Buzz~
Accompanied by the sharp, clear sound of swords, Zoro swung his arms, and two black shadows shot through the thick poisonous mist like arrows. The powerful sword energy gathered into a tangible storm, blocking the toxic cloud headed toward him.
In an instant, Reiju's entire poisonous mist attack was intercepted, and even Scyther managed to escape from the poisonous arrows surrounding it.
"Shaa!"
Upon landing, Scyther immediately wore an irritated expression.
Even though it is a formidable fighter, its living body remained vulnerable to the effects of poison. Watching Doublade clash against Reiju in the swirling purple miasma made the battle-hungry Scyther envious, practically drooling.
After a moment of contemplation, it shouted to Zoro:
"Shaa... (How about we merge?)"
"Merge? Not yet."
Sensing Scyther's intense desire to fight, Zoro lightly patted its shoulder to calm it down.
When Scyther mentioned "merging," it wasn't referring to something like Digimon's Armor Evolution. It was talking about its ability to undergo MEGA Evolution, combining forces with the Scyther to form Zoro's ultimate battle mode.
However, MEGA Evolution doesn't last as long as a bond evolution, so Zoro decided to keep that trump card hidden until they fully understood their enemy's strength.
Meanwhile, in the foggy battleground, the balance of power between Doublade and Reiju quickly shifted. Immune to any poisonous gas, Doublade remained in their evolved form, steadily overpowering Reiju with overwhelming strength.
Even though she possessed a superhuman body enhanced by bloodline factors and was wearing a battle suit made with cutting-edge technology, the sheer force of Doublade was pushing her toward inevitable defeat.
Secret Move – Vital Point Strike!
Amidst a pulse of dark energy, Doublade vanished from Reiju's sight.
"Gone?"
Reiju was alarmed and quickly activated her battle suit's defense mechanism. Her moth wings folded inward, forming a massive cocoon that enveloped her entirely.
But the next moment, like expert assassins, two swift blades of light sliced across the cocoon, producing a low humming sound.
In an instant, two deep slashes appeared on the cocoon, which was supposed to be tougher than steel.
The most advanced technology of Germa 66 had just been torn apart by Doublade.
"How... how is this possible?"
As dazzling light poured in through the cracks, disbelief washed over Reiju's face. A dark thought formed in her mind, accompanied by Sanji's warnings that echoed from the past.
But... it was already too late!
---
"Boy, so you're here!"
A voice, one that Reiju recognized but desperately didn't want to hear at that moment, echoed from above.
Zoro looked up and spotted three figures descending from the sky. Judge, flanked by Niji and Yuji, slowly landed while holding a portrait of Zoro.
Upon seeing Reiju cornered by Doublade, Yuji clenched his fist, charged with Armament Haki, and swung it violently toward her. A gust of wind from the punch blew away the poisonous mist, exposing Reiju, who was barely holding on.
"Huh?"
Noticing the deep slashes on Reiju's battle suit, Judge's eyes narrowed as he turned his gaze toward Zoro.
"As expected of the runner-up of the Pokémon League Tournament. You managed to break through Germa's defense."
"Defense?"
Zoro smirked, recalling Doublade back to his hands. He slowly lifted his head, staring at Judge and his group with bright, sharp eyes.
"So... you're the ones looking for me?"
"That's right," Judge replied confidently, stepping forward until he loomed in front of Zoro. Towering at nearly three meters tall, he was like a mountain casting a shadow over Zoro.
"I didn't expect so many curly eyebrows," Zoro quipped, his tone wary. "Who are you people? I don't think I have any business with you."
"Us?"
Judge exhaled two streams of white smoke from his nose, answering proudly:
"Boy, we are the Kingdom of Germa 66. And we're here for one reason..."
"I've heard you possess the Essence of Life that was rewarded by the dimensional merchant. If you're wise, I'll offer you a price."
"Germa is in need of this otherworldly power."
As soon as Judge finished speaking, the sound of footsteps echoed around the dojo.
A swarm of cyborg soldiers suddenly appeared, surrounding the entire area and sealing off every exit.
Dark clouds gathered ominously overhead, and in an instant, the atmosphere grew tense and suffocating.
Koushirou and the others widened their eyes, staring at the approaching army of soldiers. The weight of the situation was so intense that none of them could find their voices.
Only Kuina remained focused on Zoro, her eyes shining with unwavering belief.
"Zoro..."
As she stared at him, calm and unfazed, Kuina was certain—Zoro would find a way out of this.
---
Meanwhile, Judge continued to watch Zoro closely, waiting for his response.
In truth, before coming here, Judge had intended to steal the Essence of Life from Zoro without asking. After all, that was Germa 66's way—an infamously ruthless force known as the "Devils of the North Sea."
But this time, things were different.
After seeing the damage to Reiju's battle suit, Judge realized he had underestimated Zoro's strength. If a fight broke out, even if they did manage to steal the essence, the cost would be steep.
So, for once, Judge made a rare decision—to negotiate instead of robbing. He was willing to pay for the Essence of Life, thinking that Zoro might be tempted by a generous offer.
---
"Oh? So that's why you're here... for the Essence of Life," Zoro mused, finally understanding why he had been targeted.
A mocking smile suddenly curled across his lips.
In the tense silence, Zoro turned his back on the Vinsmokes, ignoring their stares. He walked back to the dojo and pulled out an ornate porcelain bottle from his robes.
