"Do you recognize the gap now, swordsman?"
Mr. 1 slowly approached. "In the face of absolute defense, your skill is meaningless."
Meaningless?
Zoro stood his ground and grinned. Hard work doesn't betray those who drive it forward.
Everything strived for yield returns. He had promised Luffy he wouldn't lose to anyone again until he caught up to Hawk-Eyes and became the world's greatest swordsman. How could he fall here?!
"Let me show you a 'power' my captain taught me."
The blade of Yubashiri gradually became coated in a black sheen.
Armament Haki!
To defeat Mr. 1, there was clearly only one method: to break through his own limits and cut steel!
His old sensei from the dojo had said that when a swordsman reaches a certain realm, they can cut through anything... and cut nothing. That is the so-called "steel-cutting."
Zoro's three swords were all famous blades, each more renowned than the last, treasures in the eyes of any swordsman.
A famous blade cutting through inert iron is easy. Given time, Zoro could chop through it too, relying on the blade's sharpness against a lifeless object. But encountering someone like Mr. 1, whose entire body was living, thinking steel... Zoro's earlier attacks had only left faint marks on him.
He was still a considerable distance from being able to "cut."
Cutting steel is not Haki. It's not Armament or Observation.
It is a realm unique to swordsmen.
Perceiving the weakness, striking to end it.
Armament Haki was just an additional power Zoro borrowed. Cherishing his blades, he closed his eyes, adjusted his breathing, and expelled all distracting thoughts.
The sound of the wind in his ears, the sound of rolling sand grains, the faint sound of metal friction from the opponent's body... the world seemed to become clearer.
He had to listen. To hear the rhythm of all things breathing. To hear the breath of the steel!
"You..."
Mr. 1, looking at the suddenly motionless Zoro, instinctively sensed a sliver of danger, especially seeing Zoro's swords turning black. He couldn't give him any more chances.
Mr. 1 leaped high, merging his arms into one giant blade, bringing it down like a guillotine onto Zoro's head.
"Chrysanthemum Blossom Cutter!"
Just as the massive blade was about to land, Zoro's eyes snapped open.
No more confusion lingered within them, only a pure, clear understanding!
He could see it!
He could see the faint, almost imperceptible lines flowing across that steel body!
"Ittoryu... Flying Dragon Blaze!"
Accompanied by a low dragon's roar, Wado Ichimonji in Zoro's hand flashed from its sheath.
No flashy technique, only a slash condensed to its utmost limit, carrying a scorching aura, striking straight along the line he had seen!
Shhh-ting!
A clean sound, different from all the metallic clashes before.
Mr. 1's powerful overhead slash came to an abrupt halt. His massive, bladed form froze mid-air, his face filled with utter shock and disbelief.
A thin red line stretched from his left shoulder all the way down to his right waist.
"N-no, impossible..." he muttered.
The next moment, blood gushed forth like a fountain from that red line.
Mr. 1's body, reputed to be as hard as steel, was completely severed by this single slash from Zoro, who had comprehended the realm of steel-cutting.
Had he already reached this stage?
"Hey, you... next, are you going to cut diamond?" Mr. 1 fell to his knees, slowly turning his head.
"Wouldn't that be a waste?" Zoro slowly sheathed his swords, removing his bandana.
Just diamond?
That would be underestimating his ambition too much.
"I see... I've lost."
Mr. 1's massive body collapsed with a heavy thud, sending up a cloud of dust.
His back to his fallen foe, Zoro let out a long, relieved sigh, a satisfied and confident smile spreading across his face.
With this battle, he had officially stepped into the realm of steel-cutting!
But, so tired!
Zoro immediately sat down, his eyes wide. It was his first time using Armament Haki too. He hadn't expected it to be so draining.
The gap between him and Luffy was immediately apparent.
That guy Luffy's stamina... utterly monstrous!
But right at that moment, a figure came flying through the air, followed closely by a giant form emerging from the sandstorm, both fists clad in black Armament Haki, surrounded by burning white, flame-like wisps.
Crunch.
A pair of hands reached through the chaotic dust and clenched. The surrounding sandstorm instantly dispersed.
The sand rapidly coalesced back into Crocodile's form.
Crocodile's face was dark, his hand trembling slightly. "No way... impossible, impossible..."
His worldview was on the verge of collapse.
This form of Luffy's finally reminded him of something.
Why did such a monster exist? This guy was absurdly strong.
Knowing Haki was one thing, but he was also superior in martial arts.
Fine, even that!
But why was his Devil Fruit development bordering on awakening?!
That was simply unscientific.
Crocodile stared at the figure walking towards him.
"Already thinking of running?" Luffy sneered. "Three minutes aren't up yet."
With those words, he flashed in front of Crocodile and, to the latter's stunned expression, slammed a fist down.
The fist plunged into the sand, pressing down hard, then sent Crocodile flying.
[Warning, Lunch Time...]
The reminder from the plan chimed in timely.
Luffy's expression faltered. Talk about bad timing. What is there to eat or drink in this place?
At that moment, a glint of red flashed in his eyes. Without even looking back, he kicked behind him, producing a dull thud as he sent a sneak-attacking Crocodile flying.
"Is this... poison?"
Luffy frowned, glancing at his hand where a small wound had been opened. The plan had still caused a slight distraction.
"Kehahahaha!" Crocodile stood up, laughing maniacally. "A pirate's fight means using any means necessary! Straw Hat brat, among all the pirates I've ever met, you are the most monstrous one! I, Crocodile, acknowledge you! But you are already dead!"
The hook was laced with a deadly poison. Without the antidote, death would come swiftly.
"Poison, huh?"
Luffy paid it no mind. His eyes narrowed slightly, then suddenly snapped open. His fist swelled, and the sound of compressed air could be heard. A cold sweat instinctively broke out on Crocodile, who felt locked on.
"You say I'm dead? I don't think so. At least before that, I think you'll die first!"
"Gomu Gomu no... Haokoku!"
A heavy thump echoed in the air.
As if something was gathering.
Luffy didn't charge forward immediately, but Crocodile didn't hesitate for a second, turning into sand and fleeing.
Compress.
Compress.
Compress again!
Three layers of compression.
Then, his figure vanished from the spot.
Crocodile looked back. A giant fist filled his vision.
BOOM!
***
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