Chapter 392

A flash of sword light streaked by.

The next second, the ape was slashed directly across the chest, leaving two wounds in the shape of an 'X'.

After Zoro's skill landed its mark.

He stood with his back to the ape and sheathed his long sword.

Then, tilting his head slightly, he radiated an aura of looking down upon the world with disdain, glancing back at the result.

It was as if he were checking the fruits of his labor.

He had expected the ape to be sliced into pieces.

To his surprise, the ape was not only completely unharmed, but it didn't even let out a cry of pain.

Instead, the ape used its finger to dab some of its own saliva and smeared it onto the wound, as if disinfecting it—the ultimate display of indifference.

"Damn it!"

Zoro cursed, staring speechlessly at the ape's bizarre behavior.

My super finishing move was treated like this!!!

You detestable ape!

In an instant, Zoro's temper flared, and he was filled with uncontrollable rage.

This left all the spectators dumbfounded, watching the scene in disbelief.

【Hahahaha, I'm dying of laughter. Zoro actually got shut down; I can't believe it.】

【This ape is too funny. That was Zoro's ultimate technique, after all.】

【Such a powerful skill, and it acted like it was just a minor scratch.】

【And the wound looks terrifying, but not a single drop of blood fell. It really looks like just a scraped layer of skin.】

【Terrifying, truly terrifying. This ape is worthy of being the leader; it's incredibly powerful.】

【Zoro is in danger! Zoro is in danger!】

【Good thing that among these apes, only the one that knows sword techniques is fighting; the others are just watching.】

【Otherwise, Zoro really wouldn't be able to handle it.】

【I suppose that's the silver lining in this misfortune.】

But just when everyone thought so.

The next moment, something unexpected happened to every viewer.

The ape that had been humiliated.

Seemed to be completely unbothered by the wound on its chest.

But in reality, the pain made it furious, and it began pounding its chest and screaming.

The next second, all the surrounding apes who had been cheering it on stopped.

Then, the numerous apes raised their swords and blades, their momentum surging, eyes cold as they stared at Zoro, each one filled with killing intent.

Suddenly, the fight turned from a duel into a gang beating.

Zoro was speechless.

"No martial virtue, these guys!"

Zoro cursed.

Suddenly!

Zoro's eyes widened in shock, and he turned back instantly.

He saw that Mihawk was now fully dressed.

Wearing his most iconic outfit, with his great black sword on his back, he sat on a nearby ruined wall, observing the battlefield and fixing his gaze on Zoro.

"You cannot leave this place."

"Besides, the only horse is already dead. What other way do you have to leave?"

Hearing this, Zoro gripped his sword tightly, gritting his teeth:

"Even if I have to crawl, I will crawl back!!!"

Hearing Zoro's words.

Mihawk's eyes flickered; he neither agreed nor disagreed.

He scanned the group of apes and said softly:

"You probably don't know the origin of these apes."

Zoro nodded slightly.

But he suddenly realized.

From the moment Mihawk appeared.

These arrogant and domineering apes had instantly become calm, or rather, much gentler.

They had all been blood-red-eyed and murderous just a moment ago.

Now, that aura had completely vanished.

They even looked fearful.

As if they had seen something that terrified them, they all stood to the side, trembling, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

This made Zoro heave a sigh of relief.

"Looks like I don't have to fight for a while."

He could use this opportunity to catch his breath.

Otherwise, if this continued, Zoro really felt he wouldn't last a few more rounds and would die of exhaustion here.

The pain in his body was a constant reminder of how severe his injuries were.

At this moment, Mihawk's naturally cold and low voice sounded.

"These apes are also known as human imitators; they are naturally very good at mimicking and learning human behavior."

"Not only that, they are the pioneers in this regard, possessing extremely strong talent."

"They can learn human behavior and some exquisite techniques in a very short time, even in an instant."

Zoro did not doubt this.

If he hadn't personally crossed swords with the ape that held three swords and mirrored his own moves.

If Mihawk had said this, he would have thought it was sensationalism—how could such a terrifying existence exist in the world?

If that were the case, wouldn't it mean that Mihawk, who spent countless years becoming the world's greatest swordsman...

Could just have these apes watch him demonstrate his combat techniques and experience once...

And instantly create an extremely terrifying existence?

If it were really that simple, they would be invincible.

At least for now, Zoro hadn't seen any ape capable of executing Mihawk's attack techniques.

So, although Zoro was surprised.

He felt that their talent was strongest at learning his own simple techniques.

Anything higher than that, they probably couldn't manage.

Mihawk's voice sounded again.

"Just as I said earlier, if they are around gentle people, they will learn those gentle human behaviors and be gentle by nature."

"And they can become free labor."

They have a very special nature: they work hard without complaint."

"However, seven years ago, this land was still undergoing a very tragic war."

"When I arrived on this land, there were corpses everywhere, bones like a forest, blood flowing like a river; there wasn't even a place to stand."

What!!!

Zoro's eyes widened in shock, his face full of disbelief.

He looked back at the land, seeing it dusty and worn—where were the traces of blood?

But on second thought, seven years had passed; if no more wars had occurred, and no more deaths...

In that case, it was indeed possible that the natural changes of the world and the drifting dust had covered up the blood.

But the corpses could not have disappeared so easily.

As for the bones like a forest, he had never seen them with his own eyes.