The alley was deathly quiet.
Broken stones littered the ground. Groans rose and fell intermittently.
Zoro slowly pushed himself up.
His vision swam.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"…Tch."
He spat blood aside and raised his head.
His gaze locked onto the man standing not far away.
Still calm.
Still unharmed.
As if everything that had just happened meant nothing.
Zoro's grip tightened.
Veins bulged along his arm.
"You bastard…"
"You're strong."
The man glanced at him.
"Oh?"
"You can still stand?"
Zoro straightened his back.
The swords at his waist rattled faintly.
"But…"
He stepped forward.
"…don't get cocky."
The man smiled faintly.
"Confidence is good."
"But blind confidence…"
"…is stupidity."
Zoro drew a sword.
Cold light flashed.
"Santoryu—"
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"Three-sword style?"
Zoro clenched a blade between his teeth. His presence surged.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
The man shook his head.
"No."
"That's not it."
Zoro frowned.
"What?"
The man stepped forward.
"Your stance is sloppy."
"Your breathing is unstable."
"Your center of gravity is off."
"And your killing intent…"
"…is scattered."
Zoro's pupils contracted.
"Bullshit!"
He roared and charged.
Sword light exploded.
The alley roared as dust erupted.
The slash tore straight toward the man—
And missed.
"What?!"
Too fast.
Bang!
A heavy blow slammed into Zoro's abdomen.
"Gah—!"
Blood sprayed as his body folded.
Another strike followed—
Crack!
Pain detonated in his shoulder.
Zoro was hurled into the wall.
Stone shattered.
He slid down, panting.
"…Damn it…"
The man crossed his arms, expression indifferent.
"This is what I meant."
He looked at Zoro coldly.
"Swordsmanship…"
"…is not used like this."
Zoro struggled to lift his head, teeth grinding.
"You…"
"You think you can lecture me?"
The man smiled faintly.
"I'm not lecturing."
"I'm stating a fact."
He stepped closer.
"You rely too much on brute force."
"You swing wildly."
"You chase intimidation…"
"…instead of precision."
Zoro's breathing grew ragged.
"You talk too much…"
The man's gaze sharpened.
"Because you're wasting your talent."
Zoro froze.
"…What?"
The man continued evenly.
"Your body is strong."
"Your will is strong."
"Your potential…"
"…is enormous."
"But your technique?"
He shook his head.
"It's crude."
Zoro's fists trembled.
Anger surged.
"You think…"
"You think you know everything?!"
The man stopped a few meters away.
"I know enough."
He looked down at Zoro.
"If you keep fighting like this…"
"You won't die a swordsman's death."
"You'll die…"
"…like a reckless fool."
Silence fell.
Zoro's breathing echoed.
Memories flashed—
Kuina.
The dojo.
Countless defeats.
The vow beneath the moon.
"…I won't lose."
Zoro stood again, body screaming.
The man watched quietly.
"Oh?"
"You're still not giving up."
Zoro raised his head.
Blood streamed down his face.
But his eyes—
Burned brighter than ever.
"I will become…"
"The world's greatest swordsman."
The man stared for a long moment.
Then—
He smiled.
"Good."
"That resolve…"
"At least deserves respect."
Zoro tightened his grip.
The man slowly raised his hand.
"Then…"
"Let me show you…"
"What real swordsmanship looks like."
The air turned razor-sharp.
Pressure descended like a blade at Zoro's throat.
His pupils shrank.
This was different.
Cold.
Precise.
Deadly.
The man stepped forward.
The ground cracked soundlessly.
"Watch carefully."
"This…"
"…is the difference between us."
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