The young man's expression shifted, glancing behind them. "Navy's coming. Can't get caught. You're on your own now."
"Wait, I've got more—" Zoro started.
But when he turned after spotting the approaching marines, the young man was gone. Zoro's brow furrowed.
No time to dwell. The navy was close. Zoro faced them, ignoring Silk's urging to flee. "Zoro, hurry! They'll catch us!"
"Go ahead. Got some business," Zoro said.
"Business?!"
"It'll be quick. Seems they've got something to say."
The marines halted, led by Tashigi, gripping her sword Shigure, glaring at Zoro like an enemy.
"Roronoa Zoro!" she shouted.
"Hey," he replied.
"It was you. I thought I'd met a great swordsman!"
Her emotions were plain—anger, betrayal. Zoro recalled their first meeting, when her presence had rattled him. Now, he was calm, unlike Kiri or the earlier stranger, who hid their depths. Facing Tashigi again, he was unshaken.
"You tricked me! Unforgivable!" she accused.
"Didn't trick you. You didn't ask, so I didn't answer. That's it," Zoro said.
"That's just an excuse…!"
"You've figured it out, huh? Gotta take it back now," Zoro said, raising Wado Ichimonji in his right hand and drawing Kitetsu III with his left.
Tashigi drew Shigure, assuming a mid-stance with grace. "I'm reclaiming the famous blade Wado Ichimonji."
"Try it," Zoro challenged.
"Zoro!" Silk called, but he ignored her, clashing with Tashigi.
Their swords met, pausing briefly. Zoro's fierce strikes forced Tashigi back, her shock almost instinctive.
No one intervened. It was a duel, unspoken but clear, with Silk and the marines watching.
Silk saw it instantly: Zoro was serious. Tashigi, overwhelmed, could only defend against his two-sword onslaught. His attacks, fueled by relentless training, mocked her skill. Despite her strength, she was outmatched, fear creeping in. He was a demon.
For a moment, Silk glimpsed something intangible behind him. Tashigi froze, rattled.
Emotion disrupts the blade. Strength lies in a steady heart. Zoro, spotting her falter, knocked Shigure from her hand with a precise strike. The sword clattered to the ground as Tashigi collapsed, Wado Ichimonji's tip at her throat.
The duel was over.
"Hah… hah…" Tashigi panted.
"Sorry, but I can't let this go," Zoro said, sheathing his swords and turning away.
He spared her. To lose a duel and be left alive—such an insult. Tashigi, humiliated, shouted, "Why didn't you finish me?!"
Zoro stopped.
Her words spilled out, raw and unlike her usual self. "Because I'm a woman?!"
Their eyes met. She couldn't stop. "It's insulting to hold back in a real fight just because I'm weaker! I chose to be a marine, ready to die!"
"Huh. That so?" Zoro replied coolly.
"I wish I'd been born a man, but you wouldn't get that! I don't wield a sword for fun!"
Zoro stared, cold and silent, as the rain's clamor filled the quiet. Then he spoke. "Think what you want, but don't get cocky."
"What—"
"The one I could never beat, no matter how many times I tried, was a woman."
Tashigi's expression shifted, but he continued, his face serious. "Train hard enough, and plenty of women can beat men. Our swordswoman's like that. You lost because of skill, nothing else."
"Th-That's…" Tashigi stammered.
"Don't blame your weakness on being a woman. That's what losers do."
Tashigi bit her lip, speechless, grappling with unprecedented regret. Zoro, done, turned away.
Not worth his time. Ignoring her, he walked off. Her pride, still raw, couldn't stay calm. Tears welled as she mourned her weakness.
"With that kind of resolve, ditch the sword. Not worth my blade," Zoro said.
"You're mocking me!" Tashigi cried, unable to rise, watching him fade.
Zoro rejoined Silk. "Let's go."
"You're kind, Zoro," she said.
"Huh? What's that mean?"
"Nothing," she giggled.
They ran off, leaving without regret. Turning their backs on an enemy, walking away without fighting—it felt wrong for swordsmen. But Zoro didn't look back, and Silk sheathed her sword, following.
The marines, tense, couldn't speak. Still, they couldn't let the enemy escape. They called to Tashigi, trembling with defeat, needing to snap her out of it.
"Sergeant… Sergeant Tashigi!"
"Y-Yes," she replied.
"What now? We need to chase them!"
"Right… yes."
The call steadied her. Zoro and Silk were gone. Mentally shaken more than physically, she stood shakily, staring down their path.
She couldn't let them go. The execution platform had solidified her resolve, now stronger than ever.
Her target: Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro. She wouldn't let him roam free with a famous blade. No more weakness.
Gripping Shigure, still unsheathed, she rallied her men. "Pursue the Straw Hats! Hurry!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
She led them, resolved to face Zoro again. It was her first time wanting to capture a pirate this badly. Her expression, transformed, was like a different person's.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
If you want to see it, then why not?