How can I become the Pirate King if you don’t work hard?.

Chapter 430 The Giant Legion, the End of the Crusade!
"A good young man."

"This kind of fighting spirit was rare even in our time."

Redfield nodded slightly.

Zoro's performance far exceeded his expectations.

Even though he had already seen Zoro's strength during their confrontation, Zoro's will to win at the cost of his life still moved him when they actually stepped into the arena.

Kaido was extremely envious:

"If he is willing to submit to me, he should be the second-in-command of the Beasts Pirates."

"Twenty years ago, Tsuki Oden was only at this level."

"No!"

"This brat is even more outstanding than Kozuki Oden back then!"

Recalling that figure, Kaido couldn't help but reach out and touch the scar on his chest.

Twenty years have passed, but the scar beneath Kozuki Oden's body still aches from time to time.

In Kaido's view.

As a monarch and as a man, Oden was undoubtedly a failure.

But as a swordsman, the fact that he could leave such a scar on himself is proof of Kozuki Oden's strength!

And Zoro is even higher than him!
"Round Table Knights - Pirate Hunter - Roronoa Zoro, is it?!"

"I'll remember that name!"

……

"That guy... is very strong!"

Luffy's expression turned serious for the first time.

He clenched his fist, his mind racing, wondering what the outcome would be if he were to face Zoro's blade...

After some deep thought.

Luffy still couldn't find a solution, so he simply stopped thinking about it and said nonchalantly:
"never mind."

"When it comes to fighting, you'll naturally be able to handle it."

Kidd was taken aback upon hearing this:
"Are you confident you can defeat those two monsters?!"

"No."

Luffy picked his nose.

"Then what's so easy about it?!"

Kidd was almost breached.

Born in the South China Sea, he fought his way through various obstacles to enter the new world. His opponents either fled or begged for mercy on their knees.

Even with exceptions like Kizaru, Kid still believes he will not lose to his contemporaries.

But today, his confidence was shattered one after another.

Whether it was Sanji with Black Leg just now, or Zoro who is still glorious in defeat at this moment, they have both raised the upper limit of the new era to a level that he cannot understand.

and many more!

The man who now reigns supreme in Britannias, standing on the shoulders of the white-bearded giant to become the world's strongest, is only in his early twenties.

But in terms of age, they are not much different from me.

Think of this.

A hint of dejection appeared in Kidd's eyes, and his hands clenched tightly under his sleeves.

in the corner.

Wearing a top hat, Sabo would occasionally glance in their direction, his gaze lingering on the straw hat with concern, pride, and an indescribable emotion.

just.

He was even clearer that this was not the time to acknowledge each other.

……

a few minutes ago.

East China Sea.

Zhimo Village, a place of single-minded devotion.

Shimotsuki Koushirou and his disciples watched the projected image intently.

As far as the eye can see.

Only Zoro, wielding three swords, can fight against Hawkeye!
The sword, so fast it was almost invisible, the violent, all-consuming aerial slashes that seemed to annihilate everything, and the overwhelming aura between the two men left the apprentices present in awe!

"Is that Zoro-senpai?!"

"It's really...it's really...it's really..."

An apprentice stood there, mouth agape, stammering, trying to describe his shock, but couldn't utter a single complete sentence for a long time.

"Great!"

Another apprentice spoke up, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Zoro in the picture.

As the most outstanding and best disciple in the history of Isshin Dojo, Zoro has become the idol of almost all his students.

Many have even decided that after completing their training, they will follow in Zoro's footsteps and challenge their way from the East Blue to the New World!
They even launched an attack on the man standing at the top!

This is the true romance of a swordsman!

Shimotsuki Koshiro looked at the apprentices present and a kind smile appeared on his face.

He vaguely remembered that Zoro was the most stubborn, obstinate, and determined among all the apprentices.

Perhaps only in this way could they have reached their current level?

"Zoro, he..."

Koushirou murmured:

"Perhaps he's already stronger than that one from the Kozuki family!"

"only……"

Koushirou could see far more than the other apprentices present. While marveling at Zoro's growth, he also felt worried about his disciple.

After all, his opponent is Hawkeye!
The world's strongest swordsman!
Only swordsmen who lived through Hawkeye's era could understand just how powerful he was—an overwhelming power that made all other swordsmen of his time pale in comparison!

