Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
A dazzling golden blade flash suddenly appeared at Zoro's side, forcing him to hurriedly raise his swords to block.
Gion, wielding the Famous Blade Konpira, saw that Zoro had blocked her attack. She immediately leaped lightly backward, opening some distance between them, and said with keen interest:
"Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro!
I heard your great name many years ago.
Today, let me see just how powerful this renowned Pirate Hunter truly is!"
"..."
Hearing that, Zoro's mouth twitched slightly as he cursed a certain bastard in his heart.
Ever since entering the Grand Line, he had somehow acquired countless enemies, all claiming they wanted to settle grudges from over a decade ago...
Heavens have mercy!
More than ten years ago, he had merely been a little brat who knew nothing. Who the hell had he ever offended!?
Elsewhere, Sanji, clad in a black combat suit and invisible, was preparing to quietly sneak onto the execution platform from the side and rescue Ace.
However...
Sanji's vision blurred. Tokikake, a cigarette dangling from his mouth and red light flashing in his eyes as his Observation Haki senses remained active, appeared directly before him and blocked his path.
"Young man, this road is closed!"
Then, the lecherous-looking Marine Admiral candidate smiled and kicked at Sanji with his right foot, clad in a wooden sandal, forcing Sanji to hurriedly raise his right leg to block.
Boom—!
In just one exchange, the instant their legs collided, overwhelming force and immensely powerful Armament Haki surged into Sanji's leg bone. His leg bent slightly from the kick, and he was sent flying backward, crashing into the ground and leaving behind a human-shaped crater as he was forced out of invisibility.
"Damn it! The difference in Haki is that great..."
Sanji shoved aside the rubble