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Chapter 146: The Frog in the Well
"So... should we all go ashore together, or should someone stay behind to guard the ship?" Usopp asked tentatively.
Hearing this, Nami and Chopper both shuddered.
Naturally, they had no desire to set foot on an island that looked so visibly dangerous, but they were even more terrified of being separated from the combatants and left to guard the ship alone.
Sanji stepped forward, volunteering. "Nami-san, you should all go ashore. I will be sufficient to guard the ship by myself."
everyone nodded in agreement. With Sanji's strength, guarding the ship alone would pose no problem.
Subsequently, the "Weakling Trio" made their preparations and disembarked with the utmost caution.
"Three Sword Style: Dragon Twister!"
BOOM!
They had barely entered the town when they saw a familiar flash of blade light whip up a tornado more than ten meters high.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
A group of men who looked like pirates were swept into the sky by the violent whirlwind.
For a moment, screams and the heavy thuds of bodies hitting the ground echoed continuously. The street was in chaos, and a tavern-like building had been blown askew, looking as if it had just survived a typhoon.
"Could it be..."
The Weakling Trio was both shocked and delighted, and they immediately looked toward the instigator of this chaos.
Sure enough.
As the dust settled, a green-haired man appeared in the middle of the street. He was resting his katana on his shoulder with one hand, standing there as if nothing had happened.
"Zoro! So you were here!"
"Where's Luffy? Isn't he with you? And what about Ganyu and Robin?"
The trio rushed excitedly toward Zoro. He spotted them and was about to answer their questions when his gaze suddenly sharpened.
Sizzle—!
A figure shot out from the ruins of the semi-collapsed tavern like a bolt of lightning. The trio only heard a sound resembling a compressing spring before the figure was already right in front of Zoro.
A large hand spread open, fingers hooked like iron claws, tearing through the air with a high-pitched whistle, aiming straight for Zoro's throat!
The Weakling Trio's hearts leapt into their throats, paralyzed by shock.
Who is this guy? How is he so fast?
"Boring. Are you ever going to stop?"
Unseen by the spectators, a flash of red light flickered in Zoro's eyes.
To the onlookers, the enemy moved so fast he left afterimages. But in Zoro's eyes, every movement was audible and clear, as if playing in slow motion.
After his battle with Mr. 1, Daz Bonez, in Alabasta, his swordsmanship and Haki had improved across the board.
His swordsmanship had entered the realm of a true Sword Master, capable of cutting steel and launching flying slash attacks.
His Observation Haki had evolved from mere glimpses to a level he could now control and utilize almost at will.
Yesterday, on the ship, Ganyu had evaluated him like this:
"With your current strength, you have far exceeded the average level of the first half of the Grand Line. Unless you encounter a few specific, troublesome monsters, you will likely struggle to find a worthy opponent."
Zoro had been satisfied with this evaluation, but he had asked curiously, "How far am I from you now?"
The woman had tilted her head, blinked her eyes, and then, with an expression mixed with encouragement and pity, said seriously:
"If you work a little harder... you should be able to touch my heels."
That sentence, and that expression, still echoed in the depths of Zoro's mind.
What do you mean I can't even catch up to your heels?!
At this moment, staring at the enemy before him, flames seemed to ignite in Zoro's eyes.
"Send me—"
In an instant, he raised his arm above his head. The blade of the Sandai Kitetsu reflected a bewitching light. His muscles swelled, veins bulging as he poured every ounce of strength into the edge.
"—a stronger opponent!"
As his voice fell, his arm slashed down violently!
BOOM!
With that single slash, the air itself was cut open.
A blinding cascade of blade light poured down like a waterfall, instantly swallowing Bellamy's figure!
Under the pressure of this blade, the formerly enraged Bellamy went still, his eyes gradually filling with terror and disbelief.
Unable to dodge. Unable to resist. Against such a light, anything he did was futile.
The sound of flesh being torn apart rang out.
BANG!
Bellamy, who had just rushed out, was sent flying back at a speed faster than his approach!
He traced a parabola through the air and smashed heavily into the depths of the tavern ruins, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Boss Bellamy!"
The pirate minions scrambled to check on him.
There, lying in the rubble, was their boss. A hideous sword wound stretched from his shoulder to his waist, deep enough to expose bone, blood gushing out.
But more than the physical pain, what crushed him was the mental shock.
His voice trembled.
"Is the world... really this big...?"
"No. It's even bigger than this."
Zoro hooked the corner of his mouth, slowly sheathed his sword, and without sparing another glance at the chaotic pirates, turned to walk toward his three dumbfounded companions.
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