Under the dark purple sky, towering castles rose from the ground.
Figures clashed across the rooftops.
Clang—!
Another violent collision sent both fighters staggering back several steps.
Zoro narrowed his eyes, breathing slightly heavier.
As expected of the legendary Dragon-Slaying Samurai. Whether it was sword intent or technique, Ryuma was terrifyingly strong.
A skeleton that had slept for centuries…
The lingering sword intent left behind in this world…
And the shadow of a musician.
With such a bizarre combination, Ryuma could still battle Zoro for this long. It was incredible—even if this was purely a swordsman's duel.
"But… you're almost at your limit, aren't you?"
Zoro looked at Ryuma arrogantly.
As ti passed, the sword intent around Ryuma was gradually fading.
Soon, he would beco nothing more than an ordinary skeleton inhabited by Brook's shadow.
There was no doubt about it.
If Zoro simply dragged the fight out, he would win.
Ryuma gripped Shusui in his right hand. Purple sword intent wrapped around the blade as he rushed forward.
Prelude: Sword-Drawing Assault!
Blinding purple sword flashes erupted—strike after strike at extre speed.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Relying on pure swordsman instinct, Zoro barely managed to block.
Shusui, Sandai Kitetsu, and Yubashiri collided, sending sparks flying.
Suddenly—
Crack!
A fracture appeared on the blade of Yubashiri, one of the Grade Swords.
Crack—!
Shusui danced through the air as sword intent rampaged.
Yubashiri shattered.
The sword slash wrapped in sword intent ca crashing toward Zoro.
Step… step… step!
Zoro staggered back five steps, staring at the broken hilt in disbelief.
The powerful sword intent swept through his body, making him gasp in pain.
So… this is sword intent…
Zoro tossed aside the hilt of Yubashiri and sheathed Sandai Kitetsu, gripping Wado Ichimonji with both hands.
He looked at Ryuma, whose strength was clearly fading.
"Co on."
"One move to decide the winner!"
Zoro leapt high into the air, raising his blade overhead.
Deep blue flas gathered around his body before condensing onto Wado Ichimonji as he swung down.
Ryuma held his sword in one hand.
His sword intent condensed at the tip as he thrust upward.
One-Sword Style: Flying Dragon Blaze!
Humming Three-Step: Arrow Feather Slash!
Purple sword light collided with a blue flaming dragon.
BOOM!
Wrapped in the blazing dragon, Ryuma plumted from the sky.
Zoro landed calmly and sheathed his sword.
"You've lost."
"The legendary blade once carried by the samurai of old—Shusui."
"You must have wished for a worthy master."
Ryuma's body burned in flas.
He slowly placed Shusui into its sheath and tossed it toward Zoro.
His remaining body swayed within the fire before turning into ashes.
Zoro caught Shusui with one hand.
With the other, he touched the wound on his chest—where the sword intent still lingered.
"I'll take the sword."
"Thanks for the gift… samurai of Wano."
A black shadow flew out from the ashes and returned to Brook.
"My shadow is back!"
"The shadow Moria stole from !"
Brook jumped around happily.
Zoro tucked Shusui into his waist.
"Let's go, skeleton. Back to the Thousand Sunny."
"Huh? Back already? Shouldn't we go help Luffy?" Brook asked in confusion.
"Help him with what?"
"Didn't you see? He's just playing around."
Zoro walked calmly in one direction.
"B-But… the ship is that way."
Brook pointed in the exact opposite direction.
Zoro froze for a mont.
The urge to kill soone appeared on his face.
"Shut up."
…
At the Harbor
On the Thousand Sunny, Nami, Robin, and Franky were casually clearing out minor zombies.
"Watch this—Gaon Cannon!"
Franky pressed a button.
The Sunny's lion figurehead opened its mouth, revealing a massive cannon.
White energy gathered—
Then a massive laser swept across the zombie horde.
In an instant, a huge group of zombies was erased.
anwhile, on the lawn, Nami and Robin sat drinking coffee.
"Ahh… days without fighting are so comfortable," Nami said, stretching lazily.
"I think we should start training soon," Robin said thoughtfully, resting her chin on her hand. "Otherwise we might fall behind."
"I'm the navigator, not a fighter," Nami replied casually. "If I fall behind, so what?"
Robin chuckled softly.
