This is the 52nd chapter. Now for the final fight between Zoro against Mr. 1.
READY! FIGHT!
I don't own the series of One Piece.
Secret of Powerful Swordplay! Zoro vs Mr. 1!
In the Land of Oasis, a dry cloud of sand blankets the people with anguish. Some cling to hope, and others seek to destroy it. As their paths cross, they mark an era of a countries history that will forever be overshattered by sadness. Vivi and her friends continued to fight and save Alabasta. In addition to Usopp and Chopper's hard one victory, Sanji prevailed in his fight against Mr. 2, Bon Clay. Meanwhile, an injured Nami had one last chance against to stop Ms. Double Finger and her deadly Spike-Spike fruit powers. Thanks to Usopp's invention, the Clima-Tact, Nami was able to win the battle while this fight was over, another was just beginning, a face-off between Mr. 1 and Zoro.
Alabasta, Alubarna
After Nami's victorious fight against Ms. Double Finger, Zoro and Mr. 1 continued the clash when they block each others attacks which they're in a stalemate. Zoro jumps back a bit as Mr. 1 swings his arm blade, causing him to duck down. Mr. 1 and block the leg blade. Zoro managed to step back as he spoke.
"You know? That face of yours, it's sorta looks familiar." Zoro states with a scowl, drew his blades back on the sheathes. "And if I'm not mistaken, you're use to be one of the most infamous bounty hunters in the West Blue, didn't you? Not to mention an assassin as well. So, what happened to you? You went from the top of a heap to one of Crocodile's dogs."
Mr. 1 however only gives Zoro a silent respond while crossed his arms with expressionless look on his face.
"Did you do it just to get some nice scraps by licking his hand like a good little lapdog?" Zoro asks with a smirk.
"Shut up!?" Mr. 1 growled.
"Here, let me show you, the difference of pride in between your swords and mine." Zoro suggests with a scowl, wrapped his head with a bandana, placed his white sword in his mouth, drew out his two swords, and readied his fighting stance. "Santoryu: Bull Needles"
"Spider Defense" Mr. 1 gets in his defense position while harden his body.
Zoro charges after Mr. 1 with his two swords held out like a bull's horns, execute his attack which it didn't even effect on Mr. 1. Zoro then placed swords on the sheathes and turns to him.
"So basically, your body is as hard as steel unless I can cut steel, I can't defeat you." Zoro states with a glare.
"That would be correct." Mr. 1 agrees as he stood up. "Smashing and cutting attacks won't work on me."
"Well, that bites, doesn't it?" Zoro scoffs with his arms crossed. "I'm not capable of cutting steel yet. So, I guess there's only one thing to do."
"And what's that, swordsman?" Mr. 1 inquires, turns to him.
"I'm gonna learn how to cut it, right here and now." Zoro answered, took off the cloak.
"Really?" Mr. 1 inquires, not convinced.
"I've been waiting for a challenge just like this one." Zoro told him. "I've been telling myself for a while now that it's time to take my skills to the next level. When I defeat you, Mr. 1, I'll be swordsman strong enough to cut through, including steel."
Zoro then drew out his swords and readied his fighting stance with a smirk on his face.
"'When you defeat me?', that's rich." Mr. 1 mocks with a scoff as he pressed his fists together. "I hate to shatter your delusions, pirate, but I feel it's only fair to warn you that ever since I gained Dice-Dice powers, I've never been scratched by those who call themselves swordsman. You'll soon see., no enemy can defeat me."
"Oooh, I'm really scared. Save those stories for your grandkids if you live that long, pal." Zoro taunts. "Anyway, I don't know how many swordsmen you've defeated, but you've never fought me before. See, you better watch what you're saying, big guy, because you're about to eat those words."
"The only thing sharper about you is your tongue!?" Mr. 1 snarled, decided to charge after Zoro and not taking the insults any further.
"All right, fine, I warned you." Zoro said, ready for a fight as he blocks Mr. 1's leg blade while struggle to push him.
"You won't last that long." Mr. 1 states.
"Look who's talking!?" Zoro grunts with a remark, pushing him sideways.
Mr. 1 was able to quickly regain his footing and starts going after Zoro by swings his hand filled with blades. Zoro was forced to on defense when Mr. 1 swings his other bladed hand, causing him to block, but he was being push because of the Baroque Works assassin sheer strength. Zoro was able to stop himself and moved away while Mr. 1 use his leg to turn into a blade and thrust it, causing Zoro to lean back and backflips. Mr. 1 won't give him time to counter as he swings his bladed hand which Zoro jumps in midair, causing him to hit the ground instead when the swordsman lands on the ground. Zoro slightly turns, noticed Mr. 1 is still going on the offense as he swings his bladed hand again, causing the swordsman to block his attack. Mr. 1 continued his relentless assault while Zoro continued blocking his attacks with his swords and bring pushed back. Though, it's been going for a few minutes as Zoro managed to block and counter by kicking to the gut, causing Mr. 1 to groan. Zoro then thrust his sword right towards Mr. 1 in the forehead, causing him to push which he was able to recover and gained his footing.
