https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1169-Be-a-Good-Boy-and-Come-Back-to-Impel-Down-with-Me/13541503/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1171-They-ve-Put-Their-Lives-on-the-Line-/13541515/
Chapter 1170: World's Greatest Swordsman...
Chapter 1170: World's Greatest Swordsman...
"Whatever you think, I'm not related to Vinsmoke! I'm just an ordinary human, damn it!" Sanji yanked his leg off Kuro's blade, spun midair, and launched a slashing kick toward Kuro's neck.
Crack!
Faster than lightning, a hand seized his ankle. Sanji's foot, cloaked in blazing flames, was caught in Kuro's iron grip without budging an inch.
"Only an ordinary human can't possibly emit flames like this", Kuro scoffed. "There's no shame in admitting your origins, kid."
With a sudden twist of his arm, Kuro flung Sanji away. Before he could follow through, Sanji's heel crashed into Kuro's chest, making the swordsman double over with a dry heave before flying backward and crashing onto the ground, clutching his ribs and gasping.
Without any Haoshoku Haki protection, getting struck by Kuro's unified Haki-infused kick left him wounded. But that body...
It was surprisingly sturdy, surviving such a powerful blow instead of getting killed outright.
"Don't lose focus!"
As Kuro moved, Zoro darted in, Shusui between his teeth. He instantly drew 'Wado Ichimonji Iii' and 'Yamato' from his waist, slashing out a barrier of blade arcs that looked like a woven fence.
"Three Sword Style: Mystic Art!"
Clang!
Kuro didn't even glance at him. He simply tilted Autumn Water sideways, its tip perfectly intercepting the one vulnerable point where Zoro's blades crossed.
"That all?" Kuro asked.
"Not even close!"
Zoro grinned, his face twisting into a malevolent smirk. His body suddenly dropped low, then exploded upward with force, prying Kuro's blade aside. A dense, terrifying aura surged from him, warping his form into a three-headed, six-armed phantom.
"Phantom Aura... Nine Sword Style: Asura!"
His body melted forward like liquid, eyes glowing with icy light. Kuro's eyes widened. Just as the repelled Autumn Water slashed downward, Zoro appeared beneath the blade, barely parrying the strike. The sheer force cracked the ground beneath his feet.
"High-speed slash? You're still too green to pull that on me", Kuro sneered.
"Divine Wind Leg—Finishing Touch Shot!"
Sanji roared. His entire body became a projectile, one leg blazing like an arrow trailing electric sparks and roaring flames. The kick pierced through air with crushing force, and at that moment, Zoro's muscles tensed. He forced Kuro's blade aside, reversed both auxiliary swords, and aligned them with Shusui, slashing upward in unison.
"Three Sword Style: Crab Clamp!"
The icy blade arc shot upward like a colossal crustacean's pincer, intersecting Sanji's attack in a crossfire of horizontal and vertical slashes.
But they only struck an afterimage.
Their strikes passed through Kuro's illusion, dispersing like ripples on water. His true form emerged high above, gazing down with a mocking smirk. "You think having Conqueror's Haki means you're untouchable? Luffy, one of your crew awakened Conqueror's Haki. Aren't you the least bit worried?"
"My crewmates were always destined for greatness!" Luffy bellowed. "Zoro's going to become the World's Greatest Swordsman!"
"The World's Greatest Swordsman?"
Kuro's expression darkened. Autumn Water slashed downward, golden crescents raining like a storm, engulfing the battlefield. "The World's Greatest Swordsman is an old man—Dracule Mihawk! What makes you think you've earned that title?!"
"This technique..."
Sanji blinked, instinctively glancing toward Nami and Robin. This wasn't something they could block.
"Leave it to me!"
Luffy roared. He stamped his foot, his body turning crimson-hot like steamed meat, releasing a rising aura of steam. Armored Haki surged onto his fists, his forearms swelling like giant limbs. Twin fists, trailing afterimages, smashed upward.
"Gomu Gomu—Elephant Gun Barrage!!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Haki-armored punches, each like an elephant's trunk, shattered the golden slashes one by one. The remaining slashes that slipped through were cut down by Sanji and Zoro, who rushed to reinforce the area.
Kuro frowned as his attack dissolved. Staring at Luffy's grinning face below, he shook his head. "Brave... far too brave."
Under such conditions, he had to admit—this level of courage was extraordinary.
"Phew..."
Luffy exhaled deeply, sweat pouring as he locked eyes with Kuro. Suddenly, he turned to the others. "You all retreat first. I'll handle this."
He'd figured it out—fighting together might not hinder someone as fast and skilled as Kuro, but instead create openings for mistakes. The best move was to face him alone.
"You might not be enough alone", Zoro said, gripping his blade. "This isn't the time for solo fights. Let me stay. I'm curious about what he said earlier."
Luffy nodded. "Sanji, you retreat with everyone else. Wait for us on the ship. We'll leave together when we're done!"
"Luffy..."
Sanji studied Luffy's glowing red, steaming body. "You sure you're okay?"
"Of course!" Luffy grinned. "I'll come back!"
Sanji didn't argue. He shouted to the others, "Everyone, we're falling back!"
The crew obeyed without hesitation. Their captain's orders were absolute—and more importantly, they trusted Luffy. After all, he'd defeated Kaido, hadn't he?
"Trying to run?"
Kuro tightened his grip on Autumn Water. "Not so fast!"
Slash!
But just as he moved, a Haki-charged blade arc shot toward him. Kuro twisted aside, glaring at Zoro below. The blade in Zoro's right hand radiated immense Haki—not just raw power...
"A Yokai Blade? A demon-infused blade capable of releasing Haki?"
A seasoned swordsman like Kuro instantly recognized its uniqueness. It wasn't just a "famous blade"—it shared the same Yokai aura as his own blade.
Zoro raised Yamato. "Great Quick Blade Twenty-one Crafts, Yamato. I spent a lot of time mastering this one."
"I see... So you've obtained quite a remarkable sword."
Kuro glanced at Luffy's fleeing group. That Haki slash had disrupted his plans. Pursuing them wouldn't be impossible, but judging by the two below...
They wouldn't let him chase easily.
"Moer!!"
Snarling, he roared upward.
No response came from the sky castle. Sensing the aura below...
"Blocked? Is that blue fatty holding them off?" Kuro muttered.
"I have a question", Zoro said, lifting his gaze. "You called yourself the World's Greatest Swordsman earlier. That's wrong, isn't it? The World's Greatest Swordsman is Dracule Mihawk. Since when did that title become yours? Though I admit—you are a formidable swordsman."
(End of Chapter)
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