Before Zoro had finished speaking, he saw the "enemy" who had taken Isshin Dojo vanish in an instant.
Immediately afterward, pain shot through several spots on his body almost simultaneously. It felt much like being jabbed with a wooden sword during his past swordsmanship practice.
Only this time, the person striking him was stronger and more skilled, and every jab landed on the most vulnerable, most painful points of his body.
The sudden agony made Zoro's vision go black, and he nearly passed out. Whatever else could be said about him, though, Zoro really was tough. He gritted his teeth and endured Xie Wen's barrage of Armament Haki-infused attacks, but that was as far as he got...
Having already moved behind Zoro, Xie Wen turned and slammed the sheathed Long Moon into the back of his head.
"Y-you bastard..."
Zoro's eyes rolled back, and he promptly passed out.
Xie Wen stepped forward and picked up Wado Ichimonji, which had fallen beside Zoro. He examined it carefully and gave it a few casual swings...
A Great Grade Sword really was a Great Grade Sword. Whether in weight, grip, or the smoothness of its swing, it was noticeably easier to handle than Long Moon. Although he had acquired Kentaur before, Xie Wen was not very accustomed to that sort of two-handed Great Sword, so the difference had not felt nearly as obvious then.
After trying out Wado Ichimonji, Xie Wen slid it back into its sheath and tossed it to Koshiro, who looked a little nervous beside him.
"Did you really think I'd steal your student's sword?"
Koshiro caught the sword and smiled sheepishly. He trusted Xie Wen, but he still could not help worrying a little. After all, arson, murder, and plunder were all too common in this world. What if