"Oni Giri" Zoro then placed his third sword into his mouth while the dust clears, crosses his swords across his chest, and approaches Mr. 1 with high speed, cutting through across by chest which his body was harden because of the Devil fruit powers and it's still not effective, but it was enough to knock him out.
"Tiger Trap" Zoro then leaps in the air, descends down towards Mr. 1, and delivers a descending slash.
Again, it didn't effect Mr. 1, but enough to knock him down to the ground. Zoro then lands on the ground as he takes the sword out of his mouth and pants heavily while placed them on his sheathes. He then noticed Mr. 1 is still standing and not even a single scratch of a cut on him as the dust clears.
"I told you." Mr. 1 states with a shrug.
"Well, I've got to admit, I'm surprised you don't even have single bruise." Zoro states with a pant. "It's the first time this has ever happened, no opponent of mine is standing an attack like that."
"As true as that may be, you've never fought against me before." Mr. 1 points out. "So, who's eating those words now?"
Zoro couldn't help but chuckle with a smirk on his face. Mr. 1 then charges after him as he uses his Devil fruit power to turn his leg into a blade, about to deliver a kick when Zoro was able to dodge. Mr. 1 then delivers an axe kick from behind which Zoro parries his attack with his sword.
'This guy's entire body is a blade! So, his blades don't have a front or a back!' Zoro mentally exclaims, but didn't have time to think when Mr. 1 was in a handstand position and delivers a bladed kick, causing the swordsman to dodge and roll out of the way.
"Sparkling Daisy" Mr. 1 then charges after Zoro while turning the insides of his hands and fingers into blades, delivers a double palm strike which Zoro quickly managed to block his attack with his swords.
However, with the amount of sheer force behind his attack causes to not only cut his target, but it can also cut the structure of the building as well which it got Zoro stunned.
'Th-This is crazy!?' Zoro mentally exclaims while trying to hold his attack.
"Goodbye." Mr. 1 said as he pushed Zoro against the building, causing the structure to collapse.
As soon as the dust clears, Mr. 1 then lowered his battle stance and hoping that Zoro is dead so he'll catch up with Ms. Double Finger and kill Nami. Zoro was now left unconscious and being sandwiched in the rubble with his arm sticked out and bloodied.
'When it comes to training...I've done more than anyone else...I've also pushed to the brink in plenty of bad situations...But I always succeed...' Zoro mentally thought while remembered of telling Mr. 1 about defeating him and become the strongest swordsman that can cut through anything, but he pretty much got off to a bad start against Baroque Works assassin. 'But what is it that I lack to beat this guy?'
Zoro then begin to remember of his previous time at the martial arts dojo.
Flashback
At the martial arts dojo, Zoro came rushed in the dojo after he finished his training, which he overheard those swordsmen can cut through anything. It got him wondering if what he heard about it is true or not.
"Sensei! Sensei!" Zoro called him, earned his attention. "Is it true there are swordsmen in this world who can cut anything, even steel? Well, is it?"
"Yes, it certainly is."
The martial teacher decided to give him an important lesson as he grabs a katana and a piece of paper. He then walked outside next to Zoro.
"Now pay attention, I want you to watch this paper very carefully, Zoro."
Soon as the martial arts teacher threw the paper up in the air, then swings the sword which he didn't even cut it.
"Sensei, you didn't even cut it." Zoro points, air waving his hand with a sweat drop.
"Listen, Zoro, this is an important lesson for you to learn. There are swordsmen out there who are capable of cutting. However, these saying swordsmen can but anything and that includes steel, using the same sword. The strongest swordsman in the world is able to protect that which they want to protect that, but also cut that which want to cut. Swordplay that always harms whatever it touches. Well Zoro, that's not real swordsmanship, do you understand?"
Although, Zoro didn't understand what the martial arts teacher is telling him, but he's still determined to become the 'Strongest Swordsman in the World.'
"Sensei, I'm gonna be a swordsman who can cut anything." Zoro states.
"Zoro, were you listening at all to what I was saying?"
Though, it really annoys the martial arts teacher that Zoro obviously didn't listen at all, decided to give him a hard course training.
