Zoro was well aware of the gap between himself and Admiral, but this gap only fueled his fighting spirit and unleashed his full potential!
He wanted to use this immense pressure to hone his swordsmanship and measure his own limits!
" Three Sword Style · Black Rope · Great Tornado!"
Zoro went all out from the start, unleashing a storm of dark sword energy from his three swords, roaring as he charged toward Kizaru like a giant black python ready to devour its prey!
The sword energy not only contains the sharpness to cut through steel, but also incorporates the sharp sword intent that he honed in Dream Space, which directly targets weaknesses!
"Oh? Not bad, swordsman."
Kizaru raised an eyebrow slightly, and ama no murakumo condensed again. With a casual wave, a huge Gin- colored sword aura, like a barrier of light, easily cleaved Zoro's sword aura tornado in two!
But Zoro's figure had already rushed in through the gap that the tornado had created!
" Three Sword Style: Leopard, Qin, Jade!"
His speed exploded to the extreme, and the three swords turned into countless afterimages, covering Kizaru from all directions. Each sword was precisely aimed at the gaps in Kizaru's trajectory when he moved in his elemental form!
Kizaru's figure flickered like a ghost amidst the flashing blades, parrying and slashing, defusing Zoro's storm of attacks one by one.
But his gaze was slightly more focused than when he was facing Luffy.
"Hmm~ Your sword carries a rather troublesome 'intention'..."
Kizaru could sense that the Mosshead swordsman's slashes were not only attacking his body, but also trying to sever his "path of light" and disrupt his judgment!
Zoro gritted his teeth and unleashed all the knowledge he had acquired throughout his life.
He used the Nine-Sword Style of Demonic Aura, Flying Dragon Flame, and even some sword techniques that he had just experienced in Dream Space and which were not yet fully mature, without hesitation!
His brain was like the fastest processor, frantically memorizing and analyzing every move Kizaru made, every sign of his light-speed movement, and every angle and force of his ama no murakumo strike!
'That's it... Remember it! Remember it all!' Zoro shouted in his heart, 'As long as I remember it, I can simulate, deduce, and crack it countless times in Dream Space! Next time... next time I will definitely be able to...'
He viewed this battle as an invaluable "data collection" opportunity!
Kizaru's fighting style and the patterns of his light-speed movement became the best material for him to train and grow stronger in the dream world in the future!
However,
An absolute gap in strength cannot be bridged by willpower and potential alone.
After a fierce clash of swords, Kizaru caught a fleeting stagnation in Zoro's transition between old and new powers.
"A flaw!"
As if teleporting, ama no murakumo pierced through Zoro's net of blades, the tip of his sword touching Zoro's chest!
boom!
Zoro felt an irresistible force erupting in his chest like a volcano.
He felt as if he had been struck by a giant hammer, blood gushing from his mouth. He nearly dropped the three knives, and his body flew backward uncontrollably, crashing heavily to the ground and carving a long furrow before finally stopping.
He struggled to stand up, but the sharp pain in his sternum and the convulsions in his internal organs made it difficult for him to exert any strength.
Kizaru looked at Zoro, who was lying on the ground, and gave his assessment again:
"The swordsman's will and potential are quite good... unfortunately, he still lacks some refinement."
Although Zoro was defeated, he lay on the ground with excitement and anticipation shining in his eyes.
He had deeply imprinted every detail of the battle into his mind.
"Enter the dream!"
Kizaru was astonished to find that the Mosshead swordsman had actually... lay down in the ruins with his eyes closed, his breathing instantly becoming even and long, and he even made a soft snoring sound!
This guy... he actually fell asleep on the spot?!
Kizaru felt a faint throbbing of veins on his forehead, sensing that his dignity as an Admiral had been challenged in some invisible way.
"Hey~ you bastard..." His tone carried a hint of displeasure, "Still so disdainful of people! Sleeping right in front of me?"
Just then,
A figure appeared between him and Zoro like a whirlwind.
Sanji lit a cigarette, elegantly exhaled a smoke ring, and stood in front of Kizaru with undisguised fighting spirit in his eyes.
"Hey, you shiny old man," Sanji stubbed out his cigarette with his foot, "your opponent is now this Great Master."
Kizaru was speechless as yet another Straw Hat Pirates member stepped forward to take on the challenge.
He rubbed his temples, a rare, almost sullen expression appearing on his face:
"When will you Straw Hat Pirates ever stop? You killed a rubber monster, then a sleeping swordsman appeared, and now a Curly Brow cook..."
Are you Indestructible Cockroaches?
"So you're really using me as a grindpad to gain experience, huh?"
He's here to carry out missions and uphold the dignity of the Marines, not to be a free sparring partner for these problematic newbies!
Feeling increasingly frustrated, Kizaru simply waved her hand, her tone carrying a hint of despair:
"I'm done fighting! I'm exhausted!"
However,
The moment he said that, Sanji's reaction stunned him again.
Instead of relaxing because of his "truce", Sanji showed an extremely dissatisfied expression, even with a hint of... disgust?
"Huh? You're already tired?" Sanji raised an eyebrow. "You're really useless."
Looking at Kizaru, he then actually put his hands in his pockets, stood there calmly, and even slightly raised his chin.
"Since you're tired and out of energy... fine, this Great Master will stand here and let you hit me! Hit me all you want! Isn't that fair?"
Kizaru: "???"
At this moment, Kizaru felt that his personality and strength had been subjected to an unprecedented and blatant contempt!
You're just standing there letting me hit you? And you're saying I can hit you however I want? Is that even fair?!
This isn't just looking down on someone; it's practically rubbing his face in the ground!
An unnamed anger suddenly flared up!
Even with his lazy nature, Sanji's extremely irritating words and actions completely ignited his anger!
"Yay!!!" Kizaru's voice suddenly rose, and the Gin light emanating from his body was more dazzling and more violent than ever before!
A terrifying killing intent spread out as if it were a tangible thing!
"Very good! Excellent! Curly Brow, you brat... you've successfully angered this old man!"
"Today I'll show you the price of angering an Admiral!"
" Yasakani no Magatama!!"
Enraged, Kizaru unleashed his full power!
Countless destructive laser beams, as thick as an adult's thigh, rained down on Sanji, who stood still, truly assuming a "let him beat me up" posture!
....
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