Hey everyone,
I wasn't able to update the chapter last week because my laptop screen got cracked, so I had to send it in for repairs. I just got it back today, and after reading your comments, I hurried to finish this chapter. I hope you like it!
Sorry for the delay, and thanks for your patience!
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Rudra didn't know how or why this guy had ended up here, but one thing was certain—he didn't belong.
As the green-haired swordsman approached, Rudra narrowed his eyes."What do you need?" he asked.
The man tilted his head slightly. "Can you tell me where I am?"
"The Kingdom of Fiore," Rudra replied, arms crossed.
The swordsman muttered under his breath, "So this isn't Sabaody Archipelago…" Then, looking back at Rudra, he asked, "Any idea where Sabaody is?"
Rudra shrugged. "Never heard of it." He turned to leave but suddenly froze as a translucent window appeared before him.
###
[New Quest: The Traveler]
Description: Defeat the strange traveler.
Reward: Unlock ???
###
Rudra sighed, rubbing his temples. "Damn system…"When he looked back, the swordsman was already walking away.
Taking a deep breath, he called out, "Hey, you."
The man stopped and glanced over his shoulder. "Yeah?"
Rudra smirked. "I changed my mind. I'll help you."
An eyebrow lifted. "How?"
"I know a way," Rudra said, his gaze flickering to the swords at the man's side. "But it'll cost you."
The swordsman folded his arms. "And what exactly do you want?"
Rudra's smirk widened as his eyes settled on the white-handled katana at the man's hip. "Since you're a swordsman, how about a duel? You and me."
The stranger considered it for a moment before nodding. "I don't have a problem with that."
As he unsheathed Wado Ichimonji, a blade materialized in Rudra's hand—Yamato.
Zoro rested Wado Ichimonji on his shoulder, eyeing Rudra with mild interest. "You sure about this?"
Rudra twirled Yamato in his grip before holding it at his side, calm and composed. "You'll find out soon enough."
A breeze passed between them. Then—Zoro vanished.
He reappeared right in front of Rudra, Wado Ichimonji slashing downward with brutal force.
CLANG!
Rudra parried effortlessly, his stance unshaken. With a flick of his wrist, he pushed Zoro back and vanished in a flash of blue light—Judgment Cut.
Zoro's eyes widened as he barely twisted away, the air where he stood moments ago now slashed into dozens of thin lines."That's a neat trick,"
Zoro muttered, gripping his katana tighter. "But let's see how you handle this."He lowered his stance, exhaling slowly.
Then, he moved. "One-Sword Style: Lion's Song!"
A blindingly fast iai slash cut toward Rudra—but the moment Zoro struck, Rudra vanished.
Zoro's attack hit empty air.
Then—a sharp gust of wind rushed past him.
Zoro's instincts screamed as he twisted around just in time to see Rudra using the exact same technique! "One-Sword Style: Lion's Song."
Rudra's blade cut through the space between them, mirroring Zoro's attack with precise, deadly elegance.
CLANG!
Zoro barely blocked, his arms shaking from the force.
He slid back, a smirk creeping onto his face. "You copy techniques too, huh?"
Rudra remained silent, his icy gaze locked onto Zoro.
The green-haired swordsman grinned. "Then let's see you copy this."
He sheathed Wado Ichimonji, grabbed two more swords, and slowly positioned them—one in each hand, and one between his teeth.
Rudra exhaled.
He knew what was coming. "Three-Sword Style…"
A wave of black lightning crackled around Zoro's swords as Haki surged through them "Oni…GIRI!"
Zoro lunged.Rudra's grip tightened around Yamato.
With a faint smirk, he vanished—this time, charging straight at Zoro.
The clash between Rudra and Zoro had raged on for over six hours.
Neither showed any sign of exhaustion.
The once lush forest was gone—reduced to a barren wasteland of splintered trees and shattered mountains. The ground itself was scarred with deep cuts, and the very air crackled from the sheer force of their battle.
Zoro grinned, gripping his sword tightly. "You're strong, I'll give you that… but I'm not done yet!"
He lunged forward, executing Tiger Hunt, his blade carving through the air like a beast lunging at its prey.
CLANG!
Rudra intercepted it with ease, his blade pressing against Zoro's with monstrous strength.
The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the area, uprooting what little trees remained.
A smirk tugged at Rudra's lips as he held his ground. "Heh… I'm having fun."
Zoro, grinning despite the sweat and dirt on his face, pushed against Rudra's blade. "Yeah? Me too."
Rudra's eyes gleamed. "Then let's take things further."
With a sudden burst of force, he shoved Zoro backward.
Zoro skidded across the ruined battlefield but immediately charged back, swords ready.
Then—he stopped.
His Observation Haki screamed at him, Something was wrong.
If he didn't dodge—he would die.
Without hesitation, Zoro leapt back.
The next moment, Rudra moved. He slowly sheathed Yamato, assuming his stance.The air grew unnaturally still.
Then—Judgment Cut End.
