Before long, an open space was cleared at the harbor to serve as the arena.
With Kaito's group on one side and Koshiro's on the other, Lafitte and Zoro stepped into the field one after another.
"Go, Zoro!"
"Show him the strength of Isshin Dojo!"
"That's right! Use your Three-Sword Style, Big Brother Zoro!"
The disciples of Isshin Dojo cheered enthusiastically.
Especially when they saw Zoro draw all three of his swords—one in each hand and the third clenched between his teeth—their excitement only grew.
"What kind of style is that?"
"Three-Sword Style?"
"He's actually holding a sword in his mouth. Is that really a thing?"
Robin and the others were equally surprised.
Unlike the people of Isshin Dojo, they had never seen such an unusual sword style before.
Still, that didn't stop them from cheering.
"Lafitte!"
"Don't embarrass the War Pirates!"
Kaito folded his arms and watched the two fighters with great interest.
He held extremely high expectations for Zoro's potential.
But at the same time—
He had absolute confidence in Lafitte's strength.
After all, at this point in time, Zoro had yet to comprehend the ability to cut steel.
The gap between him and Lafitte, who had already stepped into the realm of a swordsmanship master, was still enormous.
"Begin!"
Standing to the side as referee, Koshiro glanced at the two competitors and announced the start of the match.
"Three-Sword Style—Demon Slash!"
The instant the match began, Zoro rushed forward without hesitation.
Like a fierce cheetah exploding from its cage, he crossed the distance in the blink of an eye.
His body twisted fluidly as all three swords slashed simultaneously, weaving together into a swift and savage attack.
Clang!
Sparks flew.
Lafitte had already drawn his cane sword.
He didn't dodge.
Instead, he casually raised his blade and blocked Zoro's strike head-on.
Though the sword in his hand was slender and seemingly fragile—
It stood firm against Zoro's attack.
Not even trembling.
"This is my first time seeing Three-Sword Style."
Lafitte smiled leisurely.
"But your swordsmanship isn't bad."
"Your strength is good, and your coordination is excellent."
Zoro's heart skipped a beat.
The other man had blocked his attack so effortlessly—
And still had enough composure to praise him.
A master...
"Hah!"
Without hesitation, Zoro pulled back.
Then he spun low, crouching suddenly as the two swords in his hands swept toward Lafitte's legs.
Tap.
Lafitte lightly pushed off the ground.
His body rose gracefully into the air, effortlessly avoiding the slash.
Got you!
Zoro's eyes lit up.
The moment Lafitte jumped—
Zoro twisted his neck and swung the sword clenched in his mouth.
A flash of steel shot upward.
But—
The slender cane sword moved even faster.
Clang!
Sparks erupted.
Even while airborne—
Lafitte's strike landed first.
Not only did he block Zoro's attack—
He knocked it aside completely.
Swish!
The cane sword pierced straight forward.
Zoro's expression changed drastically.
He hurriedly tilted his head to the side.
But—
A thin cut still appeared across his cheek.
Blood trickled down.
Zoro ignored the pain.
Because Lafitte had no intention of stopping.
The moment he landed—
He launched a storm-like offensive.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sword after sword flashed.
The slender blade transformed into countless afterimages.
Zoro, who had been the aggressor moments ago—
Was instantly forced onto the defensive.
The three swords in his hands swung desperately.
But no matter how hard he tried—
Lafitte's attacks kept slipping through.
Slash!
Another cut opened across his shoulder.
Slash!
A shallow wound appeared on his waist.
Slash!
Another line of blood stained his arm.
Though Zoro defended with everything he had—
He grew more and more battered.
"How is this possible?!"
"Big Brother Zoro is completely suppressed!"
"There really are swordsmen this strong out there?!"
"Zoro is the strongest person in our dojo besides Master!"
"I can't even see his sword!"
The disciples of Isshin Dojo stared in disbelief.
Koshiro remained calm.
But his right hand had quietly rested on the hilt of the Wado Ichimonji.
Ready to intervene at any moment.
The gap is too large.
That man hasn't even used his full strength yet.
Koshiro's eyes grew serious.
Stab!
Another thrust shot forward.
After slipping past Zoro's defense yet again—
Lafitte's blade pierced his shoulder.
"Ugh!"
Zoro groaned.
He immediately kicked off the ground and retreated rapidly.
Lafitte didn't pursue.
He simply stood where he was.
Holding his sword.
Watching Zoro with a faint smile.
Huff...
Huff...
After retreating over ten meters, Zoro finally stopped.
The fight hadn't lasted long.
Yet his body was already soaked with sweat.
Blood dripped from the wounds scattered across his arms and chest.
Is this...
The swordsmanship of masters from the outside world?
Zoro stared at Lafitte.
Shock filled his heart.
But even more than shock—
Was unwillingness.
Not enough.
I'm still far too weak!
Zoro clenched his teeth.
He remembered his promise.
To become the world's greatest swordsman.
To make his name echo throughout the heavens.
So that—
Kuina could hear it.
At that thought—
The hesitation in his heart disappeared.
He inhaled deeply.
His gaze instantly sharpened.
"Hm?"
Lafitte's smile faded slightly.
He keenly sensed the change in Zoro's aura.
Those eyes...
He suddenly understood.
No wonder the captain had come all the way here specifically to recruit this boy.
Zoro's swordsmanship was still immature.
But—
Those eyes.
That unyielding ambition.
Those were things that couldn't be taught.
Bang!
Zoro slammed the hilts of the swords in his hands together.
The two blades formed an "X."
The sword clenched in his mouth aligned perfectly between them.
A fierce aura erupted from his body.
His eyes locked onto Lafitte.
Filled with determination.
Filled with ambition.
The two swords in his hands began spinning rapidly.
"Three-Sword Secret Technique—"
"Three Thousand Worlds!"
Dust exploded beneath his feet.
Zoro shot forward like an arrow released from its bow.
The swords in his hands spun into blurs.
As he approached Lafitte—
The sword in his mouth joined the attack.
The three blades merged into a single, terrifying slash—
And swept fiercely toward Lafitte.
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