand Worlds!" Zoro paid no mind to Doflamingo's words. He knew the man was powerful. Since he was willing to test his move, Zoro wouldn't hold back.
"Let me show you a technique from a pinnacle swordsman of the seas. Divine Departure!" Doflamingo said, pleased with Zoro's fighting spirit, which hadn't wavered an inch despite the vast difference in their strength.
Their two powerful techniques collided within the dojo, and the intense auras sent the dojo's furnishings into disarray.
The violent energy subsided. The two swords in Zoro's hands had shattered into pieces, but the Wado Ichimonji was unscathed.
"I lost," Zoro said calmly. He let go of the broken swords and sheathed the Wado Ichimonji.
"The world is vast, and the strong on the seas are countless. Do you want to become stronger, Zoro?" Doflamingo tempted him.
"Of course I do! My journey won't stop here. I will become the World's Greatest Swordsman, so my name will reach heaven and I can fulfill the promise I made to my friend," Zoro said, his expression firm. Hearing Doflamingo's question, he had stated his dream once again without hesitation.
"Good. Then march towards your goal. The title of World's Greatest Swordsman is waiting for you," Doflamingo encouraged.
"I will," Zoro answered with determination.
Click. With a soft sound, Doflamingo sheathed Gryphon. He then held it out to Zoro. "Accept it. I hope that one day, you will carry it to the throne of the World's Greatest."
Zoro stared in astonishment, unable to believe what Doflamingo was doing.
"What, is it not worthy of you?" Doflamingo prompted.
"Th-that's not it! It's just... this is the first time we've met. Why are you giving me such a precious gift?" Zoro stammered.
"A gift? This is not a gift. This is an honor. This is my expectation of you. Don't you want to be the world's number one? Are you afraid to accept my expectation?" Doflamingo said.
"I... I..." Zoro looked at Gryphon, held out before him, his heart in turmoil.
Doflamingo stood silently, holding the sword in front of Zoro, waiting.
Zoro seemed to think for a long time. Finally, he made up his mind. He raised his right hand and firmly grasped Gryphon.
Seeing this, Doflamingo was very satisfied. If Red-Hair can give away his Straw Hat, why can't I, Donquixote Doflamingo, give away Gryphon? Although they were both Red-Hair's things, as long as they were useful, it was fine.
"I will carry your trust. The position of World's Greatest Swordsman... I will take it," Zoro said, gripping Gryphon tightly, his eyes fixed on Doflamingo as he made his vow.
"Its name is Gryphon," Doflamingo said, releasing his hand and giving the sword to Zoro.
"Gryphon? A good name," Zoro said, looking at the sword with excitement in his eyes.
"Go and explore this world, Zoro. The strong are not made by words alone. They are forged in constant battle. Become the World's Greatest Swordsman, Zoro," Doflamingo encouraged.
"I will," Zoro said. He carefully put Gryphon away, alongside the Wado Ichimonji.
When Zoro looked up again, Doflamingo was gone.
"I don't even know your name!" Zoro muttered, looking around for any trace of the man.
"Oh well. I'm sure we'll meet again!" Zoro's eyes were filled with light.
The future might be very interesting.