"Sniff-sniff-"
Just as this romantic rescue unfolded, an ill-timed, heavy sniff suddenly rang out nearby.
Zoro, who had been standing motionless, abruptly straightened as though struck by electricity.
His nose, as keen as a hunting dog's, twitched furiously twice, and his eyes blazed with a fervor even greater than when he spotted a famous sword!
"Huh?! This rich, mellow aroma that goes straight to your head..."
Zoro grew so excited that his breathing quickened. "That's the scent of top-quality sake!!!"
Whoosh!!!
The instant he heard the word "booze," Zoro unleashed a terrifying burst of speed that would have put even Sanji's Geppo to shame!
He became a green afterimage, appearing before the woman as if by Teleportation, brusquely and forcefully blocking her path!
"Hey, woman! It's dangerous here. Get back!"
Without a shred of courtesy, Zoro shoved the woman behind him, completely blocking Sanji's view.
Then, with a metallic clang, he half-drew Shusui from his waist. Its blade gleamed with a bloodthirsty chill as he pointed it straight at the two bloodied pirates who had just struggled halfway out of the pit.
Zoro lowered his head. On his face, as terrifying as a shura's, appeared a savage grin more vicious than a pirate's and greedier than an evil spirit's. In a threatening voice that could freeze a person's soul, he roared each word distinctly:
"Listen up, you two pieces of trash! Right now, this instant, hand over every last drop of good booze you've got stashed on you!!!"
Watching Zoro descend like an evil god with nothing but booze on his mind, Sanji froze solid, still holding his gentlemanly pose on one knee.
Then his facial muscles twisted wildly with rage, and he bit the cigarette in his mouth clean in two.
"Hey!!! You damned, directionally challenged Moss Head idiot!!!"