Two Kids, the Iron-Cutting Realm, Achieved

The instant Zoro's blade was about to touch his skin, Big Bear King's thick arm suddenly changed color, shifting from flesh-toned to dull steel-gray. Its surface glowed dark red with heat, like a chunk of iron freshly pulled from a furnace.

Clang!

The deafening crash of metal made everyone's eardrums ache. Zoro felt as though he had struck not flesh and blood, but a mountain.

The terrifying recoil traveled up the blade into his arm, splitting the web of his hand as blood instantly stained the hilt.

He was blasted away, tumbling twice through the air before barely landing. He staggered back several steps before regaining his footing.

"So hard..."

Zoro shook his numb arm and looked at his sword. Fine cracks had already appeared in the layer of Armament Haki coating its edge. Having only just awakened Armament Haki, its quality was still insufficient for him to cut iron.

Kuina did not launch a frontal assault like Zoro. She moved as lightly as a cat, her footsteps nearly soundless against the ground.

While Big Bear King's attention remained on Zoro, she had already circled to his side, thrusting Wado Ichimonji toward the underside of his ribs at the most precise angle.

"Too naive, little girl."

Big Bear King's entire ribcage instantly turned to steel, metallic patterns and a faint high-temperature glow appearing across his skin.

Kuina's sword tip struck the steel-like skin with a shrill scrape of metal. It did not leave even the slightest scratch.

She retreated decisively. Almost the instant she stepped back, Big Bear King's arm swept across where she had been.

The wind from his fist was scorching, bringing a real burning sensation as it passed Kuina's cheek. Several severed strands of hair drifted down through the air.

The four officers closed in as well.