As Shiryu was sent flying by Zoro's sword strike, Zoro twirled his black blade, Shusui, twice in the air in an effortless display of skill. He then smirked and said, "The so-called legendary swordsman of hell, the traitor of Impel Down... doesn't seem all that impressive."
"You've improved a lot," Enel commented with a grin.
Zoro, however, responded with a serious expression. "I have people I must surpass, and ambitions I must fulfill. That is what drives me forward!"
Shiryu had just managed to steady himself. Although his hands were bleeding, he still gripped Thunderstorm, his cursed blade, firmly. Even as his blood dripped onto the sword, Thunderstorm seemed to tremble with excitement, resonating with its wielder's killing intent.
"Who the hell are you?" Shiryu asked. He found Zoro familiar but couldn't quite place him.
Ever since Claudius had recruited Zoro into Ace's pirate crew, Zoro had been relentlessly honing his skills in the New World. He trained with the same relentless drive that Mihawk once had, challenging swordsmen everywhere, improving his technique, and preparing for his ultimate goal: defeating Kuina.
And yet, even now, Kuina remained a step ahead of him. He had never once bested her.
But that wasn't because Zoro was weak, rather, it was because Kuina was too strong.
Over two years ago, Kuina had already risen to the rank of Vice Admiral in the Marines. But her title didn't reflect her true power, she was only a Vice Admiral because there was no open position above.
Kuina was, without a doubt, among the world's top swordsmen, standing shoulder to shoulder with the strongest fighters in the world.
Even Gion had begun considering whether to push Kuina toward becoming an Admiral Candidate.
Zoro himself had entered the realm of the strongest, but in that vast arena, he was still a newcomer—far from reaching his full potential.
"Me?" Zoro murmured before responding, "My name is Roronoa Zoro. You don't need to remember it, because one day, my name will echo through both heaven and hell. And then, you'll understand—who it was that killed you."
"What a big mouth," Shiryu muttered, his eyes darkening.
Meanwhile, Shiki and Enel resumed their battle, their clashes shaking the battlefield.
Shiryu tightened his grip on Thunderstorm. He had been too hasty in his initial exchange with Zoro, but that didn't mean he was inferior. If he applied the right pressure and handled the fight carefully, the outcome was far from decided.
Zoro, however, ignored Shiryu's thoughts. Instead, he began reciting a battle mantra to himself.
This time, Shiryu didn't get distracted—he took the initiative. With a quick step forward, Thunderstorm gleamed with bloodlust, and his gaze turned razor-sharp.
"One-Sword Style—Hell's Haze."
Zoro's eyes narrowed as he responded, his sword flashing with cold steel light.
"Ascending Tower!"
Zoro's blade rose from below, perfectly intercepting Shiryu's Thunderstorm. But instead of stopping, Zoro freed one hand and grabbed another sword from his waist.
A silver gleam flickered—Shiryu immediately reacted, exerting strength in his arm to press Thunderstorm downward at an angle, deflecting Zoro's second blade.
The second blade was Sandai Kitetsu.
"A Three-Sword Style user? That's rare..." Shiryu murmured.
Zoro was about to respond, but Shiryu suddenly spat out the cigar in his mouth—aiming it straight for Zoro's face.
The unexpected distraction forced Zoro to dodge slightly, creating an opening.
"Blazing Hell!"
Seizing the chance, Shiryu redirected Thunderstorm, narrowly avoiding Zoro's sword trail, and slashed straight at Zoro's chest.
Zoro reacted instantly—raising his arm, he reinforced it with Armament Haki and blocked the attack directly.
Even with Haki's protection, the force of the blow shattered the muscle fibers in his forearm, causing blood to spill out in a red arc.
But that brief moment was enough, Zoro planted his foot down, pushed off, and leapt back, barely avoiding a fatal strike.
"Disgusting... You're not a swordsman at all," Zoro frowned as he glanced at the half-smoked cigar on the ground, his tone filled with disdain.
A wicked grin spread across Shiryu's face. "Don't misunderstand, Roronoa Zoro. I've never called myself a swordsman."
"You people call me that just because I use a sword. It means nothing to me."
"If I had the chance to eat a Devil Fruit, I'd take it without hesitation.
"So don't measure me using your swordsman's code, it doesn't apply to me."
"Is that so?" Zoro mused, his expression unreadable.
He wasn't the kind of person to force his ideals onto others. If Shiryu didn't see himself as a swordsman, then there was no point applying swordsmanship standards to him.
Zoro silently placed Sandai Kitetsu between his teeth, freeing his hands.
Then, he grabbed the final sword at his waist, Shusui, his cursed black blade.
"In that case, I don't need to hold back against you, do I?" Zoro said softly.
Shiryu's eyes darkened, his grip tightening on Thunderstorm. "Of course not."
Zoro took a deep breath, his body settling into a perfect stance.
"I was born into this world to carve my name into history. A swordsman's path is eternal—Three-Sword Style... Upright Fire Cleave!"
With a thunderous step, Zoro lunged forward, all three swords dancing as he unleashed a devastating attack toward Shiryu.
Shiryu's eyes gleamed with cruelty. "A beacon of swordsmanship? If that's what you are, then I'll snuff out that light right here!"
The two swordsmen clashed once more, their blades ringing through the battlefield.
Meanwhile, on the island in the sky, the sheer intensity of battle did not go unnoticed.
Many powerful warriors could feel it—there were top-level fighters clashing on the island.
Those with strong Observation Haki immediately focused their senses.
As expected, there were monsters fighting up there.
Something major was happening.
"Could it be... the Eternal Pose to Laugh Tale has appeared?"
That single thought sent shockwaves through the battlefield.
And once the idea took root, no one could sit still.
"Shiki...!!!"
A fierce voice rang out.
Charlotte Linlin snapped her eyes open.
At this moment, Shiki had already revealed himself.
Shanks was still engaged in battle with the World's Strongest Swordsman, Mihawk, not even setting foot on the island.
But Kaido...
Why hadn't Kaido made a move yet?
Shiki was here. That meant the Eternal Pose was most likely here, too.
Normally, there was no way Kaido would just sit back and do nothing.
Big Mom had originally planned to wait for the right moment before making her move.
But now...
Was Kaido playing an even longer game than she was?
Or... had that damn drunkard not even shown up at all?
If she kept waiting any longer, she'd just be wasting her time like a fool.
Her expression turned icy. If Shiki got his hands on the Eternal Pose, even she might not be able to stop him.
Big Mom slammed her hand against the throne's armrest, her power surging.
The Queen Mama Chanter suddenly rose from the sea—and began flying.
Below the ship, a Homie cloud carried it toward the island in the sky.
The sight sent shockwaves through the battlefield.
Claudius watched from afar, a smirk forming on his lips.
"Shanks, Shiki, Big Mom… everyone's here. But what really surprises me? Kaido's the one staying quiet."
Beside him, Hancock straightened her posture.
Her usual infatuated expression vanished, replaced by a warrior's resolve.
"According to the plan, I am to engage Big Mom, correct?" she asked.
Claudius nodded. "That's right."
"Then, I shall take my leave first, Your Highness," Hancock murmured.
(To be continued.)
***
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