No matter what world one was in, a French salute always conveyed the clearest message: the person performing it had no desire to fight.
Zoro, who had been preparing to strike, froze mid-motion and looked at Ren in disbelief. "Weren't you the one who wanted a spar?"
"I already know where I'm lacking," Ren replied with a shrug. "I'll focus on improving from here."
He didn't say the rest aloud — there's no need to fight seriously with someone like you and get beaten senseless just to realize my shortcomings.
"You're a sly one," Zoro muttered helplessly. His opponent was clearly backing off after getting what he wanted.
"If you're feeling fired up, I don't mind fighting," Ren said, eyes glinting with mischief. "But in that case, it won't just be swordsmanship."
Something seemed to occur to him, and his expression turned eager. He wasn't fond of losing, and since he still had the Soul-Shattering Horn and Potara Earrings on him… why not test the power of his dual-template fusion form?
"All right."
Zoro was a little surprised but agreed without hesitation.
Aside from Arlong and his crew, the rest of their opponents lately had been weak and boring. Without real pressure, training meant nothing. Ren was now offering him a rare chance—an opponent truly worth facing.
The path to becoming the world's greatest swordsman was bound to cross monsters like this.
"Okay. Give me a moment."
Ren turned his back, reaching into the Four-Dimensional Chrysanthemum to pull out the Soul-Shattering Horn and Potara Earrings. Then, he raised the horn to his mouth.
His hand hesitated slightly—but he pressed the button anyway.
BWAHH—!!
The earth-shaking blare roared through the air. Even Zoro had to clap his hands over his ears.
When he looked again, his jaw nearly dropped—Ren had split into two.
"What the—!? Ren, are you all right!?" Zoro shouted in alarm.
"I'm fine. It's a Devil Fruit ability."
"I'm fine. It's a Devil Fruit ability," both Rens answered in unison.
Then, each of them put on one of the Potara Earrings.
In the next instant, brilliant light engulfed them, and the two Rens merged into one.
When the glow faded—
There stood a single Ren, his entire body veined with crimson-gold lines. His eyes glowed a deep scarlet as he flexed his fingers.
First Calabash Brother Template + Third Calabash Brother Template — Divine Strength + Indestructible Vajra Body.
His stat panel shifted: [Strength: D], [Agility: F], [Constitution: E].
This was nearly on par with a giant transformation, yet Ren hadn't even activated that ability.
If he added giantification on top of his current state—and combined it with the Thunder Breathing Technique—
Then his strength might approach C, his constitution could break through to D, and his agility might rise to D-.
To put that in perspective: Arlong of the East Blue had an estimated strength of only D+, while Ren—through fusion, Thunder Breathing, and Qi—had pushed even his weakest stat to D.
"Interesting… this feels like leveling up."
Ren gripped the hilt of Raichi, the sword crackling with blue lightning that danced around his form.
He poured immense power into his leg—and with the lightest motion, the ground beneath him shattered.
First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!
Lightning burst forth as blue arcs streaked through the air, the thunderous blade falling like a bolt from heaven.
CLANG—!
A metallic roar rang out. Zoro's dual blades crossed to block, yet the impact sent him flying, crashing into a massive boulder ten meters away.
"Still sticking to two swords? In that case, I'll take that as your surrender."
The electric glow faded as Ren strode forward, his eyes blazing, his aura wild and fierce.
Zoro silently pulled himself free from the rock. With solemn resolve, he untied the bandanna from his arm and wrapped it around his head, then drew his third sword.
"Sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't show you proper respect earlier."
"It's fine. Let's continue."
"Be careful."
Zoro clenched Wado Ichimonji in one hand and Ryuen in the other, biting the third blade between his teeth.
Before Ren's eyes, the violet edge of Ryuen ignited, flames surging like a living thing until they engulfed Zoro completely.
Three-Sword Style: Burning—Oni Giri!
From within the roaring blaze, a demon seemed to take form—so fierce that merely witnessing it sent a chill down the spine.
Before Ren could react, three fiery arcs slashed toward him!
Second Form: Rice Soul!
Azure lightning coiled around Ren like serpents. Five thunderbolts erupted at once, lashing out in every direction.
CLANG!
The clash filled the air with ringing steel. Fire exploded outward in a violent shockwave, scorching the earth black.
Ren staggered back several steps, letting the transmitted force roll through him. Three fiery slashes ripped through the air, narrowly missing his face.
Then he lunged again, Raichi blazing with electric light.
Third Form: Gathering Thunder!
Bolts of azure light swirled around Zoro, forming a web of rapid, precise strikes—dozens of cuts in an instant, each sparking with arcing lightning.
So fast! Zoro's pupils contracted. His speed and strength have skyrocketed… but his sword forms are still full of openings!
He tightened his stance.
Three-Sword Style: Crow—Demon Hunt!
A storm of slashes erupted from every angle, sharp enough to slice apart a barrage of cannonballs.
The flaming arcs clashed head-on with Ren's thundering strikes, the sound of metal upon metal hammering the air like a relentless drumbeat.
When the final note rang out—
Both fighters exhaled hard. Ren kicked out, sending Zoro flying back, and both retreated several steps, widening the distance between them.
"So this is a proper sword form?"
Ren held Raichi in one hand, looking down at his body.
Seven or eight shallow "wounds" marked his form. When he lifted his gaze, Zoro bore four or five thin, bleeding cuts of his own.
The tip of Zoro's sword was slick with blood.
Even while holding back, Raichi was too sharp to avoid injury entirely.
"Incredible," Zoro said, eyes full of mixed admiration and frustration. "Your swordsmanship lacks polish—your form has flaws everywhere. But the foundation and intricacy of your moves… they surpass even my Three-Sword Style."
He knew the only reason his wounds weren't worse was because Ren had deliberately restrained himself.
In a true life-and-death duel, Ren would likely still be unscathed.
"It's not surprising," Ren replied. "The Thunder Breathing sword forms were refined over centuries, perfected by countless practitioners. Even what I've shown is a crude imitation of their theoretical peak.
"Zoro, your Three-Sword Style suits you perfectly—but in many aspects, it's still not as developed as the swordsmanship I've learned. After all, you're its sole creator."
He smiled, then said something that made Zoro hesitate.
"So—want to learn it? I'll teach you. No need to take me as your master, no vows or oaths. Just an exchange: I'll share everything I know, and in return, you share the essence of what you've mastered. We'll be each other's teacher and student."
"You'd really do that?"
Zoro's voice trembled slightly. No one could refuse an offer to grow stronger.
"Of course."
Ren grinned, his tone firm and confident.
(End of Chapter)