Chapter 2: Unyielding Strength! Blade and Ink clash!
Steel rang out as Zoro and Sentinel collided once again, their blades flashing in the moonlight. Zoro's strikes came fast and hard, each swing driving Sentinel onto the defensive. The water beneath them splashed and cracked with every clash, the reflected moonlight dancing across the water's surface. Sentinel then leaps away gaining distance between them. "As I thought, you truly are a skilled swordsman."
Zoro grins, "Don't think your compliment is going to make me go easy on you."
"Heh, you better not. I'm just getting started!"
Sentinel quickly extends his left hand, "Now I call forth my Drawblade."
Suddenly, ink began to appear out of thin air. Forming into a Quill shaped sword. Sentinel takes grasp of it. Ready for battle.
"Just like you have a two sword style, so do I." Sentinel grinned.
"Heh, bring it on." Zoro replied.
The two clashed once more, Sentinel was no stranger to this kind of intensity. He weaved through Zoro's onslaught with fluid precision, his movements a blend of calculated grace and raw power. In his right hand, The Maroon Emperor. It sang through the air—its golden and maroon edge crackling with power. In his left, The Draw Blade, it glimmered like a quill, poised and ready to unleash its dark magic.
With a sudden motion, Sentinel raised The Draw Blade and, with a flourish, swung it through the air. "Kuro Inku: Oni!" Dark ink exploded from its tip, swirling and coalescing into a towering ink creature behind Zoro. The beast roared to life, its eyes burning with an eerie glow as it lunged at Zoro from behind.
"What the hell!?" Zoro's eyes widened for a split second, but his reflexes kicked in instantly. With a twist of his body, he swung both blades in a perfect arc, executing Nitoryu: Takanami (Two-Sword Style: High Tide). A wave of force emanated from his swords, cutting through the ink creature in an instant. The beast dissolved into a cloud of black mist as Zoro advanced toward Sentinel, undeterred.
Zoro huffed, lowering his blades slightly as he eyed Sentinel. "That's an interesting power your blade has."
Sentinel gave a small nod, twirling The Draw Blade between his fingers before gripping it tightly. "The Draw Blade is more than just a weapon. With it, I can bring anything I imagine to life—so long as I can draw it first."
Zoro raised a brow. "Heh. Sounds dangerous."
Sentinel smirked. "For the wrong hands, maybe. But not just anyone can use its power. Only those with a strong imagination can wield it properly."
Zoro grinned at that, tightening his grip on his swords. "Then I guess I better be more careful."
Without hesitation, Sentinel slashed the air with The Draw Blade. "Kuro Inku: Ōkame no mure!" Dark ink splattered onto the watery surface beneath them, and in mere moments, it swirled and took shape. A pack of ink-formed wolves emerged, their glowing eyes locked onto Zoro. They snarled, baring inky fangs before charging at him with unnatural speed.
Zoro's eyes flickered with excitement. "Now this is getting interesting."
The first wolf lunged, but Zoro twisted, dodging mid-air as he brought his sword down in a brutal counter. The beast dissolved in a burst of ink, but the others pressed forward. Another snapped at his side—he sidestepped and drove his blade through its form, the creature bursting apart like ink splashed onto a canvas.
Two wolves attacked simultaneously, one from the left, the other from the right. Zoro crouched low before launching himself skyward, twisting mid-air as his blades carved through both in a single stroke. The ink beasts howled as they disintegrated, their remains cascading into the water below.
The last wolf leaped for his throat. Without missing a beat, Zoro spun, his swords flashing in the moonlight. "Nitoryu: Rekkudan!" His blades cut through the beast in a cross-shaped slash, erasing it from existence.
Sentinel smirked. "Not bad."
Zoro landed gracefully, adjusting his grip. "If that's all you've got, you'll need to try harder."
With no further words needed, the two warriors locked eyes once more, the tension between them sharpening like the edge of a blade. Zoro took a deep breath, his stance shifting as he prepared to attack again. Sentinel mirrored him, his muscles coiled, ready to counter.
Then, in a flash, they charged.
Sentinel struck first, slashing with The Maroon Emperor. Zoro countered, parrying with one blade while slashing with the other. Sentinel twisted, using the force of the block to spin and launch a strike with The Draw Blade. A thin line of ink shot forward like a razor-sharp tendril, aimed at Zoro's shoulder.
Zoro ducked, rolling beneath the attack before launching into a counterattack. His swords danced through the air in rapid succession, each strike pushing Sentinel back a step. But Sentinel was not so easily overwhelmed. He deflected each swing, his movements precise and fluid, each step controlled despite the unstable surface beneath them.
Sentinel suddenly leaped away, flipping through the air before raising The Maroon Emperor high.
"Kuriiro Hidora Kōgeki!" With a powerful swing, he unleashed a barrage of maroon-colored blade beams that rained down upon Zoro like a relentless storm.
Zoro planted his feet, his swords a blur as he blocked each beam with rapid, precise strikes. Sparks flew as his blades intercepted the attacks, the force pushing him back with each impact. His muscles tensed as he deflected the last beam, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of Sentinel already in motion.
Sentinel sketched rapidly with The Draw Blade, his strokes forming the shape of a massive dragon. "Kuro inku: Kokuryū!" The ink pulsed and swirled, coming to life as a colossal ink dragon hovered in midair, its serpentine body twisting through the sky.
Zoro's gaze locked onto the dragon as it let out a silent, ominous roar. Without hesitation, the beast opened its mouth and unleashed a barrage of ink bullets, each one whistling through the air toward Zoro at incredible speed.
"Kuro Kuriiro Hidora Kōgeki!" Sentinel slashed with his Kuriiro Tennō, merging maroon-colored blade beams with the ink bullets, the combined attacks accelerating toward Zoro like a storm of destruction.
Zoro gritted his teeth, his swords flashing as he met the onslaught head-on. His blades carved through the bullets, slicing them apart, but the force of the relentless barrage pushed him back, his boots skidding across the water's surface. Finally, the ruthless assault halted. Zoro slightly exerted his breath.
Above him, Sentinel stood atop the ink dragon's head, watching intently. His expression was calm, his stance poised as if testing Zoro's resolve.
Zoro then adjusted his bandana, tying it around his head—a silent declaration of his serious intent. Swiftly, he reached for his third blade, placing it in his mouth.
"It's time I show you my Three-Sword Style," he declared, his voice unwavering despite the sword clenched between his teeth.
Sentinel noticed the shift and smirked. "Seems like now you're finally getting serious."
Zoro planted his feet firmly, exhaling as his muscles tensed. "Damn right."
He let out a breath, his grin widening despite the pressure bearing down on him. "Now we're really getting somewhere."
Sentinel smirked. "I look forward to seeing how this will go."
Zoro smirked. "Let's see how long you can keep up then."
The night air grew heavy as the two warriors prepared to push themselves further. The water beneath them rippled violently, mirroring the rising intensity of their duel. The real battle had only just begun.
To Be Continued...