"Zoro!"
Franky and the others went pale. Franky tried to rush to his rescue, but Kizaru's earlier attack had left his body badly damaged.
The moment he moved, his mechanisms sputtered and jammed.
Robin crossed her hands, ready to use the Flower-Flower Fruit's power, while Chopper began struggling again in Wuli's arms.
"Let me go! I have to save Zoro!"
"Don't underestimate your crewmate," Wuli said quietly, watching Zoro. He could sense Zoro's Sword Intent growing stronger by the moment.
Chopper and Robin froze. Wuli had saved them from Kizaru's attack earlier, so they had reason to trust him.
Still, Chopper hesitated. "But he's in danger. If we don't go now, it'll be too late."
While they hesitated, Brook recovered and charged at Kizaru again. He had not made it halfway before a voice stopped him cold.
"B-Brook... no, stay back! I can handle this myself!"
Before the words had left his mouth, Kizaru's foot came down. Zoro's back snapped straight, and he broke free of Kizaru's invisible domain. The two swords in his hands met Kizaru's dazzling attack head-on.
Bang!
The collision unleashed a tremendous force. Terrifying waves of air rippled outward in every direction.
The impact drove Zoro into a crouch and caved in the ground beneath him, but he barely held firm against the immense force. Then, to Kizaru's surprise, he unleashed even greater strength for an instant, broke free of the pressure, and shot away.
"Leopard Qin Jade!"
Once clear of Kizaru's invisible domain, Zoro did not flee. He scraped a foot across the ground and wheeled around, crouching like a leopard ready to spring. Armament Haki coated all three of his swords, and sword energy spilled from their blades.
He charged straight at Kizaru. He had only just escaped Kizaru's grasp, yet he was already