"Ahem, I lost... kill me."
Zoro struggled to his feet, opened his arms wide and faced Ikki.
"Being injured in the back is a disgrace to a swordsman!"
Hearing this, Ikki snapped back to reality and regarded Zoro with a deadpan expression.
'Really?'
However, Ikki was not Mihawk, and he had no intention of leaving a sword scar as a reminder for Zoro.
"Don't throw your life away so easily, Zoro," Ikki said.
"It's fine to lose a battle, but if you lose your life, you'll never continue your journey to become the world's greatest swordsman. Or are you planning to enter the afterlife as someone who couldn't even cut through steel?"
In a flash, Ikki moved past Johnny and Yosaku who were shielding Zoro and appeared directly before the green-haired swordsman. He patted Zoro on the shoulder and swiftly disarmed him of the famous sword Wado Ichimonji before Zoro could react.
Ikki had no desire to kill Zoro—he needed him to grow stronger. He planned to improve his own sword skills by defeating Zoro again in the future and obtaining more legendary blades from him. After all, in the original storyline, Zoro was a man destined to wield many famous swords.
"Damn it, give me... back my sword!" Zoro turned with difficulty, attempting to chase after Ikki who was already walking toward the coast.
However, the battle had drained too much of his energy, and his injuries were severe. After just two steps, he collapsed to the ground.
"You're clearly not afraid of death, yet you fear losing your sword?" Ikki called back without turning around. "Zoro, if I had killed you, wouldn't this sword have fallen into my hands anyway?"
"That's different! Damn you!" Zoro snarled through gritted teeth, supported by Johnny and Yosaku as he glared at Ikki's retreating form.
"If you want to reclaim Wado Ichimonji, you'll need to become stronger," Ikki said, raising the white-hilted katana and waving it toward Zoro.
"My goal is to collect all the legendary swords in the world and use their power to establish an organization composed entirely of master swordsmen. One day, if you can defeat me or one of my partners, perhaps you'll reclaim Wado Ichimonji."
"Not only will I recover my sword, but I'll take your other famous blades too," Zoro growled.
"Remember my name—Ikki Kurogane, the man who will defeat every swordsman on the seas and collect all the legendary swords in the world. Even Mihawk's Black Sword, Yoru, will be mine someday."
With those words, Ikki's figure vanished from Zoro's sight.
"Damn it!" Zoro watched helplessly as Ikki disappeared, completely powerless to stop him.
"Defeat all swordsmen? Collect all famous swords? Form an organization of master swordsmen?" Zoro muttered. "You even plan to take Mihawk's sword as part of your collection?"
"I'll remember you, Ikki Kurogane. One day, I'll defeat you and reclaim my sword!"
On the vast ocean, a carefully maintained three-masted sailboat drifted with the current, sailing away from the island. From its mast flew a flag with crossed sword emblems, fluttering in the sea breeze.
From a distance, it resembled a pirate flag, yet something was different. This flag lacked the iconic skull pattern that marked pirate vessels.
In the ship's cabin, in a private room, Ikki Kurogane—who had just defeated Zoro—was examining his trophy, Wado Ichimonji, with leisurely satisfaction.
'I recall the system mentioned that uploading famous swords of different levels would yield different numbers of draws,' Ikki thought. 'Wado Ichimonji is one of the 21 Great Grade Swords. I wonder how many rewards I'll receive this time.'
Tossing Wado Ichimonji aside, Ikki immediately connected with the system and selected the option to upload the blade.
[Host uploads a famous sword, and the 'All Great Swordsman' system is officially launched; 'Gym' and 'Sword Enlightenment Room' permissions have been activated. Host is rewarded with 'C-level Nutritional Potion' x10.]
[The 'Gym' is equipped with complete fitness equipment to facilitate training for the Host and the Host's partners; with the 'Nutritional Potion,' practicing in the gym will quickly enhance personal 'Life force' levels.]
['Sword Enlightenment Room': Challenge the corresponding swordsman's image within and emerge victorious to directly obtain the essence of their swordsmanship and sword realm; special reward: Host's 'Sky-Cutting Sword Master Challenge Permission' x1.]
[Note: 'Nutritional Potions' come in 6 levels from E to S. The Host's Life force level is C, and only C-level Nutritional Potions can be utilized. When the Host's Life force level is upgraded, C-level Nutritional Potions will no longer provide enhancement.]
[Host has uploaded Wado Ichimonji, one of the 21 Great Grade Swords. Congratulations to Host for earning 3 lottery opportunities.]