After Luffy and Buggy became sworn brothers, the two immediately began to bicker and spar like old friends.
Zoro sat nearby, drinking quietly as he watched Luffy, Buggy, and the rest of Buggy's pirate crew fooling around on deck.
Just then, Kabaji approached him.
"Something you need?" Zoro asked, glancing at the swordsman in front of him.
"Um… Roronoa Zoro…" Kabaji hesitated for a moment, then suddenly knelt. "Brother Zoro, please teach me swordsmanship!"
Zoro raised an eyebrow. Kabaji already practiced a form of acrobatic swordsmanship, but it was more for show than true combat. He had never seriously studied the way of the sword—and now he wanted to learn from Zoro.
If this had happened before, Zoro wouldn't have cared. His own skill was already more than enough for the East Blue, the so-called weakest sea.
But Kabaji knew that someday, Buggy would set sail for the New World—and he needed to grow stronger to stand by his captain's side.
"Oh? You want me to teach you swordsmanship?" Zoro asked, his tone carrying mild surprise.
Kabaji used two swords, while Zoro used three. That alone made him hesitate—could he really guide someone who followed a different path?
Still, swordsmanship was swordsmanship. Whether it was one sword, two, or three, the essence was the same.
But Zoro wasn't arrogant. He hadn't even reached the level of a master yet. He still believed he wasn't qualified to teach others.
"You use two swords," he said finally. "I use three. I don't think I have anything to teach you. You should find someone else."
"Zoro," Kaoru Tsubasa interjected from nearby, having overheard their exchange, "all swordsmen share the same core. Whether it's one blade or three, the principle never changes. The heart of the sword is sharpness and speed."
Zoro's gaze sharpened. "You saying you know more about swords than I do?"
He didn't like how calm Kaoru sounded. As far as he'd seen, Kaoru only used a swordless style and rarely fought seriously. Zoro doubted that Kaoru's swordsmanship could compare to his own.
"Zoro, your sword is too sharp," Kaoru said evenly. "But the sharper the sword, the easier it is to break."
Zoro scowled. "Then prove it. If you can beat me, I'll admit you know more about swordsmanship than I do."
Kaoru smiled faintly. "You want to fight me?"
In that instant, a chilling pressure filled the air. It wasn't Haki—it was pure, lethal intent. The sharp aura of a swordsman who had reached the pinnacle of the blade.
The ground itself seemed to tremble.
Kabaji instantly collapsed, unable to withstand the weight of Kaoru's killing intent.
Zoro gritted his teeth, his willpower alone keeping him on his feet.
Kaoru's eyes gleamed with interest. So he can still move? Not bad.
In the original timeline, Zoro's talent for the sword had destined him to become the world's greatest swordsman. Even though that future hadn't yet come to pass, Kaoru could already see the spark in him.
"Even after seeing this much difference in power," Kaoru said softly, "you still want to fight me?"
"Yeah," Zoro replied without hesitation. "I'll never back down. I'll become the greatest swordsman in the world—no matter what."
Kaoru nodded and drew his twin blades—Lightning Blade and Flowing Blade—from his waist.
Zoro's eyes widened. "What… incredible swords. Are those two of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades?"
He had seen great swords before, but never anything with such terrifying sharpness. The blades in Kaoru's hands seemed alive, humming with restrained power.
"No," Kaoru replied calmly. "These two blades have no grade. Or rather—they've already surpassed the grades of this world."
Even so, Kaoru had no intention of using their true abilities. He wanted to test Zoro's resolve through pure swordsmanship.
Zoro adjusted his stance. "Fine. Then let's decide the outcome with a single strike."
Kaoru smiled. "As you wish."
Both men drew in a deep breath. The air between them grew still.
Zoro crossed his swords before his chest, spinning them with precision as he began to chant quietly:
"Nine mountains and eight seas form one world.
Gather the worlds together—and a small thousand arises."
