I'm A Plunderer In The World Of One Piece.

Sandai Kitetsu flashed with a subtle black glow.

A sweeping arc of dark sword energy cut through the dense forest, its edge vanishing deep into the woods beyond.

Zoro straightened, slowly sheathing Sandai Kitetsu.

"One cut fells autumn leaves, two cuts float down like butterflies."

His gaze flicked upward to the swirling leaves disturbed by the clash, and he muttered softly,

"Bitterness turning to sweetness—none of that matters. When I draw my blade, I cut down everything in my way."

Clang!

With a sharp, clean sound, Sandai Kitetsu clicked into its sheath.

Crack...

As the sword locked in place, a wave of devastation rippled outward. Every tree within several hundred meters around Zoro collapsed in an instant, stirring up clouds of dust and splinters.

This was the furthest reach of Zoro's sword aura after days of training.

Though he hadn't yet fully grasped Armament Haki, Shirogai, who had been observing from afar, could tell—Zoro was close. He'd touched the edge of Haki, and its awakening was just a matter of time.

---

Mr. 3, sensing what was about to happen, had already rushed to Miss Goldenweek, casting a thick wax barrier between them and the storm of sword energy.

They hid behind the hardened shield, barely avoiding the full brunt of Zoro's assault.

Zoro calmly rested his hand on Sandai Kitetsu's hilt, his eyes fixed on the two who now stood exposed after their shield was sliced apart.

He exhaled slowly, then said with quiet confidence,

"Got any more tricks left? Show me everything."

Mr. 3 stared at the sliced remains of his triple-layer wax wall, then at the ruined battlefield—the forest, once dense, now reduced to stumps and dirt.

His lips trembled.

"You guys… your entire crew isn't normal."

Internally, he was screaming.

You could've just wiped the pigment off the sword! Did you really have to clear the whole forest like that? Can you only solve problems by cutting things?!

Actually… yeah. That tracks.

Third Brother had always had a knack for understanding people.

"I… I'll fight you to the death!"

Mr. 3 clenched his jaw and conjured a wax blade, the '3'-shaped curl atop his head seeming to ignite with desperate fury.

I'll give it everything I've got. Dying here is better than failing the mission and returning to face that monster... the new Boss.

Then came a familiar, calm voice—mocking yet oddly soothing.

"Oh? So in your heart, I'm that terrifying?"

Mr. 3 froze.

That was Shirogai.

No... Shirogai-sama.

His eyes widened as he looked around nervously.

"Sir... are you nearby?" he whispered.

[No need to speak aloud. Just think. Say something dramatic now. Coat yourself in full-body wax armor, don't show your face, and move into a blind spot.]

Mr. 3 didn't understand the plan, but obeyed without hesitation.

Wax erupted from his palms, encasing his entire body. Within seconds, he stood clad in bulky, pale armor—a walking tank. The helmet was sealed tight, leaving only a narrow slit for vision.

[Tch. Ugly.]

Shirogai's voice echoed in his mind.

A stylist at heart, Mr. 3 felt that sting, but forced a laugh.

"Yes, yes. You're absolutely right, Sir. It is... rather ugly."

---

"Oi, wax freak."

Zoro raised an eyebrow as he watched Mr. 3 suit up in full wax armor.

"You realize that doesn't make a difference, right?"

Following Shirogai's instructions, Mr. 3 made no response. Instead, he raised his wax longsword with exaggerated flair and sneered.

"Hmph. You'll see soon enough what this armor's for!"

He ducked behind a nearby boulder and disappeared.

Zoro sighed.

"You're seriously doing this?"

The swordsman frowned as the wax knight hid like a scared animal behind cover.

"What a joke..."

Suddenly, the wax knight reemerged in silence.

Step by step, he approached Zoro—his wax longsword pointed forward, armor gleaming in the sunlight.

"Oh?" Zoro grinned, a glint of excitement in his eye. "Finally ready to face me like a man?"

With a sharp movement, he unsheathed Yubashiri and Sandai Kitetsu, one in each hand.

"Let's end this. Come on, wax man!"

He vanished.

In the blink of an eye, Zoro reappeared directly in front of the wax knight, both blades slashing in opposite arcs at the knight's chest and neck.

"Two-Sword Style: Two-Cut Flash!"

The blades screamed through the air—so fast they sliced wind itself.

...

But the wax knight didn't flinch.

Only at the very last moment did he raise his black longsword and catch Zoro's twin strikes.

Clang!

The clash wasn't loud—but it sent a wave of shock through Zoro's arms.

He nearly lost grip of both swords.

"What...?!"

His eyes widened.

That strength...

The knight pressed forward, blade pushing against Zoro's defense with tremendous force.

Zoro gritted his teeth.

"Gghh...!"

Muscles flexed, veins bulged. He shoved back with everything he had, trying to counter the pressure.

But it wasn't enough.

The knight's blade erupted with force, sending Zoro flying backward. He twisted mid-air, landed with both feet on the ground—but the impact still sent him skidding, tearing a deep trench through the dirt.

Zoro's breath was heavy as he stared at the knight's weapon.

"A black blade...?"

He recognized it now.

"Haki... You were holding back."

With a sharp motion, Zoro tied the dark green bandana around his head.

"Perfect. I was hoping for a fight like this."

His aura surged. Fire lit in his eyes.

"Thanks for showing up."

He exhaled once, steadying his stance.

"Now I've got no choice but to evolve. To push through this wall. To awaken something stronger!"

The wax knight tilted his head slightly—like he was unimpressed.

Zoro stepped into a crouch, blade between his teeth, spinning his other two swords in hand.

"Only Haki can defeat Haki…"

His voice dropped, quiet and resolute.

"When I beat you, I'll have crossed that line. I'll awaken my Armament Haki. I'll become the swordsman who wields the Black Blade, just like Shirogai said!"

He vanished again.

"Three-Sword Style Secret Technique: Three Thousand Worlds!"

---

Huge shout-out and heartfelt thanks to everyone who became a patron, your support truly means the world to me!

If you'd like to support the work and get early access to chapters (and maybe some exclusive content), feel free to check out my Patreon:

Patreon.com/Zphyr_