Chapter 146: Sukuna!
Clang!
A wall of fire was instantly split in two. A massive rhinoceros monster zombie's body split into two halves and separated.
"Tch, to think my shadow was stolen by something like this."
Zoro glanced disdainfully at the fallen zombie. Just as he was about to sheathe his sword, he suddenly felt a sense of alarm and shifted his gaze to behind the wall of fire.
"Three Sword Style: 108 Pound Phoenix!"
A flying slash attack, like an azure bird, spiraled towards him. Zoro reacted immediately, raising his two swords and crossing them in front of his chest.
Clang!!
Sizzle! Sparks flew continuously. The force of this slash was so great that his twin swords trembled incessantly. A corner of his mouth lifted as he exerted force again.
Bang! The azure bird seemed to be shattered, dissipating into specks of green light in the air.
"It seems you are my shadow then."
Zoro flipped backward several times and landed, untying the bandana from his arm and tying it around his forehead. His eyes looked at the newcomer with great interest.
The zombie's moves were the same as the original owner's. Judging from the power of the slash just now, the opponent's strength was also not much different from his own.
"Defeating myself, sounds quite interesting. Hawk Wave!"
Clang!
Zoro's gaze hardened. After an over-air slash, he placed Wado Ichimonji in his mouth, all three swords out as he charged forward!
The samurai in the kimono leaped to avoid the wide horizontal slash, similarly drawing three swords and descending from the air, his hands holding the twin swords in a reverse grip, tearing down like a wild beast's fangs.
Clang! Clang!
Cold blades clashed, sparks flying. Zoro's left arm exerted force, parrying one sword as his body twisted, Wado Ichimonji and Yubashiri slashing out horizontally in parallel.
"So you're my original master? If I, an impostor, defeat you, then I suppose I've surpassed you."
Ryuma pressed Shusui downwards, using the force to flip forward in the air, evading the attack while delivering several slashes, then slowly landed.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Slashes like moonlight, dense and rapid, flew out!
Clang! Clang!
Sizzle! Zoro quickly swung his swords, breaking through the attacks, and finally, with a powerful stroke, sent a slash flying to the side.
"Heh heh, then by all means, try."
The two faced each other, separated by over ten meters. Their eyes met, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze, filled with a murderous aura.
Suddenly, both figures paused and then simultaneously vanished from their spots, their feet continuously stepping on the ground as they approached at extreme speed, as if drawing one green and one white beam of light in space.
Clang!!
The instant Zoro and Ryuma clashed, a powerful hurricane, sharp as a blade, violently blew outwards from them as the center. The next moment.
Clang!!
Clang!!
The entire ground was instantly diced by chaotic blades. Countless smoothly cut clods of earth floated in the air, while the two figures, longswords a blur of afterimages, fought fiercely.
Time seemed to slow down; everything around them appeared to stand still, leaving only Zoro and Ryuma at the center.
Clang! Clang! Clang...
Flashes of blades and sword shadows streaked rapidly!
The two figures dodged and weaved, their six black katanas swinging continuously, clashing repeatedly and then quickly separating.
Dodging, attacking, blocking, counter-attacking – the perilous nature of a swordsman's duel was displayed to the fullest at this moment.
Amidst the flying sparks, a flying slash attack would occasionally shoot out.
"That's Zoro's shadow, right?"
Not far away, Nami and the others had just finished their battle and were immediately drawn to the fierce engagement.
"That zombie's strength is simply astonishing."
Franky was secretly alarmed, saying gravely, "To be able to utilize Zoro's shadow to the point of contending with him, that corpse is no simple matter either."
"Foss! Foss! Foss!"
Hogback's body trembled with delighted, crazed laughter. "That's Ryuma! If you knew about his deeds when he was alive, you wouldn't be saying that."
"Ryuma, is that the legendary swordsman who once slew a dragon with a single slash?" Robin, at the side, suddenly spoke. However, she had only heard of this title.
"That's right!"
Hogback exclaimed. Clearly, he had heard more related information from Moria.