"Zoro-senpai, are you going to surpass the former world number one?!"

"definitely is!"

The apprentices stared wide-eyed, eager not to miss a single detail of the battle.

soon.

Zoro unleashed his Demonic Nine-Sword Style, transforming into a three-headed, six-armed Asura before everyone's eyes.

A gasp of amazement erupted within the Isshin Dojo!
Just when everyone thought Zoro was about to win, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse in an instant. In just a moment, Mihawk was injured, and Zoro lost his fighting ability.

Even the Wado Ichimonji sword, passed down from Shimotsuki Koushirou, snapped in two!

The dojo fell silent for a moment, and everyone found it hard to accept what they were seeing!

Shimotsuki Koushirou's gaze remained fixed on the Wado Ichimonji in Zoro's hand.

Watching the broken blade fall to the ground, Koushirou's eyes held both relief and melancholy, which ultimately dissolved into a murmur:
"Is Wado Ichimonji no longer keeping up with your pace?!"

"Right."

"This knife was never meant to be yours; it was a gift I prepared for Kuina."

"Kanse Masamune, who was originally intended to be passed on to you, did not choose you, but instead took a fancy to another man."

"but……

Koushirou's gaze fell on the Muramasa sword in Zoro's mouth, and he exclaimed in surprise:

"You were actually chosen by this monster? That suits your temperament quite well."

"Zoron."

"However, as your teacher, I'll forge a knife for you one last time, as a token of my respect..."

"The graduation ceremony is ready."

Thinking of this.

Having made up his mind, Koushirou gave a few instructions to his disciples before grabbing the bouquet of flowers beside him and heading toward the hill behind the dojo.

Guina is buried there.

……

Malinvando.

The group of vice admirals of the headquarters fell silent as they looked at Zoro, who was covered in blood but still standing in the arena.

The list of the top 16 in this martial arts tournament was already laid out on the conference table in front of them.

"Roronoa Zoro".

"Nicknamed Pirate Hunter, he was active in the East Blue three years ago, hunting pirates for bounties and defeating well-known swordsmen in the East Blue one by one." "He joined Knight Gawain's crew three years ago and made his debut in the first Martial Arts Tournament at the same time, where he was defeated by Hundred-Purpose Kuro."

"He later followed Knight Gawain all the way into the New World and became one of Knight Gawain's core combat forces."

"Specific combat strength... unknown."

Akainu picked up the intelligence report on the table, his brow furrowed:

"This is what the intelligence department found?!"

"big eater!"

“They are all gluttons!”

Everyone present lowered their heads and remained silent.

The intelligence division, which was practically being reprimanded by Akainu with their heads pressed down, turned red in the face and couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

"This guy's combat strength is enough to attract the attention of the Marine Headquarters!"

"Avoid direct confrontation with it unless led by a high-ranking general; that would only be handing that monster a victory!"

Just saying.

Akainu looked down and saw another piece of intelligence on the table.

"Black Leg Sanji, formerly of the Germa Kingdom..."

Akainu frowned, his gaze continuing forward, and then he saw the information on Gin, the information on Barrett, and the information on Kuro...

When the information of all the Knights of the Round Table was laid out on this table of memories.

Even the powerful and domineering Akainu fell silent at that moment!

These are just a few individuals who have made a move so far, and even the weakest among them is at least a Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, approaching the level of an Admiral.

Britannias has more than ten such powerful individuals on the surface!
It was at this very moment.

Akainu finally understood why the Five Elders had suppressed his repeated warnings about the dangers of Britannias.

It is really……

Such a force is beyond the power of the navy alone to contend with!

Yes.

Unable to resist.

When Akainu first heard this from Sengoku, he thought Sengoku was just exaggerating. But now he realizes that Sengoku was being conservative!

Too conservative!

If Britannias continues to develop, it's not impossible that Knight Gawain might even consider directly incorporating the navy!
The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly became oppressive.

After a long time.

Aokiji spoke, breaking the deadlock:

"What do those five have to say about Britannias's response strategy?!"

As he spoke, Aokiji's gaze wasn't on Akainu, but rather on Green Bull, who, after a moment's hesitation, uttered only one word:

"Wait."

"wait?!"

Akainu gasped for breath:
"Compared to calming the seas, Britannias is the real threat that could shake the world government!"

