On the deck, Zoro watched in horror as the flying slash sped toward him. He wanted to dodge, but... only then did he realize his body wouldn't move. He couldn't even flinch, let alone avoid the attack.
All he could do was watch helplessly as the slash closed in.
At that moment, the Asauchi, gripped tightly in his right hand, began to glow faintly. A shimmering, ethereal figure suddenly materialized in front of him, blocking the slash.
"It's been a while, Zoro. You're looking pretty pathetic," the figure said with a faint smile as it extended its hand, deflecting the flying slash with ease.
Zoro's eyes widened in disbelief. He knew this figure. He knew that voice.
"You… Kuina?" he stammered.
His heart sank as despair clouded his mind. "So… am I really going to die?"
"I'm sorry, Kuina," Zoro said, his voice trembling. "I didn't fulfill our promise…"
Kuina's expression softened, but only briefly before she scolded him sharply. "Idiot!"
"Zoro, you're not the kind of person who gives up so easily. Are you?" she snapped.
"If you don't want to lose here, then accept my power."
As she spoke, Kuina's form began to shift into a stream of light. The light flowed back into the Asauchi, merging seamlessly with the blade.
"Say my name," Kuina's voice echoed within him, "and let's become the world's strongest together!"
To the others watching from the sidelines, all they saw was Zoro's sword suddenly rising on its own, intercepting Hawkeye's devastating attack.
Even Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, looked momentarily stunned.
"A spiritual blade?" Mihawk murmured, his tone carrying a rare note of intrigue.
He studied Zoro more closely, his earlier disinterest giving way to genuine curiosity. "To be recognized by such a sword… you're not an ordinary swordsman."
For Mihawk, the earlier embarrassment caused by Krieg's crass remarks now seemed like a distant memory. He was beginning to take Zoro seriously.
At the entrance of the Baratie, Luffy jumped with excitement, pointing toward Zoro.
"Look! Zoro's fine!" he exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Turning to Ikki, Luffy clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Is this the backup plan you mentioned? It's so awesome!"
Ikki froze for a moment, resisting the urge to facepalm.
"I mean… technically…" he muttered under his breath.
In truth, Ikki's second plan was to let Hawkeye cut Zoro down and then use the resurrection candy to save him. But Ikki hadn't expected the Asauchi to awaken and recognize Zoro so quickly, let alone shield him from a fatal blow.
As Ikki mulled this over, he wondered if Zoro had already fully bonded with the Asauchi—perhaps even learned its true name.
Back on the deck, Zoro tightened his grip on the Asauchi, which now floated in front of him, glowing faintly.
"Kuina… let's fight together!" he declared.
The blade flared with brilliant light in response. Its previously simple design transformed—the handle turned white, and the sheath became a sleek black.
The blade, now imbued with Kuina's soul, carried her name as its own: Kuina.
"You've changed," Mihawk noted, his tone laced with intrigue.
With deliberate movements, Mihawk sheathed his smaller knife and reached for the colossal black blade strapped to his back.
"Boy… tell me your name," Mihawk said solemnly, unsheathing Yoru, the world's most powerful sword.
"Roronoa Zoro!" Zoro replied firmly, his gaze unwavering.
Mihawk's lips curved into a faint smile. "I will remember it. It's been a long time since I've encountered someone this interesting."
"But don't misunderstand," Mihawk continued, leveling Yoru at Zoro. "I will use this blade—the strongest black sword in the world—to bury you beneath the waves."
Zoro remained stoic, his face unreadable. "Then I'm really grateful," he said dryly.
Without hesitation, Zoro adjusted his stance, gripping his three swords tightly. The Asauchi—now Kuina—gleamed in his hand, surging with power.
"Let's go, Kuina!" Zoro roared.
"Three-Sword Style… Three Thousand Worlds!"
As Zoro spun the two swords in his hands, Mihawk rushed forward, Yoru gleaming in his grasp.
The clash was instantaneous and fleeting. Their blades met with a resounding ring before they separated, standing back-to-back on the deck.
