"So this is the place!?"
Within the dim interior of Amazon Lily, guided almost hand-in-hand by two detection insects bearing firefly genes, Zoro finally completed the most crucial part of his mission…
Without getting lost.Without taking a wrong turn.Without wandering off course.
He arrived squarely before his target.
At the same time—
Shhk!
Under the glow of flickering flames, bright red blood bloomed like a beautiful rose in a dark alley.
Yet behind that momentary beauty lay the extinguishing of a living life.
"Fanny!"
"Damn bastard!!!"
"I'll kill you!!!"
Watching her companion die right before her eyes, a grief-stricken female warrior's eyes instantly turned crimson. Rage and sorrow overflowed, spilling from her eyes as bitter tears streamed down her cheeks and dripped onto the ground.
As her cry fell, she raised the long blade in her hand, about to charge at the man opposite her—the one clad in a high-collared coat, a cigar clenched between his teeth.
Fortunately, another female warrior beside her grabbed her arm just in time.
"Don't be reckless! He's not someone we can handle!"
"Hurry and report to the Kuja Pirates' leaders!"
"I'll do my best to hold him back here!"
"But—"
The grieving warrior still wanted to say something—
When a pair of blood-red eyes suddenly turned toward them.
"Trying to go warn others?"
The cigar-biting man revealed a bloodthirsty grin and laughed loudly.
"Then hurry up and go!"
"Killing weaklings like you is fun, but my blade is telling me…"
"It wants to cut down someone stronger!"
"Besides, reporting doesn't need so many people, does it?"
"So let's leave just one behind."
"As for who stays… that'll depend on who's luckier!"
In the night, those cruel crimson eyes flashed coldly. The gleaming blade, carrying savage killing intent, swept toward the women.
Boundless terror appeared in the eyes of these steadfast warriors.
Facing an enemy whose strength exceeded theirs by several tiers, all they could do was desperately channel Armament Haki to defend themselves.
But just as that merciless blade was about to fall—
A faint green glimmer suddenly flashed within the pitch-black shadows.
Brilliant lightning illuminated the space.
In that instant, the famed blade Narukami, ranked only among the Great Grade Meito, erupted with overwhelming momentum, shrieking like the cries of thousands of birds and beasts.
"One Sword Style — Black Blade · Thunder Flash!"
KLANG!!!
With a resounding clash of steel that shook the air, raging lightning collided head-on with frenzied killing intent. A violent shockwave exploded outward, sweeping in all directions.
"Hm!?"
The cigar-biting figure's eyes flashed with surprise.
This man was none other than the former head jailer of Impel Down—
Shiryu of the Rain!
Unlike the original timeline, this time the prison break at Impel Down involved not only Blackbeard, but also Golden Lion Shiki, who was intimately familiar with the terrain.
Combined with the unmatched mobility of the Float-Float Fruit, Blackbeard and Shiki rampaged through Impel Down almost unhindered, clearing it at breakneck speed. Magellan never even had the chance to order Shiryu's release as reinforcements.
By the time Blackbeard and Shiki reached Level 6, Shiryu was still locked in his cell.
Thus, after freeing and recruiting the prisoners, it was only natural for them to bring this man into the Black Lion Alliance.
Bathed in the wavering firelight, Shiryu instantly made out the figure standing opposite him.
"You are… the 'Dragon Swordsman' Roronoa Zoro!?"
Thanks to Blackbeard's intense focus on the Straw Hat Pirates, once their bounty posters spread across the seas, the Black Lion Alliance conducted special intelligence briefings on them.
So the moment Shiryu saw Zoro's face, he recognized him—and even called out his underground epithet.
"Oh? You actually know my name?"
Hearing his identity spoken, Zoro's lips curled into a satisfied grin.
"I heard you're itching to cut down someone stronger. What a coincidence—so am I!"
Crackle!
Dazzling lightning surged once more along Narukami's blade, faintly overpowering the killing aura emanating from Shiryu.
At the same time, Zoro reached to his waist and slowly drew Wado Ichimonji and Sandai Kitetsu, his presence steadily condensing.
The Pressure ability activated instantly, forming a terrifying oppressive force—like a ferocious dragon glaring hungrily at its prey.
Shiryu, however, showed no sign of backing down.
A pungent stench of blood wafted from his blade as he stood like a blood-devouring demon, confronting the dragon looming behind Zoro.
For a moment, the entire space felt like the battleground of two ferocious gods.
Even the ground itself seemed to grow heavy.
"Hey, you all!"
Zoro suddenly spoke while facing Shiryu.
"If you don't want to get hurt by the fallout of this fight, leave now!"
"…Huh!?"
Completely suppressed by the overwhelming auras of the two swordsmen, the Amazon Lily warriors snapped out of their daze at his words.
"Th-thank you!"
Knowing they would only be a burden, the women quickly turned and left—thanking the mysteriously appearing swordsman as they hurried off to where they were needed most.
"You let my prey escape on your own initiative…"
Shiryu's eyes gleamed viciously as he focused all his killing intent squarely on Zoro.
"Your nerve is something else."
"No helping it~"
Zoro merely smiled, saying coolly:
"If I don't let them go, I won't be able to fight at full strength and cut down a bastard like you!!!"
BOOM!!!
In an instant, domineering kingly pressure burst forth from Zoro's body, surging toward Shiryu like roaring tidal waves.
Feeling the violent tremor strike his spirit, Shiryu froze.
"This… this is Conqueror's Haki!?"
He exclaimed in shock.
After all, Zoro's bounty was only 880,000,000 Beli.
High by sea standards, yes—but within the Straw Hat Pirates, it was merely mid-tier.
Yet someone like that was unleashing such terrifying Conqueror's Haki.
"So… what the hell have those useless Marines been doing?!"
Realizing something was off, Shiryu's gaze turned serious.
On the other side, Zoro was just as focused.
At this moment, he could tell that Aisa's scouting system had made a serious miscalculation.
Judging by life force alone, Shiryu's strength was indeed around the low-sixties.
But as a fellow swordsman, Zoro knew—
A swordsman's true power wasn't determined by physical ability alone, but by their understanding and mastery of the sword!
The man before him was easily at level 70 or higher.
This was the first time Zoro had ever faced such a formidable opponent alone.
Yet there was no fear in his eyes—only excitement.
He licked his lips unconsciously and murmured so softly only he could hear:
"This is… thrilling."
The battle was on the verge of eruption!!!
As sparks burst within the shadows, the two swordsmen leapt backward simultaneously.
In the next instant, they raised their heads, sharp gazes locking onto one another.
Whoosh…!
Violent air currents whipped their clothes, snapping loudly.
As if answering an unspoken signal, both figures exploded with surging momentum once more—one red, one green—colliding in an instant.
"Three Sword Style Secret Technique — Six Paths' Crossroads!"
"Blood Fang!"
(End of Chapter)