Kaoru raised his blades, his posture steady like an eagle preparing to strike.
"One sea, one sword, one world.
Merge the seas and blades into a great world.
Multiply this world by three…
There is nothing I cannot cut."
Zoro's voice rose again, fierce and determined.
"Purge the world of evil!
Cut away all that is wicked!"
"Three-Sword Style—Secret Technique: One Big, Three Thousand!"
Kaoru's blades glowed faintly as he murmured his own verse:
"Two-Sword Style—Secret Technique: Sword World Judgment."
In the next instant, they moved—two streaks of steel clashing with a blinding flash.
"Clang!"
"Pffft!"
The sound rang through the deck.
When the light faded, Zoro's two swords shattered, leaving only his faithful Wado Ichimonji clenched between his teeth.
"Now you see the difference between us," Kaoru said quietly.
Zoro exhaled slowly. "Yeah… but one day, I'll surpass you."
He sheathed his remaining blade, a hint of frustration flickering in his eyes. The gap between them was enormous—beyond what he'd imagined. But he could tell Kaoru had held back. If he hadn't… Zoro might already be dead.
"Isn't that your dream?" Kaoru said, smiling faintly as he sheathed his own blades.
Zoro frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Roronoa Zoro," Kaoru said, his tone calm but commanding, "I am the Speed Sword Ghost—Kaoru Tsubasa. My bounty is fifty-three billion berries. And I am the world's greatest swordsman."
He tossed a handful of photographs onto the ground—pictures of himself clashing with Dracule Mihawk.
Zoro stared in disbelief. He knew Mihawk had lost his title, but to meet the new greatest swordsman here, in the East Blue, was beyond comprehension.
Next to the photos lay a bounty poster:
Speed Sword Ghost, Kaoru Tsubasa
Bounty: 53,000,000,000 berries
Alive or Dead
A man with such a bounty had no reason to lie.
"I'll definitely surpass you," Zoro said firmly, his eyes blazing.
"I'll be waiting," Kaoru replied. "I believe you'll make it someday."
—
"Captain! We caught this woman in the treasure vault!"
A member of Buggy's crew dragged a young woman forward—orange hair, blue and white blouse, orange skirt.
Kaoru blinked. Nami?
That shouldn't have happened. He'd already warned Arlong not to touch her.
What he didn't know was that Arlong still ruled Cocoyasi Village as before—extorting money from villagers but sparing Nami and the others because of Kaoru's warning.
"Trying to steal Captain Buggy's treasure, are you?" Buggy roared, furious.
Kaoru noticed Nami lean close to Luffy, whispering something.
"She's a navigator," Kaoru said casually.
"Really?!" Luffy's eyes lit up. "Then you can be my navigator!"
"Navigator?" Nami's expression darkened. "You want me to join pirates?"
Although Bell-mère hadn't died this time, Arlong still forced Nami to draw sea charts under threat to her village.
"Luffy, if you want a navigator," Buggy interrupted, "just pick one from my crew! We've got plenty."
"No, Buggy," Luffy said firmly. "I want her."
Buggy sighed. "Fine. If my little brother wants you, I'll forgive you for stealing my treasure."
Nami hesitated, her sharp mind already turning. "All right. I'll be your navigator—but on one condition."
Buggy frowned. "You're negotiating with me?"
Luffy ignored him. "What's the condition?"
"I want you to help me defeat the Arlong Pirates," Nami said. "Take down their captain and his officers—and I'll join you."
Buggy blinked. "The Arlong Pirates? Those fish-men in Cocoyasi Village?"
He had heard of them—heard what they'd done—but since it didn't concern him, he'd never intervened.
Luffy tilted his head. "Are they strong?"
Zoro sighed. "You don't even know the Arlong Pirates? You're from the East Blue!"
Buggy crossed his arms. "Heh. Guess this just got interesting."
Kaoru smiled faintly. Things were about to get very interesting indeed.