One Piece: The Strongest Asura

The concept of "qi" seemed mysterious and profound. It didn't appear entirely natural, yet it felt inherently so. Zoro recalled witnessing something similar when Rayleigh used a technique at the auction house. Over his long voyages, Rayleigh had been the only person capable of such a feat. But now, someone else could do it too. Could it be that the people in this place all possessed this ability?

If that were true, then Zoro might gain access to this power earlier than his companions. This realization filled him with excitement. Perhaps there was a chance for him to turn things around. He imagined this power might even counter the Logia abilities. If so, next time he faced someone like Kuma, he wouldn't be entirely helpless.

"Can I master this power too?"

Zoro's voice carried a hint of doubt. He had only learned about this ability during their time on the Sabaody Archipelago. Until then, no one else had been able to use it. Given how rare it seemed in the first half of the Grand Line, he wasn't sure if he had what it took. But he knew one thing: if he wanted to protect those he cared about, he needed this power. The New World was a realm of the strong, a place where only the mightiest survived. The Four Emperors dominated there—proof enough of its dangers.

"Qi exists in everyone," the Zoro clan patriarch explained. "You can train to harness it. But becoming strong will require dedicated practice. Level ten is the threshold. Beyond that, it's a whole new realm. They say the strongest practitioners can shatter even space—fists that fracture dimensions, swords that rend the unseen. That's the pinnacle of mastery. It's been ages since anyone reached that level. In small places like this, even a level ten practitioner is seen as a king, untouchable.

"While training your qi, you must also develop inner energy—nei jin. A person's physical strength is limited, but if you learn to utilize every ounce of power within your body, you'll surpass all others. I've noticed you've been training your body diligently. That's just building your physique. But every person carries a hidden energy in their body, tucked away in every fiber of their being. That is your true strength. Most people can't comprehend this. That's the essence of the ancient methods.

"Training with ancient methods is grueling. It requires you to draw strength from every part of your body and convert it into usable power."

The patriarch spoke with conviction, sensing Zoro's potential to disrupt the decaying world order. Yet all his hopes depended on Zoro staying alive. If Zoro failed to realize this potential, then all these dreams would remain just dreams.

"Ancient methods? Inner strength? Can a person's body really hold so much power?" Zoro was skeptical. He had never heard of anything like this before. Until now, he thought the body's limits were confined to physicality and spirit. But perhaps much had been lying dormant, waiting to be discovered.

"Let me give you an example," the patriarch said, sensing Zoro's confusion. He produced three ordinary stones and placed them before him.

"Watch closely. This is pure physical strength."

With a swift motion, the patriarch struck one of the stones with his hand, breaking it apart. Zoro could tell it was raw physical power—a feat of sheer muscle. Yet, even this left the patriarch slightly winded. Clearly, destroying the stone wasn't easy with just muscle strength.

"Next, qi. With qi, I don't even need to touch the stone. Watch."

The patriarch concentrated, and with a mere thought, the second stone shattered. The power of qi was undeniable—its destruction more thorough than muscle alone could achieve. The stone crumbled into fine dust, its power far surpassing the limits of physical strength.

"Finally, inner energy. I'll need your help for this one. Hold the last stone."

Zoro took the stone, eager to feel the strength that the patriarch spoke so highly of.

"Brace yourself and hold steady. Otherwise, you might get hurt."

The patriarch's face turned serious. He closed his eyes, gathering his energy. Then, with a shout, he extended a single finger toward the stone in Zoro's hand. A surge of power shot through the stone, causing it to explode with incredible force.

Zoro barely had time to react. The moment the energy struck, he felt its immense might. In that brief instant, he regretted volunteering.

The patriarch smirked, seeing Zoro's shocked expression. "That's the power of inner energy. It's not just brute force, nor is it as intangible as qi. It's the culmination of mastering every part of your body, transforming your very essence into a weapon. With enough training, you'll see why it's indispensable."

Zoro clenched his fists, his heart pounding. He now understood the potential of this power. It was terrifying yet exhilarating. If he could master this, his strength would surpass anything he had imagined. His swordsmanship would reach unparalleled heights, allowing him to protect his friends and stand as an equal in the New World.

"I'll master it," Zoro declared. "No matter how hard it is, I'll make it my own."