"You did it, Zoro!"
The sword in Zoro's hand glowed once more, and in the dazzling light, Guina reappeared.
"You actually defeated it… looks like you've reached the level of a true swordsman," she said, stepping toward the black blade that had been formed from the monster.
"Wait…"
Zoro stepped sideways, blocking her path.
Guina glanced at him, her face showing a trace of curiosity beneath her usual icy demeanor. "Interesting… when did you realize?"
"From the very beginning," Zoro replied, his voice flat as a dry well, emotionless.
Guina's cold expression softened slightly. "Impossible," she said in a frost-laden tone.
Zoro didn't argue. He turned and picked up the black sword. Moonlight cast a pale glow across the world.
From the shadows, a massive figure slowly emerged—the monster, the same one that had just been split in two.
Guina spoke without emotion: "It's called the Beast."
"So you were guiding us into this battle from the start?" Zoro asked, gripping the black blade. Though its design resembled Wado Ichimonji, its pure black form radiated a strange aura.
Zoro felt power surging through him. Part of it fused into his body, while another portion flowed from the black sword itself.
Standing alongside the Beast, Guina now manifested a blade in her hand—the same white Wado Ichimonji Zoro had wielded.
Seeing her ready, Zoro assumed a combat stance with the black sword, prepared for a real duel.
Meanwhile, in the real world, Luffy had spent over a full day watching the ship sail, almost bored out of his mind.
The sea stretched endlessly, and the only person he could "talk to" was unconscious.
Luffy lay on the deck, tossing his compass into the air and catching it repeatedly.
"Ding! Zoro has successfully bound his exclusive item. Attribute bonuses applied. Please check."
"Ah?! W-what?!" Luffy nearly dropped his compass in surprise.
This compass was their only guide; if it broke, they would drift aimlessly across the sea.
After securing it, Luffy hurriedly checked his status panel.
Character: Monkey D. Luffy
Level: 12
EXP: 260/2000
HP: 3500
Stamina: 350
Strength: 212
Agility: 201
Spirit: 345
"YES!"
Seeing his stats rise so dramatically, Luffy jumped and punched the air. His strength had doubled almost instantly—and this was just the first partner! When he acquired the second, third… the potential was staggering.
It was now 1510 in the Sea Calendar. At just seven years old, Luffy's strength already rivaled that of the original Luffy when he first set out to sea.
"Hmm?"
He noticed his Spirit had increased from 345 to 346.
"System, why did my Spirit go up?"
System: "Zoro's Spirit increased by 2 points."
"Ah?" Luffy was confused. "Also… why hasn't Zoro woken up yet? There's been no movement in the cabin."
System: "Zoro is still in his spiritual realm, undergoing the Shikai trial for his Zanpakutō."
Luffy bit his thumb, realization dawning: "So Zoro is about to have another massive power spike soon?"
System: "Not immediately. Zoro's current strength is still insufficient to complete his Shikai."
Luffy groaned: "Ah… then I'll just wait a little longer."
Inside Zoro's spiritual world, two blades—one black, one white—clashed constantly, metal ringing endlessly.
"Clang!"
The swords locked, both fighters frozen mid-motion.
The ground cracked and crumbled beneath them, wind scattering in all directions.
Zoro's eyes gleamed with a wild, almost feral joy. "You really are strong!"
Guina remained composed. "My strength is your reflection. Body, technique, everything—identical to yours."
"Shing…"
Zoro drew the black blade, breathing heavily.
"Want to take a break?" Guina smiled sweetly.
"Ha… ha…"
Zoro exhaled twice, gripping the black sword firmly. "No!"
The two clashed again, each strike leaving the surrounding environment in ruins.
Time passed unknowably. The moon shone bright, but the ground was scarred and pockmarked. Both fighters were exhausted.
"I don't want to do this anymore!" Zoro finally shouted, breathing heavily.
Guina, equally worn, said softly, "Then what will you do? You can't beat me—because whenever you grow stronger, so do I."
"True," Zoro admitted, eyes closing. "But as long as I swing once more, it can kill me if it strikes true."
"Oh? That sounds impressive," Guina said, still smiling sweetly even in battle.
"You'll see," Zoro replied with a sly smile.
He gripped the blade, tip angled downward, held diagonally at his right side.
The aura around him thickened; a massive shadow seemed to appear behind him. Guina tensed.
As the energy reached its peak, Zoro's eyes opened, and a beastly aura burst forth.
"Ittoryu Secret Technique – Hien-Zan!"
Zoro surged forward, the ground cracking under his feet.
He arrived before Guina, slashing upward—the blade slicing through the air like a soaring bird.
Guina couldn't dodge; she adjusted her stance to block.
"Smack!"
Her hands were empty as she stared, stunned, at Zoro's finishing strike.
The white Wado Ichimonji twirled through the air, spinning several times before plunging into the ground.
Zoro finally exhaled, the attack complete.
Under the moonlight, the girl's hair swayed in the wind, while the boy held the sword to her throat.
"Who… who are you?" Zoro finally asked.
Guina's form spoke: "I am Guina, but not the real Guina. The Zanpakutō took your memories, emotions, hopes, and dreams, and gathered them into me."
The Beast stepped forward, voice muffled but firm: "And I am born from your savagery and beastly instincts."
"Wait…" Zoro sheathed his sword, puzzled. "What is a Zanpakutō?"
The Beast explained: "A Zanpakutō is a weapon manifested from your soul. It is the embodiment of your spirit."
Guina added: "Previously, Luffy infused an unclaimed Zanpakutō into your body, binding it to your soul. Because of your resolve, the Zanpakutō split into three forms: I and the Beast are two of them, both manifestations of your current strength."
The Beast continued: "You must defeat all three to complete the Shikai and leave this space."
"Where's the third one!?" Zoro asked eagerly.
Guina shook her head: "The third cannot appear yet. You currently lack the strength to defeat it—its power is beyond you."
The Beast interrupted: "It's too early. You've already defeated us two, meaning we now obey you and won't harm you."
Guina said: "For now, focus on training here. Don't worry about the outside world. The Zanpakutō will absorb energy from the air to nourish your body."
Zoro clenched his fists, resolved: "I'm still too weak. I need to grow stronger, fast!"
Guina remained silent. The Beast gestured, reassuring him: "No need to rush. The third one will be the strongest blade, born from your potential and future."