Chapter 288: The Blocks Are Over
"Don't be afraid!"
"There are so many of us! Let's get him together!"
More and more enemies surrounded Zoro. It was truly because his one brilliant slash was too eye-catching.
If they didn't deal with the stronger opponent first, they would have no chance to compete for the final spot.
However, no matter how many grunts came, it couldn't change the fact that they would be crushed.
"Ittoryu." (One Sword Style)
Zoro placed his left hand on his right arm, bent his elbow back to hold the sword in a reverse grip above his head, and with the blade facing down, he swung it in a full circle.
"360 Pound Phoenix!!"
Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!
A sharp sword gleam, like a circling azure bird, in the blink of an eye, passed through the dozen or so contestants who had charged up.
In an instant, blood and gore flew, and one after another, the enemies revealed looks of pain as they were sent flying into the air.
His powerful figure and clean, crisp sword style instantly sent the entire audience into a frenzy.
"Where the hell did that bastard come from!"
Veins popped on Cavendish's hand. His eyes, fixed on Zoro, were filled with jealousy. "This stage was tailor-made for me! There's no need for a second person to steal the show!"
Clang!
The famous sword Durandal was unsheathed. Cavendish tapped the ground continuously with his toes, his body like a swimming dragon as he weaved through the countless contestants, rushing towards Zoro at extreme speed.
Wherever he passed, blood splattered. His attack speed was so fast that many contestants were cut down without even seeing him clearly.
"Finally, someone worth looking at."
Sensing the piercing sword intent that was aimed straight at him without any attempt to hide it, a bit more color appeared in Zoro's calm eyes. He held his sword in one hand and prepared to meet the attack.
A white shadow broke free from the crowd, its cape fluttering loudly.
Cavendish was practically flying close to the ground at high speed. In the blink of an eye, he flashed in front of Zoro, drew back his right arm, and thrust his Western-style sword straight out!
"Biken: Blue Bird!!"
The rapier's speed was incredibly fast, and a powerful airflow coiled around it, exploding with the thrust!
Zoro did not underestimate his enemy in the slightest. Veins bulged on his arm as he brought his longsword up from below!
Clang!!
The cold blades collided, and sparks flew.
"It was blocked?!"
The rapier was deflected upwards. Cavendish was in disbelief. His fastest, full-power frontal attack had its path seen through and blocked!
"You seem to be having a hard time accepting this result?"
Zoro laughed lightly, raised Wado Ichimonji high with one hand, and brought the heavy sword crashing down!
Clang!!
"So heavy!"
Cavendish hurriedly raised his sword horizontally to block. The brutal and powerful force instantly shocked him, and his feet scraped along the ground as he slid back a dozen meters.
Ferocious, but not crude. Barbaric and exquisite... two contradictory terms were perfectly fused in the opponent's sword.
"Such a ferocious swordsmanship... unheard of."
He stabbed his sword into the ground to steady himself, looking up with a wary gaze.
"The Pirate Prince has been repelled! Who on earth is this Roa? Let's give the camera to these two powerful swordsmen!"
Gatz was incomparably excited.
Cavendish, who had been the center of attention, had suddenly hit a wall against another unknown powerhouse. This comedic scene could instantly ignite the passion of the entire audience without him even needing to commentate!
High above the Corrida Colosseum.
Several cloaked figures hid on a rooftop, unnoticed, secretly watching the ring below.
"Cavendish... I remember you told me about him, Ace. He was a super rookie who entered the New World a year after you, right?"
Yamato was a little excited, as if she couldn't hold back from jumping down to fight.
Ace smiled faintly. "No wonder this guy was so popular back then. He's quite good-looking."
"Cavendish... entered the New World three years ago as the 'Gorgeous Supernova' with a bounty of 280 million,"
Marco said with a smile, "In terms of fame, this guy was even more famous than Ace, who had a bounty of 550 million. He caused quite a stir back then."
"I have a deep impression of him too. A young man with extremely high talent in swordsmanship. But..."
Vista teased, "According to rumors, he's a very arrogant guy in private."
"Hahaha, that makes him much more interesting."
Ace smiled and looked at Cavendish with great interest. "Maybe we should try to invite him later."
"Hey, hey, hey, you've already taken a liking to him?"
"Isn't that a bit too casual, you idiot Ace?"
"Well, our captain is just like that."
The several commanders behind him teased with a chuckle. Ace just gave a casual smile.
A shadow swam up the wall and onto the rooftop, gathering beside them into Reiner's form.
Damn it, this dog is trying to recruit people again.
The Reiner undead walked up contemptuously. "So it's the famous Sea Emperor. So sneaky. I thought it was a rat from some stinking gutter."
"Sigh, the annoying guy is here," Marco said, picking his ear, his dead-fish eyes full of disgust.
Yamato grinned, picked up her spiked club, and charged forward. "Let's have another fight, Reiner! I've gotten a lot stronger this time."