Flashback Ended
Back at the present, Zoro regained his consciousness as he lifted the huge rubble which he was left in a bloody mess. Mr. 1 however, wasn't surprised that Zoro somehow managed to survive from the building being collapsed.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and attack me again." Mr. 1 suggests with his arms crossed. "You'll never win, if all you ever do is defend."
"Trust me, pal. There's nothing I'd rather do more than that right now, but my hands are a little full at the moment." Zoro grunts, turns to Mr. 1 with a smirk on his face. "And it wasn't a threat, it was a promise. I'm gonna cut steel and you're gonna die."
"I highly doubt it." Mr. 1 said with a scowl, not convinced.
"She won't be alive to see it." Zoro grunts as he threw the huge rubble at Mr. 1.
"Large or small, I'll cut everything into pieces." Mr. 1 growled, readied his hands.
'Swordplay that cuts nothing, what the hell did that mean? Think!' Zoro mentally shouts, readied his blades and placed his third blade in his mouth. 'Cut nothing, but cut steel. it doesn't make any sense at all. Thrust is thrust, that's the secret of powerful swordplay.'
"Atomic Spar" Mr. 1 turns his fingers into blades, crosses both hands over his chest before slashing forward with an X motion, instantly slicing the rubble.
"You're not the only one who can cut!" Zoro shouts while charging after him, slicing the rubble.
Mr. 1 then noticed Zoro was able to cut through the rubble. They then clash against each other as they parry and block each others attacks which they're both evenly matched, but Zoro managed to get his guard down as he thrust two swords at Mr. 1. Mr. 1 was sent flying with a grunt, but he was able to quickly recovers and lands on the ground with his feet. Zoro however, won't let him take any chances as he was about to deliver a downward slash, causing Mr. 1 to block with his leg blade, but he kept going as he slashed him right in the face. Mr. 1 was sent flying once more, but he recovers as he uses the handspring and lands on his feet against the ground.
Mr. 1 was about to retaliate, but Zoro swiftly got close enough for the attack.
"Crab Grab" Zoro's swords are horizontally parallel, suddenly clamping down on Mr. 1 like crab's claw for a guillotine like effect, sent Mr. 1 flying and crashed against the ground.
Both Mr. 1 and Zoro were evenly matched when it comes to swordsmanship, but the swordsman was heavily fatigued and wounded because he was forced to go on defense, getting hit by the rubble, and retaliate, Mr. 1 however still haven't got a single scratch on his body, not even single bruise because of his body harden by a Devil fruit power.
"You're really starting to piss me off." Zoro grunts with a heavy pant, noticed that Mr. 1 still haven't got a scratch.
"The feelings mutual." Mr. 1 agrees with a growl as he pulled himself up. "Perhaps we'd be evenly matched if our pathetic swordsman, but I'm not. My weapons are far nastier than mere swords. Take this one for example: Spiral Hollow"
Mr. 1's forearms turns into a circular blades before making them spin, leaving Zoro widen his eyes with dread.
"Geez, what are you...an excavator?!" Zoro exclaims as he charges after him.
"An assassin actually." Mr. 1 corrects as he blocked Zoro's attack with his circular blades.
'Sparks!? Just how fast are those blades spinning?!' Zoro mentally exclaims while trying to hold the attack, but the circular blades are too much for him to handle. 'Oh no!'
And with that, Mr. 1 swings his arms, pushing Zoro's swords away and catch him off-guard.
"However, I don't mind being called an excavator, because I'm going to be digging out your organs." Mr. 1 points as he swings his arms, deliver a double fist that resembles a drill right into the gut, causing Zoro to grunt in pain as he was sent flying which he was able to land on the ground, collapsing down to one knee.
Zoro couldn't help but groan as he tried to look up, noticed Mr. 1 jumps in the air after him as he swings his arm again, delivering a drill right into the gut. Zoro yell in pain as the blood gushes out of his stomach.
"There's only one thing left for you after your defeat: death." Mr. 1 growled with a statement as he brings out his bladed hand and sliced Zoro, caused him to scream in pain as the blood gushed out, sent flying and crashed against the pillar, then lands on the ground hard.
Mr. 1 then licks the blood from his hand as he walked towards him, making sure that he's dead which Zoro is still alive but barely after the wounds he's been inflicted. Zoro then remembered a certain promise to find 'Hawkeye' Mihawk and fight for the title as he tried to move his body.
"I'm surprised you're still alive." Mr. 1 said, but he doesn't show it as Zoro tried to pull himself up.
'I will not...show my back to him.' Zoro mentally groans as he tried to shift his weight to turn.
