Zoro's swordsman instincts sensed the chasm between him and Gawain from the first glance.
Yet facing it head-on, the shock was overwhelming.
A mere "toy" dagger blocked his signature killing move?
"Are you even human?!" Zoro gasped. "Can pure swordsmanship reach this level?!"
Joseph and Johnny, watching from afar, were equally stunned.
They could accept a gap—Gawain was East Blue's highest-bounty pirate, surpassing even Fire Fist Ace.
But a gap this vast? Incomprehensible.
"Even the strongest humans have limits, right?" Joseph gritted his teeth.
Johnny was speechless.
…
Whoosh!
A sea breeze blew, chilling Zoro's sweat-soaked back.
The man before him spoke calmly. "Still trying to make me draw my sword, Zoro?"
"Of course." Shock and doubt vanished from Zoro's eyes, replaced by a blazing resolve. "I get it now."
"Without monstrous strength, how could my name echo in Paradise?"
"How could she hear it?"
"Nice look in your eyes," Gawain nodded.
In a flash, Zoro's three swords unleashed a storm of strikes.
Realizing the gap, he fought unrestrained. This man was the strongest swordsman he'd ever faced—stronger than all past foes combined.
That long, simple sword in Gawain's scabbard seemed familiar, but Zoro had no time to think—only to fight.
His dense, relentless slashes, like a slicing gale, aimed to lock Gawain's options.
Yet to Gawain, they were feeble. Without even using Observation Haki, his Level-5 swordsmanship countered effortlessly.
His dagger darted like raindrops, blocking every move.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The rapid clash of steel rang out.
Zoro's fierce, lightning-fast swordplay was neutralized with ease, as if Gawain expended no effort.
"Is this the Captain's strength?" Nami marveled. "A monster."
She finally grasped why Gawain could slaughter Arlong, who'd suffocated Cocoyasi and the Marines for years.
His swordsmanship was inhuman.
Kuro, arms crossed, said coolly, "If he couldn't do this, he wouldn't be Captain."
"This is just a post-meal stretch for him."
Gin nodded, glancing at Joseph and Johnny. "Two rats. I'll handle them."
"Go," Kuro said.
…
In the fray, Zoro dripped sweat, his stamina drained by relentless swings.
As his movements slowed, Gawain's dagger, like a viper, slipped through, piercing his shirt and stopping at his skin.
"It's over," Gawain said coldly.
"No!" Zoro growled. "Not yet!"
Slash!
He lunged, ignoring the pain of the blade in his chest, aiming to complete his attack.
No retreat, only battle!
"You make me happy!" Gawain laughed, dropping the dagger. Using Spoon's speed, he closed in, landing a heavy punch to Zoro's gut.
Zoro's stance buckled, his back arched, body crumpling like a cooked shrimp.
"Guh!" He coughed blood, collapsing to one knee, but forced himself up, eyes still defiant. "A man doesn't kneel to strength!"
"Well said!" Gawain nodded. "Want to join my crew?"
"Soon, we'll head to the Grand Line, then the New World. Countless peaks await us to climb!"
Zoro shook his head. "Not until I keep my promise to her."
"Pity," Gawain said.
He retrieved Wado Ichimonji from the sand, drawing it slowly.
Zing!
The silver blade gleamed under the moonlight, long and unadorned, radiating lethal sharpness.
Zoro's eyes widened. "That's Master Koshiro's sword! How do you have it?"
Gawain smiled faintly. "It chose me."
Wado Ichimonji hummed, its blade vibrating with eager emotion.
Zoro felt it, stunned. "There's a soul in that sword?"
"Every sword has a will, a personality. You haven't found your perfect match yet."
"Dying with that regret—wouldn't it be a shame?"
"The New World holds that man."
At the mention of Hawkeye, Zoro shook his blood-loss-dizzy head, looking at Gawain. "How big's the gap between you and him?"
"A hundred times bigger than the one between us."
Zoro chuckled, then collapsed, unconscious.
Gawain, silent for a moment, sheathed Wado Ichimonji and called the ship's doctor to treat Zoro's wounds.
A golden-tier seed like him wasn't one to let go. As long as he lived, recruitment was possible.
…
Joseph and Johnny, subdued by Gin, stopped struggling, letting the pirates bind them.
"Good thing that man sees Big Bro Zoro's potential and wants him," Joseph said. "He's safe for now."
"With our strength, we can't fight that monster," Johnny added.
Joseph clenched his teeth, hating his weakness. Johnny stayed silent.
The beach battle, like a farce, ended.
But a howling storm arrived, rain pelting their faces.
Gawain ordered the ship secured, then led the crew inland.
Suddenly, a grim voice echoed from the jungle. "Leave now!"
"Or take one more step, and misfortune awaits!"
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