Nami: "Hahaha! Luffy's face is priceless! He really believed that boss's story..."
Usopp: "Actually, the boss wasn't entirely wrong. Zoro probably is the strongest around these islands. But compared to Luffy? Not even close."
Vinsmoke Sanji: "That moss-headed swordsman? No way he can match Luffy."
Roronoa Zoro: "Didn't you hear his thoughts? He's planning to go all out from the start. I'm more worried about the Zoro over there! Luffy might end up one-shotting him..."
Eustass Kid: "Hahaha! That's too good!"
Capone Bege: "Judging by the situation, it could definitely happen!"
Tony Tony Chopper: "That Zoro over there is in real trouble..."
[Luffy continues eating voraciously, plowing through plate after plate.]
[His table has been replaced countless times as more food is served.]
[Burp.]
[When Luffy finally finishes his feast, he pushes the money bag forward and says, "Boss, the bill!!"]
"Alright! Just a moment, young man!"
The boss eagerly takes the money bag and heads to the counter to tally up the bill.
Luffy lazily picks at the remaining meat on the bones.
Suddenly, a shadow looms over him from behind.
Luffy immediately senses hostility but remains unfazed. His Observation Haki has already locked onto the person behind him, detecting no immediate threat.
He turns his head and sees a young man with three swords tied around his waist and a green bandana on his left shoulder, glaring at him with a cold, fierce expression!!!
Because of the backlight, from Luffy's perspective, it's as if he's looking up at a demon from the depths of hell...
"Kid! I heard you were asking about me?"
Zoro stares down at Luffy, his expression sharp. He'd been passing by when a fellow bounty hunter mentioned that someone inside the restaurant had been asking about him.
In this area, Zoro's name is infamous!!
Most people would rather avoid him, so anyone inquiring about him is likely an assassin or enemy sent to take him down.
Naturally, Zoro came to investigate on his own.
["This kid sure is arrogant."]
["He doesn't know the gravity of what he's gotten himself into, Kehahaha!"]
["Saying the cockiest things only to get beaten down—seen it too many times!"]
Back at Sunny Go
"Moss head, you're in for it now."
"Curly brow, that's the Zoro over there, not me!"
"Still looks like you!"
----
Luffy blinks, then realizes and asks, "So, you're the pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro?"
"That's me. What's your business with me?" Zoro's tone is rough and direct.
Luffy, not one to mince words, responds, "I want to fight you!"
As expected!!
Zoro smirks. "You mean the kind of fight that ends in death?"
Luffy is momentarily taken aback!
So that's how it is when battling strong opponents...
No wonder Dadan always said that powerful people grow through fights...
"Uh, no problem." Luffy nodded seriously.
Seeing Luffy's calm response, Zoro glanced at him.
For someone so young, this kid's got guts!
"It's not convenient to fight here," Zoro looked around at the restaurant, then motioned with his thumb over his shoulder. "Let's take this outside!"
"Boss, calculate the bill first. I'll come back to get my change later," Luffy said, following Zoro outside.
The shop owner, too focused on counting the money, didn't even notice Zoro's presence. He kept happily tapping away on his abacus.
As the two stepped outside, people on the street quickly recognized Zoro.
"Whoa! That's... that's the pirate hunter with the devil's reputation!"
"Roronoa Zoro! No way! How could someone that terrifying be here?"
"They're gonna duel?!"
"Oh my gosh! That kid's crazy! Challenging Zoro? He's asking to die!"
...
Among the crowd, some onlookers immediately recognized Zoro, and they were just as shocked to see someone challenge him so recklessly.
Pell: "Wow, the crowd's energy is intense!"
Kuzan: "...Yeah, it's something alright."
Donquixote Doflamingo: "This is hilarious! I can't wait to see their reactions when they realize what's happening, hehehe!"
Gecko Moria: "Hehehe! I'm already rubbing my hands in excitement!"
Roronoa Zoro: "..."
Amidst the crowd's murmurs, Zoro swiftly drew his Wado Ichimonji, biting down on the sword with his teeth.
With a quick motion, he pulled out two more swords, one in each hand!
In a flash, Zoro took full control of his three swords and charged at Luffy with the agility of a cheetah.
So direct!
There's no room for hesitation in a battle between warriors!
Luffy, seeing Zoro's fierce attack, instantly shifted into battle mode.
"Gomu Gomu no Balloon!!"
Luffy activated his Rubber-Rubber Fruit ability, causing his muscles to swell rapidly!
Then, his arms were covered in a pitch-black substance that looked like ink—dense and dark.
Kozuki Oden: "Whoa! That Armament Haki... it's at least at the level of Emission!"
Tsuru: "Luffy's talent is unbelievable... His Haki has come so far compared to seven years ago."
Strawberry: "I feel like... even my Armament Haki might not be stronger than his. And he's only 14 years old..."
Momonga: "That's just a hunch, but I'm certain! My Haki definitely isn't at that level...! Garp's genes are something else!"
Marshall D. Teach: "Zehahahaha! This kid is ridiculous!"
Monkey D. Garp: "Darn it! Why didn't I think of training Luffy in Haki sooner...!"
Garp was filled with regret!
Just then, the live broadcast erupted with gasps of astonishment!
In the footage, ripples of Haki resembling lightning began to emerge from Luffy's blackened arm!
These lightning-like ripples of Haki appeared both tangible and intangible at once, subtle enough to miss if you weren't paying attention.
But the powerful viewers, with just one look, were left in awe!
Because that was unmistakably...
Conqueror's Haki!
(T/N: Zoro telling the future generation how he was almost killed when he first met his Captain.)