Chapter 28: Lister VS Zoro
Zoro raised an eyebrow.
He didn't like what Lister had said.
"Have some fun"?
"Put on a good show and I'll reward you"?
Was he being treated like a monkey?
"I'm not interested in your subordinates. You're a swordsman too, aren't you? Why don't you be my opponent."
"Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro, you think you deserve my captain to lift a finger? I'll go first!"
Johnson roared, grabbed a rope from the Black Gold and swung across to the Money like a pendulum.
Without another word, he brought his huge wrench down toward Zoro's head.
Zoro's eyes flashed with disdain.
Trash.
Unworthy of crossing blades with him.
With a single glance he read Johnson's level. He shifted, drew a katana, and slammed the blade's spine into Johnson's abdomen.
Thud.
Johnson's face went green; his eyes bulged.
As Zoro withdrew the sword, Johnson crumpled to the deck, curling up in pain.
"Captain Johnson went down in one hit?"
Everyone stared, stunned.
They had known Zoro was strong, but not like this.
Their fear of him deepened.
"Rocky! Nyaban Brothers! Get in there!"
Jango shouted.
Rocky and the Nyaban Brothers didn't hesitate; they seized a rope and swung onto the Money.
Rocky slashed first, and the brothers rushed in from both flanks.
"Hmph."
Zoro snorted, interest finally stirred.
He drew his other two swords—one clenched between his teeth, one in each hand—
and coolly met all three attacks.
"He blocked it!"
The onlookers were once again astonished, their shallow horizons laid bare.
Zoro and the three clashed fiercely.
Even three-on-one, he did not fall behind.
Within a few exchanges he chopped into Rocky's shoulder, knocking him out of the fight.
It became two against one.
The Nyaban Brothers vs. Zoro.
They were far stronger than Johnson and Rocky had been.
Without Rocky, the two coordinated even better, fighting more smoothly and sharply.
Zoro failed to press an advantage and even took a scratch.
"Nice work, Nyaban Brothers!"
As Zoro was nicked, pirates on all three ships broke into cheers.
"Hmph. Interesting."
Zoro glanced at the cut the brothers had scored.
He grew serious.
He could tell now these two were strong—nothing like the pushovers before.
If he didn't get serious, he could get overturned.
The brothers exchanged a look and attacked again.
This time Zoro went all out.
Speed against speed.
After dozens of rapid exchanges,
Zoro felled Buchi with a single stroke—
but Sham seized the moment to strike him from the side,
opening another wound.
It missed anything vital, so his fighting power barely dipped.
A few beats later, Zoro cut Sham down as well.
Clap, clap, clap.
Applause rang out the instant Sham fell.
Lister was standing there clapping.
"I cut your men and you're in the mood to applaud?" Zoro shot him a mocking look.
He'd seen captains who didn't care about their crews, but Lister left a bad taste.
"They're only injured. We'll patch them up. For pirates, getting hurt is everyday life.
Crossing blades with a fighter like you only helps them grow."
Lister smiled.
"Take them below and treat them."
"Aye!"
Several pirates swung over from the other two ships, lifted Sham and the others, and carried them off for cleaning and bandaging.
Zoro didn't interfere.
"Want me to have you bandaged?" Lister asked with a smile.
"I don't trust pirates," Zoro said coldly.
"Besides, these are scratches. Not worth fussing over."
"Good. Then let me see your true strength."
"As you wish. But if you lose, you're staying on my ship as a pirate."
Zoro only snorted, offering no reply.
Lose?
Impossible.
Since he'd gone to sea, he hadn't lost once.
He never even considered what would happen if he did.
Lister picked up the katana resting against the table,
stepped forward a few paces,
and smiled faintly at Zoro. "Come."
Zoro launched his attack without a word.
"Santōryū: Oni Giri!"
"Godspeed Iai Slash!"
In the same instant, Lister moved—like a streak of light surging straight at Zoro.
A flash of steel.
They passed each other back to back.
Lister slowly slid his blade into the scabbard.
With a wet sound, a long gash split open across Zoro's chest.
Blood sprayed from the wound.
Zoro lowered his head to look at the crimson fountaining from his chest. Replaying the moment, a flicker of awe crossed his eyes.
"What a fast sword."
He collapsed.
"Boss Zoro!"
Seeing Zoro fall, Johnny and Yosaku cried out.
"Someone, treat the head of the battle corps," Lister said.
<><><><><><>
Read Advanced Chapters on: patreon.com/Amiii_
~Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]