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

Whoosh!

The Candle Armor Knight launched forward at the same time, raising his longsword to meet Zoro head-on.

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

Zoro's twin blades spun furiously as he collided with the armored figure mid-air. The clash was brief but fierce.

Puff-puff-puff!

Winds sharpened by sword energy exploded outward, forming a storm of blades that slashed at the wax armor, tearing off pieces of hardened wax with each strike. Layer after layer was shaved off until the inner figure beneath the armor became faintly visible.

Despite the relentless pressure, the Candle Armor Knight calmly raised his longsword and brushed Zoro's chest with a clean, precise graze.

Both fighters passed each other and landed silently.

---

Whoosh...

The breeze rustled gently through the broken forest.

---

Zoro and the knight stood back to back, unmoving.

Zoro still held the starting stance of his Three Thousand Worlds.

But his face had gone pale—almost deathly so.

Only the slow rise and fall of his chest gave any sign that he was still alive.

A black butterfly fluttered down and landed softly on Yubashiri in Zoro's left hand.

That small contact caused Zoro's hand to tremble ever so slightly.

And with that tremble, the balance he had maintained collapsed.

Psssh!

A deep slash opened on Zoro's chest. Blood poured freely, soaking his torso and staining the ground at his feet.

Pfft!

A mouthful of blood burst from his lips, splattering the hilt of Wado Ichimonji, dripping down his jaw.

Haa... haa... haa...

Zoro turned with effort, his breathing rough, yet his eyes were steady—locked onto the back of the Candle Armor Knight.

---

Sensing that unwavering gaze, the knight slowly lowered his blade.

With that subtle motion, cracks began to appear along his armor. The aftershock of Zoro's attack had finally begun to take effect.

Crack—! Crack—! Crack—!

Each fracture signaled that Zoro's sword energy had indeed cut through, reaching deep within.

By the time the knight turned fully, every section of his armor was splintered—proof that Zoro had landed a clean strike to every part of his body.

But Zoro's face wasn't filled with pride. If anything, he looked grim.

Cough!

He steadied himself, ignoring the blood pooling around his waist, and muttered,

"So it's true... If the blade's not coated in Armament Haki, it can't land a finishing blow."

The knight nodded silently, as though acknowledging Zoro's effort.

Then, slowly, the armor began to mend itself.

In moments, the Candle Armor was whole again—unharmed.

One clash, and the result was clear.

Zoro was badly injured.

The knight was not.

"You really are someone worth defeating."

Zoro didn't flinch at the gap between them.

Clenching Wado Ichimonji in his teeth once more, he felt the metallic tang of his own blood, but his will remained unshaken.

Raising his swords, he narrowed his eyes with determination.

"Let's go. This isn't over."

---

Whoosh!

Zoro launched himself again, slashing in unison with all three blades.

Clang! Clank! Cling!

His swords rained down in rapid strikes, hammering at the knight's defenses.

Wado Ichimonji aimed for the visor slit.

Yubashiri and Sandai Kitetsu tore at joints, shoulders, and the chest plate.

But the Candle Armor Knight, with only one longsword, blocked every blow.

No wasted motion. No unnecessary flair.

He wasn't faster—but always in the right place at the right time.

---

"Damn it...!"

Zoro's frustration grew.

"His sword style... it's strange..."

Zoro's instincts screamed at him.

His own technique prized speed and aggression. The knight's was the exact opposite—measured and slow.

Each block offset Zoro's strikes, disrupting his tempo.

One blade began to move faster than the others.

Then slower.

His Three-Sword Style started to fall out of sync. The more he attacked, the more uncoordinated his strikes became.

It was like his own swords were interfering with each other.

The knight noticed.

His defense turned into offense.

The longsword danced up and down, targeting Zoro's vital points with clinical precision.

I can't keep up!

Zoro's chest tightened.

I promised Luffy... I wouldn't lose again until I became the World's Greatest Swordsman.

Losing to Shirogai didn't count. That guy's not even human. He's a freak.

But this knight? He's an assassin. One of Baroque Works' killers.

If he makes it out of here—Nami, Usopp—they won't stand a chance.

Zoro's eyes narrowed.

If slow parries weren't working, then he'd abandon them entirely.

"Three-Sword Style: Great Whirlwind!"

He twisted his body violently and swung all three blades toward the knight's helmet.

He ignored the incoming slash aimed at his left arm.

Even if it meant losing the arm—he would land this strike.

"I'll take your damn head!"

The blades connected.

CLANG!

The knight's helmet flew off, spinning into the air before crashing to the ground.

But the expected counterattack—the sword that should've taken his arm—never came.

---

BANG!

A black shoe slammed into the knight's sword mid-swing, knocking it skyward.

A long leg swept in from the side.

"Tch. You damn moss-head."

That irritating voice.

Zoro sighed.

Great. Now I've gotta listen to Curly-Brow's snark...

Standing next to him was none other than Black Leg Sanji, hands in his pockets, a cigarette dangling from his mouth.

He gave Zoro a once-over and smirked.

"You planning on cutting your own arm off? I could've done that for you. No need to call in help from the enemy."

"Shut it, Curly-Brow pervert..."

Zoro grumbled.

"Ran into someone too tough, huh?" Sanji teased.

But after a final drag of his cigarette, Sanji flicked the butt away and his face turned serious.

He looked ahead.

"So this is the guy Baroque Works sent to take us—and Princess Vivi—out?"

"Yeah."

Zoro steadied his breathing and raised his swords.

He eyed the Candle Armor Knight, now helmetless yet still standing firm, armor fully regenerated.

"Cut his head off, and he just puts himself back together."

Sanji clicked his tongue.

"Tch. Typical swordsman. Slashing like a maniac won't solve this."

He tapped his heel on the ground and turned his foot slightly.

"A guy like this... weak to fire. That's my department."

Sanji's gaze sharpened.

"You step back and stop bleeding all over the place. I'll cook this candle freak myself."

---

Inside the wax armor, Shirogai Yamikuro chuckled quietly, watching the scene unfold through the narrow visor slit.

[Zoro-brand Bloody Hotpot?]

He almost laughed.

He felt no guilt at all.

If anything, watching his swordsman comrade struggle—and then be rescued—was oddly satisfying.

---

Just a quick heads-up, I'll be changing the update time to 7AM–9AM (WAT).

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