A shallow slash marred the brim of Mihawk's hat, while Zoro's chest bore a deep wound. The ordinary tachi in Zoro's left hand shattered into pieces, falling to the ground.
"Kuina… the world… is truly vast," Zoro murmured, sheathing Kuina and Wado Ichimonji.
With a slow, deliberate motion, he spread his arms wide, signaling Mihawk to deliver the final blow. He had challenged the strongest in the world, fully prepared to face death.
Mihawk hesitated for a moment, his expression briefly softening.
Then Zoro's voice cut through the air. "A wound on the back is a swordsman's shame!"
The words struck Mihawk, igniting a deeper respect for Zoro's resolve.
"Amazing boy," Mihawk remarked, his tone approving.
He swung his blade.
Blood erupted from the fresh slashes on Zoro's chest and abdomen. The severity of the wounds was such that any ordinary person would have succumbed instantly.
"Zoro!" Luffy roared, eyes wide with fury. He charged toward Mihawk, his rage threatening to boil over.
Meanwhile, Ikki dove into the sea, retrieving Zoro's limp body, which had fallen into the water from the force of the blow.
Seeing Luffy's desperation, Ikki called out, "Luffy, wait! Zoro's still alive!"
Mihawk's sharp gaze followed as Ikki pulled Zoro from the water. His voice, calm yet commanding, echoed across the deck.
"It's too soon for you to die."
"My name is Dracule Mihawk. Know yourself, understand the world, and become stronger. No matter how long it takes, I will be waiting for you at the pinnacle of strength. Surpass this blade, surpass me… Roronoa Zoro."
His words were both a declaration and a promise, marking his recognition of Zoro as a true swordsman.
However, something was amiss.
Ikki noticed it first—Zoro wasn't moving. There was no response. According to the story as it should have been, Zoro should have been gripping his sword, vowing, "I will never lose again!"
Usopp rushed over with a first aid kit, and he and Ikki began examining Zoro. The tension was palpable as everyone realized the severity of the situation.
Zoro wasn't simply unconscious. He was on the brink of death.
Hawkeye stood by, visibly taken aback. He'd delivered a precise strike, one meant to injure but not kill or incapacitate. For Zoro to be completely unresponsive... it left even Mihawk momentarily unsettled.
What no one realized was that Zoro's soul had entered the inner world of his Zanpakutō.
In this surreal space, Zoro stood as his younger self, while Kuina appeared as she had in life.
"I lost," Zoro admitted, his voice heavy with shame.
Kuina smiled warmly. "Lost? Don't forget—you've never beaten me."
Her teasing words brought a flush to Zoro's cheeks.
"I told you I'd surpass you someday!" he shot back.
But his expression quickly darkened as he muttered bitterly, "Though I suppose that chance is gone now."
Zoro's gaze softened as he looked at her. "Kuina, what are you now? What's your state?"
Kuina glanced at her hands, her brow furrowing. "I don't know. I've been here since you first took up that sword."
Zoro's eyes narrowed. "The Asauchi. Looks like I'll need to talk to Ikki about this."
Before Zoro could say more, a strange force began pulling him away, expelling him from the world of the Zanpakutō.
Just then, a monstrous figure emerged behind Kuina. It had three heads, six arms, and the terrifying visage of an Asura.
Kuina, unfazed, casually drew a blade embedded in the ground and rushed toward the beast, engaging it in battle.
Zoro's body hovered in the air, unable to move as the force dragged him away.
"Kuina!" he yelled, struggling against the invisible pull.
But his body was completely beyond his control. He could only watch helplessly as Kuina faced the monstrous entity alone.
Back in the real world, Zoro's eyes flickered open as his consciousness returned.
"I'm awake… I'm really awake…" he muttered weakly.
Nearby, Ikki's relief was palpable.
"How did you do it, Ikki?" Usopp asked, his voice full of awe.
Ikki scratched his head, muttering under his breath, "I didn't expect that killing him can save him…"
---------------
Check out advanced chapters on : patreon.com/Veni_V