The great war in Wano Country had finally settled, and the Straw Hat Crew was currently docked on an unnamed summer island, enjoying the long-awaited peace and revelry.
The air was filled with the smoky aroma of grilled meat and the sweet stickiness of rum; it was the taste of victory, the taste of freedom.
"Meat! Another big piece of meat!" Luffy's mouth was stuffed with food as he shouted incoherently, clutching a huge beast leg in each hand.
"Yes, yes, Captain, don't choke!" Sanji, in his signature black suit, elegantly served plate after plate of exquisite dishes, but only precisely fed Nami and Robin, accompanying it with a standard heart-shaped eye, "Nami-san, Robin-chan, please try my 'Sweet Ocean Love' made with all my heart~"
Usopp was spitting excitedly as he bragged to Chopper and Brook about his "heroic" deeds on Onigashima, while Franky demonstrated his newly modified "Super Butt Laser Cannon," drawing gasps and complaints from the crowd.
Beyond the center of this clamor, beneath a giant coconut tree, Roronoa Zoro sat alone.
A row of liquor bottles scavenged from the island lay before him, but he only occasionally picked one up, took a shallow sip, and then frowned as he put it down.
His muscles reflected a bronze luster in the firelight, and the newly acquired scars, like badges of honor, showcased the earth-shattering battle.
The feeling of defeating King and imbuing his blade with Haoshoku still flowed through his limbs.
That power, erupting at the brink of life and death, was like the finest strong liquor, making his soul tremble.
But the liquor before him... it was too bland.
"What's wrong, Mr. Swordsman?" Robin approached him silently, holding a glass of juice, her voice carrying a knowing smile, "Is the island's liquor not to your liking?"
Zoro opened one eye and glanced at her, acknowledging her presence.
"Ah," he grunted, "Like water."
Robin chuckled, "Heh heh, it seems the liquor from Wano Country has spoiled you."
Zoro didn't retort.
He stood up, re-securing wado ichimonji, sandai kitetsu, and Enma at his waist.
Those three swords, like extensions of his body, exuded a chilling aura.
He brushed off the dust from his clothes and walked towards the dark forest beyond the party's light.
"I'm going for a walk," he said without looking back.
"Be careful on your way," Robin's voice came from behind, with a hint of teasing, "Don't get lost at sea; we don't have time to fish you out again."
Zoro "Tch."
Zoro scoffed dismissively, striding into the deep, primeval forest.
The swaying tree shadows, like the mouths of man-eating beasts, instantly swallowed his figure.
The clamor of the party was cut off behind him, and the world suddenly fell silent.
He wasn't taking a walk, nor was he enjoying the scenery.
His goal was clear—to find the strongest liquor that would burn his throat, or a powerful enough opponent to make him draw his sword again.
His Observation Haki, like an invisible net, quietly spread out, perceiving everything in the forest.
The sound of the wind, the chirping of insects, the breathing of wild beasts… Suddenly, his footsteps paused.
Amidst those natural breaths, he caught a faint but malicious aura.
They were well-hidden, but they couldn't escape his intuition, honed through countless death matches.
The corner of Zoro's mouth slowly curved into a bloodthirsty smile.
"Oh? It seems I can stretch my muscles first."