Chapter 9: The Battle Rages On.

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The air crackled with dark energy.

Zoro wiped the blood from his mouth, his grip on his swords tightening. "You hit hard for a guy without a face," he muttered.

The Witch-King stood motionless, his eerie red gaze locked onto the swordsman.

Then, he raised his hand.

The sky split apart.

A deafening howl echoed through the ruins as dark figures descended from the clouds—twisted, black-winged creatures with glowing red eyes.

Usopp screamed. "W-WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE?!"

Gandalf's face darkened. "Fellbeasts."

The creatures circled the battlefield, their monstrous screeches shaking the ruins. One of them swooped low, its claws ripping through the stone as it passed.

Sanji lit another cigarette, exhaling slowly. "Great. Now we've got flying nightmares to deal with."

Zoro didn't move. His eyes never left the Witch-King.

"Oi, bird-brain," he called, rolling his shoulder. "This fight is between me and you. No running."

The Witch-King tilted his head slightly—then vanished.

FWOOOSH.

Zoro's instincts screamed. He twisted just in time as the Wraith-Lord appeared behind him, sword slicing through the air.

CLANG!

The force of the attack cratered the ground beneath them.

Zoro gritted his teeth as his arms shook from the impact. "Not bad," he muttered. "But you're not the only one who can move like that."

His Haki flared, an overwhelming black aura surging from his body. The mist around them shrank away as if terrified.

"King of Hell… Three-Sword Style!"

A sharp whistle filled the air as Zoro vanished.

The Witch-King's red eyes flickered—

SLASH!

Zoro reappeared behind him. His swords were still extended, blood-red energy crackling along their edges.

For a moment, nothing moved.

Then—

SHING!

A deep gash tore through the Witch-King's armour.

A soundless shockwave blasted outward. The ruins trembled.

Usopp's jaw dropped. "D-DID HE JUST—?!"

Zoro exhaled, rolling his shoulder. "Tch. Looks like you're not as untouchable as you thought."

The Witch-King staggered, black mist leaking from his wound.

For the first time, the Wraith-Lord hesitated.

And then, from within his helmet came a low inhuman growl.

The shadows around him twisted violently, surging toward his body. His presence grew darker, heavier, colder.

Robin's eyes widened. "No… he's—"

Gandalf's voice was urgent. "Zoro, move!"

But it was too late.

The Witch-King vanished again.

FWOOOOOOSH!

Zoro barely had time to react before a spectral claw plunged straight through his chest.

His eyes widened.

A sudden, freezing pain spread through his body—not a physical wound, but something deeper, something that sank into his very soul.

The Witch-King's voice was a mere whisper.

"No man can kill me."

Zoro gritted his teeth, refusing to fall.

Then, through his haze of pain, he heard a voice.

"Oi, marimo. Need a hand?"

Sanji blurred into motion.

His leg exploded into flames, the heat burning away the mist itself as he kicked the Witch-King full force in the chest.

BOOOOOM!

The impact sent the Wraith-Lord crashing through three stone pillars.

Zoro gasped dropping to one knee, his breath ragged.

Sanji landed beside him, cracking his neck. "I know you wanna play swords with the spooky guy, but if you die, who's gonna argue with me?"

Zoro let out a strained chuckle. "Tch. Don't get cocky, curly-brows."

Sanji smirked. "Then stand up."

Zoro's grip tightened on his swords. The freezing pain still lingered, but he forced himself to rise.

He turned toward the rubble where the Witch-King had fallen.

The dust began to shift.

Then—

A low, monstrous roar shook the ruins.

From the shadows, something else began to rise.

Something bigger. Something stronger.

Sanji's smirk faded. "Oh… that can't be good."

Zoro exhaled. His Haki flared again.

"Doesn't matter," he muttered. "I'll cut him down, no matter how many times he gets back up."

Luffy grinned, finally standing. "That's the spirit!"

Gandalf's eyes narrowed. "Then prepare yourselves. The real battle… begins now.

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To Be Continued in Chapter 10: The Dark Lord's Champion.

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