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"Hey! Zoro, is this the guy you said took your sword?" Straw Hat Luffy asked with a smile, coming to stand beside Zoro.
Along with him came Sanji in his black suit and long-nosed Usopp, joining Zoro on the deck.
There was also a new face that Ikki didn't recognize—probably the navigator who had taken Nami's place in their crew.
"Yes, it's this guy," Zoro confirmed. "I went to sea for two reasons. First, for Hawk-Eye Mihawk—you've met him before. Second, for this man."
Zoro pulled out his three swords with a fierce smile and stared directly at Ikki.
"Hehehe, do you want some help?" Luffy asked, adjusting his straw hat as he laughed.
"No," Zoro replied firmly. "This is a duel between swordsmen. This guy used his sword to steal Wado Ichimonji from me. Now I'll use my swords to get it back from him."
Hearing Zoro's words, Luffy and the others nodded and stepped aside, giving Zoro and Ikki space for their duel.
"Come on, Ikki, draw your sword," Zoro challenged. "Now I can cut through steel just like you. I won't lose to you this time."
After speaking, Zoro crossed his arms and rushed toward Ikki with his swords ready.
Ikki raised his eyebrows and made a subtle gesture toward Nojiko.
The Minazuki at her waist flew out of its scabbard, and Ikki caught the handle in his teeth.
Then, drawing Zangetsu and Sandai Kitetsu from his waist with both hands, Ikki rushed forward in the same stance as Zoro.
"Oni Giri!" they both shouted simultaneously.
The swords clashed with a crisp sound that rang through the air.
"What?!" Zoro's eyes widened when he saw Ikki using the exact same technique as his own.
"Haha, no one said I couldn't perform the same sword skills as you, Zoro," Ikki laughed.
"Hmph, are you just copying me? Let's see how long you can keep it up. Santoryu: Tora Gari!" Zoro snorted and launched another attack.
Ikki responded with the identical sword move.
Seeing Ikki performing the same technique again, Zoro, growing increasingly frustrated, clenched his jaw and began unleashing a series of Three-Sword Style techniques without pause.
Naturally, Ikki responded with matching Three-Sword Style moves.
'With this strength, he has truly entered the Iron-Cutting Realm,' Ikki thought to himself. 'Is it because I took away his Wado Ichimonji and caused him serious mental strain? I wonder if Nami and Nojiko could earn another "Iron-Cutting Swordsman Challenge Permission" if they defeated him now.'
Thinking about this, Ikki couldn't help but turn his head slightly to glance at Nami and Nojiko watching from nearby.
"Damn it! You dare to look away while fighting me?" Zoro growled angrily, gripping his swords tighter and swinging with increased force.
But Ikki no longer seemed interested in seriously competing with Zoro.
"Santoryu: Hyakuhachi Pound Ho!"
Three blue flying slashes emerged from Ikki's blades, heading straight for Zoro's body before hitting the edge of the Explorer hard.
"You bastard!" Zoro roared, using his three swords to redirect Ikki's flying slashes into the air.
"That's so powerful!" Usopp exclaimed. "Those flying slashes are just like Hawk-Eye's. Can Zoro beat this guy?"
"Hehehe, this man is interesting," Luffy said with a grin. "He uses three swords like Zoro. Could they have had the same teacher?"
"Looking at Zoro's face, I'd say they definitely weren't taught by the same person," Sanji observed. "But it is strange that this man can use the Three-Sword Style. From Zoro's reaction, he seems pretty surprised himself."
Zoro's expression had grown serious, his eyes fixed on Ikki's face.
"What was that flying slash just now? A Three-Sword Style technique you created?" he demanded. "And why do you use the exact same techniques as me?"
When he first saw Ikki using Oni Giri, Zoro could dismiss it as mere imitation. But after seeing Ikki perform more Three-Sword Style techniques, Zoro grew uneasy.
He even had the disturbing feeling that Ikki's Three-Sword Style seemed more polished than his own. If he hadn't known clearly that Three-Sword Style was his own creation, Zoro might have thought he was the one using a fake version.
"I learned the Three-Sword Style from you," Ikki explained. "As for the Hyakuhachi Pound Ho, it's a technique I developed based on your existing Three-Sword Style moves."
Ikki held Sandai Kitetsu and Minazuki in one hand and rested Zangetsu on his shoulder with the other, looking at Zoro with a smile.
"When will you take your sword skills to the next level where you can produce flying slashes? Perhaps then you'll be able to use the Hyakuhachi Pound Ho like I just did, haha."