"Our crew isn't like other pirate crews."
"Luffy is building an elite crew."
"Elite crew?"
"It ans everyone is a combatant."
"Doctor, musician, navigator… those are just side jobs."
"Eh?!"
While the two chatted—
Whoosh!
A figure suddenly appeared on the lawn.
He was a towering man wearing a spotted hat with ear flaps and a black coat with target-like markings. His hands had paw pads, and he held a Bible.
The mont he appeared, everyone's attention snapped to him.
Robin's pupils shrank.
"Bartholow Kuma…!"
"One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. A man once infamous for his cruelty as a pirate."
"…Why are you here?"
A calm, deep voice spoke.
"Cat Burglar… companion of Straw Hat."
"I've heard he has a brother."
"Is that true?"
Despite his gentle tone, Kuma's massive body radiated overwhelming pressure.
Nami's eyes widened.
What terrifying pressure…
"Y-Yes… he does! His na is Ace. What do you want with him?!"
"I see."
"So it's true."
Kuma walked to the bow of the ship and looked into the distance.
…
Deep Within the Castle Forest
A massive figure lay in the woods.
Inside it, Gecko Moria, covered in blood with shattered ribs, lay weakly.
Gum-Gum Rocket!
Luffy stretched his arms backward and slamd them forward into Oars.
BOOM!
The air exploded like thunder, forming a massive shockwave.
Oars was blasted away instantly, smashing through a castle hundreds of ters behind him.
"Hm?"
Luffy suddenly felt soone watching him.
But there was no hostility.
His eyes glowed faintly red as he pushed his Observation Haki to its limits.
Soon—
He spotted the figure standing on the Thousand Sunny.
Kuma.
Luffy relaxed.
Their Observation Haki briefly connected.
Luffy smiled and nodded.
If it had been anyone else, Luffy would have kicked them imdiately.
But if it was Kuma…
That was different.
anwhile, Moria lay inside Oars in complete shock.
Why is that monster smiling?
Yes—monster.
Anyone who could beat Oars with pure physical strength alone could only be called a monster.
…
Back at the Harbor
Kuma still couldn't understand Luffy's friendly reaction.
No matter how he looked at it, they should be enemies.
But Kuma didn't dwell on it.
As long as Luffy was safe.
Even Kuma had been shocked by Luffy's 1 billion Berry bounty. For a mont, he had wondered whether the Five Elders had discovered Luffy's secret and were trying to set him up.
But now he realized—
He had been terribly wrong.
Only one year ago, he had intended to secretly protect Luffy.
Yet now…
Luffy had grown into soone equal to—or even stronger than—him.
Looking at the scene before him, Kuma suddenly felt old.
Tears shimred in his eyes.
Nika…
The world has finally waited for you.
The three Straw Hats watched Kuma cautiously as he suddenly fell silent.
Then—
"What are you trying to do to our ship?!"
Zoro and Sanji descended from the sky at the sa ti, attacking Kuma.
Kuma vanished instantly.
A mont later, he appeared atop a distant castle.
"What the—?!"
Zoro's eyes widened.
"That speed…"
"Even Observation Haki couldn't track it," Sanji muttered.
"Teleportation? Devil Fruit ability?"
At the sa ti, Chopper, Usopp, and Brook arrived.
"Zoro! Sanji! You're finally back!" Nami exclaid happily.
Then she looked around.
"Where's Luffy?"
"He's still playing," Sanji replied seriously while watching Kuma.
"I think he's leaving this guy for us."
Zoro pointed his sword at Kuma, battle intent blazing in his eyes.
Pururururu…
Kuma answered the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
"How is it? Is Gecko Moria still alive?"
"The World Governnt cannot afford to lose another Warlord."
"Yes," Kuma replied calmly.
"He's still alive… but he has already been defeated."
"Save him."
"And the World Governnt has issued a special order."
"Eliminate everyone on this island—including the Straw Hat Pirates."
"A simple task."
Kuma hung up the Den Den Mushi and looked toward the crew on the Thousand Sunny.
The Straw Hats held their breath.
This was the third Warlord of the Sea they had encountered.
But this ti—
They had to face him alone.
…
Deep Within the Island
Luffy looked at Oars and Moria.
"Looks like…"
"I won't need you as my punching bag anymore."
Red steam erupted from Luffy's body.
Gear Second!
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