"What's that? I feel like I've seen it somewhere before."
The force of the explosion sent Zoro flying. He used the momentum to burst out of the room, escaping without serious injury. But whoever had launched that attack looked strangely familiar.
Then he remembered someone!
"One of the Shichibukai—the Tyrant, Kuma!"
Crocodile and Moria, the Shichibukai they should have encountered along the way, had both vanished because of Loa. Loa had overturned the entire Thriller Bark and pinned it to the seabed, leaving Kuma no chance to appear either. So this was, in fact, their first face-to-face encounter with a Shichibukai.
"Perfect timing! If you want a fight, I'm in!"
Pirate Hunter was just a title Zoro had taken to survive. His desire to fight the strong had never changed! After the battle at Enies Lobby, with the New World drawing close, he wanted to grow stronger more than ever!
Clang!
Black Blade Shusui, the sword once wielded by the legendary dragon-slaying swordsman Ryuma, had changed hands several times before finally ending up with Zoro. Since Yubashiri had broken, this was the first time he had drawn his newly acquired Shusui in earnest!
"He's so big. He shouldn't be very agile." Zoro clamped Wado Ichimonji between his teeth and struck.
Three-Sword Style: Tiger Hunt!
The marines could see only the dazzling flashes of his blades, not Zoro himself. When he reappeared, three tiger-claw-like gashes had already opened across the towering figure's chest!
"Just as I thought. His size limits his speed. Even if he tries to defend, he can't keep up with my—what?!"
Zoro didn't even get to finish showing off. The figure abruptly turned and swung a palm down at him. Zoro sprang back, only then noticing that the wounds exposed no flesh or blood—only wires spitting sparks!
"A