"There is a Country of Samurai in the New World. During its most glorious period hundreds of years ago, it was even called the [Golden Country]."
"Pirates and treasure hunters from all over the world set their sights on it, including even World Nobles."
"Countless powerhouses arrived one after another, constantly assailing this country, unscrupulously displaying their mighty strength."
Hogback's gaze fell upon the figure of the samurai fighting fiercely in the field, and he said slowly:
"Just as this calamity of national destruction was about to befall, a man appeared—"
"Ryuma the Kensei. One man, one sword. He guarded the entire Wano Country, repelling all invading enemies, letting the whole world know of the samurai's existence."
"Guarding an entire country single-handedly?!"
Everyone was clearly shocked, especially because he had mentioned one particular term!
[World Nobles!!]
They certainly knew what World Nobles were – the descendants of the twenty kings who founded the World Government eight hundred years ago, the privileged class that dominated the World Government.
Those who stood above this world, possessing the highest status, [Descendants of the Creators – Celestial Dragons!!]
"That's right. Ryuma left behind countless legends in his lifetime," Hogback continued:
"It is rumored that he never tasted defeat in his life, capable of defeating any powerful enemy with a single slash. In his youth, he once slew a dragon that appeared over the royal capital with one stroke."
"After his death, the fame he left behind continued to protect Wano Country for over a hundred years. He was revered by later generations as the [Sword God]. His beloved sword from his youth, the black blade Shusui, was enshrined as a national treasure in that country."
"I didn't expect him to be a figure of such caliber."
Robin couldn't help but sigh. Those who could leave legends in the long river of history were all figures who had shaken the world while alive and stood at the pinnacle of this sea.
"So strong. But, how did you get his corpse? No matter how powerful the body, it should have turned to ash after several hundred years, right?" Chopper couldn't help but ask, puzzled.
Reiner also thought of it. When Brook introduced himself earlier, he said that after his soul returned, he was lost in this sea for a year, and when he found his body, only a skeleton remained.
And Ryuma was a figure from hundreds of years ago. Having been dead for so long, he should have long since turned to ash.
After his confusion, Chopper looked at the other party with sudden anger, punching him repeatedly!
"You bastard! You don't even deserve to be called a doctor!"
Bang! Bang!
"Ouch! So painful! Stop it, you bastard!"
Hogback held his head in his hands, tears almost squeezed out from the pain. He glared fiercely at Chopper, but realizing he couldn't win, he sheepishly retracted his neck and shouted indignantly:
"The corpse was stolen by Lord Moria over twenty years ago! I don't know the specific process; I only joined ten years ago! As for the other question..."
Hogback paused, then continued, "When I first took charge of him back then, I was also amazed. The people of Wano Country seem to have used some special means to preserve this body."
"Although the body's vitality has still diminished considerably, far from what it was when he was alive, the physique is relatively intact and hasn't completely decomposed."
Regarding this, Reiner roughly understood. It didn't matter if the body was a bit lacking; he could just find a swordsman with a strong physique to fuse with it later. Kinjishi or Rayleigh would be quite good.
Then a super-strong individual would be in his hands, another trump card for the Summit War. This was his final preparation for that great battle.
Otherwise, in a war of that level, Reiner's current strength really wouldn't be stable. He wondered if Oars could give him another surprise.
"Speaking of which, I have one last question for you."
Reiner glanced at Hogback. He remembered the other had a maid who hated plates. He didn't know why she didn't seem to be here, but it didn't matter.
"You've been modifying corpses here for ten years, constantly dealing with zombies. Have you noticed any abnormalities? Logically speaking, a zombie's behavior and habits should be entirely dependent on the shadow."
"But they occasionally exhibit behaviors that don't quite fit the shadow's personality. Others aside, since you're a doctor, you should have paid attention to this point, right?"
"What do you mean?" Nami looked at him, puzzled.
Chopper's pupils, however, suddenly constricted. He looked sharply at Hogback. A question suddenly occurred to him!