"Give it up. It's only been a few days."
Reiner casually flicked his index finger. A shadow extended and connected to Yamato, and a black hand shot out, directly grabbing her ankle.
Bang!
Passing by Yamato, who had fallen flat on her face, Reiner walked to Ace's side and sat down cross-legged, saying calmly:
"The situation in Dressrosa this time is far from simple. There are too many forces from all sides. Kaido has probably set a trap for you."
This was Reiner's own speculation.
Bakkin wasn't Doflamingo. A person as greedy as her had no reason to release the news of the Devil Fruits. There had to be some purpose.
If you had to say who the Tremor-Tremor Fruit was most attractive to, besides Blackbeard, it would be Ace's crew.
And just like that, the two groups had a deep hatred for each other. Not to mention, Kaido and the Whitebeard crew also had a grudge. The possibility of luring Ace to his death was very high.
Of course, this was all just his own malicious speculation. Anyway, if Reiner were Kaido, he would definitely do this.
"And the Marines... with so many forces dispatched, they might not be above trying to wipe you out before you become a major force."
Reiner glanced at Ace. Whether the other admitted it or not, as the surviving bloodline of Roger, he had always been a thorn in the World Government's side.
He was two years ago, and he wouldn't change now.
The World Government generally wouldn't easily start a war with a great pirate crew of this level, but if there was a chance to take them down, with Akainu's style, he definitely wouldn't let it go easily.
"I know. Marco has also made a guess."
Ace nodded. "Teach has been searching for the Tremor-Tremor Fruit for so long. He's probably also hiding in the dark, waiting for a chance. But..."
"No matter what, Pops's fruit must not fall into that traitor's hands."
Ace's gaze was resolute. He would even be fine with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit being taken by Reiner.
Whether it was Impel Down before or the Summit War, Luffy and the others had done a great favor for the Whitebeard Pirates.
If the Tremor-Tremor Fruit were given to them, he believed everyone could readily accept it. He'd even be fine with it falling into someone else's hands.
Only Teach was absolutely not an option!
"It's not as serious as you think. At the very least, the Marines and Kaido are definitely not on the same side. Also..."
Reiner smiled. "I just pulled in a group of helpers. The Revolutionary Army."
"The Revolutionary Army? How did you get hooked up with those guys?" Ace asked, looking over with a puzzled expression.
"Dragon is Luffy's father whom he has never met. Ivankov is also our friend. We can be considered to have some connection..." Reiner smiled.
He couldn't help but glance at Ace again. And Sabo is you two's brother.
"Anyway, it's a long story. Just remember they're on our side. I'm just worried about whether Kaido will show up. You haven't exposed your movements, right?"
"Mm, this operation was very cautious. The ship also took a special detour and docked on the deserted north coast. We shouldn't be exposed," Marco replied.
As the think tank of the Whitebeard Pirates, he had already considered this operation many times.
The risk was great, but the news of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's appearance was like a thorn in their hearts. They really couldn't bring themselves to be indifferent.
"Don't be too confident. The Revolutionaries have already found you, not to mention the Donquixote Family."
With that, Reiner stood up and looked at Ace. "That guy Ryokugyu is participating in disguise. A Logia-type Forest-Forest Fruit user. Your ability counters him. It's just right to leave him to you when the time comes."
"Hey, you bastard!"
Yamato was instantly displeased. She stomped her foot and shouted at Reiner with her hands on her hips, "Why should our captain listen to your commands!"
"Well, it's fine, Yamato. There's no problem with that arrangement," Ace said with a sheepish smile, raising his hand to stop her.
Marco also couldn't help but laugh. "We haven't even started fighting yet. Don't tell me you've already arranged everything."
They had all witnessed Reiner's command and deployment capabilities. His performance in the Summit War had already conquered everyone.
Coupled with his unfathomable strength...
Marco couldn't help but sigh. With such a competitor, it wouldn't be easy for Ace to reach the top of the sea.
"It seems we owe you another favor this time. If this continues, we'll never be able to pay you back," Ace said with a laugh and a sigh.
Marco patted him on the back and smiled. "Don't worry. As long as we're on the sea, there will always be a day when we can help them."
"Marco gets it."
Reiner teased, "We'll keep the first division spot in the Straw Hat Grand Fleet for you. Remember to come when you're called in the future. I'm off."
With that, Reiner waved his hand, turned back into a shadow, and left along the ground.
"Huh?!"
"First division of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet?!"
"What does that bastard mean!"
Ace and his group were exasperated, cursing at the departing shadow.
On the fighting ring.
"Biken: Swan Lake!"
Cavendish leaped above Zoro, a dense shower of sword lights pouring down.
Zoro's body sank into a firm horse stance. He held his longsword horizontally and continuously swung it in small arcs, each time accurately parrying the tip of the other's sword.
