After the meeting, he had clearly begun working even harder.
"And all the Marines here look so grim, like a war's about to break out. What the hell is going on?"
Zoro asked loudly.
The uncertainty was driving him crazy.
He had to admit that this was an excellent place to train and grow stronger. Under Kuina's care, no one restricted his freedom, and he had an endless stream of actual combat.
His understanding of that sword technique had inexplicably progressed faster over the past few days. He could imagine that, given a little more time, he might truly gain an initial grasp of the move called Divine Departure.
There was just one problem: everyone had recently been displaying a sense of urgency, as though war were imminent and the world were about to end.
Whether it was Rob Lucci, Koby, or Helmeppo, they were all training like madmen, as though they no longer cared about their lives.
"War is indeed coming!"
Kuma spoke slowly, his voice heavy.
"What?"
"Are you kidding? This is Marineford, the Marines' greatest pride! They call it the most heavily defended fortress in the world!"
"What enemy could possibly attack this place?"
Zoro's pupils contracted as he shouted in disbelief.
"Not long ago, Marine Headquarters captured Fire Fist Ace, the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division Commander. They announced to the entire world that he would soon be publicly executed at Marineford, for all the world to see!"
Kuma spoke slowly.
Yet the information he revealed sent a tremor through Zoro's entire body, and disbelief spread across his face.
"Fire Fist Ace? Isn't... isn't he Luffy's brother?"
He sounded astonished.
"I asked your crewmate Nami. Straw Hat Luffy does indeed have a brother named Ace!"
Kuma nodded.
"Damn it! Luffy's brother is going to be executed?!"
Zoro