While Roxing was securing Moria's allegiance,
Zoro's clash with Ryuma had already reached its peak.
Their blades moved with such speed that the naked eye struggled to keep up.
Shockwaves from their slashes tore through the buildings around them.
"Two-Sword Style — Two-Fold Cut: Tower Ascending!"
Zoro dropped from above like a feral tiger, his dual blades carrying unstoppable momentum.
Ryuma, once celebrated as a legendary samurai, proved himself worthy of the title. Calm and composed, he lifted the black blade Shusui to meet Zoro's attack.
The two crossed paths.
"Hanauta Sanchō: Arrow Notch Slash!"
It was a technique born from Brook's swordsmanship—yet the power Ryuma wielded with the same shadow was leagues beyond Brook's own ability.
Schlkk—
A bloody line opened across Zoro's back.
Ryuma's shoulder was carved open by Zoro's blade as well, though being a zombie, he did not bleed.
"…It's been a long time since I've met a swordsman like you."
Ryuma turned slowly, looking at Zoro with genuine respect.
"Tell me… what is your ambition on the path of the sword?"
Zoro didn't hesitate for even half a heartbeat.
"To become the strongest. I'll be the world's greatest swordsman."
Ryuma laughed softly.
"Then this black blade… might indeed be worthy of you."
He raised Shusui high above his head.
"Come. This will be my final strike—future strongest swordsman!"
Zoro grinned. Then, to Ryuma's mild surprise, he sheathed Wado Ichimonji, keeping only the Second Kitetsu in hand.
He inhaled deeply, fingers tightening around the cursed blade.
A dark mist crept up its edge.
"So this is the demonic aura of Kitetsu?" Ryuma murmured, pupils narrowing. "No… this sensation is far more sinister. 'Ghost Aura' would suit it better."
With every second, Ryuma felt more satisfied. Shusui had finally found a fitting new master.
He looked fondly at the black blade in his hand.
"Before you go to your new wielder, old friend… fight with me one last time."
Ryuma brought Shusui down in a mighty arc.
A colossal slash—nearly eight meters long—burst forth!
Facing that terrifying strike, Zoro stepped forward instead of back.
"Ghost Aura — One-Sword Style: Ghost Slash!!"
A spectral demon seemed to rise from Zoro's form, tearing the massive slash apart with claws of malice.
The Second Kitetsu swept past, carving cleanly across Ryuma's neck.
The samurai collapsed.
Zoro sheathed his blade and approached, picking up Shusui.
Ryuma still had one breath left.
"Shusui… is yours now. I have lost… but tell me—how fares Wano today?"
Ryuma was born in Wano, a descendant of the Shimotsuki clan—the same bloodline as Zoro's teacher, Koshiro.
Zoro replied simply:
"I've only just arrived in Wano, so I don't know much. But from what I saw, people are living alright. And the current shogun—Yamato—is a good person. Kind-hearted."
Ryuma finally closed his eyes in peace.
Zoro buried the body on the spot before returning to Perona's great hall.
"You're just in time."
Roxing, having secured Moria, looked at him.
"We're going to see that legendary demon."
Moria led the way.
Around his neck was a collar made of seastone—just like the ones used on Enel and Trafalgar Law—capable of expanding and contracting freely.
Normally it didn't hinder movement or Devil Fruit abilities.
But if Roxing tightened the collar, Moria would instantly lose all ability to resist.
Even though Moria had agreed to submit only to Roxing, the man's past pride required extra safety measures.
Whether the collar would eventually be removed… would depend on Moria's future behavior.
In truth, even weakened, Moria had the pride of a man who once challenged Kaido head-on.
Men like him didn't lie. They disdained deception.
Once they chose to bow their heads, they rarely broke their word.
Absalom trailed at Moria's side.
Perona floated behind them, her eyes still red from crying. She kept sneaking glances at Roxing's back, making angry little faces she didn't dare show openly.
Anyone familiar with her would know—this was her version of being mad but too scared to actually show it.
The group descended into the massive underground prison.
"D-D-Dear lord… this is where the demon Oars is kept."
Moria still struggled with addressing Roxing respectfully.
Roxing didn't mind. Time would fix that.
He stepped forward and examined the colossal body of the ancient demon.
Oars was sixty-seven meters tall—twice the height of a normal giant, larger even than Queen and Jack's combined forms.
Only Saint Juan Wolf—the monstrous "Colossal Battleship" imprisoned on Impel Down's sixth floor—surpassed him, towering at an absurd one hundred eighty meters.
Roxing asked,
"Does Oars have a shadow yet?"
Moria shook his head.
"No suitable strong shadow available."
A zombie's power depended on two factors:
1. The strength of the corpse's original body.
2. The strength of the shadow within.
Oars possessed overwhelming physical power—but lacked a matching shadow.
It was clear Moria had wasted ten years on Thriller Bark.
With so many strong pirates and marines in the world, finding a suitable shadow for Oars should've been easy.
Roxing considered the possibilities.
If he found the right shadow, Oars' monstrous body might be able to survive the Dragon-Class Monster Cell.
If that worked… Oars' strength could reach the level of top-tier giants in other worlds—the kind who crushed mountains upon entry.
Roxing felt a rare sense of anticipation.
For the rest of the day, he inspected Moria's zombie army.
The more he saw, the more he realized Moria's decade had been wasted.
Most zombies were weak.
Even the total count was pathetic—barely four to five thousand.
And this man wanted revenge against Kaido?
Wanted to become Pirate King?
Roxing was speechless.
But he didn't mock him—Moria was his subordinate now.
Roxing selected several hundred of the strongest zombies and fed them Tiger-Class Monster Cells.
Their power doubled instantly.
Moria stared, swallowing uncontrollably.
Back when Big Mom's territory leaked Monster Cells, he too had joined the scramble—only for Shanks to cut in and take everything.
He'd hated Shanks ever since.
Under normal circumstances, Roxing would reward Moria with a Tiger-Class Cell as well.
But he didn't.
Because in Roxing's eyes:
A former Warlord… someone who once dared to challenge Kaido…
Moria should at least be able to handle a Ghost-Class Monster Cell.
But looking at Moria's bloated physique…
There was no way he would survive it right now.
Roxing said calmly:
"Train hard. Recover your past strength. Then I'll give you a higher-tier Monster Cell. There's still a place on this sea for someone like you."
Moria didn't dare refuse.
He only silently adjusted his mindset—
learning how to live under someone else's orders.
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