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Chapter 4 - Zoro’s Last Duel

Itachi learned something about pirates that day: when a swordsman wants a rematch, nothing—short of a hurricane or death—will stop him.

He was following Nami's rough map, trying to find a quiet corner to think, but Orange Town's layout seemed designed by a lunatic. Every street twisted in circles, dead-ending in noodle stalls, pawn shops, or the sea. He wondered if the map was a prank, or if perhaps he'd fallen into a genjutsu of his own making.

His crows didn't seem to care. One perched on his head, pecking idly at his hair as if grooming a chick.

Behind him, a familiar voice boomed, "HEY! CROW GUY!"

Itachi paused, resigned. He turned to see Roronoa Zoro storming up the road, swords drawn and eyes alight with competitive fire.

Zoro pointed a katana at him. "You humiliated me in front of the whole town. That was a fluke. This time, we fight for real. No tricks."

Itachi blinked. "Are you lost again?"

Zoro bristled. "I'm exactly where I mean to be!"A street vendor chimed in, "He's been here four times in an hour."The crowd, sensing an event, gathered like sharks to blood.

Sanji leaned out of a dango shop window, cigarette in hand, ready to gloat. Luffy watched from a rooftop, bright-eyed and already cheering both sides.

Zoro set his jaw. "No illusions, no crows, no funny business. Just swords." He took a stance, the air around him sharpening.

Itachi shrugged. "Very well."

Zoro lunged, three swords flashing—fast, precise, lethal. For all his bluster, Zoro was a monster in close combat, his style a blur even to most skilled eyes. But Itachi's eyes were not normal.

To the crowd, it looked like Zoro and Itachi clashed, blades ringing. In reality, Zoro's swings sliced only air, his opponent always just outside reach. Itachi barely moved his feet, cloak swaying, expression impassive.

"Stop dodging!" Zoro roared, frustrated. "Face me!"

Itachi's Sharingan flickered. The world twisted.

Suddenly, Zoro was standing not in Orange Town, but in a barren wasteland. Across from him stood Dracule Mihawk, arms folded, legendary black blade glinting.

Zoro's jaw dropped. "Mihawk?! Again? No—I left you behind!"

Mihawk smiled coldly. "You're still not ready, Roronoa."

Zoro, trapped in the illusion, attacked with everything he had—shouting, sweating, giving it all.

To the onlookers, Zoro was hacking at empty space, dueling shadows. A dog barked and ran away. Usopp whispered, "He's fighting ghosts again!" Sanji, watching, had to stifle a laugh.

After a furious minute, Zoro collapsed to one knee, exhausted and panting. The illusion faded. He blinked, confused, as Itachi stood before him, barely ruffled.

"You're strong," Itachi said, genuinely. "But you fight the wrong enemy."

Zoro's face reddened, pride and embarrassment warring. "I—I… you—what did you do to me?"

"Sometimes," Itachi answered, voice low, "our greatest opponent is in our own mind."

The crowd gasped, some in awe, others laughing. Luffy gave Zoro a big thumbs up. "Cool sword dance, Zoro!"

Sanji couldn't resist. "Maybe next time, marimo."

Zoro staggered to his feet, sheathed his swords, and bowed his head. "I'll get stronger. And when I do, I'm coming for you again. No ghosts."

Itachi nodded, just a hint of respect in his eyes. "I'll be waiting."

As Zoro limped away, the marines—who'd watched the whole thing from behind a wagon—slapped up new posters:"CROW KING – 300,000,000 Berries – Unbeaten by Pirate Hunter Zoro!"

The legend only grew.

Nami, ever the schemer, nudged Itachi. "You're collecting enemies and berries at record speed. At this rate, you'll have every pirate, marine, and circus freak in the world after you."

Itachi sighed, turning away from the crowd, crows trailing behind him like a shadow. "Perhaps. But I still have no idea how to get home."

Luffy landed beside him, grinning wide. "Join my crew! You're strong and mysterious! And you've got cool birds!"

Itachi didn't answer, but a tiny, almost invisible smile tugged at his lips.

This world, he thought, was getting stranger by the hour.

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