Chapter 516: Clash of Blades on the Battlefield

“Hey, Luffy! Don’t even think about running!”

“You can’t go this way. The Navy is blocking it.”

Just as Tashigi went to chase after them, three long blades appeared in front of her, blocking her view.

Standing right ahead was none other than the Straw Hat Pirates’ swordsman—Roronoa Zoro!

“Seriously, looks like I have to take you down first if I want to move forward.”

“Black Spear!”

Tashigi wielded steel bars like spears, clashing violently with Zoro’s swords and sending sparks flying with every collision.

Meanwhile, Sanji kicked away every Navy soldier who tried to surround them, never leaving Luffy’s side.

“Admiral, when do we move in?”

Not far from Navy Headquarters, the Beasts Pirates and over twenty pirate ships had already been waiting for some time.

Kaido had brought everything he had, dragging out every last bit of his fighting force.

They might not match the Whitebeard Pirates, but they were still a Four Emperors crew, through and through.

With so many gathered here, if they all rushed in at once, the Navy would be hit harder than they could ever handle.

“Wororororo!”

“Glug glug!”

“Not yet. I want this old man to owe me a massive favor. Give the order—everyone be ready to attack at any time.”

“Yes, Admiral!”

Even though King wanted Kaido to jump in now, waiting for a bigger victory was worth the delay.

But Kaido’s gaze wasn’t just fixed on Whitebeard at the center of the battlefield. He’d already spotted Blackbeard and his crew lurking outside the right-side wall of the Navy Headquarters.

Back in Impel Down, Blackbeard’s crew had broken through Magellan’s blockade, bringing with them a host of dangerous pirates from the sixth floor to join their ranks.

Coming to Navy Headquarters, their goal was obvious—to seize the Tremor-Tremor Fruit from his so-called ‘old man’ Whitebeard.

“Ace!”

Boom!

A massive giant burst up from under a ship, shattering the frozen sea surface.

The one who leapt forth was none other than Oars the Demon.

“Fire! I said fire all cannons!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With his colossal body, Oars became the Navy’s prime target. Countless cannonballs slammed into him from every direction.

“Hey Oars, bulldozing ahead will cost you.”

“I don’t care! Pops, I’m saving Ace no matter what!”

Little Oars charged forward with unwavering steps. After all, only Ace had ever woven him a giant straw hat in the Whitebeard Pirates—that’s where their friendship began.

“Come on, protect Oars!”

“Pops, leave it to us!”

Another squad of pirates raced ahead of Oars, shielding him from incoming attacks.

“Giant squad, stop him! Don’t let him get any further or he’ll destroy the stronghold!”

“Alright!”

Six giants near the platform drew their long swords and rushed at Oars in huge strides, but their size only reached as high as his knees.

“I usually don’t fight women, but today, that might change.”

“Heh, Zoro. If you’ve got the guts, bring it on!”

Tashigi’s hands moved in a blur as iron bars twisted and snaked toward Zoro.

“One Sword Style—Lion Song!”

Zoro had long since mastered the Steel-Cutting Technique. These iron bars weren’t even a threat now.

He swung his blade, sending the bars flying and dashed straight at Tashigi.

“Two Sword Style—108 Pound Phoenix!”

As he closed in, a fierce whirlwind erupted that sent Tashigi spinning through the air.

“Phew, finally got rid of that nuisance.”

Clang!

Suddenly, a streak of blue sword aura slashed toward Luffy from ahead.

“Heh, Hawk Eyes! I won’t lose to you this time!”

“Great Thousand!”

With a stomp, Zoro shattered the ice and shot forward like a cannonball, twin swords held firm to block that blue arc in front of Luffy.

“Oh? Roronoa Zoro, your progress is quicker than I imagined!”

“I’ve stood here for far too long, waiting for a true challenger. I just hope you won’t die by my blade.”

Hawk Eyes recalled the young swordsman he once spared in East Blue. He had never expected this kid to grow strong enough to face him now.

“Let’s see, then. But I’m not the one who’s going down this time.”

Determination burned in Zoro’s eyes. He’d sworn never to lose again, and that oath would stand until he defeated Hawk Eyes.

“Prove to me whether you’ve got the skill—and the courage—to stand before me.”

Without changing expression, Hawk Eyes drew the massive blade from his back and leaped down from the high platform.

“Oh, hahaha! Even that guy’s getting serious? This is getting good.”

Doflamingo’s right hand danced as he watched Hawk Eyes leap down, now curious about the swordsman from the Four Seas. Just what makes Zoro so impressive that even Hawk Eyes would take him seriously?

“Didn’t expect your power to grow so much in just a few months. But tell me, what about your swordsmanship?”

It was clear to Hawk Eyes: Zoro’s strength, physique and speed had all improved dramatically, but that didn’t necessarily mean his skills with a blade had grown.

For Hawk Eyes, only the very best swordsmen were worthy of his full power. He wouldn’t go all out for just any brute.

“Want to know? Try it for yourself—Tiger Hunt!”

Zoro gripped both swords as a violet wave of sword aura cut across the ice.

“You’ve improved. But just a little. Show me everything you’ve got.” With a casual lift of his sword, Hawk Eyes deflected the attack, snuffing it out in midair.

“As expected of the world’s strongest.”

“Three Sword Style Secret Technique—Great Thousand Worlds!”

Zoro wasn’t one to quit. He lunged forward, the ice cracking beneath his feet. Without any obvious movement, his sword flashed and he froze in place, maintaining his stance.

A massive blue wave of sword aura, like water from the heavens, tore through the air and crashed headlong into Hawk Eyes’ own blade.

Hissssssss……

This time, the sword auras didn’t disappear on impact. Instead, their energy clashed in waves, colliding again and again with endless force.

“You really have grown. Impressive moves.”

Hawk Eyes felt a flash of joy. He’d never expected Zoro to climb this high.

Waiting for a promising young swordsman like this to reach his level almost felt like nurturing the perfect rival for the future.

But sword aura alone only brings brute force. Without skill to follow up, its power will always fade.

With a decisive slice, Hawk Eyes shattered the wave, splitting it in two.

Yet even halved, the sword aura didn’t weaken—it shot straight for the fortress walls.

Voom!

Hawk Eyes’ swordsmanship didn’t need flashy moves. His simple cut was stronger than most master techniques.

“You’re not there yet. Surpass me, Roronoa Zoro.”

A thinner, shorter wave of blue sword aura appeared, no more than several meters long, racing toward Zoro.

“Three-Sword Style Secret Technique—Azure Dragon’s Flow!”