"Same style of swordsmanship as that guy? Who would've thought such swordsmen could appear in this small East Blue."
"Is it because of that Genrou's teachings… or do they share the same master?"
"But if this is the extent of it, then it won't stop my sword."
Hawk Eyes' gaze fell on Zoro, his interest piqued.
Just as Hawk Eyes expected, although Zoro's slash was fierce, the difference in skill was still obvious.
Zoro's blade aura held on for a few seconds in midair before being overwhelmed by Hawk Eyes' flying slash.
Seeing this, Zoro didn't hesitate. He charged headlong into the slash, blades in hand.
"This world doesn't have such insurmountable gaps!"
"Santōryū: Oni Giri!" (Three-Sword Style: Demon Slash!)
Vooom!
Ghostly energy surged around Zoro, gathering into his three swords.
With one mighty sweep, Zoro redirected the flying slash up into the sky, just barely deflecting it.
But the impact force still blasted him straight through the Baratie's deck.
"Even so… you're still going, Zoro?"
Genrou looked at him—panting, but still full of fighting spirit—and asked.
"Don't stop me, Genrou. From the day I became a pirate, I told you guys—my goal is him."
Zoro took a deep breath, trying to steady his breathing.
"You misunderstand me. I'm not stopping you," Genrou said, "I just want you to know—if you're going to fight, then go all out."
"If you do that, you might surprise yourself."
Genrou knew that Zoro was a man who chased the pinnacle of swordsmanship. And his Heroic Spirit—Kokushibou—was also a man who had pursued swordsmanship to the extreme.
If Zoro were stopped now, he'd never fully master Kokushibou's power.
He'd never enter Kokushibou's Heroic Mimicry form.
And he certainly wouldn't gain that absurd regenerative power that could revive him even after being decapitated.
Of course, Genrou also knew stopping Zoro now was pointless.
All he could do was be ready to intervene if Zoro was in danger of being killed.
"Hey! That guy just casually cut a ship in half."
"And just now, you were clearly on the backfoot."
"You rushing up there—are you trying to die?"
Sanji called out from not far away, bewildered by Zoro's actions.
"Don't stop him."
Luffy placed a hand on Sanji's shoulder, face serious.
"I believe in my crewmates."
"Thanks, Luffy."
Zoro smiled at that, glancing sideways at Sanji.
"Besides, I'm not like some guy who just talks big about his dreams."
"What the hell did you just say?!" Sanji yelled, but Zoro was already gone—leaping from the Baratie deck toward Hawk Eyes' platform.
"You've got time to kill, right? World's strongest swordsman? Come, cross blades with me."
Zoro gripped his two blades tightly, grinning savagely at Hawk Eyes.
"Another arrogant fool? You should've realized from that last clash just how far apart our levels are."
Hawk Eyes said flatly.
"Heh, I only know one thing—I came to sea because of you."
"Is that so? Then what's your goal?"
"To become the strongest!"
"But… your sword is not as sharp as Genrou's."
"Surpass you, and that'll change."
"Delusional."
Hawk Eyes shook his head and placed his black sword back on his back.
Then, under Zoro's stunned gaze, he drew a tiny dagger from the necklace around his neck.
Seeing this, Genrou let out a sigh.
Even though Zoro had just demonstrated enough skill to unleash flying slashes, Hawk Eyes still only saw him as worthy of a pocket knife.
Never mind how Zoro felt—even Genrou, the one who handed him Kokushibou's Heroic Spirit panel, was finding this hard to watch.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Zoro growled, barely holding back his rage.
"Sorry," Hawk Eyes replied coolly, "I don't have anything smaller to fight you with."
Veins bulged on Zoro's forehead.
He said nothing more and charged forward, swords drawn.
In an instant, the two began to clash.
Flying slashes erupted from their battle, crashing into the sea and kicking up huge waves.
Genrou focused his Kenbunshoku Haki (Color of Observation Haki) to the limit, locked onto their duel.
He needed to be ready to step in at any moment.
Meanwhile, the Krieg Pirates were utterly paralyzed with fear.
If they stayed, they might be killed by Hawk Eyes.
But if they fled, they had no ship.
Caught in a dilemma, they all looked helplessly at their captain, Krieg.
"You bastard!"
"You destroyed my fleet!"
"You're ignoring me?!"
"Then go to hell—all of you!"
Krieg dragged out a dangerous poison gas bomb, aiming it toward Hawk Eyes and Zoro's fight.
He planned to kill Hawk Eyes out of spite.
But before he could act—SMACK!
A furious fist slammed into his face.
"Gomu Gomu no Pistol! (Rubber Rubber Pistol!)"
"Bastard! Don't interfere with my crewmate's duel!"
Luffy roared, closing the distance using his rubber powers.
Even without spiked fists, the raw force of Luffy's punch warped Krieg's already hideous face.
"Damn you! Who the hell are you?!"
Krieg growled, trying to rise and retaliate—
But then, a bolt of lightning struck him from above, electrifying his entire body.
Combined with Luffy's earlier punch, Krieg finally collapsed unconscious on the deck.
"Tch. I look down on men's duels, but since it's my crewmate, I can't just sit back."
"Can't let anyone interrupt that sword idiot."
Nami put away the lightning-summoning card she used, massaging her wrist.
Then, waving at Luffy, she shouted:
"Luffy! Toss that guy over here. I want to check how much his gold is worth."
"Okay!" Luffy nodded cheerfully, and without thinking, he hurled Krieg onto the Baratie's deck.
This action thoroughly enraged Krieg's subordinates—Gin the Demon and Iron Wall Pearl.
Both jumped onto the deck, trying to take Krieg back.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Krieg Pirates swarmed toward Luffy.
…
(End of Chapter)
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