Boom!
A thunderous explosion echoed through the sky. The sharp sword energy streaked out like lightning, devastating everything in its path like a hurricane. Rocks and walls were cleanly split in two, the cut surfaces smooth as mirrors.
Zoro gasped for air, drenched in sweat as if he'd just been pulled from water.
His intense battle with Kaguya had already drained much of his strength, and now, after unleashing such a powerful technique, his stamina was on the brink.
But if he could just defeat that woman, then everything would be worth it.
With that thought, a smirk formed on Zoro's lips. He sheathed his swords, wearing a satisfied grin.
That technique was one of his strongest, capable of explosive power in an instant. Even Mihawk might not be able to deflect it so easily.
As the swirling dust began to settle, a slender figure emerged—and Zoro's pupils shrank.
"That's your strongest sword technique? Truly third-rate. And you look so pleased with yourself."
With a wave of her arm, the figure within the smoke summoned a gust of wind that swept away the lingering dust, revealing Kaguya, completely unharmed.
Impossible.
Zoro's eyes widened, cold sweat breaking out across his brow.
Before him stood the elegant, golden-haired girl—unscathed, without a single scratch or even a wrinkle on her clothes.
His palm was slick with sweat. He could've sworn his attack had connected.
"Impossible," Zoro gritted his teeth, tightening his grip on his swords. "How could you..."
"How?" Kaguya approached gracefully, a faint, mocking smile on her flawless face. "Didn't you know that technique was originally taught by me?"
Zoro's pupils shrank further as he shouted, "Stop joking! That technique came from my teacher, Koshiro!"
Kaguya chuckled. "Yes, from Koshiro. But where do you think his swordsmanship came from?"
Zoro froze.
His swordsmanship, though developed through personal practice, was passed down from his master Koshiro. He remembered how Koshiro had often spoken humbly of his abilities, saying there was once a true master whose swordsmanship transcended human limits—a being so powerful, even gods would pale before them.
Whenever Zoro had asked more, Koshiro would simply smile and say no more. That only made Zoro admire that legendary swordsman even more.
Zoro stared in disbelief at the golden-haired girl before him. Could she really be...
But how was that even possible?
"Swordsmanship isn't about flailing blades around. Your so-called technique barely qualifies as third-rate," Kaguya said coldly. "You're still leagues away from being a real swordsman."
"Don't be so arrogant! This is my path! I don't need you pointing fingers!" Zoro snarled.
He stomped the ground, blasting forward like a released arrow, lifting his blades high and swinging down with lightning speed.
"Three Sword Style: 108-Pound Phoenix!"
A fierce blade light burst from Zoro's sword, transforming into a storm of wind blades like a raging tornado, blasting outward in an instant.
Kaguya's voice rang out coldly and disdainfully, "Before absolute power, no matter how much you struggle, it's meaningless."
As she spoke, she raised her arm. A pitch-black aura like ink radiated from her sword, crackling like lightning. With a swing of the blade, a massive pillar of light erupted forth.
"Excalibur."
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion shook the sky. The tornado collided with the black light beam, and the resulting shockwave swept across the land like a tsunami, stirring a storm that tore apart everything in its path. The surrounding buildings crumbled instantly, reduced to fragments.
The tornado lasted only a few seconds before being utterly destroyed. The black light beam, still bursting with power, tore through the shredded winds and surged directly toward Zoro.
Zoro's pupils shrank.
BOOM!
The beam slammed into a nearby hill, which collapsed instantly. A crater over a hundred meters wide formed, and the surrounding area crystallized from the intense heat, still emitting curling wisps of smoke.
The power of a single sword strike—this was the result.
The already ruined town was reduced to complete rubble. As far as the eye could see, nothing remained but shattered ruins and scattered debris.
Kaguya looked solemnly at the distant wreckage before turning to leave.
But before she could take more than a few steps, the rubble suddenly exploded, and a figure leapt out.
His body was covered in blood, his clothes tattered and torn, injuries scattered all over. Smoke still rose from his frame, and the faint smell of burned flesh lingered in the air.
"Even after all that, you still won't give up?" Kaguya turned back and said softly.
Zoro clenched his teeth, shouting, "This is the path I chose—I'll follow it to the end no matter what!"
With that, he bit down on one sword, crossed his arms with the other two, and surged with black energy. A terrifying aura poured from his body, his form darkening, and amidst the black mist, two more phantom forms emerged, forming the shape of a six-armed, three-headed Asura.
"Asura: Nine-Sword Style—Demonic Nine Flash!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Zoro's figure blinked forward, appearing right before Kaguya in a flash. His wrists twisted, and nine sword lights exploded from his blades, ripping through the air like lightning.
But Kaguya remained indifferent. "Since you're so serious, I suppose I can be a little serious too. Let me show you the difference in strength—so you can die without regrets."
Zoro's eyes narrowed. A foreboding premonition rose in his chest. But at this point, there was no turning back. He gritted his teeth and pushed forward even faster.
Kaguya raised her hand, eyes narrowing.
"Mana Burst."
A massive surge of power erupted from within her, and pitch-black energy surged out like a tsunami, forming a shadowy veil that swallowed the sky. Even the bright blue heavens were consumed, forming a swirling black vortex like a black hole.
Day turned to night, light vanished, and the air filled with an ominous, bone-chilling cold. Then, a voice rang out, like a whisper from the depths of the abyss:
"Excalibur."
