The shock wave knocked the people nearby off balance. Zoro braced himself against the ground with one hand and looked up at the two streaks of light crossing overhead. Something burned in his eyes.
Just then, a massive figure descended from the sky.
Bartholomew Kuma.
Kuma glanced at Kizaru, then at Rayleigh, before turning toward Luffy and his crew.
Luffy looked up at Kuma. Before he could react, Kuma's palm came down.
"The Paw-Paw Fruit."
One strike.
Luffy vanished.
Then Kuma struck the others, one after another.
Nami, Chopper, Sanji, Brook, Franky, Usopp, and Robin were all sent flying.
Soon, Zoro was the only one left.
He stood amid the ruins, covered in wounds, his hand trembling around Wado Ichimonji.
Kuma faced him and raised his palm.
"If you could go on a trip, where would you like to go?"
Zoro did not answer.
He thought of Kuina.
A fierce unwillingness burned inside him.
Then Kuma struck him, and Zoro vanished.
Soon, only Kuma, Rayleigh, and Kizaru remained among the ruins of the auction house.
Kizaru dismissed his sword of light and leisurely straightened his collar.
He looked at Kuma, then at Rayleigh.
"Kuma, you can explain yourself to the World Government!"
Naruto stood at a distant street corner, watching it all.
Kuina stood beside him. Her grip on her sword hilt loosened.
Her face showed little emotion, but her eyes were troubled.
"Senior Naruto, is Zoro all right?"
Naruto glanced at Kuina and said evenly, "He's fine."
"Zoro and the others aren't strong enough for the New World yet."
"Going through this is how they'll grow."
"So it may not be a bad thing."
Kuina nodded, visibly relieved.
They had not met in the end, but she had seen Zoro.
The green-haired man was much taller and sturdier than