Chapter 46: The Ghost of the Future
The golden screen didn't immediately cut away. It lingered on the image of Zoro, broken and unconscious, as a literal personification of Death loomed over him with a scythe. The silence in the real-world Sabaody Archipelago was deafening.
In the clearing where the Straw Hats were currently gathered—the real Zoro, the one who hadn't even fought Kizaru or the Pacifista yet—was staring at his own corpse-like future self. He wasn't scared. He was shaking, but it was with a terrifying, hungry excitement.
"King of Hell, huh?" the current Zoro muttered, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of the Shusui (which his future self didn't even have in the video). "I've got a long way to go."
Luffy was jumping up and down, his eyes sparkling. "ZORO! YOU WERE SO COOL! YOU CUT THE BIG BIRD! AND I PUNCHED THE DRAGON! WE'RE SO STRONG!"
Nami was hitting him over the head. "Luffy, pay attention! He looks like he's dying! And what was that about 'Double the Pain'?! Zoro, if you ever take medicine like that, I'm doubling your debt!"
Sanji was leaning against a tree, lighting a cigarette with a hand that wouldn't stop trembling. "Tch. Look at that moss-head, getting a rank like 46 and acting like he's the King of the world. Do you think our rank 46 is enough? And who's this 'King' guy? He looks like he belongs in a dungeon, not a battlefield." But despite the insults, Sanji's eyes were glued to the screen, memorizing every movement.
Usopp and Chopper were a mess of tears and snot. "ZORO-SAAAAAN! DON'T GO INTO THE LIGHT! DON'T LET THE REAPER TAKE YOU! WE STILL HAVE TO FIND THE ONE PIECE!"
> [Whitebeard]: "Gurarara! Roger, do you see this? Your successor's crew is full of monsters. To see a brat from the East Blue scarring Kaido... the sea is getting restless."
> [Sengoku]: "SQUEAK! (This is a disaster! We need to increase the bounties! SQUEAK!)"
> [Kizaru]: "Ohhh... how scary. I'm actually in Sabaody Archipelago now. I wonder if the 'King of Hell' is ready to meet a man made of light? But anyway I am still can't move. This 2 day punishment when gonna end."
> [Silvers Rayleigh]: (Sitting in a bar, smiling. Not going to save Ace just now.) "Well, well. It seems I have some interesting students to look forward to. That Haki... it's raw, but the spirit is undeniable."
> [Rocks D. Xebec]: "VOHAHARARA! Look at the Marines scrambling! Hey Squeak-man, do you start to fear new generation now?"
Suddenly, the image of the Reaper faded. The screen turned a deep, royal purple, and the golden text began to scroll with a rhythmic thump-thump that felt like a heartbeat.
[SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT]
[Rank 46 2nd person: Roronoa Zoro — Evaluation Complete]
[Before the Rewards are granted, the World must prove its understanding of the "King's Wing".]
The screen cleared, and a question appeared in bold, flaming letters.
> QUESTION: > "During the battle on the Rooftop and the fight against King, Roronoa Zoro realized the true 'weight' of his blades.
> According to the path he chose, what is the 'One Thing' that Roronoa Zoro values more than his own life, his pride as a swordsman, and even his dream of becoming the World's Greatest?
> * A) His promise to Kuina.
> * B) His Captain's victory.
> * C) The honor of the Wado Ichimonji.
> * D) Nothing. (He values his dream above all)."
>
[Note: You have 60 seconds to answer. The Straw Hat Crew can only ans once.
The Straw Hat Crew is currently arguing. Even Zoro himself looks confused.]
[REWARD: 1 GOLD SYSTEM COIN]
[PUNISHMENT: THE 'SENSE OF DIRECTION' CURSE (The loser will literally never find their way out of a straight hallway for 30 days. Not even Nami could save you.)]