Whoosh—
With a sharp sound splitting the air, Peach Rabbit suddenly appeared at Luo Lan's side.
She had originally gone off for extra training, but halfway there, she sensed a strange energy in the area—and immediately rushed back.
"Luo Lan, what's going on here?"
"Nothing much. Zoro just wanted to challenge Mihawk."
"What... is he crazy? He won't get hurt, will he?"
Peach Rabbit could feel it clearly—Mihawk wasn't holding back this time. She was visibly concerned.
After all, while Zoro was undoubtedly strong, he was still only a swordmaster, not yet a great swordmaster.
Before Luo Lan could even reply, Zoro had already made his move.
The sheer intensity of it caught Luo Lan by surprise.
"This brat... he can already use that move?"
Yes, that move—the very same one that injured Kaido in the original story.
"Demonic Aura: Nine-Sword Style – Asura: Blade Draw..."
"Dance of the Dead!"
Brilliant golden light burst from Zoro's body, surging out like raw energy and wrapping around both him and his three swords.
It was almost like watching someone go Super Saiyan.
Beneath the golden energy, a black demonic aura surged wildly.
Whether or not the attack was powerful, one thing was certain—
The visual effects were top-tier.
Meanwhile, Mihawk gripped his sword with both hands. A teal energy covered his blade, radiating a sharpness that was nearly indescribable.
It was as if, under this blade, nothing could remain uncut—not even space itself.
Both fighters moved at the same time. Their opposing energies clashed in an instant.
The two silhouettes crossed paths and traded positions.
Only a handful of people on the scene could even see what had just happened.
The rest? They just enjoyed the show—a feast for the eyes.
The teal energy faded from Mihawk's blade, revealing its true form.
A black blade with a strange sheen, flickering faintly with reddish-purple highlights.
Then, the black hue receded.
The sword returned to its original polished steel color—a standard military saber.
But on Zoro's side...
The two supreme-grade blades he wielded both cracked with a sharp snap.
They shattered.
Both broken swords fell to the ground, embedding themselves straight into the earth.
Zoro staggered, blood spraying from his mouth.
Even Wado Ichimonji slipped from his hand and clattered to the ground.
That's when everyone noticed the gaping wound across Zoro's chest—starting from his left shoulder and cutting down to his right waist.
Blood gushed out uncontrollably.
His body couldn't take it. He collapsed backward, stiff as a board.
"W–Why...?"
Zoro was in disbelief.
Both of his swords were of the highest grade. Yet Mihawk had used nothing more than a standard military saber.
How?
How could Mihawk break his supreme blades?
Even if their swordsmanship differed... this was too extreme.
Why...?
At that moment, Mihawk stepped forward and looked down at him.
"One of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades—Black Blade Yoru."
"Most people know Yoru for its color. But few realize—it wasn't originally black."
"In fact... it started out as a regular great blade."
"Do you know how the strongest swords are truly forged?"
"You probably think it's the work of master swordsmiths, right?"
"Well, that's not exactly wrong—but it's not the full truth."
"A swordsmith can create the potential of a great blade."
"But only the wielder can decide what the blade ultimately becomes."
"Think about it carefully. When you understand this, that's when you'll truly become a great swordmaster."
With those parting words, Mihawk turned and walked away.
Luo Lan waved his hand, and a group of military medics who had been waiting nearby rushed forward to treat Zoro.
"Gion—what did Mihawk mean by that?"
"I'm not entirely sure myself," Peach Rabbit replied.
"What do you mean you're not sure? Didn't he just say that understanding this concept is what makes you a great swordmaster? Aren't you a great swordmaster?"
Luo Lan blinked, puzzled.
He repeated Mihawk's words: "When you understand this, you'll truly become a great swordmaster."
And yet Peach Rabbit said she didn't get it.
What was going on?
"I really don't know," she replied. "Generally, the difference between a swordmaster and a great swordmaster comes down to three things."
"First: the refinement and quantity of sword energy."
"Second: the range at which sword energy can be projected—how far you can strike from a distance."
"Third: the ability to infuse your sword energy with at least one element or unique attribute."
Her explanation more or less matched what Luo Lan already knew.
It was the general standard in the pirate world for differentiating between swordmasters and great swordmasters.
But then what did Mihawk mean by all that philosophical talk?
Luo Lan shook his head.
"Why am I even bothering? I don't use a sword."
With a wry smile, he left Peach Rabbit behind and walked off.
But while he let it go, Peach Rabbit couldn't.
She trained in swordsmanship.
And Mihawk—the world's strongest swordmaster—had just said something that contradicted everything she understood.
There was no way she could ignore it.
Luo Lan smiled bitterly but didn't stop her. He walked away.
Thanks to the Navy hospital's enhanced recovery facilities—
And months of high-energy meals from the mess hall, combined with intense gravity training—
By the third day of his hospitalization, Zoro had mostly recovered and started training again.
By the fifth day, he was fully healed and cleared for discharge.
That same day, a message arrived from Issho.
Aramaki/Green Bull had been located.
He agreed to tentatively join the Jun Lin organization and give it a try. But if things didn't work out, he reserved the right to leave at any time.
Luo Lan didn't hesitate to accept the terms.
After all, once someone agrees to join Jun Lin, their loyalty starts increasing by 1% per day—automatically.
Let him come and try to leave later.
The longer he stayed—
The less likely he'd ever walk away!
---
Meanwhile...
On a small island in the East Blue, several high-ranking officers of the Revolutionary Army's Eastern Division were holding a meeting.
"How's our operation in the Kingdom of Arcado progressing?"
"Almost complete. The rebel force now exceeds 100,000—and those foolish nobles still haven't noticed a thing!"
In response to Commander Betty's question, one officer quickly reported.
The Kingdom of Arcado was located on a medium-sized island north of the Zhumida Archipelago. It had one city, about 20 villages, and a population of roughly 600,000.
On the surface, it appeared prosperous.
But in truth, the commoners were oppressed like slaves by a few hundred aristocrats.
And after the new king took the throne a few years ago, things only got worse.
Unreasonable new taxes were one thing...
But then came an even more outrageous law: the royal family claimed the right to all women's "first night."
The Revolutionary Army saw this as the perfect opportunity.
Over the course of a year, while the nobility remained oblivious, they quietly built a rebel force of over 100,000 within Arcado.
Now—
The harvest was ready.