To the southeast of Iron Shield Fortress, not all battlefields are open-air clashes. A vast primeval forest called Silent Hill has become a crucial area for blocking the flank infiltration of the demonic tide and protecting the rear evacuation routes. The battles here are devoid of deafening shouts, only the subtle sounds of blades cutting through the wind, monsters howling, and branches snapping—a death waltz taking place in the shadows and dense forest. And at the heart of this battlefield is Roronoa Zoro.
Among the Rift Demons are many species adapted to the jungle environment: there are " Shadow Blade Leopard " that can glide silently among the trees, " Strangling Demon " that can suddenly attack by mimicking vines, and " Spore Banshee " that emit poisonous mist and pollute water sources. They attempt to use the complex terrain to bypass the frontal defenses.
" Three-Sword Style: Black Rope: Great Tornado!"
A green storm of blades erupted in the forest clearing, instantly shredding several Shadow Blade Leopard that were trying to surround a small scout squad. Zoro sheathed his sword, the three blades dripping a purplish-black slime. He glanced at the shaken soldiers. "Follow the stream to the east; it was just cleared over there."
"Yes, Lord Zoro!" The soldiers saluted hastily and quickly withdrew.
Zoro exhaled a breath of stale air, his ears twitching slightly. His Observation Haki was playing its ultimate role in the jungle, allowing him to keenly detect the slightest killing intent, the sound of monsters crawling through fallen leaves, and even the direction of the spreading poisonous fog.
"A sneaky fellow..." He sneered, then suddenly swung his sword at a seemingly ordinary patch of bushes on his left, " One Sword Style Dragon: Flame!"
The strike wasn't fire, but it carried a scorching sword intent, severing and igniting the bushes along with a mimicking Strangling Demon within them.
Battles are not always smooth sailing. He once encountered a purple-level " Thousand-Faced Demon Spider," a monster that could secrete extremely sticky webs and create illusory clones, causing Zoro considerable trouble and even nearly being cut by its venomous fangs. In the end, he relied on his strong willpower to see through the illusion and defeated it with " Three-Sword Style: Purgatory Oni Giri," but a shallow burn mark was left on his waist.
At this moment, Zoro was tracking an exceptionally powerful aura, which carried a rich, dark red glow. Wherever it passed, Kogarashi and animals turned to skeletal remains. Clearly, a demon commander of Admiral rank had chosen this forest as his hunting ground.
Finally, in a forest clearing polluted like ink, Zoro saw his opponent—a tall, thin, humanoid monster called the " Forest Abyss Walker," seemingly made of shadows and withered branches. It held a twisted longsword formed from bones and resentment, and its eyes flickered with the fire of its soul.
"Finally found you, you cowardly coward." Zoro held Wado Ichimonji in his mouth, with Shusui and Sandai Kitetsu in his hands.
Forest Abyss Walker let out a hoarse laugh, and his figure blurred, transforming into several afterimages that attacked from different directions at an astonishing speed!
"A mere trick!" A red light flashed in Zoro's eyes, and he wielded his Three-Sword Style, precisely parrying every attack. The clash of swords produced a piercing metallic sound and sparks of energy!
" Three-Sword Style: Leopard, Qin, Jade!"
Zoro launched a fierce attack, his blade flashing like a net, shredding all of his opponent's afterimages and forcing him to reveal his true form. However, Forest Abyss Walker were extremely unpredictable, as if he had no physical form. He could always evade fatal strikes at incredible angles and launch vicious counterattacks with his white bone longsword, the resentment attached to the blade capable of eroding one's spirit.
"Tsk... troublesome." Zoro felt a slight sting in his mind, but his eyes gleamed with even more excitement. "This is more interesting!"
He took a deep breath, and his aura suddenly changed, unleashing a terrifying, Asura-like presence—" Nine-Sword Style: Asura: Piercing Might!"
The phantom of three heads and six arms reappeared, and Zoro's speed and strength surged instantly, transforming into a destructive storm of sword blades that charged towards Forest Abyss Walker! Deep within Silent Hill, a life-or-death duel between a top swordsman and Otherworldly Demons general officially entered its climax! The wind howled, and demonic shadows loomed; this dance of death in the forest would determine the survival of this flank barrier.