"He probably doesn't have Observation Haki, right!"
Mihawk stared at Ron, his black blade swinging harder and faster.
In an instant, a emerald green glow streaked across.
Ron anticipated that he couldn't dodge this attack.
In his battle with Mihawk, he was at a disadvantage.
And Mihawk was the stronger party; Mihawk had many opportunities to attack Ron.
But Ron only had this one chance to attack.
"Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist!!"
His fist cut through the air, leaving trails of blue, water-like afterimages.
In an instant, it swept past the black blade!
His fist tore through the air.
And slammed down fiercely.
"Boom!"
Ron was sent flying backward, but he used the force in the air.
He spun around to right himself and landed steadily on the ground.
A cut appeared on his clothes, with blood slowly seeping out.
He was still cut!
Mihawk was unbelievably strong.
"Om!"
The black blade was sheathed again, and Mihawk turned and walked towards his small boat.
"Young strong one, it seems you still have a long way to go!"
Mihawk chuckled lightly, stepping back onto his small boat.
A smile remained on his lips, indicating he was in a very good mood.
"The battle should have just begun, right!"
Ron was a bit displeased, wanting to run away after cutting him once.
Who was he looking down on!
At the very least, he wanted to land a punch on this guy.
But the touch just now, he almost hit him.
Yet Mihawk miraculously dodged it.
"I've had my fill!"
Mihawk no longer looked at Ron, the sail dropped, and he sailed off into the distance.
Mihawk touched his earlobe; in that instant, he had used Observation Haki.
Otherwise, he would have capsized in the East Blue today.
The East Blue was just the weakest sea among the Four Seas.
He hadn't expected so many strong individuals to appear at once.
He had originally thought that he wouldn't need to use Observation Haki in battles in the East Blue.
But Ron's strength greatly surprised him; not only had a good swordsman emerged.
Now there was also Ron, and that straw-hatted kid.
Mihawk even felt a little excited about the future.
...
You had your fun, but I haven't had mine yet.
Ron watched the receding figure with displeasure.
This guy just showed off and then ran.
Making others unhappy while he enjoyed himself.
"Luffy, can't you two try a bit harder!"
Ron looked at Luffy and Zoro.
If they had mastered Observation Haki and Armament Haki.
Ron wouldn't have had to endure this today.
"Huh!"
Luffy looked at Ron, bewildered.
How did this involve him!
Zoro covered his face, lying on the small boat, recalling the battle.
Although the battle was over, for Zoro, it was just the beginning.
"Ron, are you okay!"
Nami quickly ran over, looking at Ron's soaked clothes.
"I'm fine!"
Ron waved his hand; Mihawk's cut was shallow.
His injuries weren't affecting his movements that much.
Even now, Ron would have no problem fighting again.
Moreover…
After this battle!
The integration progress of the Garou template advanced by another five percent.
Ron had now integrated up to fifty-five percent.
Battle was the best medicine for human evolution.
Only through continuous combat could one become stronger.
"Zoro's injuries look serious, but they're not fatal!"
"It seems that Mihawk left some leeway."
Nami pulled open Ron's short-sleeved shirt and glanced at the wound.
But what she saw more were his well-defined abs.
Even Nami, who usually wasn't interested in men, couldn't help but swallow.
Ron had what was considered the most perfect physique, without a trace of excess fat.
And he was different from the current Luffy; Luffy now looked like a bamboo stick.
Standing there, it felt like he was about to poke the sky.
"I said I'm fine!"
A magic book, half golden and half black, floated up.
It opened its pages beside Ron, constantly flipping.
The next moment, light spilled forth.
His injuries healed at a visible speed.
Similarly, light also spilled onto Zoro's body the next moment.
Zoro grunted, opened his eyes, and glanced at Ron.
"This ability is good for healing injuries, but unfortunately, it can't cure diseases!"
"As for the remaining injuries, you'll have to recover slowly; it's good for you!!"
Ron said to Zoro, his injuries had eased.
They were no longer so fatal!
The remaining injuries would allow Zoro to often recall them.
It would probably help!
"Zeff, can you make another meal today?"
"Everyone is tired and hungry now."
Ron looked at Zeff.
"No problem, consider it you helping my restaurant avoid a crisis!"
Zeff turned and walked towards the kitchen, Sanji hesitated and followed behind.
Now was clearly the time for Sanji to give himself a psychological pep talk.
The group returned to the restaurant, but the customers inside had been scared away.
Only a group of cooks remained on the ship.
"Ron, you scared me to death!"
Luffy excitedly sat next to Ron, still a bit shaken.
After all, both Ron and Zoro had almost lost their lives at Mihawk's hands just now.
Luffy felt that even eating wouldn't taste as good today.
"Ron, I don't want to lose anymore!"
"My strength is still too weak; I need to become even stronger!"
Zoro sat up, feeling the pain from his wound, and grimaced.
But after this battle, Zoro's aura became even more condensed and powerful.
"Talk about it when you successfully slay all the demons!"
Ron found a coat and put it on; his face wasn't looking too good either.
After all, who would want to taste defeat, even Ron didn't want to.
Although Mihawk's strength far surpassed his, defeat was a normal thing.
But Ron was still very unwilling; at the very least, he wanted to get his face back next time they met.
"By the way, did Sanji agree?"
Ron suddenly remembered and looked at Luffy.
The others also looked over.
"I agreed!!"
The cigarette-smoking man walked out of the kitchen, carrying a plate of dishes.
Sanji's face showed some softness.
"Really, hahahaha, that's great!"
Luffy sat up and grabbed Sanji's shoulder.
"Hey, don't be so handsy!"
Sanji quickly retreated!
Nami and Usopp both burst into laughter.
Zoro also sat by, a smile playing on his lips.
But having just tasted defeat, Zoro's spirits weren't very high.
Plates of dishes were brought out and quickly devoured.
Most of them ended up in Ron and Zoro's stomachs.
The two ate and drank heartily, and Sanji also prepared some supplies and put them on the Going Merry.
As everyone was about to set off, Nami approached Ron.
"Ron, next stop, can we go to Cocoyasi Village!"
Nami hesitated before speaking.
Nami wanted to resolve the village's problem as soon as possible.
Ron smiled slightly.
"Alright!"
"Luffy, let's go help Nami with her trouble! We can go to Loguetown later."
Luffy paused, looked at Nami.
"Alright!" Luffy had no objections.
"Nami-san's troubles, I shall resolve them."
"Hey, pervy cook, don't embarrass yourself here!"
"Huh? You moss-head!"
...
I won't be writing about the protagonist's acquired abilities in detail later; it will be briefly described.
After all, that's too much filler; I'll focus more on the other members of the Straw Hat Pirates.