The sea breeze swept across the beach, stirring up fine sand.
Hawk-Eye's gaze lingered on Zoro for a moment, and his brow furrowed.
"Those wounds..." Hawk-Eye's voice was level. "Shiryu of the Rain didn't give you those, did he?"
Zoro froze for a moment, not expecting Hawk-Eye to ask about that.
But he still shook his head honestly.
"It wasn't Shiryu. It was Blackbeard."
At Zoro's answer, Hawk-Eye's eternally impassive expression shifted slightly.
"Of course." Hawk-Eye nodded faintly, his tone carrying a matter-of-fact arrogance.
"If an 'impure swordsman' like Shiryu could leave you wounded..."
He deliberately emphasized the words "impure swordsman," undisguised contempt in his voice.
"Then you would probably never have a chance to touch even the hem of my coat."
In Hawk-Eye's eyes, Shiryu of the Rain's swordsmanship had already reached the threshold of a Great Swordsman.
He could have pursued greater heights in swordsmanship.
Instead, he had later chosen to rely on the power of the Clear-Clear Fruit.
To Hawk-Eye, who sought direct confrontation and decided victory with the blade in his hand,
that was undoubtedly a misguided path, a stain on the name of "swordsman."
A "swordsman" who relied on Devil Fruit powers and underhanded tricks
was hardly worth mentioning before a true master at the pinnacle.
So if Zoro had been wounded by a Shiryu like that, Hawk-Eye would have been disappointed instead.
It would have proved that Zoro's potential and strength were still woefully inadequate.
Hearing the hint of "approval" in Hawk-Eye's assessment, Zoro's taut nerves eased a little.
At least for now, he could sense no hostility from Hawk-Eye.
So he took a deep breath, gathered his courage, met Hawk-Eye's gaze, and voiced his most pressing need.
"Then... could you move aside? We need to get back to our ship."
As he spoke,