Does the body carry will?!
From a medical standpoint, this was simply impossible!
The reason Reiner noticed this was because he remembered a rather moving plot point from the original story: the performance of Cindry, the zombie maid who hated plates.
Moria could make a contract with a shadow, making it unable to disobey his orders. This was a Devil Fruit ability, but!
Cindry had exhibited a phenomenon where her body disobeyed the shadow!
Hogback stared blankly at him, falling silent. He didn't know how to respond.
Zombies indeed occasionally exhibited strange behaviors. For example, some individual zombies would remember a little bit of the corpse's memories from when it was alive, or say things completely out of character with their usual behavior. This puzzled him greatly.
Because it was completely unscientific!
He had even specifically researched it back then, but couldn't find any evidence in any books to confirm this!
"I roughly understand what you mean. I don't have an answer to that question either."
Hogback paused, his expression serious, and said in a low voice:
"From a phenomenological perspective, zombies do seem to retain some memories from the body. However, there hasn't been a case yet where the body disobeyed the shadow."
"So, to say that the body retains some memory, that's probably true. But whether it has will... I can't be sure."
"The sea is truly too mysterious."
Chopper couldn't help but sigh. He had studied medicine for so long, and from meeting Brook here until now, everything he had seen and heard was different from his previous understanding.
Although Reiner was also surprised, he was slightly calmer. Since setting out to sea, he had profoundly felt that this was a world where all fantasies could be realized.
If giants, dwarves, and merfolk could still be considered understandable, then the Lunarian race was a completely unscientific existence.
In some obscure corner of this world, there might just be a Mythical Zoan, Human-Human Fruit, Model: Lunarian.
He wouldn't be surprised if some vampire race, undead race, or demon race appeared in the future.
Hmm? What was he thinking? It should be elf race, beast-eared race, angel race.
"The fight over there seems to be about to be decided."
A voice suddenly came from behind them. It was Sanji, who had just finished his fight and returned. He took a drag from his cigarette and looked towards Zoro, saying disdainfully:
"Tch, that moss-head is so slow. Taking so long just to fight a zombie. I even got the skeleton's shadow back already."
"Yohohohoho~~, thank you all very much."
Brook peeked out, leaning sideways, and said with a chuckle, "My mood has never been as joyful as it is today. Though I am a skeleton and have no heart, yohohohoho~~."
Now only Zoro and Usopp were left. In the battlefield on the open ground...
Clang!
Four pitch-black blades, two horizontal and two vertical, formed a tic-tac-toe shape, clashing and showering sparks.
The force of their deadlock was so great that the cold blades vibrated continuously, producing a sizzling sound.
"Truly a powerful swordsman."
Ryuma's voice was hoarse, and a fiery glint seemed to flash in his empty eyes. "It's been a long time since I've felt this excited."
"Heh, just a walking corpse, nothing more—"
Zoro sneered, withdrew one sword, and sidestepped, dodging the downward slash while swinging at the opponent's chest.
"Don't talk as if you're a person!"
Clang!
Ryuma pressed Shusui down with his right arm, blocking both swords simultaneously. The immense force sent him flying into the air.
"Heh heh, such heartless words."
A contemptuous smile appeared on his face. His entire body spun once in mid-air. After steadying himself, he held his twin swords in a reverse grip, pointing downwards, bent his legs, and dived.
"Two Sword Style: Demon Bear!"
The white figure streaked across the night sky like a comet, descending rapidly with immense impact.
Zoro flicked his twin swords, slightly bent his knees to gather force, then pushed off, dragging Kitetsu and Yubashiri, and charged up to meet him in the air.
"Two Sword Style: Tower Climb!"
Clang!
Two green streaks of light shot up like a ladder, striking the blades thrusting at him, reducing the opponent's impact.
Squelch! Squelch!
The two figures crossed paths. Two gashes suddenly appeared on Zoro's shoulders, but he paid them no mind, twisted his body, and gave a cold smile.
"My own moves, I know their power well enough. Two Sword Style: Reply Tower Climb!"
