Translator: PapaSmurf0700
Some time ago, Bai Ye had a conversation with Zoro, who seemed puzzled by something and asked Bai Ye, "What did your master say?"
Bai Ye responded with a nod, "Although my master wasn't a swordsman, his understanding of swords might actually surpass yours."
He continued, sharing some wisdom his master had imparted, albeit sometimes under less serious circumstances. "My master used to get a bit boastful when he had been drinking, ah no, what I mean is he taught me during those times."
"What is a sword?" Bai Ye recited the teachings from his master. "The sword master's strikes are incredibly fierce. The sword is the king of all weapons, it's domineering, emphasizing power rather than form."
He conveyed the power of the sword as described by his master, "Others may possess superb techniques, but a sword can end battles with a single blow. While others exhaust every tactic, a swordsman needs but one cut. Tactics may vary greatly, but a swordsman relies on the simplicity of one sword strike. All spirits and deities vanish with one blow. With a sword in hand, even the Buddhas must bow their heads."
He delivered the lines with increasing intensity, "Ask who is the hero of the world; it is only the one who dominates with the sword! Trample the spirits and gods to shatter the heavens; I stand alone in my madness!"
Bai Ye concluded with a statement that encapsulated the spirit of any true swordsman, "The true swordsman is one who dares to draw his sword at any moment."
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Back to the present moment, Kuina watched Zoro, who was seated on the ground, and asked, "So, are you planning to forcibly break open this world?"
Black Zoro turned his head away, muttering with a hint of embarrassment, "Tch, so I couldn't come out for so long, is it because you were mastering the sword technique?"
"But how do you plan to end this?" he asked.
From the moment Black Zoro was conceived, he knew his purpose: to become the nourishment Zoro needed to become the strongest. Having absorbed all of Zoro's negative emotions, he was inherently very arrogant. But now, realizing that Zoro had never intended to kill him and even wanted to preserve his existence, Black Zoro felt that his past actions were somewhat redundant and embarrassing.
Luckily, neither Zoro nor Kuina seemed to mind.
Zoro looked up at Black Zoro and Kuina and said slowly, "I can't leave you here alone, so I need to borrow your strength." He announced, "Summon ghosts and gods — Ashura!"
As he spoke, Zoro picked up the ghost in his hand. "Bai Ye's words inspired me, and the tribulation helped realize my thoughts."
He then turned to Kuina, "Will you trust me?" he asked, his voice serious.
Kuina smiled warmly, "Of course. I was born because of you, so naturally, I believe in you."
After speaking, Kuina handed over the sword Wado Ichimonji to Zoro. As Zoro grasped the sword's handle, Kuina transformed into pure energy and merged with the Wado Ichimonji. Watching the sword return to his hand, Zoro's eyes filled with complex emotions, but he quickly composed himself and looked towards Black Zoro.
Black Zoro scoffed disdainfully, "Snort! Abandoning the simplest method and making such an unreliable decision, you really are an idiot, Zoro."
Yet, despite his contempt, Black Zoro slowly placed his hand on Zoro's other sword, Sandai Kitetsu. Mirroring Kuina's actions, he transformed into a stream of black energy and entered the sword.
Zoro murmured to himself and shook his head, pondering the path before him. "The easiest way?" he questioned softly. "I'm afraid, it's actually a test this world has given me."
He had come to realize that Kuina and Black Zoro were not just figments of the illusion but were deliberate challenges placed in his path. How else could these two figures, so integral to his life and growth, so readily accept death? If Zoro were to sever his ties to the past and kill his former self just to become the strongest, he would end up losing his memories and his very sanity, becoming nothing more than a sword slave, devoid of purpose beyond combat.
With a deep sense of resolve, Zoro stood up. He placed the Wado Ichimonji between his teeth and gripped Yubashiri and Sandai Kitetsu in each hand. Closing his eyes, he concentrated deeply.
A distinct aura began to radiate from him, one that was different from haki. This was a power Zoro had mastered during his recent encounters with spectral forces, a force he termed 'ghost energy.'
In an instant, the ghostly aura around Zoro surged, enveloping him in an eerie darkness. He declared, "Ghost Qi Nine Sword Style - Ashura," and in that moment, Zoro's form multiplied, transforming him into a figure with three heads and six arms, resembling the fierce deity Ashura. Behind him, a spectral figure mirroring his new form seemed to descend from the shadows.
"To endure all kinds of hardships and never tire, this is the way of Ashura!" Zoro proclaimed.
With fierce determination, Zoro suddenly opened his eyes, pushed off the ground powerfully, and leapt skyward. "Ashura: Ichibugin!" he called out as he executed his attack.
A piercing sound rang out, followed by a blinding light that momentarily overwhelmed Zoro, forcing him to shield his eyes. Yet, he felt the certainty of success in his heart. Amidst the chaos, he thought he could hear the encouraging voices of his friends: "From now on, let us work together, Zoro!" "Let's drink together!" "How could you get lost here?"
A smile began to form at the corner of Zoro's mouth upon hearing these familiar sounds.
Then, an irritated voice cut through the moment, "Hey, hey! You guy, you actually cut off my daoist robe? Are you still laughing at me!!" It was Bai Ye, standing before him, visibly annoyed.
Zoro opened his eyes to see Bai Ye looking quite exasperated, his daoist robe in tatters. Zoro couldn't shake the sinking feeling, "Did I just cut him?"
Bai Ye grumbled, "I came here with good intentions, and this is how you repay me? We're not done with this matter. Take this pill first, then we'll settle the score." Despite his complaints, Bai Ye tossed a pill to Zoro.
Catching the pill, Zoro flashed a grateful smile and popped it into his mouth without a second thought. Looking up at Bai Ye, he said calmly, "I'm back, Bai Ye."
Bai Ye, amid his complaints, paused to look at Zoro, who appeared tired yet unmistakably happy. He nodded emphatically and acknowledged, "Um!" But soon, Bai Ye couldn't help but add, "Let me tell you, you need to take a bath as soon as possible, after so many days, you smell a bit... ripe."
Zoro retorted with a scowl, "Bastard, shut up!"
Bai Ye, unfazed, shot back, "You don't want me to mention your smell? Remember, I'm still the deputy captain."
Zoro, frustration mounting, warned, "…I will hack you to death!!"
With their voices fading, the world of the rainbow mist returned to its serene state. This marked the moment when all members of the Straw Hats regrouped.
Zoro received a warm welcome from all the crew members. Aside from a minor squabble with Sanji, who complained about Zoro's tardiness, the reunion was beautiful and felt incredibly natural.
Luffy, with his typically illogical storytelling, caught Zoro up on what had happened during his absence and laid out the crew's next steps.
Zoro summarized the situation, slightly bewildered, "So, we are going to find a guy who could be targeted by the world government and the navy at any time, and then invite him to become our shipwright?"
At this, Luffy clapped his hands together joyfully and exclaimed, "Hahaha, is that so?"
Zoro, annoyed yet amused, responded, "Didn't you tell me? You idiot!!"
At that moment, Robin called out from the observation deck, bringing everyone's attention to the horizon, "Hey everyone, I found an island ahead."
P.S. Please note that there will be a brief hiatus in publication. New chapters will resume on September 20th.