A light pillar several times more massive than the last burst forth, roaring toward the oncoming Zoro with unstoppable force.
...
...
After the brutal battle, Dressrosa was unrecognizable. The ground had collapsed into crisscrossing ravines, and the once-prosperous town had vanished. Only broken walls, rubble, and debris remained. Under the setting sun, the scene looked even more desolate and tragic.
Kaguya nudged Zoro—charred like grilled meat and still giving off the scent of burning flesh—with her foot and said regretfully, "Dead already? What a shame. He was a fun toy. I wanted to play with him a bit more."
Since he was dead, it was no longer interesting. Kaguya turned away, bored, and started to walk off.
But just then, a wounded hand suddenly reached out and grabbed her foot.
Kaguya looked back, raising a brow. At some point, Zoro had regained consciousness. Coughing weakly, he clung to her ankle and said with difficulty, "I won't… let you hurt my crewmates."
Kaguya frowned. Her voice turned cold. "Let go of my foot."
She kicked him in the stomach.
Zoro's eyes bulged. His body curled up, and blood spurted from his mouth. But his hand clinging to her ankle didn't loosen.
"Let go of me!"
Kaguya kicked him several more times, but Zoro clung to her like a stubborn leech.
"I said," Zoro wheezed, his face pale and bruised, his swollen eyes barely open, "unless you kill me and step over my corpse, I won't let you harm my crewmates."
"You really are stubborn," Kaguya said coldly. "In that case, I'll grant your wish and send you to the underworld." She raised her sword and aimed at the nearly unconscious Zoro.
"Zoro!"
Luffy called out weakly, full of urgency. He tried with all his might to crawl toward Zoro, but he was utterly exhausted. A movement that once took no effort now required everything he had.
Elsewhere in the ruined town, Luffy's allies rushed toward them. But the distance was great, and the rubble and ravines made progress slow. Rescuing Zoro in time was out of the question.
"Looks like you're going to die," Kaguya said coldly. "Farewell, third-rate swordsman." She brought her sword down.
Just then, a brilliant beam of light shot over from the distance like a streak of lightning.
BOOM!
A dazzling explosion erupted where Kaguya stood. Rocks shattered, debris flew, flames roared, and thick smoke billowed.
"SUPER!"
From the distance appeared a well-built man with blue hair, a flashy red shirt, and bright red shorts—striking a heroic pose. It was Franky of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Behind him were a skeleton with an afro, a curly-browed blond man, a reindeer, and an orange-haired beauty—Brook, Sanji, Chopper, and Nami.
"As long as I, the great Franky, am here, I won't let you hurt my comrades!" Franky declared proudly.
"Were you trying to kill me?" Zoro asked weakly, barely clinging to consciousness.
"Relax. I'm here to save you," Franky said with a grin, flashing his shiny teeth.
"Ahh! Zoro, you're so badly hurt! What do we do? What do we do?! Call a doctor!" Chopper spun in circles, nearly in tears.
Nami smacked Chopper on the head. "Aren't you the doctor?"
Chopper paused, then said, "Oh, right!"
"Miss Nami is still so beautiful... even when she's angry, she's so charming!" Sanji swayed, hearts practically replacing his eyes.
"You idiots! Hurry up and save them!" Nami snapped in frustration. "Or are you planning to wait for her to come back?!"
Before she could finish, a sweet, chilling voice rang out, like a bucket of ice water dumped over their heads.
"So you're the so-called Straw Hat Pirates? Figures. Birds of a feather flock together. You monkeys really do stick together."
The figure in the lingering smoke casually waved her hand, summoning a gust of wind that swept the dust clean away. Revealed within was Kaguya's graceful silhouette.
She strolled forward, her voice cold. "Lining up to die, are you? Well, that makes things easier. Saves me the effort."
The group tensed, preparing for battle. Beads of sweat formed on their foreheads. Kaguya's strength had far exceeded their expectations, and none of them were confident they could win.
Franky turned to Chopper and Nami and said firmly, "Leave this to us. You take Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp and get out of here. We'll catch up as soon as we can."
Nami nodded decisively. "Got it. Be careful."
Brook picked up Luffy, Chopper hoisted both Zoro and Usopp, and Nami followed them without hesitation.
"Hey, Nami, why aren't you helping carry anyone?" Chopper asked curiously.
"Do I look like I have your kind of strength? I can't carry these dead weights," Nami replied confidently. "Besides, I'm navigating."
"Oh... is that so?" Chopper blinked.
"Of course it is," Nami said without room for doubt.
As they fled, Kaguya didn't make a move to stop them. She simply stood there, waiting calmly.
Seeing his crewmates escape, Franky let out a breath of relief. He clenched his fists and rallied his spirit. "Now then, it's time for the great Franky to take the stage!"
"You're just a broken toy. Do you actually think you're some kind of Transformer?"
A familiar voice whispered in his ear, and Franky's pupils shrank. At some point, Kaguya had appeared behind him.
"Watch out, Franky!" Sanji shouted.
Franky spun around and fired a blast of searing flames from his arm.
"Purifying Flame!"
Suddenly, a sharp flash of cold light streaked across his arm.
Crack!
A metallic snap rang out. His mechanical arm was severed cleanly and spiraled into the air.
An arm forged from steel—cut through like tofu.
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