"Hello, are you Gion?"
As Gion browsed through the market stalls, a clear female voice called out. She turned to see two women approaching.
As a former Marine Vice Admiral, Gion immediately recognized them: Nami and Lina.
Robin, as the head of the academy, was always busy. Hancock was in the process of transforming Nine Serpent Island, seeking to integrate it fully into Peach Garden after tasting the sweetness of love. Vivi worked tirelessly to develop Sand Country, a region whose stagnation had slowed the growth of Peach Garden as a whole.
Nami and Lina, in contrast, had the most free time among the women. Between charting courses for the seas and overseeing small patrols, they had hours to spare — enough to indulge in shopping. Just moments ago, their Observation Haki had detected a powerful aura, prompting them to come investigate together.
Upon seeing Gion, they immediately recognized her: the Marine Vice Admiral, once known as Peach Rabbit.
"Oh, it's Fire Fist and White Fist. Long time no see," Gion greeted warmly. She could feel the goodwill radiating from the two women, and her tone softened naturally.
Wyper, having just completed his interaction with Gion and departed, must have ruled her out as a threat. Nami and Lina, once enemies, now saw her simply as a traveler.
"Shopping?" Lina stepped forward curiously.
Gion nodded, "Yes. As a Marine, I rarely had time for myself, let alone to buy clothes or nice things."
"Oh, so you're indulging yourself," Lina said with a tilt of her head. "A woman should treat herself well."
Nami, catching the significance of Gion's words, raised an eyebrow. "You were a Marine before?"
"Yes, but no longer."
"You're not a Marine anymore?" Lina's voice was filled with surprise. She had never expected a Vice Admiral to simply quit.
"What is your current status then?" Nami asked cautiously.
Gion paused for a moment. "I suppose I'm a civilian now."
"Then why come to Peach Garden? Surely not just to shop?" Nami's tone was wary. A woman as formidable as Gion must have a deeper purpose for visiting a pirate territory.
Gion smiled faintly. "I am here to find Roronoa Zoro."
"NANI?!?!"
Nami and Lina froze in shock and relief; she wasn't looking for Rolan.
"You're here for Green Algae Head… no, Zoro?" Lina repeated, still stunned.
Gion nodded. "Yes."
Both women blinked in disbelief. Green Algae Head, known for his stoicism and relentless training, had someone who liked him — and not just anyone, but a Marine Vice Admiral.
Gion, noticing their astonishment, chuckled. "You think it's incredible, don't you? Zoro and I only met once, but when love strikes, it hits like a hurricane; it cannot be resisted."
Nami encouraged her, "You'll need patience. Green Algae Head is like a training automaton; he barely notices women."
Gion clenched her fist playfully, pink nails glinting. "Even if he is an eternal block of ice, I can melt him."
"Then go for it! I believe in you. Let's finish shopping," Lina said, looping her arm through Gion's. Their height difference made for a cute sight.
"Eek~ What an eerie feeling. Does Mihawk live here?"
Zoro's eyes swept over the massive structure before them, a gloomy castle-like building situated among ruins. A shiver ran down his spine.
Rolan, standing beside him, nodded. "Yes, I can sense him inside."
Zoro's grip instinctively went to his sword hilt. Excitement surged through him — he was ready for battle.
Rolan activated Breaking Sky 3, slowly descending to the shore, the ship following his movements. As they touched down, countless auras surged toward them.
"Something's coming," Zoro warned, drawing Shusui and holding it firmly.
The approaching figures materialized faster than the eye could track.
"What…?" Zoro's brow furrowed.
A group of baboons wielding swords appeared, each moving with alarming coordination. Zoro's hand trembled — not in fear, but disbelief.
"Baboons… holding swords?" Zoro muttered.
Rolan coughed softly. "They really are baboons."
Before Zoro could process further, a sword strike shot toward him. He raised his blade, slicing through the attack with precision. Sparks scattered across the shadowed battlefield.
"Flying Slash! Seriously?"
The baboons were not only armed, but skilled — some wielded swords modeled after Night, Mihawk's black blade.
"Have they all been trained by Mihawk?" Zoro asked, incredulous.
Rolan nodded. "It appears so."
Through the ruins, Zoro sensed an immense aura emanating from the castle. Mihawk himself lay within, observing, likely sensing their presence. Yet he made no move. Did Zoro need to defeat these baboons to draw his attention?
Zoro gritted his teeth and drew Ryugu. In a few fluid steps, he charged into the fray. Swordlight flashed violently, illuminating the crumbling, eerie grounds as he engaged in a fierce battle with the armed baboons.
Inside the castle, Mihawk sat calmly, sipping coffee.
"Rolan, then the other must be Roronoa Zoro," he murmured. A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "He's come to challenge me, it seems. Roronoa Zoro."
He observed the battlefield briefly, shaking his head. "His strength is formidable… Zoro indeed."
Mihawk slung Night across his back, rising slowly. He made his way toward the castle doors with measured steps, exuding calm confidence.
"Hey! Is this going to end?" Zoro panted. His muscles burned as he fought wave after wave of baboons. They were relentless — even if defeated, more emerged.
Even an iron man would grow exhausted in such conditions.
Rolan sat quietly atop a large rock, watching the battle unfold. He had no intention of intervening yet; Mihawk's approach was imminent, and he had already sensed the path the legendary swordsman was taking toward the shore.
The baboons continued to swarm, flying slashes slicing through the air, steel clashing, sparks scattering in every direction. Zoro's eyes blazed with determination. Though overwhelmed, he moved like water, flowing through openings, parrying with precision, every strike a calculated display of deadly skill.
Rolan observed, detached, as usual. His presence alone radiated a quiet dominance. He wasn't one to fight unnecessarily, yet every move he made was calculated, each observation meant to assess and manipulate the battlefield to his advantage. His crew, Ion Tempest, would know this side of him — the world otherwise only saw his stoic, aloof persona.
In the eerie silence between sword strikes, Rolan's gaze remained fixed on Mihawk, calculating the moment when intervention would be most effective. The baboons were strong, yes, but they were merely instruments to test the mettle of Zoro and to gauge the newcomers' capabilities.
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