After the victory, a furious Zoro confronted Kenji on the deck of the Merry.
"That wasn't luck," Zoro stated, his eye narrowed. "You did something in the ring. You cheated for us."
Kenji didn't deny it. "I created an instantaneous localized magnetic repulsion to push you back, yes. The Foxy Pirates cheat constantly. I merely ensured the outcome wasn't left to their low-level trickery."
Zoro remained silent for a long moment, gripping his swords. He wasn't mad about the cheating; he was frustrated by the overwhelming power gap.
"That repulsion... I couldn't stop it, even with my Haki," Zoro admitted grudgingly. "What exactly is the Apex ability?"
Kenji drew a simple butter knife from the galley table.
"Observe, Zoro-san," Kenji said, holding the dull knife. "I can copy any technique and make it transcendent. I copied a basic understanding of your swordsmanship from our sparring sessions."
• Ability in use: [Apex: Island Carver Swordsmanship]
Kenji focused his intent, channeling his power not into the knife, but into the concept of the slice.
Shiing!
A wave of pure, condensed kinetic energy shot from the knife, passing harmlessly over Zoro's head and out toward the massive, multi-tiered ring island that made up the Long Ring Land.
A second later, a sound like distant thunder reached them. Zoro looked back at the landmass. A perfectly straight, mile-long fissure had appeared in the land, splitting the entire section of the island into two halves which slowly began to drift apart. The cut was so clean, it looked like a drawing.
Kenji tossed the butter knife back onto the table. "You aim to cut the world's strongest opponent. I can already cut the entire island with a dull kitchen tool. That is the difference between your technique and the Apex Enhancement of it. Your ability is amazing. Mine is simply impossible."
Zoro didn't look defeated; he looked inspired. A genuine, rare smile touched his lips.
"I see," Zoro said, a fire burning in his eye. "Then I'll just have to surpass impossible."
"That is exactly why I joined you," Kenji affirmed, a look of deep respect on his face. He had solidified Zoro's drive and earned his tacit, powerful respect.