The moment that voice fell, Koshiro's body moved.
It was so fast that the naked eye could barely catch the motion an instant of pure speed that surpassed even the Navy's "Soru."
Clang!
The blade of Wado Ichimonji flashed out of its sheath, leaving behind several overlapping afterimages that filled Ezra D. Vale's vision.
A glint of sharp light flickered in Ezra's crimson eyes. His right foot slid forward, his right hand resting on the hilt of Ryūjin Jakka at his waist.
"Breath of the Sword Scatter!"
Shing! Shing! Shing!
At the exact moment his blade was drawn, several slashes burst forth at once, each one colliding head-on with the dancing shadows of Koshiro's strikes.
Koshiro's expression shifted. He swiftly withdrew, evading the area of impact before raising Wado Ichimonji high above his head.
"One-Sword Style Secret Technique Cutting Through All Things!"
Every ounce of his aura gathered into the sword's edge.
Whoosh!
The blade came down in a single, elegant arc. A gust of wind surged forth, carrying with it killing intent so sharp it sliced the air itself.
Ezra's crimson eyes fixed on the deadly wave rushing toward him. His grip tightened on Ryūjin Jakka, raising it high above his head.
"Way of the Sword Dual Severance!"
His blade descended in a flash.
Unlike Koshiro's quiet and precise technique, Ezra's strike was a spectacle raw power, unrestrained and explosive. The air itself trembled.
Even the onlookers could feel the immense pressure radiating from that slash.
"What is that?!"
"Can a human even unleash something like this?!"
From the sidelines, Mihawk could only whisper in disbelief. Even Koshiro's calm composure faltered.
The moment of collision came.
There was no balance, no stalemate Koshiro's refined blade of wind shattered the instant it met Ezra's strike.
Ezra's slash tore through the air, continuing forward with unstoppable force, slicing past Koshiro's shoulder and slamming into the mountain behind him.
Boom!
A thunderous crack echoed through the valley. When the dust settled, the mountain behind Koshiro had been neatly cleaved in two.
Had this not been a friendly duel, no one could have survived that attack.
Koshiro stared at the distant mountain, then let out a quiet, helpless laugh.
Defeat.
And not just defeat absolute, undeniable defeat.
His eyes turned to Ezra, who stood still with eyes closed, as if savoring the lingering rhythm of battle.
That brief exchange had given Ezra more than victory it had deepened his understanding of the sword itself.
Koshiro didn't interrupt. He merely watched in silence.
After a while, Ezra slowly exhaled, opening his crimson eyes. He slid Ryūjin Jakka back into its sheath with calm precision.
"Koshiro, thank you for the lesson."
Koshiro smiled faintly and waved a hand. "You're too kind, Ezra. I've learned much myself."
Then, with genuine admiration, he added, "Your swordsmanship is… overwhelming. In my eyes, you already stand among the world's greatest swordsmen."
Ezra chuckled softly. "You flatter me, Koshiro."
But just as he was about to say more, his expression froze. His brows drew together sharply.
"Friend, since you're already here, why not show yourself?"
Koshiro blinked in surprise. He hadn't sensed anything unusual his perception was nowhere near Ezra's level.
Then, a hearty, confident laugh echoed through the dojo courtyard.
"Hahaha! Such sharp intuition… as expected of Ezra D. Vale!"
A sudden gust of wind swept through the room. A man stepped forward his dark green coat billowing, a red square tattoo marking his left cheek.
Ezra's eyes narrowed. "Monkey D. Dragon… so it really is you."
Dragon smirked. "Oh? So the famous Vice Admiral Ezra knows me already?"
Ezra shrugged casually. "Let's just say I've worked with your father before Garp and I go way back."
Dragon nodded slightly. "Ah yes. You were one of those who escorted Gol D. Roger to the execution platform."
He chuckled lightly. "I almost forgot about that."
But Ezra's thoughts were far from calm.
Something's off. By this point in history, Dragon shouldn't yet be an enemy of the Navy. He shouldn't even have formed the Revolutionary Army.
Ezra's eyes narrowed. "Dragon, as a Marine from the First Division, shouldn't you be stationed in the New World right now? What brings you alone to Shimotsuki Village?"
Koshiro's hand tightened instinctively around his sword, his expression wary.
Dragon noticed the tension and calmly raised a hand. "There's no need to worry, Koshiro."
Then his gaze returned to Ezra. "Actually, I don't mind telling you."
"I've formed an army."
Hina's face hardened. "Vice Admiral Monkey D. Dragon! Do you even realize what you're saying?!"
"You're challenging the World Government itself!"
Dragon gave a soft, disdainful laugh. "Challenging? No… it's far more than that."
"In this world where the weak are devoured by the strong, happiness never lasts. Especially not when the ones in power are driven solely by greed."
"Compared to their corruption, the crimes of so-called villains look merciful."
"It's because of those parasites that the world has become what it is a cycle of oppression and decay!"
His voice rose, steady and resolute.
"So I've made my choice. I will leave the Navy behind."
"I will sever all ties with the World Government."
Hina and the others listened in silence, shaken by the sheer conviction in his tone.
"So what then?" Hina finally asked. "Do you intend to kill them all?"
Dragon's lips curled into a sharp smile. "Kill them? No."
"What I seek… is revolution."
"I will change this rotting world completely."
Then, his gaze met Ezra's piercing, unwavering.
"Ezra D. Vale," he said, his voice low but burning with purpose, "will you join me?"
"Will you stand by my side to overthrow the World Government's rule?"
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