Chapter 133: Zoro's Mission, Recalling the Words of Master
A group of individuals moved steadily toward the main exit gate of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, their presence drawing a mix of awe and deference from other disciples.
At the front walked Zoro, his usual serious-yet-laid-back demeanor masking the quiet intensity beneath. Diagonally behind him were the twins, Kuroha and Kageha, mirroring his expression—focused, composed, and alert.
Just behind the twins strolled a young man with a friendly, approachable aura, despite the ghastly scar that ran across the left side of his head above his ear—a permanent reminder of past battles.
Following him were five fierce-looking individuals—four men and one woman. These six formed part of the elite group of young talents selected from the Black Reaper Corps, now fully integrated into the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, with Zoro recognized as their de facto leader.
In the three years since the war, the Black Reaper Corps had evolved quite a bit. Under the strategic leadership of the Twins, and with the aid of six designated captains, their ranks had grown stronger, more disciplined, and tightly unified.
The smiling young man with the scar—one of those captains—embodied the spirit of their evolution: a warrior reborn through pain, now bearing strength and camaraderie.
Zoro and his team presented their Sect Token, bearing the insignia of a Great Elder, along with a formal permission slip authorizing them to leave on a classified mission. Upon receiving clearance, they boarded a flying magical vessel, soaring into the skies en route to their Black Reaper Corps base.
While en route, Zoro sat cross-legged, eyes closed, silently revisiting his recent meeting with Master Bluesonics...
…
They had met inside a pavilion-style restaurant, they were concealed from prying eyes by a reflective formation barrier. Within, Master Bluesonics devoured food like a madman, stacking empty plates with wild abandon. Opposite him, Zoro ate in calm silence, every bite calculated and composed.
"Gahaha! Kid, for someone who was a fugitive with a hellish background, you eat like a noble brat! Gyahahaha!!"
Bluesonics bellowed, his mouth still full.
Zoro gave him a flat look and continued eating, unbothered.
"Sheesh, no fun at all. You remind me of... that guys brother. Except you're more refined, and friendlier. Ah, but that's a tale for another day."
The master waved the nostalgic thought away before getting back on topic.
"So, Zoro. You've probably guessed what I brought you here for, right?"
Zoro's calm expression hardened. He nodded slightly, speaking with quiet steel in his voice:
"You're assigning me a mission related to my old enemies... aren't you?"
Bluesonics gave a slow grin.
"Smart boy. Hehehe. Yes, indeed! Now is the perfect time to strike. Their so-called 'top brass' in this Southeastern region has been weakened. There's no need for that soft-hearted Elton to get involved. It's your time now—and a golden opportunity to rescue others like yourself from their grasp."
Zoro lowered his eyes, clenched his fists, and replied:
"...Then I accept. I vowed to erase them from this world whenever the chance presented itself. Just as they aim to hunt and break me... I'll return the favor."
His words radiated with cold determination and lethal intent—so potent it would've sent shivers down any normal cultivator's spine, if not for the protective barrier around them.
Bluesonics leaned back, still smirking.
"Good, good! As the vice-leader of Elton's future sect, this is what's expected of you. Whenever that boy gets too sentimental, you must carry the necessary sins. Christy might fill that role too, if you falter... but I'd prefer you didn't."
There was a pause, before Zoro finally asked a question that had been gnawing at him:
"Master… what do you truly gain from all of this? From us? From this continent? I can already tell… you don't really care much for what's happening here."
Master Bluesonics paused for a moment, his usual smirk fading as a flicker of seriousness danced across his face.
"Indeed, you're right," he finally said. "I don't care much about anything here… or even this world, for that matter. What you're doing—this mission, your battles—it's all just a form of training. A way to push you to break your Mortal restraints faster. To help you unlock more control over your power. 'Devil Lord,' was it?"
Zoro's gaze sharpened instantly. His eyes glinted with dangerous suspicion as a subtle killing intent began to leak from his body, slowly solidifying in the air.
"Master… you know far more than you let on," Zoro said darkly. "Are you… perhaps also a—"
Before he could finish, Master Bluesonics burst into laughter, swatting away the growing pressure with nothing more than his voice.
"Haaaah?! Am I perhaps what, boy? Don't go lumping me in with those low-grade fools who use weak devil arts to gain fleeting scraps of power. Hehehe! What a wild imagination you have!"
Still chuckling, Bluesonics waved a hand dismissively. But just as quickly as the laughter had come, his face turned deadly serious.
In that instant, a crushing pressure slammed down onto Zoro—so heavy and ancient that even he, who had withstood death more than once, felt a rare surge of fear.
"Hehe... Boy Zoro," Bluesonics said quietly, his eyes narrowing. "Let me tell you a little story…"
…
Zoro's eyes slowly opened as the memory faded. His gaze was cold, contemplative, and slightly troubled.
Whatever that story had been—it started as something mundane but twisted into something cosmic, surreal... mind-bending.
He wasn't sure if Bluesonics had been truthful or if he'd simply wrapped half-truths in mystery to test him. But one thing was certain—that story held weight. It might have hinted at something beyond this continent… or even this world.
Still unsure of what to make of it, Zoro remained silent.
Their journey continued smoothly, the flying magical vessel cutting through clouds as the team steadily approached their destination—a new battlefield awaiting them.