Reborn as Mihawk's son-one piece

The days following Ezra's encounter with the merfolk were filled with quiet reflection. The vast ocean, though calm on the surface, held a haunting stillness that reminded him of the challenges yet to come. Each time he glanced at the horizon, he felt the pull of something larger—a destiny that demanded to be fulfilled. His hands tightened around the helm as he steered his ship through uncharted waters.

The sun dipped low, painting the sky in hues of amber and crimson. Ezra adjusted the sails, his eyes scanning for land or signs of life. Just as he began to settle into the rhythm of the sea, a strange, dark shape emerged on the horizon. At first, it appeared to be a distant storm cloud, but as the minutes passed, it grew closer, revealing a massive silhouette.

A ship. But not just any ship.

The vessel was colossal, its blackened hull adorned with jagged spikes and torn sails. It looked like a ghost ship, emerging from some forgotten nightmare. A skull-shaped figurehead loomed at its prow, its hollow eyes glowing faintly in the fading light. Ezra's instincts flared, warning him of danger.

"Pirates," he muttered, drawing his sword and securing his scarf tighter around his neck.

The air grew heavy as the massive ship closed the distance between them. Ezra's smaller vessel looked like a toy in comparison, but he stood tall, his golden eyes glowing with resolve.

A booming voice echoed across the water.

"Oi! Surrender your ship and everything on it! Or face the wrath of the Black Phantom crew!"

Ezra smirked, the faintest hint of amusement playing on his lips. He leaned against the railing, his blade resting casually on his shoulder.

"If you're looking for an easy target, you've picked the wrong ship," he called back, his voice carrying a confidence that made the pirates hesitate.

The crew of the Black Phantom roared with laughter, their voices mingling with the crash of the waves. A man stepped forward, his imposing figure framed by the jagged edges of the ship's deck. He was tall and muscular, with a scar running diagonally across his face. His crimson coat billowed in the wind as he drew a massive, cleaver-like blade.

"I'm Captain Ravok, and I'll enjoy breaking that confidence of yours, boy," he sneered.

Ezra's smirk widened. "You're welcome to try."

Ravok barked an order, and the Black Phantom's cannons roared to life. Explosions ripped through the air as cannonballs rained down on Ezra's ship. Ezra moved swiftly, his blade flashing as he deflected the incoming projectiles. Each strike was precise, sending the cannonballs splashing harmlessly into the sea.

The pirates' laughter faltered, replaced by murmurs of disbelief. Ravok's expression darkened.

"So, you're not just some cocky kid after all," he growled. "Fine. Let's see how you handle this!"

With a wave of his hand, Ravok's crew swung grappling hooks onto Ezra's ship, latching onto the rails. Dozens of pirates scrambled across the ropes, their weapons gleaming in the dying sunlight. Ezra stood at the center of the deck, his sword gleaming as he prepared to face the onslaught.

The first pirate lunged at him, a wicked grin on his face. Ezra sidestepped effortlessly, delivering a swift strike that sent the man sprawling. Another came at him, swinging a heavy axe. Ezra parried the blow, his movements fluid and precise. Within moments, the pirate was disarmed and unconscious.

One after another, the pirates fell. Ezra's training under Mihawk was evident in every movement—each strike of his blade was calculated, each dodge timed to perfection. The deck became a battlefield, the clashing of steel echoing across the ocean.

Above the chaos, Ravok watched from the Black Phantom, his expression unreadable. He crossed his arms, observing Ezra's skill with growing interest. Finally, he stepped onto the railing of his ship, leaping effortlessly onto Ezra's deck.

"Enough!" Ravok's voice boomed, silencing the remaining pirates. He pointed his cleaver-like blade at Ezra. "You're strong, I'll give you that. But let's see how you fare against me."

Ezra's golden eyes locked onto Ravok's, a flicker of excitement sparking within them. "I was hoping you'd step up. Let's make this quick."

The two clashed in a flurry of steel, their blades creating arcs of light as they struck and parried. Ravok's strength was immense, each swing of his blade sending shockwaves through the deck. But Ezra's speed and precision kept him one step ahead, his movements like a dance as he evaded Ravok's attacks.

"You've got skill, kid," Ravok admitted, his breath heavy. "But raw talent won't be enough to take me down!"

He raised his blade high, a dark aura enveloping it. The air grew heavy as Ravok unleashed a devastating attack, his blade crashing down with the force of a tidal wave. Ezra's eyes narrowed as he met the attack head-on, his own blade glowing with a faint golden light. The clash sent a shockwave rippling through the air, the force of it nearly knocking the remaining pirates off their feet.

For a moment, the two were locked in a stalemate, their blades pressed against each other. But then Ezra's golden eyes burned brighter, and with a surge of strength, he pushed Ravok back. The pirate captain stumbled, his footing faltering.

Ezra seized the opportunity, closing the distance between them in an instant. With a swift, decisive strike, he disarmed Ravok, sending the cleaver-like blade spinning across the deck. Ravok fell to his knees, his chest heaving as he stared up at Ezra in disbelief.

"Who are you?" Ravok demanded, his voice a mixture of anger and awe.

Ezra sheathed his blade, his expression calm but resolute. "I'm Ezra Dracule. And you'd do well to remember that name."

Ravok's crew watched in stunned silence as their captain lowered his head in defeat. One by one, the pirates retreated to the Black Phantom, their spirits broken. Ravok stood slowly, his eyes meeting Ezra's one last time.

"You've earned my respect, boy. But this isn't over. We'll meet again, and next time, I won't hold back."

Ezra nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I'll be ready."

With that, Ravok returned to his ship, and the Black Phantom disappeared into the horizon, its jagged silhouette swallowed by the night. Ezra stood alone on the deck, the weight of the battle settling over him. The moonlight reflected off the calm waters, a stark contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded.

As the night wore on, Ezra returned to the helm, his thoughts drifting to the road ahead. The encounter with Ravok had been a reminder of the dangers that awaited him, but it had also reaffirmed his resolve. He tightened his grip on the wheel, his golden eyes fixed on the horizon.

The sea was vast, and his journey was far from over. But Ezra Dracule was ready for whatever lay ahead.