Rudra disappeared into countless afterimages, as if time itself had shattered.
Zoro's eyes widened. This isn't just speed… it's something else.
The very concept of time seemed frozen. Then—slashes appeared.
A storm of blades erupted from Rudra's position, cutting through everything.
The mountains split, The earth cracked.
Reality itself seemed to collapse, the air distorting as if the fabric of existence was being torn apart.
Then—click. As Yamato fully slid into its sheath, time resumed.
Everything within range of the attack—ceased to exist. The battlefield, already ruined, was now on the verge of annihilation.
Rudra straightened, his gaze shifting to Zoro, standing just outside the attack's range, had dodged.
His chest rose and fell as he took in what just happened. Then—he grinned. "That was dangerous," Zoro admitted, tightening his grip on his swords.
Then—he charged, as Rudra smiled.
***
Far from the battlefield, a lone figure stood in silence, watching the clash unfold.
Ultear.
She had been searching for Rudra after her encounter with Jellal, determined to demand an answer—why did he kiss her?
But when she finally tracked him down, she found him locked in an all-out battle with a green-haired swordsman.
At first, she had assumed the fight would end quickly.
Oh, how wrong she was.
The moment she saw their insane level of swordsmanship, she knew this wasn't a normal duel.
Both Rudra and his opponent split mountains like they were slicing paper, their blades tearing through the landscape without restraint.
More than their raw strength, what truly unnerved her was their stamina—neither of them stopped.
No breaks. No hesitation. Just pure combat.
Hours passed.
Then a full day.
Then a week.
Every morning, she returned, expecting the battle to have ended—yet every time, they were still fighting.
She even went back to town, ran errands, had a meal, and returned the next day—only to find them still at it.
At this point, she was genuinely questioning if they were even human.
But today—today felt different.
As Ultear walked toward the battlefield once more, she expected the usual sight—two insane swordsmen trying to kill each other.
Instead—she found them sitting by a bonfire, Drinking, Laughing and Chatting.
She froze.
These were the same men who had been fighting like bloodthirsty demons for a week straight.
Now they sat around like best friends, casually sharing drinks like nothing had happened."…What the hell?" Ultear's mind short-circuited.
How did they go from trying to kill each other to drinking buddies?!
As the flickering bonfire crackled in the silence of the night, the green-haired swordsman stood up, grabbing a nearly empty bottle of sake and casually tossing it at Rudra, who caught it effortlessly.
Then, without warning, he did something that sent chills down Ultear's spine.
He turned.And looked straight at her.
His sharp, piercing gaze locked onto hers, as if he had known she was there the entire time.
Ultear's breath hitched, her body stiffening.
But just as suddenly, he turned back to Rudra, who simply shook his head and muttered something in response.
Whatever Rudra said clearly annoyed the swordsman—he clicked his tongue, raised his middle finger at him, and without another word, walked away into the darkness.
Ultear hesitated for a moment, then finally stepped forward, approaching Rudra.
He was still sitting, staring into the fire, completely unfazed.
Without looking up, he spoke first. "So, you really do have a hobby of peeking at others, huh?" Ultear didn't reply.
Instead, she crossed her arms and frowned. "Why were you two fighting?"
Rudra's answer was as casual as ever. "Oh, it was just a duel."
Ultear scoffed. "A duel?" She narrowed her eyes. "What kind of duel lasts for a week? You two were trying to kill each other!"
Rudra waved a hand lazily. "Oh, that? We got motivated."
Ultear felt her eye twitch. Motivated?!
She ran a hand through her hair, sighing. "You're are insane."
Rudra only smirked. "I've been called worse."
Before she could argue further, Rudra turned to her.
"Anyway, what are you doing here?" The sudden question caught her off guard.
A light blush dusted her cheeks as she fumbled for words before finally managing to say, "…Why did you kiss me?"
That was when Rudra finally looked up.
His eyes met hers, his usual calm, unreadable expression never changing. "Did you like it?"
Ultear felt her face heat up, and after a brief moment, she hesitantly nodded. "Yes."
Rudra tilted his head slightly. "Then what's the problem?"
Ultear clenched her fists and asked, "Why did you kiss me in front of Jellal?"
Rudra didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he threw another question back at her. "Do you love him?"
The question hit harder than she expected. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
She thought she had moved on from Jellal. That she had buried whatever feelings she once had. But when Rudra asked her that question, she found herself unable to answer.
Rudra sighed at her silence, then stood up.
Before she could react, he closed the distance between them, his fingers gently tilting her chin upward, forcing her to meet his gaze once again."Do you love him?" he asked again, his voice lower, softer.
Ultear's breath caught in her throat.
His gaze was unwavering—calm, yet intense.
Her heart pounded against her chest.
She wanted to look away. To deny it. To say something.
But she couldn't.
After a moment, Rudra let go, stepping back. "Sorry for kissing you." And just like that—he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Ultear stood there, staring at the empty space where Rudra had been, her mind spinning.
For the first time in a long while… she wasn't sure what she wanted.