Indeed, as Kuro had said.
Zoro and Sanji initially struggled to adapt to Clow's speed. However, Zoro had witnessed Clow's "Spoon," and the speed of "Shave" was the same as that of "Spoon." The only difference was the lack of control.
After being ambushed several times, Zoro and Sanji adapted to Clow's speed and began to counterattack.
Clang!
Clow charged again, and the claw blades were blocked and parried by Zoro.
"Three-Sword Style: Tiger Hunting!"
Zoro moved his two swords backward, and the one in his mouth joined the attack.
Clang!
The claw blades blocked the strike, but the immense force cracked Clow's defense.
"Collier!"
Sanji attacked from the side, launching a straight kick to Kuro's neck.
"Three-Sword Style: Oni Giri!"
At the same time, Zoro took advantage of the opening, and his three swords almost transformed into supernatural entities.
Clow's body hair stood on end. If he were hit by these attacks...
He expanded his body, and in the split second, before the attacks landed, he suddenly disappeared.
"Shave: Circumference!"
A circular shockwave unfolded around the two, and with a hiss, Zoro and Sanji each sustained several large wounds.
Clow's figure reappeared behind them, maintaining a half-kneeling posture with his back turned, the glasses reflecting a glint.
"Oh?"
Watching the battle, Kuro exclaimed, "The combination of 'Shave' and 'Spoon' hides such a move."
Zoro coughed a few times, slowly standing up and taking a deep breath. "It seems we have to deal with you before continuing on the road."
"That's right, Moss head. This is a big problem."
Sanji followed closely, panting, and also got back on his feet.
The two's fighting spirit continued to rise.
"Tsk... still not dead?"
Clow disdainfully spat, his expression somewhat unpredictable.
"I originally wanted to practice a bit more and then teach Kuro a lesson, but it seems it can't be hidden anymore."
He hadn't mastered this move very well, but it was more than enough to deal with these two.
"Three-Sword Style: Bull Needle!"
"Épaule Shoot!"
The two rushed forward.
"It's useless, Shave: Circumference!"
Zoro and Sanji sustained several more large wounds and fell again.
"Moss head."
After standing up, Sanji suddenly spoke to Zoro.
"Ah... I understand, Curly Eyebrows."
Zoro bit down on his sword again, his eyes ghostly, and he rushed forward.
"Three-Sword Style: Hyokindama!"
In the instant of the charge, Zoro's body jumped back, the three swords spinning, and he spiraled them towards Clow.
"I said, it's useless."
Clow once again used 'Shave: Circumference,' cutting a short circle centered around Zoro, appearing behind him.
Slash!
Blood spurted, and Zoro fell.
Clow pushed up his glasses. "Just with you guys..."
"Côtelette!"
Boom!
Clow's face stiffened, and just as he tried to stand upright, his body was kicked down.
"You..."
"Cuisseau!"
Sanji kicked Clow's thigh again, then stomped the ground, making his body jump up. His feet kicked on Clow's weapons.
"Mouton Shot!"
The Cat Claw on both hands, affected by a strong force, was thrown off along with the gloves, flying far away.
Boom!
Sanji's foot stabbed directly into Clow's chest.
"How..."
Klo coughed, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, looking at him in disbelief.
"When you use this move, your body will experience a brief pause."
Zoro stood up at this moment, grinning.
Sanji kicked Clow's chin, lifting him off the ground. "Get ready for the counterattack, Four-Eyes!"
He propped up with both hands, delivering a series of consecutive kicks.
"Joue Shoot!"
"Oni Giri!"
Zoro rushed in at high speed, the blades in his hands forming a crossed stance, and the third blade struck simultaneously toward Clow, who couldn't land due to the previous kick.
At the same time, Sanji's last kick lifted, wrists braced against the ground, body rotating, and a foot kicked toward Clow's head.
"Hey Kuro, he got a disadvantage."
Kuro snatched a chip from Lida's hand and put it in his mouth.
"Don't eat my stuff!"
Like a cat protecting its food, Lida said fiercely,
"You go save him, or he'll have to lie down for a while." Kuro chewing on a chip, remarked.
"Oh, Shave."
In an instant, Lida disappeared and reappeared in front of Clow, holding a chip in one hand and blocking Zoro's Oni Giri with the other, while her foot lifted high, intercepting Sanji's kicks.
Clang!
Boom!
Lida exerted force with her hands and feet, pushing forward. The two felt a tremendous force pushing them backward, breaking their stances.
"Damn, another one!"
Zoro's expression grew serious. This woman just blocked his sword with her hand?
"Who is this... Ah, isn't this a pretty lady!"
Sanji shouted, then noticed Lida in front of him and practically turned into a heart.
