Zoro raised Sandai Kitetsu high, its keen blade pointing straight at Barn's throat as eerie blue flames danced and burned along its edge.
"..."
Barn faced Zoro with an unreadable expression, the faintest hint of a smile at his lips. He gave no answer, but the First-Generation Onikiri at his waist began to tremble.
The First-Generation Onikiri had once been Nidai Kitetsu, so it naturally reacted to Sandai Kitetsu's challenge. Barn, however, showed no intention of making a move. He patted the First-Generation Onikiri, and it stopped trembling.
Barn spoke calmly.
"Oh? You've heard of me?"
"An escaped prisoner from Impel Down, the culprit behind the Goa Kingdom incident. Do I need to list any more of your exploits?"
"What? You're blind?"
Luffy's other crewmates stared at Barn in disbelief. Indeed, nothing about his earlier performance had suggested he was blind. "But none of that interests me. The legendary blind swordsman, someone said to surpass even Hawk-Eye and Red-Hair-as a swordsman, how could I pass up this chance?"
At that, Zoro's face, which had been grim all along, suddenly broke into a smile brimming with fighting spirit.
Standing nearby, Usopp nodded and said with a solemn expression,
"Exactly what I'd expect a battle idiot like Zoro to say."
Then he looked back at Barn, another drop of cold sweat rolling down his already drenched forehead.
"A monster's master really is a super monster..."
It wasn't just Usopp. Everyone else who heard Zoro's words swallowed as they looked at Barn.
"I've heard of you, Roronoa Zoro. I hear you were once a member of the FFF Guild?"
"I was indeed a member of the FFF Guild in the East Blue. But now I'm a pirate!"
Zoro nodded as he spoke, then drew Wado Ichimonji from his waist and addressed Barn.
"I