The last whisper drifted away like a faint breeze.
"Shusui… I leave it to you…"
Zoro stood there, momentarily dazed, letting the lingering words fade into silence. He lowered his gaze to the black blade resting quietly on the fractured ground.
He stepped forward, bent down, and picked it up.
It was heavy in his hand, the weight of the sword carrying not just steel, but history. The wrapped cord on the handle felt aged, hardened by time and countless battles. The blade's reversed wave pattern glimmered faintly in the dim light, reflecting a deep, abyss-like sheen.
This was Shusui.
A black blade.
The legendary katana wielded by the Dragon Slayer of Wano Country.
Zoro could feel it…
In Ryoma's final moment, he had acknowledged Zoro's swordsmanship.
No words were needed.
It was a silent acceptance
a bond between swordsmen that transcended life and death.
But did he truly need this blade?
A memory surfaced.
The first time he had met Renn Hawk his captain, his brother in arms.
Back then, he had declared confidently:
"For me, one sword is enough."
At the time, he said it because he wanted to sharpen his own technique, to test himself through discipline and restraint.
But ever since joining the Marines under Renn Hawk's command, that belief had started to change.
Swords were merely extensions of a swordsman's strength.
Having more brought its advantages…
Having fewer sharpened focus.
And focus absolute, unwavering focus was the path to forging something greater.
Zoro couldn't deny it.
After following Renn Hawk for so long, a certain admiration had taken root deep within him.
That raw, overwhelming strength…
That brute-force dominance…
That terrifying simplicity:
Power shatters all techniques.
Those five words were the perfect description of Renn Hawk.
No complicated forms.
No flashy moves.
Just one punch, coated in peak Armament Haki and backed by monstrous physique, capable of crushing any resistance.
That… was true power.
Zoro lowered his eyes to Wado Ichimonji at his waist and smiled faintly.
He would forge this treasured blade carrying the dreams of someone dear into his own black blade one day.
He didn't need to inherit someone else's glory.
He understood things now.
Zoro sheathed Shusui temporarily and fastened it at his waist.
"This one… I'll let big bro handle."
Then his expression shifted. A spark lit in his eyes.
Submitting battlefield spoils… counted as military credit.
And this wasn't just any trophy.
Shusui one of the 21 Great Grade Swords.
A black blade.
That merit would be enormous.
He still remembered how, during the Alabasta mission, half of his military credit had been revoked because his subordinates got lost due to his terrible sense of direction. If not for that, he would already be a Headquarters Major by now.
But this time, with Shusui turned in…
He could surpass that curly-browed cook in rank once and for all.
A shrill roar cut across the battlefield.
Moria trembled with fury as he watched his two strongest subordinates Absalom and Ryoma fall in such a short time.
His zombie army was crumbling.
The few remaining were being dismantled by the G-3 forces without mercy.
And in the center of the battlefield…
Oars was under siege.
Bullets crashed into its joints.
Armament-coated blades carved deep trenches into its massive body.
The titan's movements grew slower and slower.
Its collapse was only a matter of time.
Moria's pallid face turned a sickly shade of iron-blue.
He finally understood
his minions were useless now.
He had to act himself.
"Fine… fine! You want me to fight? Then I'll show you something terrifying!"
He spread his arms wide and let out an unhinged, high-pitched laugh.
"Shadow's Asgard!"
A monstrous suction force erupted from his body.
Shadows across the entire ship quivered violently.
They warped, stretched, and tore free from the ground.
Even zombie soldiers in mid-combat screamed soundlessly as their shadows were ripped from them, transforming into streaks of black light that flew into Moria's gaping maw.
One by one, the zombies collapsed like lifeless puppets.
Hundreds of shadows surged into Moria.
His body began to swell.
His height soared from nearly seven meters to tens of meters.
An oppressive wave of dark energy crashed down like a collapsing mountain, suffocating the entire battlefield.
Above, Renn Hawk narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Bartholomew."
Kuma inclined his head calmly.
"If anyone is close to dying, save them."
Without another word, Kuma descended toward the battlefield's edge, ready to serve as the quiet guardian rescuing Marines from the brink of death.
Renn Hawk, however… smiled.
A dangerous, amused curl of the lips.
"Listen up, Marines of G-3!"
His voice boomed like a cannon blast, drowning out every scream, roar, and clash of steel.
Every soldier looked up.
"That giant you see is the last enemy."
"Now, I'll announce his bounty."
"Whoever helps bring down Gecko Moria whoever lands the decisive blow will be promoted by one full rank."
"Additionally, you will receive a full month of paid leave."
"And… a personal reward of one hundred million beli."
The battlefield exploded.
Thousands of Marines inhaled sharply.
One hundred million beli.
Their eyes toward Moria shifted instantly.
This was no longer a terrifying enemy.
This was an opportunity.
But Renn Hawk wasn't finished.
His voice rolled across the battlefield again this time laced with mischief.
"And for those who care less about money and more about becoming stronger… I offer you another choice."
"You can trade that one hundred million beli reward for something far more valuable."
"A one-on-one training session with Marine Admiral Kizaru Borsalino himself."
"His swordsmanship and kicking techniques are second to none… and the cost will be covered by me."
Zoro's head snapped up instantly.
His blood ignited.
Training… with an Admiral?
Not just any Admiral Kizaru.
The man whose light blade combined Devil Fruit mastery with lethal swordsmanship.
If Zoro could receive instruction from him…
His strength would leap forward.
At the same moment, Sanji lit a fresh cigarette
only for it to fall from his lips when he heard the words "kicking techniques" and "Admiral Kizaru."
Kizaru… teaching his kicks?
The thought alone made his spine shiver.
Zoro and Sanji locked eyes.
There was no friendship in that moment.
Only pure competition.
A silent explosion crackled between them.
Then
They both roared and sprinted toward the massive, shadow-fueled Moria one streak of green, the other of gold.
"First credit "
"Is mine!"
Their voices merged as they launched themselves into battle.
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