By now, Lida had transformed into a young lady. After driving the two away, she casually took out chips from her pocket and started eating.
"Hey, Clow, you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Clow stood up, panting a few times, and realized, "You clearly haven't learned it, why are you better than me?"
"Shave? I just watched it once," Lida said.
Although the Rokushiki is a unique martial art of the Marines, Clow himself already had the speed of "Shave."
As someone who had spent time on the Grand Line, excelled in martial arts, and even possessed Haki, Lida's physical abilities were naturally top-notch.
Watching once was enough to learn it.
"Zoro, Sanji, let's retreat!"
From a distance, Luffy's voice came, and a stretched arm passed in front of Lida. He grabbed a distant building, and then a figure swiftly swept by, carrying the two away.
"Don't run!"
Clow roared, wanting to chase after them.
However, at that moment, a massive gust of wind almost blew him away.
The wind erupted from the ground, scattering countless people with its powerful force.
This included pirates like Buggy, who had just been captured by Smoker.
Amid the howling winds, countless individuals were blown away, and thunder roared in the sky. Buildings were reduced to rubble in an instant.
Kuro suddenly appeared in the square, his hair disheveled by the fierce wind.
"Hey, Kuro, you..."
Lida's words abruptly stopped. She cautiously swallowed, cold sweat forming on her forehead.
Kuro's expression was something she had never seen before—cold and filled with anger.
"Inform the Marines, prepare for disaster relief, and ensure civilians don't suffer any accidents."
Kuro stared in the direction of the chaos, his expression was cold.
"Understood."
Seeing Kuro in this state, Lida didn't dare to banter with him. It was the first time she had seen him like this, and it felt particularly terrifying. Her heart trembled.
"Overboard! Just giving a send-off, and you don't even consider the people living around? The Revolutionary Army? Bullshit!"
Gripping the hilt of his sword, Kuro walked in the opposite direction of the sensed presence. Compared to Loguetown, he had more important things to attend to.
"An opportunity, this is an opportunity!"
A pirate observed the scene, drew a dagger, and stabbed a terrified civilian.
"With everything in chaos, we can make a move now and escape!"
This town harbored many nameless pirates, all the ones Smoker hadn't caught before.
Without bounties or fame, they hid in the town, usually avoiding trouble with Smoker in charge.
However, in the current disorder, it was their time to shine.
Numerous pirates rushed into the streets, wielding blades to attack civilians and plunder their belongings.
In the town toppled by the hurricane, the wicked laughter of the chaotic pirates drifted away with the wind, faintly mingled with the cries of the civilians.
"Damn, why did that man come here?!"
Watching the pirate ship that had already sailed away, Smoker smashed a large rock that flew towards him with a punch, cursing angrily.
He had caught Straw Hat, but someone had interfered.
"That darned Dragon!"
"Dragon? The world's most dangerous man?!"
Tashigi exclaimed in shock, "Captain Smoker, why would Louguetown attract someone like him?"
"I don't know. That man's movements are never predictable; otherwise, the World Government wouldn't be so troubled."
Smoker exhaled a puff of smoke, sat on a large rock, and stared at the sea with a mood that changed like the weather.
"Captain Smoker, something bad is happening. Pirates... a group of pirates is rioting!"
A Marine rushed over from a distance, shouting in panic.
"What?!"
Smoker's eyes widened, gritting his teeth, "Those pirates...! Hurry, organize the troops, and surround the pirates!"
"We've already informed them, but Captain Smoker, they... they've taken civilians as hostages!" The Marine looked troubled.
In a nearby street, a group of pirates gathered. They were surrounded by Marines on both sides, but the Marines hesitated to attack.
Over half of these pirates had hostages.
"Hehehe, clear the way, or I'll kill her!"
A pirate held a woman hostage, a dagger pressed against her neck.
As he spoke, he pushed the blade forward, touching the woman's skin, and drawing a drop of blood.
"No, please, no!" The woman screamed in terror.
The Marines gritted their teeth, stuck in a deadlock. If it weren't for the hostages, they would have captured these pirates long ago.
"Make way."
A voice sounded from behind. The Marines turned to see what seemed like a savior.
"Captain Smoker, Chief Tashigi."
Smoker, with an enraged expression, walked from the rear of the Marines to the front, glaring at the pirates.
"Smoker!"
The pirates grinned, "It's because of you that our captain got caught. I've been hiding here for so long, and finally, the opportunity has come. Now give me a ship and food, let us leave, or we'll kill these people!"
"Yes, kill them!" other pirates echoed.
"You darn pirates!"
Tashigi gripped the hilt of her sword, her teeth clenched.
