Was he afraid of failure?
Yes.
Hawkeye's words struck straight to the heart. Zoro took a deep breath and calmed down.
He had never feared facing his own heart. He truly was afraid of this outcome. At this point, he could no longer accept failing again.
For the promise he had made back then, for his dream, he had forced himself onward until he reached this place, until he stood before this man.
"There is no turning back now."
"World's Strongest Swordsman—I have to claim that title and make Luffy the Pirate King."
Zoro's gaze was so calm it seemed cold as he held his two swords level and crossed before him.
He seemed to know what he needed to do.
Cast aside the fear in his heart, cut away that final trace of hesitation, and turn his conviction into the most savage blade.
"Oni Giri: Nine-Sword Style!!"
Zoro let out a deep roar as immense Haki erupted from within him.
—Whoosh!
A wild blast of air surged forth, and his aura continued to rise as the phantom of three heads and six arms took shape around him.
Black lightning coiled around nine pitch-black blades, as though an Asura had descended!
Across from him.
Hawkeye raised his sword and pointed it at Zoro. His sharp eyes seemed capable of piercing through everything, while his own aura suddenly surged as well!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Their Haki collided, sending countless dark crimson bolts of lightning bursting forth to ravage and blast apart the trunks and branches of the massive trees around them.
This was unmistakably a Conqueror's Haki clash!
"Heh, just as I thought."
Zoro's eyes held a teasing glint, as though he had expected it all along.
How could a man securely seated upon the throne of the World's Strongest Swordsman