Zoro's instincts as a swordsman told him the moment he saw Gawain that the gap between himself and the man before him was like an uncrossable chasm.
Yet when he faced that gap head-on, he was still utterly shocked.
A dagger called a toy could so easily block the killing move he had developed?
"Are you really even human?!"
"Can pure swordsmanship truly reach such a realm?!"
Zoro's questions were echoed by the dumbfounded Joseph and Johnny in the distance.
They could accept that the gap between Zoro and Gawain was vast. After all, their opponent was the pirate with the highest Bounty in the East Blue, even higher than Fire Fist Ace.
But for the gap to be this great was simply beyond comprehension.
"No matter how strong a human is, there has to be a limit, right?"
Joseph said through gritted teeth.
Johnny beside him was already too stunned to say a word.
Whoosh!
A sea breeze swept past.
With his tank top drenched in sweat, Zoro felt a chill rise from the soles of his feet.
The man standing before him merely said flatly:
"Are you still going to force me to draw my sword?!"
"Zoro!"
"Of course."
The shock and confusion in Zoro's eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by a heat as blazing as the sun.
"I understand now."
"If one weren't monstrously powerful like this, how could one make their name resound through the heavens!"
"Let that man hear it!"
"Good look in your eyes."
Gawain nodded.
The next instant—
The three blades in Zoro's hands descended upon Gawain like a raging storm.
Having realized the enormous gap between them, Zoro completely let loose.
It was only because the man before him was the strongest swordsman he had ever encountered in his life.