The smell of salt and iron drifted through the harbor air. Zoro sat near the docks, an empty sake bottle beside him, his three swords leaning against the wooden wall.
Roronoa Zoro had no grand plan that day. No target. No bounty to chase.
Until he overheard two drunken men talking.
"Did you hear? Kensai Island is holding the Samurai Tournament again!"
"The one that happens every five years? The prize is a legendary blade!"
"Not just that! The winner's name spreads across all the seas!"
Zoro slowly set the bottle down.
A tournament of samurai?
He didn't speak. He just listened.
"They say only the strongest dare to register. Masters from the Grand Line are coming."
Grand Line.
Zoro's eyes sharpened slightly.
When the men staggered away, he stood up and secured his swords.
"The strongest…"
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"Good."
The journey wasn't short. His small boat rocked against rough waves, but Zoro trained the entire way—balancing, striking, strengthening his stance even on unstable water.
Several days later, Kensai Island appeared on the horizon.
Massive banners bearing the symbol of crossed swords waved in the wind. The distant sound of war drums and cheering crowds echoed from the shore.
When he entered the city, warriors filled every street.
Samurai in polished armor.
Swordsmen in traditional robes.
Fighters carrying massive, unusual blades.
One of them glanced at Zoro and laughed.
"Hey kid, you lost? This isn't a festival."
Zoro walked past without responding.
At the center of the city stood a stone hall draped in tall banners.
A sign read:
Registration – Grand Sword Tournament.
Inside, a long line of fighters waited. Each gave their name and declared their fighting style.
When it was Zoro's turn, the registrar spoke without looking up.
"Name."
"Roronoa Zoro."
The man paused.
"Fighting style?"
"Three swords."
The registrar finally looked up.
"Three? This is an official tournament. Not a joke."
Zoro met his gaze calmly.
"I'm not joking."
Whispers spread behind him.
"Isn't he that bounty hunter?"
"The one who wiped out an entire crew alone?"
The registrar sighed and stamped the paper.
"You're registered. Preliminary round begins tomorrow morning."
Zoro turned and walked away.
That night, the training grounds rang with the sound of clashing steel. Fighters warmed up, showing off their techniques.
Zoro sat alone in a quiet corner, calmly cleaning his blades.
A tall man with a scar across his face approached him.
"You registered too?"
Zoro nodded.
The man smirked.
"Most people come here for fame. Some for money. What about you?"
For a moment, an image flashed in Zoro's mind.
Sharp hawk-like eyes.
A black blade.
A crushing defeat.
He answered quietly:
"To get stronger."
The man laughed.
"That's what everyone says."
Zoro stood up.
"No. I'm different."
Morning came.
The massive stone arena was filled with spectators. War drums shook the air.
The announcer shouted:
"Preliminary Round! Show us your strength!"
Names were called one by one.
"Roronoa Zoro!"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Zoro stepped into the arena. Sunlight reflected off his blades.
His opponent was a heavily built man wielding a massive sword.
The man grinned.
"You can still withdraw, kid."
Zoro slowly drew one sword.
Then the second.
The crowd grew quiet.
He lifted the third sword…
And placed it between his teeth.
Some spectators laughed.
"With his mouth? Seriously?"
But there was nothing playful in Zoro's eyes.
The referee dropped his hand.
"Begin!"
The opponent charged with a roar. His heavy strike cracked the stone floor.
Zoro vanished.
Only the sound of steel colliding echoed.
One movement.
Two.
A green blur passed by the opponent's side.
Silence.
The man's sword shattered clean in half.
He stood frozen… then collapsed to his knees.
The arena erupted in shock.
"What just happened?!"
"Did you even see him move?!"
Zoro flicked the blood off his blade and sheathed it calmly.
His expression didn't change.
This was only registration.
Only the beginning.
Above, several master swordsmen watched carefully from the stands.
One of them muttered,
"That boy… is hungry."
Down in the arena, Zoro looked up at the sky.
"This still isn't enough…"
But a faint smile appeared.
If the strongest had gathered here—
Then he was one step closer to his goal.
And the tournament had only just begun. 🔥