Turning back around, Zoro smiled as he faced Judge and his men.
"This is the Essence of Life you've been after."
With that, Zoro handed the bottle to Kuina.
Kuina, confused, watched as Zoro ruffled her hair like an older brother.
The moment was filled with emotion. Once upon a time, Zoro had been defeated by Kuina, and he had trained alone, driven by the desire to surpass her.
Now, Zoro finally had the chance to protect Kuina.
Even if that opportunity came because of him.
"Huh?"
Seeing Zoro's actions, Judge frowned, his expression darkening with anger.
"Boy, what is the meaning of this?"
Zoro, still rubbing Kuina's hair with a satisfied grin, turned to Judge, his swords gleaming in his hands.
"Isn't it obvious?" Zoro replied.
With a sudden slash, a sharp, cold light flashed through the air.
"You all—come and fight me," Zoro declared, his aura swelling around him.
"No matter how many of you there are."
"If you defeat me, the essence of life will be yours."
"But until then..." His eyes narrowed, "No one is to touch anyone in this dojo."
"And if any harm comes to them..." Zoro called out, "Kuina!"
"Yes!" Kuina responded energetically, ready for anything.
Although Kuina often appeared mature beyond her years, as though she'd seen through the world, this had always been Zoro's perspective from their childhood.
Yet in the face of the looming battle, even Kuina couldn't help but feel anxious.
But she trusted Zoro, just as Zoro trusted her.
Zoro pointed to the porcelain bottle in Kuina's hand. "Stay with Koushirou-sensei and the others. If anyone gets near you, swallow what's in that bottle immediately."
"That way, they'll get nothing."
A confident smile spread across Zoro's face as he finished speaking.
Judge's rage flared.
"Boy, are you defying the might of Germa 66?!"
To Judge, he had been willing to negotiate peacefully, offering to buy instead of steal. But now Zoro had rejected his offer outright, forcing his hand.
"Niji, Yuji, Reiju!" Judge commanded.
"Here, father!" came their synchronized replies.
"We'll teach this boy a lesson!"
Even Reiju, who had already witnessed Zoro's strength, was compelled to obey Judge's orders. Despite her awareness of the power she faced, she couldn't disobey, a tragic consequence of Germa's modifications.
Sanji, not bound by the same bloodline influence, was called a "failure" by Judge for that very reason.
Before attacking, Reiju's broken wings fluttered as she warned her brothers, "Be careful. This opponent is nothing like the ones we've faced before."
Doublade alone had overwhelmed her. If Zoro and Scyther combined their powers, she couldn't fathom their full potential.
But despite this, Reiju maintained confidence in Germa's might. Niji and Yuji were more talented in combat, and Judge himself was even stronger with the backing of Germa's advanced technology. Add to that the fifteen thousand cyborg soldiers surrounding the dojo, and it seemed impossible for Zoro to prevail.
Even now, Reiju contemplated how she might convince Judge to spare Zoro and the others.
But Zoro had already turned to Kuina, issuing his final orders as the Germa forces prepared to strike.
"Kuina, stay here with the others inside the dojo. Don't come out until it's over!"
Kuina, her hand instinctively on the hilt of Wado Ichimonji, hesitated. She showed concern for Zoro but quickly lowered her hand.
Realizing the weight of the upcoming battle, she understood that she had no role to play. A flicker of frustration crossed her face before she steeled herself, smiled, and nodded.
"I understand, Zoro. I'll leave this to you!"
"Don't worry!" Zoro grinned, his confidence unwavering.
"You'll see just how much I've changed over the past nine years!"
With that, Zoro turned to Scyther.
"Cha!" Scyther, filled with battle fervor, lifted its arms in response to Zoro's will.
Zoro nodded in acknowledgment, then raised two fingers to touch the wrist where his Pokémon bracelet gleamed.
With a solemn tone, Zoro began to chant:
"O swift shadow that glides through the forest, O wind that dances over the mountains, O sword that cuts through worlds!"
"Let the heat of our souls ignite a brand new power!"
With his incantation complete, a brilliant light exploded from Scyther's chest, where the MEGA evolution stones were affixed by Leo's unique ability.
In an instant, the light enveloped Scyther, obscuring it from view. The MEGA keystone's energy surged through its body, creating a vortex in the air.
"What is this?" Yuji, unfamiliar with Pokémon, halted, intrigued by the strange phenomenon.
However, Reiju and Judge remained tense, fully aware of the overwhelming power within the light. The violent aura sent shivers through them, a sign of the danger ahead.
As the light faded, a slender, emerald-green sword emerged from the glow. Its blade sparkled like a precious gem, the product of Scyther's MEGA evolution.
The sword resembled the Wado Ichimonji, perfectly suited to Zoro's fighting style, though its hilt bore the sharp eyes of Scyther, alert and full of fighting spirit.
The only difference is the two scythe-like blades on its blade.
Zoro gripped the sword in his mouth with ease.
At that moment, Scyther closed its eyes, entrusting its form completely to Zoro, united with him in mind and spirit.
Doublade in Zoro's hands shared the same fate. Through the power of their bond, Zoro and his three swords reached a level of perfect harmony, a unity that every swordsman dreams of.
A surge of powerful energy erupted from Zoro, and his aura soared skyward.
Now, Zoro stood among the world's most powerful warriors, ready to face Germa's might head-on.
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