The twin blades flashed with a fierce cold light, and two sharp slashes flew straight down!
"I am your shadow. Don't you even know your own moves?" Ryuma crossed his twin swords in front of his chest, as if prepared.
Clang! Clang!
Even though he blocked the slashes, with no leverage in mid-air, he was still slammed down hard by the remaining force.
Bang!!
The ground was smashed into a deep pit, kicking up a thick cloud of smoke. Ryuma's clothes were covered in mud, making him look somewhat disheveled.
He rose nonchalantly, swung his sword to create a gust of wind that blew away the thick smoke, revealing Zoro diving down from the air.
"We're too familiar with each other. We can't break through each other's moves, and it's hard to determine a winner."
A corner of Ryuma's mouth suddenly curled up. He thrust the two crack-covered swords into the ground, leaving only Shusui at his waist.
Sheathing his sword, he placed his right hand on the hilt, spread his legs, and half-squatted, his gaze fixed on the sky. "We might as well settle this with one move. I presume you have the same intention."
The aura around him suddenly began to rise. Haki, black as ink, stained his wrist dark, then coiled around the longsword at his waist like two black flood dragons.
"One Sword Style: Iai..."
"You're really impatient. Should I say, as expected of my shadow?"
Zoro grinned coldly, his gaze hardening. He pushed his Haki to its limits, imbuing all three swords. A green and crimson phantom seemed to appear behind him.
"Three Sword Style Secret Technique: Azure Dragon's Song - Flowing Fire!"
The phantom slowly solidified, revealing its features. A crimson dragon swooped down, its longsword's edge gleaming like fangs in its mouth.
The two figures closed in an instant, the dragon's ferocious maw biting down, engulfing the opponent.
Zing—!!
"Black Blade: Death - Lion's Song!" Ryuma's figure flashed, instantly piercing straight through!
Heaven and earth fell silent, leaving only the clear, resonant hum of a sword. The two figures stood dozens of meters apart, their backs to each other.
The surrounding space seemed to have been torn apart; buildings, trees, everything was sliced in half.
"Do I have that move? I don't remember. But I seem to be quite good at dragon-slaying."
Ryuma turned and spoke faintly. Flames erupted from his empty eyes, beginning to spread across his entire body.
The azure dragon shattered into specks of light that dissipated into the air. A gash instantly appeared on Zoro's chest, crossing the scar left by Hawkeye.
"Phew~~, I don't remember being good at dragon-slaying either."
He let out a long sigh, allowing the blood to spread and seep out. He sheathed his three swords, turned his head, and spoke in a low voice:
"Unfortunately, my skill in cutting people seems a bit lacking. It's a pity I couldn't meet you when you were alive."
"So this is the taste of defeat. It feels somewhat empty, for some reason."
Ryuma's empty eyes made him seem somewhat desolate. Blue flames raged over his entire body as he stood motionless.
Zoro looked at him, feeling a slight sense of confusion upon hearing his words.
At this moment, a blond figure appeared behind Ryuma.
"Well, since the victor has been decided..."
Reiner looked calm, extending his right hand and placing it on the other's shoulder from behind. "Don't burn it all away now. My apologies for the intrusion."
An azure flame erupted from his palm, spreading rapidly, and blue and azure flames intertwined, covering Ryuma's body.
"Intrusion or not, I don't really mind..."
A hoarse voice suddenly spoke. A wrinkled hand suddenly rested on the back of his hand.
Ryuma slowly turned his head, looking at him with his empty eyes.
"However, I don't like people reaping without sowing. You have to leave something behind, don't you think..."
Reiner's eyes showed surprise. His five fingers curled, gripping the other's shoulder tightly.
At the same time, his left hand quickly pressed down on Shusui at Ryuma's waist, firmly holding it down to prevent him from drawing the blade!
Zoro?
Or Ryuma?!
But no matter who it was...
"I quite like reaping without sowing. And don't call me stingy. A swordsman without a sword, what do you want me to leave behind?" Reiner's gaze hardened as he spoke faintly.
