Praying to You!

"Three Sword Style: Onigiri!!"

Zoro charged forward.

All three swords struck at once, forming an almost inescapable web of blades in the narrow corridor and sealing off every possible route Kuro could take to dodge.

The speed and vicious angles would have made it difficult for even a trained warrior to respond calmly in such a confined space.

"Slow. Far too slow."

Kuro barely even moved properly. A contemptuous smile curled his lips as Armament Haki silently coated his foot, turning it black as ink.

The next second, he swept out a kick, passing through the three approaching blades and planting his foot squarely in Zoro's chest.

Bam!!!

Zoro flew off his feet and slammed into the wall at the other end of the corridor, leaving a clear dent.

Within three seconds, both Zoro and Nami had hit the floor.

A brief silence fell over the corridor.

"Aaaaaah! I'm going to flatten you!!"

Luffy was fully awake now.

The sleepy haze vanished the instant he saw his two companions knocked down one after another, replaced by naked fury.

"Gum-Gum!!!"

He suddenly raised his right arm. His skin began to swell rapidly as the power of the Rubber-Rubber Fruit surged through his veins...

His grotesquely inflated fist nearly filled the entire corridor as it hurtled toward Kuro.

Kuro glanced sideways, looking out the window.

The Red Hair Pirates still hadn't moved.

His smile deepened, like a predator that had been lying in wait finally spotting its chance.

He turned his palm over, and steel claws sprang out soundlessly, gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

Armament Haki swiftly coated them. In that instant, his murderous intent erupted, undisguised and overwhelming.

If the opportunity arose, he wouldn't mind killing Luffy.

Even though he knew perfectly well that Luffy was the lead in this play.