At the center of the commotion stood a woman dressed in white. Her long black hair framed an exceptionally beautiful face.
"Whose fairy-like sister is this? She's so beautiful!"
"Fairy sister, do you have a boyfriend?"
"Not only is she gorgeous, but her figure is incredible."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, those legs are amazing. I could admire them for a whole year!"
"What a beautiful woman, and she seems to be a swordswoman too."
As the woman stepped ashore, she heard the shameless compliments and blatant remarks around her.
A slight frown appeared on her face as her cold gaze swept across the crowd.
Instantly, an icy aura, like the chill of the underworld itself, spread throughout the area.
She rarely ventured out to sea and had little contact with men.
The aggressive stares directed at her filled her with disgust.
Perhaps that person would be different.
"Hiss!"
"H... how terrifying!"
In an instant, every man present felt a chill run through his body, and all those heated gazes disappeared immediately.
None of them wanted to spend the rest of their lives as eunuchs.
Only after the crowd lowered their heads did the woman begin scanning the plaza.
Before long, she found the person she had been searching for.
...
Zoro had already witnessed the Marines' defection.
"This increases our side's chances of victory quite a bit."
Although he had long known that the Marines contained forces loyal to Rolan, seeing the organization openly stand against the World Government still shocked him.
After all, the Marines were the largest organization in the entire world.
Their influence extended across every sea and every nation.
Wherever people lived, Marines could be found.
At this moment, Zoro could already see the dawn of victory.
Looking at the old man before him, he could not help adding a little insult.
"Even the Marines have turned against you. Looks like plenty of people in this world are dissatisfied with the World Government."
Saint Mars's forehead bulged with veins.
There was no denying it.
Among all the organizations under the World Government, the Marines were their greatest military force and the foundation of their rule.
The Five Elders had anticipated this possibility when Kuzan became Fleet Admiral.
They had considered replacing him, but Kuzan's immense popularity within the Marines made that impossible.
They had even attempted to eliminate him.
Every attempt had failed.
Furthermore, Kuzan had only recently become Fleet Admiral, and there was no suitable replacement available.
As a result, they had no effective solution for the current situation.
Yet as one of the rulers of the world, Saint Mars possessed immense arrogance.
He did not particularly care what became of humanity.
Whether countless people lived or died meant little to him.
Humans multiplied quickly. Even if ninety percent of the world's population vanished, he believed humanity would recover soon enough.
A contemptuous smile appeared on his face.
"Haha! Do you really think the Marines are enough to defeat us? Ignorant ant!"
With those words, he stepped forward.
A terrifying burst of Conqueror's Haki surged directly toward Zoro.
Zoro's expression became serious.
The old man had fought him for an extended period, yet his Haki showed no signs of weakening, and his stamina remained astonishingly abundant.
More importantly, any injury he suffered recovered almost instantly.
Meanwhile, Zoro had already consumed most of his stamina.
Even the density of his Haki had begun to decline.
Throughout the battle, he had been searching for Saint Mars's weakness and a way to overcome his seemingly immortal body.
So far, he had found nothing.
Seeing Zoro's changing expression, Saint Mars smiled confidently.
"Ant, where did all that arrogance go? Show it to me again."
The moment he finished speaking, he attacked.
He transformed into the monstrous Itsumade.
Its massive beak opened toward Zoro.
A jet-black infernal flame erupted forth.
Unlike ordinary flames, this fire carried a horrifying coldness.
The moment it appeared, the temperature of the entire plaza dropped dramatically.
The black flames moved at incredible speed.
In an instant, they were already before Zoro.
Fortunately, he had been prepared.
Raising his sword, he swung directly at the incoming attack.
"Drawing Sword, Blazing Slash!"
Clang!
A sharp sword cry echoed through the battlefield.
The black flames were split in half.
Boom! Boom!
The divided flames crashed into the ground on both sides.
In the blink of an eye, everything they touched froze solid.
At the same time, an overwhelming chill penetrated deep into Zoro's body.
It felt as though his very bones were being frozen.
A cloud of white mist escaped from his mouth.
"Cold flames?!"
A hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.
He had never encountered such a thing before.
The fact that his attack had split the flames only further enraged Saint Mars.
"Damn insect! Why won't you just die? Why make me waste my strength?"
Hearing those words over and over again finally irritated Zoro.
He glanced up at the sky.
"Rolan, looks like I won't be able to help you anymore."
Then a fierce smile appeared on his face.
"In that case, let me show you the power of an insect."
He drew Wado Ichimonji and clenched it between his teeth.
Enma and Sandai Kitetsu were held firmly in his hands.
At that moment, a dark purple demonic aura exploded from his body.
As the aura intensified, it gradually took shape.
Three heads.
Six arms.
A terrifying Ashura manifestation emerged.
Saint Mars's eyes widened.
"Is that... Ashura?!"
But that was not the end.
Zoro poured Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki into his blades without restraint.
Boom!
An unprecedented pressure erupted from his body.
The ground beneath his feet could no longer withstand the force.
Cracks spread in every direction.
His aura surged into the heavens.
The clouds above were instantly blown apart.
Even the space surrounding him appeared distorted, as though a humanoid black hole had formed around his body.
Without giving Saint Mars time to react, Zoro disappeared.
A voice seemingly originating from the realm of Ashura echoed across the battlefield.
"Nine Sword Style, Ashura: Soul Splitter, Lion's Song!"
The nine blades swung simultaneously.
An unavoidable web of sword strikes descended upon Saint Mars.
For a brief moment, the Itsumade's claws and wings seemed frozen in place.
Unable to move.
Immediately, Saint Mars unleashed his own Conqueror's Haki in an attempt to break free.
But it was already too late.
Countless sword slashes tore through his body.
Time seemed to stand still.
Only after several moments did Ashura's gigantic form gradually fade away, revealing Zoro once more.
"Haa..."
"Haa..."
"Haa..."
He panted heavily, staring at the spot where Saint Mars had stood.
Yet something was different this time.
The shattered pieces of the Itsumade had disappeared.
Previously, no matter how badly Saint Mars had been cut apart, his body would instantly regenerate.
But now...
Nothing happened.
Time passed.
Still, Saint Mars did not return.
A faint smile appeared on Zoro's face.
"Looks like it's finally over."
As he spoke, all the strength left his body.
He began falling backward.
However, before he could hit the ground, he fell into a soft embrace.
At the same time, a pleasant voice, as beautiful as a nightingale's song, reached his ears.
"Zoro, you've become stronger... and more handsome."
...