Entrance A,
A gentle breeze slowly blew past,
black long hair and yellow bangs lightly swaying.
Wearing a white shirt, Orin snapped his fingers, and the flame from the friction lit his cigarette.
He took a puff and slowly exhaled the smoke.
"Father…"
Before seeing Orin, he had many things he wanted to say, but now, seeing this "dad" who looked almost identical to his memory and seemed about the same age as himself…
Sanji didn't know what to say.
Should he thank him for his past care?
Or mention the tragedy in Alabasta?
Sanji ended up saying nothing, only reaching into his pocket for his lighter, intending to light one too.
At that moment, a cigarette was flicked over toward him.
Sanji instinctively caught it and looked carefully. It was a cigarette that looked extremely expensive.
"Sanji."
Orin, holding neither a knife nor a gun, stuck one hand in his pocket and smiled with a cigarette at the corner of his lips.
"You should know what my appearance here means. The sea is not a place for rookies like you. Go back, don't make Sora worried."
Sanji fell silent.
But after a long while, he still did not retreat.
"Robin-chan, Franky, you two go find Luffy and the others. I'll stop Father here."
Sanji took a step forward.
This step expressed his will — he would not yield.
"Sanji…"
Franky wanted to say something, but Robin stopped him.
Robin's pupils trembled, barely maintaining her composure.
"Franky, calm down. We've encountered him first. We must hurry and meet up with Luffy and the others. Sanji-kun alone is too much of a stretch!!!"
Hearing that, Franky gritted his teeth and stopped in place.
Indeed…
Only by gathering their strength together would they stand a chance. They must act quickly.
Watching the two run off in another direction to detour around, Orin only chuckled lightly, showing no intention of stopping them.
They wouldn't naïvely think only they encountered one, right~
Let them go.
There are more surprises ahead anyway.
Orin watched the two leave. Sanji thought he was about to attack and rushed forward.
"I can only give it my all!!!"
"I now have my own comrades. I went out to sea for my dream — I will never give up just because of a few words!!!"
With that, he kicked toward his "father."
Orin was instantly moved by filial piety.
"…Such a disobedient little kid~"
Orin also raised a long leg, casually receiving the kick.
His lips curved upward slightly.
"If you can't even beat the eighteen-nineteen-year-old me, I advise you all to hurry home and stop playing pirate games!!!"
At this moment, Orin's physical age wasn't too different from Sanji's.
Which made Sanji feel like he was fighting an equal opponent.
"Then prepare yourself!!!"
Leaping into the air, Sanji's legs turned into afterimages as he kicked toward the figure repeatedly.
But despite going all out, he couldn't even touch his clothing.
Instead, one casual kick from Orin made Sanji immediately clutch his leg in pain.
He… might have a bone fracture?!!!
What kind of monster-like physique is this!!!
"No other choice…"
Sanji understood — he must go all out!!!
With rapid spinning and fierce friction with the air, flames wrapped around Sanji's leg, glowing hot red.
"Then witness this, Father…"
This was Sanji's strongest technique so far!!!
Under the glow of the flames,
Sanji clearly saw Orin's expression remain unchanged… with even a hint of a smile.
Just as he grew confused, Orin lifted his foot gently.
"I happen to know a little too~"
Under Sanji's horrified gaze, his long hair fluttered, the casually dressed Orin's legs slowly ignited with black flames and lightning.
…
Entrance B,
"Th—This… this is!!!"
Usopp fell to his butt on the ground, staring at the tall figure with one hand resting on the sword at his waist.
"This is the enemy?!!!"
Brook drew his cane sword, turning serious as well.
"I expected we'd run into him… just didn't think we'd be first…"
Zoro stepped forward, eyes sharp as he stared at the tall man.
"But…"
His lips curled up.
"Since I'm the one who met you first, I'll just have to bet my life on this, right!!!"
"Still so reckless, Zoro."
Facing the green-haired swordsman with drawn blades, Orin responded calmly.
"But… since you're now a qualified swordsman, I will respond with the proper etiquette."
He drew his sword — a black blade glinting coldly in his hand.
"If you remain this weak, I may reconsider whether I should continue entrusting that black blade to you."
Cold sweat beaded down Zoro's forehead. He tied the black bandana on his head and said to Usopp and Brook:
"You two go find Luffy and the others. Tell them Master is at Entrance B… Next — is a battle that belongs to swordsmen!!!"
Brook and Usopp hesitated for a moment. But seeing Zoro's serious and unwavering gaze, they eventually nodded.
"I got it! We'll get Luffy and the others to back you up. You must hold on, Zoro!!!"
Usopp sprinted away, as Zoro stared nervously at Orin…
But Orin still showed zero intention of stopping them.
"Next — is a battle to bet your life!!!"
His body dropped low, forming the three-sword-style stance.
His eyes locked fiercely onto the seemingly nonchalant figure ahead.
"For the path toward the strongest swordsman in the world, I will never yield to you!!!"
"Three Sword Style!!!"
BOOM—!!!
His fierce swordsmanship was blocked by one casual strike from Orin, followed by a storm of counters.
The ringing clash of steel sounded endlessly — yet Zoro could never break "Ace's" defense.
"One Sword Style!!!"
"Two Sword Style!!!"
"Three Sword Style — Tornado!!!"
Faced with the storm of named techniques, Orin used one hand to casually defend.
The other hand even occasionally covered his mouth for a yawn.
Only when Zoro drew on the ghostly aura from [Yami Karasu] and Sandai Kitetsu did he become a bit more serious.
"Demonic Aura…"
Zoro's eyes burned with unstoppable resolve.
"What are you mumbling about…"
Against Zoro, who was already injured, Orin simply raised his blade—