Chapter 112: Shusui - What is a Warlord?
Thriller Bark - Ancient Castle Hall
Flickering candlelight cast twisted shadows on the stone walls. The air was heavy with dust and decay.
In the center of the hall, two figures stood facing each other, time seemingly frozen between them.
Zoro gripped Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri, his eyes sharp as a hawk's. His entire body was coiled, his aura rising like a blade about to be drawn.
Opposite him stood Shimotsuki Ryuma, cloaked in shadows. His face was hidden by bandages, save for one hollow eye socket that radiated a chilling pressure.
"Trespassers... shall be cut down."
Before the words even faded, Ryuma vanished!
"Humming Three-Verse: Arrow Notch Slash!"
A silent, ghostly blade flashed through the air. Before Zoro could even react, a sharp pain flared across his chest!
He leaped back, finding a clean cut in his shirt, though his skin was miraculously untouched.
"That slash... it was faster than my ability to feel pain?!"
Ryuma reappeared, sheathing his blade, murmuring, "Finale—Curtain Call."
SHING!
The delayed sword energy struck! The air was cut apart! Zoro shuddered as a wound suddenly opened on his stomach, blood trickling down his abs.
He gritted his teeth and stomped the ground!
"Two-Sword Style: Rhino Cycle!"
He spun his blades like a windmill, creating a defensive barrier just in time to block Ryuma's sudden follow-up attack!
But Ryuma didn't stop. His rhythm changed, like a musician switching tempo—
"Prelude: Au Fer!"
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The attacks from Shusui rained down like a storm, dozens of strikes hammering Zoro's blades, numbing his arms and cracking his grip. Even Yubashiri bent slightly under the force!
"Trying to break my swords?!" Zoro roared. "Bastard!"
He pushed off the ground, spinning into the air!
"Two-Sword Style: 720 Pound Phoenix!"
A massive, spiraling blast of wind and sword energy swept the hall! Ryuma dodged with a flicker of movement, his blade descending like a phantom!
"Gavotte Bond en Avant!"
A piercing thrust, like a viper strike! Zoro barely dodged, a cut opening on his cheek, blood spraying onto the floor.
But his eyes only burned brighter!
"This pressure... this is what makes it exciting!"
"Two-Sword Style: Nigiri - Tower Climb!"
"Return!"
"Flash!"
A triple combo, striking like lightning! Ryuma was pushed back step by step, his bandages tearing to reveal his stitched, noseless face and gray hair.
"Aubade: Coup Droit!"
Ryuma sidestepped the slash, using his inhuman strength to launch a devastating thrust with Shusui!
Zoro dodged with Soru, leaping up. He clamped Yubashiri in his mouth and gripped Sandai Kitetsu with both hands!
"I'm betting everything on this strike!"
"One-Sword Style: Flying Dragon Blaze!!!"
Black Armament Haki coated the blade, and the slash erupted like fire!
A roaring dragon of blue flame burst from the sword, shaking the castle to its foundations!
Ryuma's eye widened in shock. He raised his sword in a desperate block!
"BOOM!!!"
The flames exploded, the castle wall collapsing, dust and smoke filling the air.
Ryuma was sent flying, smashing into the stone wall and embedding himself deep within it!
The hall fell silent, save for the crackling of the flames.
In the dust, Ryuma slowly stood up. His kimono was burnt, his body broken, but a look of peace had appeared in his eye.
"Well done... kid."
He held out Shusui. The black blade gleamed with a cold, blue light in the firelight.
"This sword... is yours."
He offered the sword to Zoro. Zoro paused for a second, then took it.
The moment he held it, he felt an ancient, solemn will resonate with his soul.
The next instant, Ryuma's body was engulfed in pale blue flames.
The fire burned silently but intensely. The soul that did not belong in this era was finally released.
From the flames, a faint shadow drifted from his body, passing through the hall and flying away into the distance.
—Brook's shadow had returned.
Zoro watched the burning figure quietly. Shusui hummed in his hand, as if Ryuma's spirit was still whispering within it.
"Take it... and climb to the top of the world."
A stone pillar collapsed in the corner, dust still settling.
Zoro stood firm, holding the legendary blade—Shusui.
The blade was black as night, yet it reflected a cold blue light, like a dragon lurking in the dark—cold, deadly.
He looked down at the sword, running his hand along the spine, feeling its heavy, soulful presence.
A smile touched his lips. "Finally... the third sword. The set is complete!"
In the air nearby, Enel sat cross-legged on a floating thundercloud. He scanned the battlefield calmly, a hint of approval in his golden eyes.
"That Moss-head... he's a hell of a lot stronger than when I met him six months ago."
His gaze shifted to the other side of the hall.
Moria, Absalom, and Hogback stood frozen under the shadow of a broken pillar, cold sweat dripping down their faces.
The slash marks, the scorched stone, the lingering sword intent and heat—it all screamed of the violence and ferocity of the battle that had just taken place.
"HOGBACK!!!"
Moria's face was green, his massive body trembling like a mountain of jelly.
"You didn't tell me that zombie was that strong!!!"
Hogback adjusted his glasses, sweating profusely. "How was I supposed to know?! You stole the corpse from Wano! I just sewed it up!"
Absalom suddenly shuddered, pointing in terror. "B-Boss! Stop arguing! That guy... he's coming over here!!!"
The three of them turned, their hearts stopping.
Enel was walking down from his cloud, his steps leisurely, his face expressionless. Lightning sparked under his feet, and every step felt like it was crushing their chests.
Moria, sensing something was wrong, instinctively stepped in front of the others, trying to muster some authority. "Marine... you have the sword, right? You can leave now, can't you?"
His tone was careful, trying to use his status to buy some breathing room.
But Enel stopped in mid-air in front of them, looking down with calm eyes. "I heard you've been kidnapping civilians lately... to steal their shadows?"
The air went dead silent.
Their smiles froze. Sweat poured down their faces like rain.
"How does he know?!"
Moria's eyes darted around. After a moment of silence, he forced a bluster. "Hmph! Just some ants! I am a Warlord of the Sea! What's wrong with taking a few shadows for experiments?"
His voice was loud, but the tremor in it betrayed his fear.
Just then, Absalom, hiding behind him, screamed. "Boss! Wait! That's Enel!!!"
"The Marine Rear Admiral 'Thor' who's been massacring pirates in the New World!!!"
"WHAT?!!" Moria's pupils shrank to pinpricks, and he stumbled back two steps.
"Thor... Enel?! The lunatic Marine who hunts pirates like dogs?!"
Enel slowly grinned, a smile with zero warmth. His golden eyes flashed with lightning, dangerous and mocking.
"So... it's confirmed, then."
"BOOM!!!"
Lightning exploded! The entire castle hall was filled with blinding light, the ceiling seemingly torn apart!
Enel hung in the air, wrapped in electricity like a god of judgment holding his staff.
He looked down at the three of them, his voice echoing like a divine decree. "A Warlord?"
He laughed, lightning blazing brighter at his fingertips.
"Before God..."
"What... are you?"
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