"Oh?"
Benn Beckman smiled with clear surprise. "A swordsman as sharp as you actually holds someone in such high regard."
"Being sharp does not mean being blind. I know exactly where I stand, and I know I will reach the throne of the World's Strongest Swordsman."
Roronoa Zoro resheathed Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri, leaving one blade ready. His gaze remained fixed on Benn, battle intent rising once more.
"To become the strongest swordsman is a promise I made to someone who is no longer here. For Monkey D. Luffy to become Pirate King is something we all believe in as his crew. And Shirogai being the strongest in the world is simply a fact."
His voice remained steady.
"I doubt even your Red Hair crew would deny that. Even the World Government has no choice but to acknowledge it."
"…"
Benn fell silent.
The strongest in the world, Shirogai.
Even the Emperors could not deny it.
The power Shirogai displayed went beyond what most could even comprehend. Benn could never claim that Shanks surpassed him.
Shanks had limits that could be perceived.
Shirogai felt like an endless abyss.
"Whew. I thought a swordsman like you would be blinded by arrogance."
Benn exhaled and flicked his cigarette aside, crushing it underfoot.
"But you're level-headed. Still, judging by that stance, you plan to keep fighting. You understand you can't beat me as you are."
"Even if I can't win, so what?"
Zoro did not hesitate. His three swords turned pitch black with Armament Haki, dense energy spreading outward and locking onto Benn.
"If we backed down every time we faced someone stronger, we wouldn't have come this far. And even if I could defeat you, I wouldn't kill you. Not after what Luffy told me."
"So you know we're not enemies, yet you're still coming at me seriously?"
Benn lit another cigarette, his tone indifferent.
"You already have the mindset of a true powerhouse."
"Mindset?"
Zoro gave a faint scoff. His figure vanished.
"That kind of talk doesn't matter. I'm coming!"
Whoosh!
He appeared in front of Benn in an instant. His three swords unleashed a storm of slashes, pouring down like relentless rain.
"Three-Sword Style: Cicada, Six Paths Crossing!!!"
"Hmph. If you're that determined, then I'll put you down properly."
Benn stepped back, raising his rifle. Flames burst from the muzzle as bullets rained forward.
"Gunfire: Demonic Flame Flower!!!"
The bullets bloomed midair like fiery flowers, each one carrying immense Armament Haki.
"Such powerful Haki…"
Zoro's expression sharpened. He swung all three blades, cutting through the incoming barrage.
This was among the strongest Armament Haki he had ever faced.
Boom!
Even after blocking, the force sent him skidding back across the ground.
"So this is the strength of a Yonko's right-hand man…"
Zoro steadied himself.
So Benn had not been serious before.
But then—
The intensity in his eyes surged.
"Good… that makes this even better!"
Whoosh!
Without hesitation, he charged again, blades raised high.
"Three-Sword Style: Leopard Strike!!!"
...
Across Elbaf, every powerful warrior could feel it.
Crack!!!!!
Two overwhelming auras dominated the island, clashing invisibly yet violently.
Crack!!!
No one could pinpoint their location.
No one could truly perceive their battle.
The confrontation between Shirogai and a Yonko had already surpassed ordinary understanding. Even the Haki leaking from afar was enough to keep others away.
...
Deep within the forest.
Creak, crack…
A bonfire burned steadily, flames flickering as smoke drifted into the air.
"Ahh, Beckman's getting serious."
A voice spoke while chewing noisily, filled with amusement.
"The swordsman on your crew is impressive. Makes my blood boil, hehehe…"
The speaker laughed mischievously.
"Shirogai, if I took him for myself, you and Luffy wouldn't hunt me down, right?"
Another voice chimed in with a grin.
"If you took one of Luffy's crew, he'd chase you to the ends of the sea to get them back."
Shanks sat on a log, tearing into a massive piece of meat with a wide grin.
"Then forget it. I'm not dealing with that headache. Luffy might be easygoing, but once you cross a line, he won't let it go."
He laughed loudly.
"If I pushed him too far, he might even come after me."
Sizzle!
Shirogai sat on a stone, slowly turning a large roasted beast over the fire. Golden fat dripped and sizzled as the aroma filled the air.
"In my homeland, there's a saying. Push a good man too far, and you won't even get the chance to regret it."
He glanced into the distance.
Another battle raged there.
"Hehehe! This is fun! Take this, Gum-Gum Ape God Gun!!!"
"Hah! Let's see you handle this! Elbaf Strike, Demon Hammer!!!"
Monkey D. Luffy and the giant prince Loki exchanged blows directly, fist against fist.
Neither dodged.
Each punch was met with another.
"Damn, this guy hits hard!"
"Tch, he broke through my Haki!"
"Again!!!"
"Bring it on!!!"
Their fight was straightforward and reckless, a contest of endurance and strength.
In a strange way, they matched perfectly.
Similar personalities, equally stubborn.
"I've always thought Loki is a lot like Luffy."
Shanks glanced toward the distant battlefield.
"But Loki didn't have anyone to guide him when he was younger. Elbaf, long ago…"
He trailed off, his expression shifting slightly.
"…was already being consumed by darkness."