"Don't dream, you pirates. I'm a Marine; I won't let you go!" Smoker roared, "Even if it's to the ends of the earth, I'll catch you!"
"Oh? Aren't you afraid these people will die?"
The pirate holding the woman licked the blood-stained dagger, full of threats.
Smoker's face turned ironclad. Faced with hostages, he had no choice.
Although there were radicals in the Marines who would sacrifice civilians to strike pirates, he wasn't one of them.
Despite being a Logia user, dealing with pirates still took time. During this time, as long as a civilian suffered harm, Smoker couldn't bear it.
"Captain, maybe you should agree to their demands first. Once they're on the ship, we can attack," suggested a Marine.
Smoker gritted his teeth, "We have no other choice."
"Hehe, first, have your people step back and leave our line of sight, or I'll kill someone."
Another pirate proposed.
"Don't go too far, you pirates!" Smoker growled.
However, the pirates with hostages weren't afraid.
"Everyone step back! Go to another place, catch other pirates."
With no other options, Smoker, with a darkened expression, ordered the Marines to step back.
After the Marines left the pirates' line of sight, Smoker said, "I will comply with your demands, but if a civilian is harmed, the agreement is null and void. I'm willing to face the consequences from HQ and take you down!"
"Hehe, I don't believe you."
A pirate stabbed the thigh of a civilian with a wicked grin, "Smoker, usually, you're so arrogant. Now, you're powerless. Kneel before me!"
"Don't go too far!"
"Hahaha, if you don't kneel, I'll kill someone to show you!" The pirate laughed.
Listening to these words, Tashigi's eyes were almost bloodshot. These pirates were going too far!
But she couldn't do anything; with hostages, they couldn't make a move.
"Damn!!!..."
Watching the resilient civilians, Smoker bit off his cigar, ready to bend his knees.
Step by step, footsteps echoed.
Smoker looked closely; behind the pirates, Kuro slowly approached in the rain.
As he neared, it seemed like the rain from the sky stopped.
"Kuro!" Smoker exclaimed, "Get away quickly; they have hostages."
"Another Marine, Smoker. I told the Marines to leave. If you don't keep your promise, I'll kill someone first!"
A pirate exaggeratedly wagged his tongue, aiming at the trigger of the hostage in his hand.
Swoosh!
However, in an instant, Kuro, strolling in the rain, disappeared. The next moment, he appeared in front of Smoker, back turned to the pirates.
The pirates seemed frozen, maintaining their previous expressions and poses. The pirate ready to pull the trigger also froze, fingers held in place.
With a calm expression, Kuro sheathed his sword, facing Smoker
"Smoker, do you know why I've stayed with Captain Lipa for ten years? First, I like safety. I don't want to attract attention.
"Second, for pirates who haven't committed many atrocities, I usually let them be. If I can catch them, great; if not, I don't force it. Pirates seek treasure, which is normal, as long as it doesn't involve taking lives."
"For these notorious pirates who commit numerous evils, I'll strive to create a situation where I face them alone. It's not about negotiation, and certainly not about begging for mercy. Because for individuals like them, there's only one solution."
"Wipe them out, and naturally, no one will know of my achievements."
The blade smoothly slid into its sheath, closing with a rhythmic precision.
Click.
"One Sword Style - Death Divine Wind."
Slick!
The pirates' heads soared into the sky, and a significant amount of blood sprayed from their necks.
The blood, mixed with the raindrops that hadn't ceased, turned into a blood rain, dripping onto the ground.
The pirates, all missing their heads, had cut as smooth as wind, and not a single civilian casualty.
Smoker and Tashigi stared wide-eyed, collectively swallowing hard, their expressions filled with horror.
Smoker couldn't even see how this sword technique was executed!
"So frightening."
Coming from behind, Clow felt a chill all over. The heads of the pirates rising into the sky seemed to fall from heaven, no, probably hell itself. This scene deeply engraved itself in his mind.
Lida was so scared that she didn't dare to eat snacks anymore. Her face turned solemn, instinctively transforming back to Adult form.
If this situation isn't handled well this time, it could be disastrous.
"Let's go. Pirates who harm civilians are many. Find them, and kill them one by one. Loguetown, the town that marks the beginning and the end, from now on, let it end completely."
Kuro turned around, continuing in a specific direction.
"How many people have you killed with this murderous intent so far!"
Smoker regained his senses and asked loudly.
Kuro paused for a moment, then continued forward.
"Who knows."
He, Ruxiru Kuro, 24 years old, has the greatest dream of safely living through this life.
He also has a secret nickname - 'God of Death' renowned for slaying thousands of pirates!
No one knows about this because a dead person tells no tale.
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