One of the earliest "curb-stomp" fights in the series. It's primarily a test for Zoro as he faces off against the strongest swordsman in the world — Dracule Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and an extremely deadly pirate. Mihawk had followed Don Kreig's entire crew to the Baratie to eliminate them completely, but Zoro stood in his way as Luffy, Sanji, and the Baratie crew faced off against Kreig. What follows is a fight that doesn't last longer than a couple of blows, but its effects are widespread and necessary. Zoro's loss to Mihawk gives him the resolve he needs to get stronger, and Mihawk's easy defeat of Zoro puts a power level on the truly strongest pirates of the series — showing that Luffy and his crew still have a long way to go in terms of strength.