Ryuma's withered, deathly gray face showed no expression. He just slowly opened his mouth, his voice hoarse.
"Indeed, a swordsman can't do without a sword. But I have a sword, young man."
An astonishingly sharp aura instantly erupted from the ground, piercing heaven and earth!
Reiner's pupils constricted. He instantly felt a cold glint at his back, as if thousands of sword tips were pressed against his entire body.
In his pitch-black eyes, Ryuma's one hand passed through his sleeve, lightly resting on his chest.
No Sword Style?!!
Azure flames ignited spontaneously from his body, covering him entirely and dancing with the wind. A scarlet blood marking appeared, stretching across his entire face to his ears.
A pair of red horns emerged from his forehead. Reiner's eyes were entirely black, and his whole body exuded an aura of withered wood and dead ashes, like a demon descending!
At the same time, sand surged wildly, rapidly condensing.
The next moment.
An ancient voice reached his ears.
"I am the sharpest blade in this world!"
As the voice fell.
Zing! Zing! Zing!
Zing! The biting sharpness transformed into a fierce wind, chaotically绞缠 Reiner's body!
His clothes instantly shattered into pieces. His tough muscles were like thin paper, easily cut open one after another!
Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!
Countless cuts appeared out of nowhere, blood splattering into beads in mid-air. Tearing pain swept through his entire body.
This is seriously going to kill me, bastard!
Reiner, his skin split open and flesh torn, gritted his teeth and endured. His five fingers gripped the opponent's body tightly, refusing to let go. What kind of joke was this? How could he fail at such a crucial moment!
Finally, the Sand Prisms flowed with a dim light, unevenly arranged yet incredibly dense, floating around him.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew continuously. The pitch-black rhombic shields were left with white lines, slashes deep or shallow. Some were even directly split in two, heading straight for his body!
Reiner's expression was grave. Gion was only this strong. Could Ryuma, even in this body, achieve such a feat?!!
At the end of your life, just how far did you take the path of the sword...
From time to time, a slash would cut through skin and flesh, sending an arrow of blood flying out, but the weakened slashes no longer posed much of a threat to him.
The fierce wind, sharp as a blade, seemed to already know the outcome and suddenly vanished between heaven and earth.
Ryuma's body stood motionless, his mouth open, head tilted back, no longer making a sound.
The intertwining azure and blue flames gradually disappeared.
A black shadow struggled out of his mouth and flew straight towards Zoro.
"Reiner!!"
A blue light flashed in front of him, and Nami pounced over in panic.
"Do you know how risky that was, you idiot!"
"Hey! Wait, wait!" Reiner exclaimed, hurriedly waving his hands to stop her.
"—Hiss! Painful!!"
"Ah! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Nami only then reacted, flusteredly letting go and taking two steps back.
Seeing him covered in blood, with such shocking wounds all over, she couldn't help but worry. He had even used his half-beast form.
Since setting sail, Nami had only seen it once in Little Garden. Even on Enies Lobby, she hadn't seen Reiner fight this desperately.
Lifting one of Reiner's arms, completely unconcerned about the scarlet blood staining her clothes, she helped him sit down slowly. "Don't move yet. Wait for Chopper to come and treat your wounds."
"Mm, it's nothing serious. Don't worry."
Reiner smiled gently to reassure her, looking at the azure flame dancing in his palm.
That No Sword Style just now really scared him. But recalling carefully, Zoro two years later could also do it.
For Ryuma at his peak, slashes of that level were probably something he could handle with just a flick of his eyelids.
"So you are the sharpest sword in the world..."
Reiner looked at the azure flame dancing in his palm and couldn't help but smile faintly.
"Speaking of which, the image is quite similar, and both are 'old men'. Then I'll call you Sukuna from now on. Black Blade Shusui will suit you just fine too."
(End of chapter)
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Sorry, I forgot to upload the chapters tomorrow. I will upload the two extra chapters today. Enjoy!