"What are you going to fight with, your hands?" Mr. 1 mocks with a question as Zoro sat up and leaned against the pillar with a heavy pant. Zoro is now a bloody mess and heavily wounded.
"Even if I tried to explain it to you, you wouldn't understand because you're not a swordsman." Zoro grunts, leaving Mr. 1 scoffed.
"Don't bother, I'm not that interested. Spar Break" Mr. 1 told him as he swings and crosses his bladed arms, resulting Zoro grunts in pain while the blood gushes out more, but also, the series of slashes also cut a pillar. The bridge begins to crack as it then started to break apart and starts to collapse down towards Zoro while Mr. 1 turns and walked away with a satisfied victory. "Die in peace."
'I've had...a bad luck with stones today...' Zoro mentally thought as the rubble collapsed down to him and the ground.
And just as Mr. 1 walked a few steps and away from the rubble with his neck cracked while the dust cleared, Zoro remembered Luffy getting caught by Crocodile back at Rainbase when the rubber Captain told his crew to go to Alubarna and make sure to deliver Vivi home.
'I wonder...that the rest of them...are okay?" Zoro mentally questions which he somehow managed to escape from the rubble with a heavy pant.
Mr. 1 stops as he turned over his shoulder, noticed Zoro survived from the rubble which it got him completely shocked.
"That's impossible!? I cut him so many times! Did he dodge all those fallen stones?!" Mr. 1 exclaims, bit his lower lip.
'Is that what I did...Dodge them? No...I was just able to...sense the place where no stones would fall...' Zoro mentally thought, panting as he start looking for his swords by slightly turning his head since he knows that his blades were hidden somewhere beneath the rubble. 'My swords...One of them is underneath that stone...'
"What is he doing?" Mr. 1 muttered with a question, watching Zoro lifting the rubble away and grabbed the sword.
'I've experienced this feeling before...' Zoro mentally thought, remembered the previous fight against 'Hawkeye' Mihawk and Hachi when he was on the brink of death and hearing the heartbeat. 'Everything goes quiet around me. So quiet, I can hear my heartbeat...So clearly...Is this...Is this what it feels like when you're close to death? It was almost like...like those fallen stones give me a hint...as if there were living things...No...It wasn't it, it was much clearer than that...It was like...rhythm...Could it be...trees have their own rhythm? So does soil...is that what it is?'
'This is an important lesson for you to learn. Zoro, there are swordsmen out there who are capable of cutting nothing.'
'Does cutting nothing...mean hear the rhythm of the things around you...If so...is that how one could cut steel?' Zoro mentally questions while hearing of his teachers words.
"What the hell did you do?!" Mr. 1 demands. "After a vicious attack like that! And all of the blood you've lost! There's no way you can still be alive!"
Zoro can only give a silent respond while breathing heavily as he turns to him. Mr. 1's words only fell deaf to his ear, but Zoro can hear a rhythm from his steel body which it made him finally realize what his teacher is telling him.
'I hear it...His steel...It has a rhythm...Just like everything else around me...' Zoro mentally thought as he slowly raise his sword and swings it towards the palm tree leaves which it didn't cut, then he rotate his arm and swings it towards the rubble, slicing it in half.
"All right, fine. When I'm done, you're gonna wish you'd stay down." Mr. 1 points out, grown impatient.
'Only one question remains...Do I really have the ability to cut steel? Well, there's only one way to find out...' Zoro mentally thought with a question as he turns to him, points his sword at Mr. 1.
"You failed with three swords, can you defend yourself with only one?" Mr. 1 questions.
"I won't...defend..." Zoro told him.
"So you're prepared...TO DIE!" Mr. 1 shouts as he readied his bladed hands, charged after him.
"Ittoryu: Lion's Song" Zoro placed his sword back on his sheathe and placed his sheathed sword upright in a reverse grip from beside and over his head.
"Atomic Spurt" Mr. 1 glides toward Zoro with his bladed feet while gaining a momentum to strike.
And with the final strike between the two in the fight, Zoro resheathes his sword and Mr. 1 grunts in pain as the blood gushes out of his body, collapsed down to the ground in his knees.
"Thanks to you...I finally reached the next level..." Zoro said, thanked him.
'I don't know how...but he learned how to do it...just like he said he would...' Mr. 1 mentally thought, shocked but impressed of Zoro finally cut him. Zoro then collapsed down to his knees with a grunt. "Now that you've cut steel...What's next for you? Diamonds?"
"No...That'll be a waste..." Zoro answered weakly.
"Good luck..." Mr. 1 said with a weak smirk as he collapses down to the ground with blood out of his mouth.
Zoro then takes out his bandana with victor.
That's it for the 52nd chapter.
Winner: Zoro