Chapter 59: 100x

As a swordsman, Zoro realized the first moment he saw Gao Wen that the gap between him and this man was like a chasm between heaven and earth.

But even facing this gap directly, he still felt utterly stunned.

Could a dagger called a toy really block my perfected killing technique?

“Are you even human?!”

“Can pure swordsmanship truly reach this level?!”

Alongside Zoro’s questions, Joseph and Johnny stood afar, mouths agape.

Zoro and Gao Wen’s disparity was immense, and they could accept it—after all, their opponent was the East Sea’s highest-bountied pirate, even higher than Ace the Fire Fist.

But to this extent? It was beyond comprehension.

“No matter how strong a human is, there must be a limit, right?”

Joseph gritted his teeth.

Beside him, Johnny had lost the ability to speak.

……

Huh~!

A sea breeze swept past.

Drenched in sweat, Zoro felt a chill rising from the soles of his feet.

The man before him merely spoke calmly:

“Still want me to draw my sword?!”

“Zoro!”

“Of course.”

Zoro’s shock and confusion vanished instantly, replaced by a blazing heat like the sun:

“I understand now.”

“If you aren’t monstrously strong, how could your name echo through heaven?”

“Let that guy hear it!”

“Good eyes.”

Gao Wen nodded.

The next instant.

Zoro’s three long swords came at Gao Wen like a storm of rain.

At this moment, Zoro, fully aware of the vast gap between them, unleashed everything.

Because this man was the strongest swordsman he had ever encountered in his life—even if he combined all his past enemies, not a fraction of this man’s strength could be matched!

Moreover, he felt he had seen the sword in this man’s hand before—the simple, extremely long blade.

But now he had no time to think—only the opponent before him mattered!

His sword strikes, denser than any ordinary swordsman’s, were like a whirlwind ready to flay flesh, sealing every opening for Gao Wen’s counter.

Yet to Zoro, these flawless techniques appeared pitifully weak in Gao Wen’s eyes—no Observation Haki needed, just Level-5 Swordsmanship alone could dismantle them effortlessly.

Gao Wen’s dagger stabbed like raindrops, yet each strike perfectly neutralized Zoro’s sword techniques…

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

……

A rapid series of metallic clashes reached the onlookers’ ears.

To them, Zoro’s swordsmanship had been fierce and swift as thunder—yet Gao Wen dismantled it so casually, without expending even a fraction of effort.

“Is this Captain Gao Wen’s strength?”

“Truly monstrous.”

Nami stared, mouth open, unable to hold back her admiration.

Now, for the first time, she truly felt the weight of Gao Wen’s power—and understood why he had slaughtered A Long, who had oppressed Cocoyasi and its surrounding Marines for five years.

Because Gao Wen’s swordsmanship had reached a non-human level!

Kuro hugged his arms, expression calm, murmuring:

“If he couldn’t do even this, the captain should’ve been replaced long ago.”

“And this? For that man, it’s barely a post-meal pastime.”

Akin nodded silently, agreeing with Kuro, then glanced at Joseph and Johnny afar, saying calmly:

“Two more rats—I’ll deal with them.”

“Hmm.”

……

In the battlefield.

Zoro was drenched in sweat.

His relentless sword swings had drained his strength drastically.

As his movements slowed just slightly…

Gao Wen’s dagger shot like a venomous snake through the gap, piercing Zoro’s clothing and stopping precisely against his skin:

“The fight is over!”

Gao Wen’s cold voice reached Zoro’s ears; Zoro’s lips curled slightly:

“No!”

“The fight isn’t over!”

Ssshh!

Zoro lunged forward, enduring the agony of the blade piercing his chest, his three swords still completing their assault.

Fight to the death—never retreat!

“You truly please me!”

Gao Wen laughed, dropped his dagger, pushed off the ground, and with the speed of Shoushi, slipped into Zoro’s attack first.

A heavy punch landed on Zoro’s abdomen.

Zoro’s sword technique instantly collapsed; his back arched, his body curling like a boiled shrimp.

“Ghk!”

Zoro knelt, coughing up a mouthful of blood, then forced himself upright the next second, his eyes still burning with unyielding defiance:

“A man never kneels to power!”

“Well said!”

Gao Wen nodded calmly:

“Would you consider joining my crew?”

“Soon, we’ll sail the Grand Line, even into the second half—the New World—where countless peaks await us to climb!”

Zoro shook his head:

“Before I fulfill my promise to that guy, I won’t bow to anyone.”

“What a pity~”

Gao Wen turned, picked up his Kensei Masamune planted in the sand, and slowly drew it free.

Keee!

The silver blade gleamed vividly even under moonlight!

The blade was long and narrow, devoid of intricate patterns, radiating an extreme sharpness in its simplicity.

Zoro instantly remembered when he had seen this blade before:

“This is Master Koushirou’s sword!”

“How did it end up in your hands?”

Gao Wen smiled faintly:

“It chose me.”

As Gao Wen spoke, Kensei Masamune trembled and hummed, its blade pulsing with excited joy.

Zoro felt it too, astonished:

“Does this sword… have a soul?”

“Every sword has its own will, its own personality. It seems you haven’t yet found the one that perfectly suits you.”

“Wouldn’t it be a shame to die with that regret?”

“In the New World, that man still exists!”

At the mention of Dracule Mihawk, Zoro shook his head, dizzy from blood loss, and looked up at Gao Wen:

“How great is the gap between you and that man?”

“A hundred times greater than the gap between you and me.”

“Heh…”

After a soft laugh, Zoro lost consciousness and collapsed. Gao Wen stood silent for several seconds, then sheathed Kensei Masamune.

He signaled for the ship’s medic to rush over and treat Zoro’s wounds urgently.

A seed with Gold-Rank potential—he would never lightly abandon such a prospect. As long as the man lived, there was still hope to recruit him!

……

Joseph and Johnny, already subdued by Akin in the distance, gave up struggling and allowed the pirates to bind their hands and feet.

“Fortunately, that man recognized Zoro’s potential and wants to bring him under his command—so for now, Brother Zoro won’t be in danger of death.”

“With our strength, we can’t possibly resist this monster!”

Joseph gritted his teeth, for the first time blaming himself for his weakness; beside him, Johnny remained silent.

The battle on the beach, like a farce, had now ended.

But at that moment, a howling wind swept in from the horizon, carrying pea-sized raindrops that struck the faces of all present.

The storm had arrived.

Gao Wen ordered his men to hide the ships, then led the group inland.

Suddenly.

From the distant forest came a gloomy voice:

“Leave this place!”

“Otherwise, take one more step and you’ll meet misfortune!”

(End of Chapter)