Cavendish fought with increasing alarm. He had been roaming the seas for several years, yet he had never heard of such a master swordsman.
Suddenly, a hurricane kicked up, sharp as blades, and completely pulled him into the center of a vortex. His body was continuously cut open.
"Black Rope: Great Dragon Twister!!"
Seeing his body out of control and about to be sent flying out of the ring, Cavendish was instantly shocked.
He used his core strength, swung a slash of sword energy towards the sky, and using the reactive force, he did several flips and landed towards Zoro's position.
"It's over."
Zoro's lips curled into a cold smile. He sheathed his sword and gathered his power.
"Ittoryu Iai."
Armament Haki as black as ink imbued the hilt of his sword from his wrist. A sharp sword energy ravaged around him but did not dissipate.
Until Cavendish was about to land, Zoro's eyes hardened, he pushed the sword with his thumb, and the cold glint came out of the sheath.
"Shishi Sonson!!"
ZING!!
Cavendish's pupils dilated, reflecting the straight, green slash that flashed past, viciously tearing open his chest!
Squelch!!
As blood splattered, a shocking wound appeared. Cavendish's eyes rolled back.
The Kamaitachi of Rommel had not yet had a chance to appear before it was lost, and he flew straight into the water!
Crack—crack—crack!
Before the audience could react from their shock, several cracks suddenly spread out from the center, in the blink of an eye reaching the edge of the ring.
Splash!
"What's going on!"
Rebecca had just used her agile figure to knock a contestant into the water when she was immediately attracted by the strange phenomenon on the field. She quickly followed the cracks and looked towards the center of the ring.
She saw a blond man with his five fingers formed into a claw, his arm hard as steel, plunged into the ground.
Sabo grinned, and with a burst of force, he sent his Haki viciously into the fighting ring!
"Ryū no Ibuki!!" (Dragon's Breath!!)
Rumble!!
The ground began to shake violently, and with a rolling cloud of dust and flying rubble, the entire fighting ring began to collapse along one crack after another!
Splash! Splash!
"What the hell!"
"Run!"
"The ring is sinking!"
Countless sounds of falling into water, mixed with wails, were heard. A host of contestants and the cracked giant rocks began to sink into the water.
Rebecca leaped between the giant rocks several times, but soon found she had no foothold and could only fall into the water with a heart full of unwillingness.
"The ring has collapsed! What on earth is going on? Are there any survivors!"
Gatz shouted while staring with wide eyes. Two figures broke free from the rolling thick smoke and leaped into the air.
"There are still two people! There are no footholds below! What are they going to do!"
"What is this idiot doing?!"
Zoro stared at Sabo opposite him with annoyance and gritted his teeth. "Hey! Do you have an idiot brother in the East Blue? Sworn brother or whatever is fine!"
"A brother?!"
Sabo, on the other side, was stunned. He clearly hadn't expected Zoro to suddenly ask him such a strange question under these circumstances.
A sworn brother?
In his blank mind, a stretch of green lawn suddenly appeared.
In a forest, three small, blurry figures sat around a tree stump, raising red sake cups and grinning foolishly.
Who were they?
Sabo's pupils dilated. He was suddenly lost in thought, letting his body fall without even realizing it.
Gatz's gaze was fixed on the two of them. "It seems contestant Roa will be slower to fall into the water! Could it be that the winner of Block D will be decided in this way!"
His loud shout, however, suddenly brought Sabo back to his senses. Seeing that he was about to fall into the water, his five fingers came together into a three-fingered claw, and he slammed it downwards.
"Ryū no Ibuki!!"
Bang!
The formless air seemed to explode, and a shockwave carried his body upwards instead!
"That works too!?" Zoro's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but want to curse.
Splash!
With the splash of water, Zoro finally became a drowned rat, his wet green head looking up.
Sabo did a flip and landed in the spectator stands. In mid-air, he shouted at Gatz, "You can announce the result now!"
"Uh, ah!"
The audience would definitely not be satisfied with no winner. Coming back to his senses, Gatz immediately announced loudly, "The winner is! Contestant Pike!!"
"With this! All four blocks are over! The single winners from each block are!"
"Contestant Shirakawa from Block A!"
"Alan from Block B!"
"Block C, Lucy!"
"And contestant Pike from Block D! Let's congratulate the four who have entered the finals!!"
"Whoa—!!"
With Gatz's passionate roar, the entire audience erupted in the most enthusiastic cheers, and confetti flew everywhere.
The staff also quickly entered the field to fish people out and, under the pretext of centralized treatment, guided everyone to the medical room in the resting hall.
The onlooking Reiner put away his camera and couldn't help but smile at the two photos in his hand.
One was a handsome photo of Zoro standing with his sword at the ready, and the other was a pathetic photo of him finally falling into the water.
I'll sell it to Sanji later.
(End of chapter)
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