Feeling the madness in Zoro's slashes, Riden couldn't help but nod.
At this stage, Zoro's swordsmanship was based entirely on four words—wild force and brute strength.
Against ordinary opponents, it was indeed difficult to withstand. But to the eyes of a true strong fighter, such reckless and frenzied strikes only created more and more openings.
In the next moment, Riden blocked Zoro's slash. The instant Zoro tried to attack again, Riden seized the chance and struck with the back of his blade, sending Zoro flying.
"You should be capable of more than this, shouldn't you?"
Riden's voice was calm as he continued, "I have no intention of recruiting someone under me who only knows how to charge blindly like a fool."
"Are you kidding me!?"
Zoro's anger grew at Riden's words.
Without hesitation, he raised his twin blades high over his back, taking the stance of a fierce tiger.
The next second, with a loud roar, Zoro once again charged toward Riden.
"Tiger Hunt!"
Clang!
There was no question—using only swordsmanship, Zoro stood no chance against Riden. After all, Riden had inherited much of the Golden Lion's sword techniques. Even if he hadn't yet reached the level of a "Great Swordsman," he was already among the very top.
Once again knocked aside by Riden, Zoro didn't hesitate. He took a deep breath, gripped his two swords—one upright, one reversed—and began to spin them rapidly in his hands, like the blades of a windmill.
"If you can block this strike, then I'll admit defeat!"
With sharp eyes, Zoro roared:
"Three Sword Style Secret Technique—Three Thousand Worlds!!"
As Zoro's strongest slash, Three Thousand Worlds was indeed powerful. But with his current strength, it was still not enough.
Calmly, Riden lifted Shusui, and with a single downward stroke, the two blades in Zoro's hands shattered, leaving only the Wado Ichimonji clenched in his mouth.
Zoro stared at his broken swords in disbelief.
But a moment later, he accepted his defeat. Fixing his gaze on Riden, he said with solemn respect:
"I lost. I'll accept it, Captain."
Though Zoro appeared to have accepted his loss, Riden could see a trace of unwillingness in his eyes.
"Do you think the reason you lost… was because your two swords couldn't match Wado Ichimonji, and you couldn't bring out the full power of Three Thousand Worlds?"
Zoro froze at the words, unsure what Riden was getting at.
Then, Riden slowly raised his hand. Sword intent at the level of a master surged forth, a mighty pressure crashing down on Zoro.
"Watch closely… this is what a true swordsman looks like."
"Slash Wave!"
With a sweep of Shusui, a terrifying flying slash tore past Zoro's ear and struck the sea behind him. The colossal slash extended for kilometers, carving a massive trench dozens of meters wide into the ocean's surface, stretching so far that the end could not be seen!
"This is… impossible!?"
Zoro turned, staring at the sundered sea. He gasped sharply, eyes wide with disbelief.
So this… this was what a true swordsman could do?
Could such power even belong to a human?
"Your vision is shackled by the East Blue. And because of that, your growth is limited."
Riden's tone was cool and steady:
"When you follow me into the Grand Line and witness the might of the true strong, only then will you understand why the world is so vast."
"Those people… are they as strong as you?"
Zoro stared at him, waiting for the answer.
But Riden shook his head seriously.
"On the Grand Line, there are countless beings stronger than me."
Hearing that, Zoro's body trembled slightly.
Riden raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Are you afraid?"
"No… I'm excited!"
Zoro's face grew resolute. His voice was firm:
"The world is so big, yet I'm trapped in the East Blue. My vision cannot grow. If it continues like this, how can I ever become the world's greatest swordsman and fulfill my promise to Kuina?"
"I lost, and I'll follow you as your crewman. But Captain… if you ever stand in the way of me becoming the world's strongest swordsman…"
"You don't need to worry."
Riden's tone remained calm, yet certain:
"I will never hinder your growth. On the contrary… by following me, you will grow faster—and sooner achieve your dream of becoming the greatest swordsman in the world."
Loguetown, sword shop.
Zoro looked at Riden in confusion. "Why are we here?"
"Of course, to choose two good blades for you. The future world's greatest swordsman can't be without proper weapons."
Riden's expression was indifferent, but his eyes glanced at the Wado Ichimonji at Zoro's waist.
"You specialize in the Three Sword Style. With only one sword, you can't bring out your true strength."
"I understand."
Zoro nodded and followed Riden into the shop.
The shopkeeper noticed them but didn't greet them, clearly uninterested in business.
But the moment he saw Riden pull a blade from the pile of junk swords, his expression changed instantly.
"That one can't be sold!"
Zoro's eyes lit up, noticing the unusual aura of the blade in Riden's hand.
"That sword, though buried among common blades, is without a doubt a treasure. One of the fifty Grade Swords—the Sandai Kitetsu!"
The shopkeeper's face was grave as he spoke:
"It is an evil cursed blade. Anyone who tries to wield it will eventually be killed by it. None of its past wielders met a good end!"
"If you want swords, I'll recommend others. But this one—I will never sell. It must stay here, to bear its own curse."
But Riden was unfazed. Calmly, he handed the blade to Zoro.
"The cursed blade Sandai Kitetsu—for you right now, it is more than suitable. Conquer it."
Hearing this, Zoro didn't hesitate. He grinned as he took the blade.
"A cursed blade that kills its wielder, huh?"
The next second, Zoro tossed the sword into the air. He calmly extended his arm beneath its falling edge.
Before the horrified eyes of the shopkeeper, the Sandai Kitetsu, which should have cut clean through Zoro's arm, suddenly twisted midair, narrowly missing him and stabbing into the ground instead.
"Perfect!"
Zoro grinned, raising his voice:
"Captain, I like this sword."
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200 Power Stones: 3+Chapter
100 Collection: 1+Chapter