“As long as the world government structure does not collapse, no matter how bad the world situation is, it can be pacified in ten, twenty or even thirty or fifty years, but Britannias is different.”

"If Knight Gawain wanted to, he could really overturn this world, and the number of people who would die as a result would be astronomical!"

Green Bull did not answer, but looked at the group of vice admirals around the conference table.

Akainu understood, waved his hand to let everyone leave first, and then looked at Green Bull, waiting for what he would say next.

"That person has already made a move."

"That one? Who is it?!"

"The most distinguished one!"

Akainu's pupils contracted sharply as he slowly removed the cigar from his mouth, while Aokiji and Kizaru sat up abruptly.

As high-ranking officers in the Navy, they naturally knew that the Five Elders were not the true pinnacle of power in the World Government.

Above the Five Elders, there exists a king who has ruled the entire world since eight hundred years ago!

That king who should never have existed on the Void Throne!
Akainu lowered his head and remained silent, while Aokiji and Kizaru exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with inexplicable complexity.

Only Green Bull's eyes shone with excitement, filled with an indescribable gleam:

"With that person's help, even that monster from Britannias wouldn't be a problem!"

"After all, even this world was created by Him, wasn't it!?"

……

New world.

Beehive Island.

After Wang Zhi's defeat, this place was occupied by Crocodile's gang and has now become the base of the Cross Society.

Crocodile sat on the sofa, staring at Zoro, who was covered in blood, on the projected screen, his eyes slightly narrowed.

"The brat who follows Knight Gawain?!"

"Not only Knight Gawain himself, but even his subordinates have grown to this level?!"

Crocodile vaguely remembered.

Two years ago in Alabasta, Zoro was still a nobody he could easily wipe out, but now he has grown to the point of being close to being one of the Four Emperors.

Even if Crocodile himself were to take action, he might not be able to defeat him!

"That's truly amazing!"

"but."

"In this way, the attention of the Navy and the World Government will be completely focused on Britannias."

"The Cross Society has finally had a chance to catch its breath."

Since the Crusaders began to openly offer bounties to the Navy, they have been targeted by the World Government and the Navy.

Even with Crocodile, Katakuri, Mihawk, and Hancock who joined after the Marineford War as their four strongest fighters, they were still at a disadvantage, and their demise was only a matter of time.

But what truly infuriated Crocodile was that after the Crusades were established, they attracted almost all the attention of the World Government and the Navy, indirectly shielding Britannias from harm.

But now.

Along with this martial arts tournament, Britannias's accumulated power was exposed to the World Government without reservation.

Even if the world government's top brass is incredibly stupid, they should realize that Britannias is the real, deadly threat.

"This gives me room to maneuver."

"To survive, or even rival, the World Government in the clash between it and Britannias, the current strength of the Crusades is insufficient."

"Kaido?!"

"No, it won't work. We'll have to explain this to Katakuri, and with our current abilities, we can't suppress Kaido's ambitions."

"That is……"

Crocodile's eyes lit up slightly;
"Whitebeard's remnants? They were weakened after Whitebeard's death, so offering them help now would surely be—hmm?!"
Crocodile abruptly turned his head to look out the window.

A pitch-black mass of light was rapidly approaching from the horizon, and before it even got close, a massive shadow enveloped the entire Beehive Island.

The view suddenly went dark!

Crocodile's heart skipped a beat at that moment.

It was because he saw the dark cloud clearly.

Do not!
That's not a cloud at all!

They were a group of enormous giants who resembled demons, and whose size was several times larger than that of normal giants, with a shoulder height of at least fifty meters!

There were at least several hundred people!
The combined force was so overwhelming that even Crocodile trembled; it was a power he could not possibly contend with!
"All troops retreat—!"

boom!
boom!
boom!
Countless giants fell from the sky like dumplings being dropped into a pot, crashing heavily onto the Beehive Island and creating a crater hundreds of meters in diameter in the ground!

As Crocodile was still in shock, a figure emerged from the distant dark clouds and charged in!
"Hahahaha—!"

"Crocodale!"

"I've come to take your head!"

……

……

……

Britannias.

Zoro's defeat was expected by everyone, after all, his opponent was the former world's strongest swordsman.

But the immense strength he displayed far exceeded everyone's expectations, even Gawain's!
"Zoro's fighting strength is already above that of Hawkeye two years ago!"

(End of this chapter)