One Piece: The Cryo Doctor on the Straw Hat Ship

Having lost two longswords, the Three-Sword Style technique can no longer be used.

But he did not back down in the slightest.

"Whether it's external forces or luck..."

Zoro slowly raised the tip of his sword, pointing it at Mihawk:

"All I know is that the me standing before you now is stronger than before!"

The moment he finished speaking, Zoro vanished again!

This time, he didn't use complicated steps or fancy techniques.

It's just the simplest and most direct forward dash!

But that aura—

Like a drawn sword, it carries the resolute determination to cut through everything!

"Speaking of which, I really have to thank you."

Zoro wore a grim smile.

"If it weren't for you, I'm afraid it would have taken me much longer to get to this stage."

"One-Sword Style: Iaijutsu - Lion's Lament!"

Zoro, on his charge, sheathed his sword, his low growl echoing across the sea.

At that moment, the image of Hawkeye's slash flashed wildly before his eyes.

It's not about speed or power, but about absolute precision and conviction.

This time, Zoro concentrated all his power, all his will, and all his beliefs into a single strike!

This is the purest slash he honed through countless days and nights!

Clang!

The long sword was drawn.

The blade sliced ​​through the air, emitting a piercing shriek!

Hawkeye's golden pupils reflected Zoro's desperate expression.

But the corners of his mouth slowly turned up.

This time, he did not use the cross-shaped knife to parry.

But -

He slowly raised his left hand.

That hand that had been hanging by her side the whole time, never moving.

Om-!

He gently grasped the hilt of the Black Blade Night.

Even this simple action caused the surrounding sea to tremble!

The air seemed to be compressed by some invisible force, groaning under the strain.

"Since you've staked everything..."

Hawkeye's voice was deep and solemn:

"Then I will respond with the etiquette of a swordsman."

A blade, as black as night yet seemingly capable of absorbing all light, slowly appeared.

That is the world's strongest black sword—Night!

The moment it was drawn, the atmosphere of the entire sea changed!

Zoro's pupils suddenly dilated.

It's not because of fear.

It was because—he finally saw it!

I saw the insurmountable gap between myself and the "peak"!

But he didn't hesitate for a moment when he swung his sword!

"Drink--!!!"

Zoro roared, pouring all his power into this one strike!

clang--!!!!!!!

The explosion of metal clashing was more deafening than ever before!

A terrifying shockwave emanated from the two of them and spread outwards with a deafening roar!

The sea surface was forced into a huge dent!

The Barratier restaurant shook violently, and the mast creaked and groaned!

Everyone clung tightly to the fixed objects around them, their eyes fixed on the sea.

There—

Zoro's sword stopped.

It stopped three feet in front of the eagle's eyes.

The back of the black sword, Night, gently pressed against it.

It was not severed.

There was no blocking.

only--

stopped.

It was as if all the power, momentum, and will of this strike were absorbed and dissolved by some higher-level being the moment it touched the Black Blade Night.

"Why……"

Zoro was panting heavily, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth again.

But what he cares about more is—

Hawkeye clearly displayed his true aura, yet showed no inclination to attack.

"You've grown up very quickly."

Hawkeye spoke slowly.

He could sense that Zoro's strength had been steadily improving from the beginning until now.

It's not just his understanding of swordsmanship, but also his power, technique, speed...

Although it was very subtle, the rate of growth was astonishing even to Hawkeye.

“I sense your ambition, but ambition needs time to be honed.”

Hawkeye took a step back.

The black blade, Night, slowly returned to its sheath.

"This strike is a bit too early for you."

Hawkeye's lips curved into a faint smile, and for the first time, his hawk-like golden eyes revealed an undisguised recognition and expectation of an "opponent."

"State your name, young man."

"Roronoa...Zoro."

Zoro's deep and clear voice echoed across the silent sea.

Hawkeye nodded in approval.

"Roronoa Zoro".

"I've remembered your name."

"As a swordsman, you have already stepped onto the ladder to the top."

"Strive to become stronger."

"I will stay on a better stage after today's attack, and face you again when you are stronger."

"I believe you won't keep me waiting too long."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hawkeye turned and walked toward the small coffin boat, his black trench coat billowing in the sea breeze.

Exhausted, Zoro knelt on one knee on the shattered deck, the only remaining Wado Ichimonji stuck beside him, and blood seeped from the wound in his chest again due to his heavy breathing.

He gritted his teeth, his gaze fixed on Hawkeye's retreating figure.

"The Grand Line..." Zoro growled hoarsely, "I will definitely go! When that time comes—"

"I will win."

Hawkeye paused slightly, glanced at the man, a faint smile playing on his lips, but said nothing more.

The small coffin boat glided silently into the waves, sailing towards the distant sea like a ghost.

Chapter 33 Let's take that bastard Sanji away!

Silence reigned on the deck of the Baratie.

Usopp, soaked to the bone, collapsed onto the deck and let out a long sigh of relief.

Nami swayed weakly as well: "I almost thought I was going to be collecting corpses..."

V slowly walked to the railing, his blue prosthetic eye recording the trajectory of Hawkeye's departure.

[Data collection complete, notes completed: 'Iron-Cutting Realm', critical fluctuation analysis...]

Analysis failed.

"whispering sound."