Zian didn't pay attention to what the others were thinking. He was lost in his own thoughts.
Using this method to gradually eliminate the enemy's strength… he mused silently.
Sanji must know that those left behind would be dealt with by their allies later. It was an effective approach.
But there was one condition: no enemy should be stronger than Sanji himself. From what Zoro had said, that might not be the case.
A trace of concern flickered across Zian's eyes.
"Tell me about your formation this time," Zian said. "Also, how's the military presence on Enies Lobby?"
By chance or luck, the suited man standing there seemed to know a lot.
"Besides a large number of soldiers…"
Zian interrupted. "Don't bother mentioning the soldiers on the train."
"…Alright."
"This escort is mainly handled by five CP9 agents, and the regular military presence on Enies Lobby is about ten thousand."
"I see…"
Zian didn't know the true strength of CP9, but if Zoro considered them formidable, it was likely beyond Sanji's solo capabilities. At least, one against five was not a fair fight. Hopefully, Sanji wouldn't rush in recklessly.
As for the so-called ten thousand soldiers, Zian dismissed them. Without strong fighters among them, sheer numbers meant little.
After a moment, Zian asked, "Are there any other CP9 members stationed on Enies Lobby?"
"Not sure," the suited man admitted. "But CP9's job is to guard Enies Lobby. There should be others present."
How many and who exactly, he didn't know.
Zian reasoned: since the CP9 agents they were facing had left Water Seven, there had to be others on Enies Lobby. Otherwise, reinforcements couldn't arrive if the island was attacked.
And would anyone dare attack Enies Lobby? Hah, of course they were heading there themselves.
Lost in thought, Zian released his control over the suited man. Since he'd already gotten the information he needed, the man was useless now.
The man, realizing what had just happened, turned pale.
"What… what did I just do?!"
He had just given the enemy critical intelligence. Even if he survived this, the repercussions would be severe.
Under these crimson eyes, no secret could remain hidden, Zian said calmly.
With that, he ignored the shaken man and walked past everyone to another train car. "Luffy, we've got the information we need. We can move out."
"Sanji's not here…"
"No, he isn't."
Through the rear window, Zian looked out at the sea. "Sanji is still on the front train. Whether we can catch up before he reaches Enies Lobby is another matter."
If Sanji charged in alone, he'd face countless experts and ten thousand soldiers. The thought made Zian's expression tense.
"Then let's go. We have to catch up to him as soon as possible," Luffy said. He trusted Sanji would survive, but helping their comrade sooner was always better.
On the train roof, Zian looked at the approaching cars. "We need to deal with that detached car. The Rocketman won't handle it otherwise."
Simply crashing into the loose car wasn't an option.
"Leave it to Zoro!" Luffy grinned, as if two train cars were just slices of cake.
"Oh? Fine then."
Zian had been about to draw his sword but relaxed, watching the approaching car. He was curious to see Zoro's technique.
At Luffy's signal, Zoro stood on the Rocketman's head, eyes calm as the car approached.
As it drew near, he moved.
"Two-Sword Style: Iai Ro-sho-mon!"
The Flying Slash erupted. In an instant, the two train cars were sliced clean in half!
Everyone still awake inside froze in shock.
"The… the car's been cut in half!"
They had just escaped one menace, and now the train was being sliced apart.
"Amazing!"
Zanbai and the others gaped. Was this the true power of the Pirate Hunter?
"And yet he's not even the captain…" Zanbai swallowed nervously.
No, that was better! The chance of rescuing their comrade had just increased. Zanbai's excitement made him tremble.
"This is a swordsman's slash," Zian mused.
Back on the Rocketman, Zian examined Zoro's swords. His Sharingan had just captured the Flying Slash in motion. It was somewhat similar to his own wind-style slashes with the Kusanagi sword but also fundamentally different.
Zoro's strike had no elemental properties. Pure. Zian's slash had chakra.
Zoro sheathed his swords calmly, not even glancing at the split cars, as if it were trivial. Then he looked at Zian. "You carry a sword too…"
"I'm not a pure swordsman," Zian shook his head. "Don't forget, I'm a ninja."
To him, sword or blade was merely a tool for killing. The Kusanagi sword's specialty was its ability to channel chakra.
"True enough," Zoro nodded in understanding. Zian wasn't a swordsman, so it was natural he didn't fully grasp the techniques.
"This is a swordsman's slash," Zoro explained. "Once you reach the Iron-Cutting level, you can advance to the Flying Slash. That's when a swordsman is recognized as a true master."
Beyond that was the Great Swordsman rank, like Dracule Mihawk, the world's top swordsman Zoro had once faced. Zoro was determined he'd surpass such a figure one day.
"Flying Slash…" Zian stroked his chin. "Got it."
By that standard, could he be considered a swordsman as well? His wind blades could cut steel with ease.
"Strange… why is there a giant Sea King corpse here?" Barry wondered.
The Rocketman moved fast, leaving the sliced train cars behind. Yet ahead lay the Sea King, also cut in half!
"Seems there's a skilled fighter ahead," Zian said, glancing at the fallen creature. "Only a swordsman of this caliber could do this."
"Leave it to me," Zoro said firmly. When it came to facing a swordsman, naturally, it was his job.