Hunter-4

Zoro's leg slammed into the ground with a force that sent vibrations through the earth. A sword that had belonged to the deceased pirate shot up into the air, and with a swift movement, Zoro caught it.

Zoro stood erect, his gaze sweeping over the 150 pirates arrayed before him. His grip on the stolen sword tightened, a grim determination etching itself into his features. He took a deep breath, then launched himself at his foes.

The first handful of pirates fell before they could even raise their weapons, their heads separated from their bodies in a single, swift arc of Zoro's sword. Blood spurted from their necks, painting the ground red, as their bodies slumped to the ground.

Zoro moved through the mob like a phantom, his movements swift and precise. His sword was a blur of motion, severing limbs and heads with each stroke. He moved from one opponent to the next, his actions fluid and decisive. The pirates could barely keep up with his speed, their attempts to retaliate proving futile.

Despite their numbers, the pirates fell like dominos. Zoro's sword danced in the dim light, a deadly ballet of steel and blood. Each swing, each step, each breath was perfectly timed and executed with lethal precision. The battlefield was soon strewn with corpses, the ground slick with blood.

However, the pirates weren't going down without a fight. A group of them managed to surround Zoro, their swords raised high, their faces etched with grim determination. Zoro glanced around, taking in their positions, then, with a swift movement, he spun in a circle, his sword extended. A ring of heads flew into the air, their bodies collapsing to the ground a moment later.

As the battlefield started to thin out, Zoro's movements became more pronounced, more deliberate. He was no longer a blur of motion but a force of nature, cutting down his enemies with stoic determination. He moved among the remaining pirates, his sword cutting a swathe through their ranks.

Finally, only a handful of pirates remained. They circled Zoro warily, their faces pale, their hands trembling. Zoro stood still, his breathing steady, his gaze cold. Then, with a swift movement, he lunged at them.

The final pirates fell, their bodies hitting the ground with dull thuds. Zoro stood alone in the battlefield, the stolen sword dripping with blood, his body unscathed. He took a deep breath, then sheathed the sword, his gaze sweeping over the carnage he had wrought. The fight with the 150 pirates was over.

Just as Zoro finished off the last pirate, he sensed a massive presence behind him. Turning around, he was faced with the towering figure of an elephant mink. The beast was enormous, its body covered in thick, grey fur, and its eyes glowed with an intense rage. It bared its long, sharp tusks and let out a thunderous roar, shaking the ground beneath Zoro's feet.

Zoro's eyes narrowed as he observed the beast. He knew that minks were known for their strength and speed, and this one looked particularly formidable. 

As the elephant mink charged, the ground shook with each step the beast took, and dust clouds billowed around it. Just as the mink was about to reach him, he sidestepped the attack with a swift, graceful movement.

The elephant mink, caught off guard, stumbled forward, its momentum too great to stop. Zoro leaped into the air, sword held high. With a swift downward slash, he aimed for the mink's neck.

There was a brief moment of silence as the mink's head separated from its body. Then, with a deafening thud, the beast's massive body hit the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. Zoro landed lightly on his feet, his sword still raised, his gaze cold and unyielding.

The battlefield fell silent. He stood alone amidst the carnage, his breath steady, his body unscathed.

***

"You're likely to end up dead," Doflamingo declared, a sinister grin playing on his face as he looked at Douglas Bullet.

"Likely?" Douglas retorted, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I'd say it's a certainty. But I'm still betting on the slim chance of survival."

"Ever considered getting a brand?" Doflamingo asked, nonchalantly.

"A brand?" Douglas looked genuinely surprised. "You can do that?"

"I was supposed to brand the girl before handing her over," Doflamingo explained, his grin never leaving his face.

"That could actually work to my advantage," Douglas mused aloud. "But what's the catch? Why would you help me?"

"You'll owe me your life," Doflamingo replied, his grin widening. "The mighty Douglas Bullet, former crewmate of Gold D. Roger, rumored to be on par with the Dark King Rayleigh."

"Whatever!" Douglas grumbled, clearly unimpressed.

Doflamingo pulled out a stamp, and Douglas extended his arm without hesitation. With a swift motion, Doflamingo branded Douglas' forearm with the symbol of the Straw Hat.

"It's been a while," Doflamingo remarked, looking at the newly inked tattoo.

"They should be here by now," Douglas muttered, growing impatient. "I'll go find them myself."

"That was quick," Doflamingo chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation.

"I had a change of heart," Douglas replied, a smirk on his face as he walked away

***

Zoro was standing alone amidst a sea of lifeless bodies. His own body was smeared with blood, staining his skin and clothes a dark red. His face was a mask of grim determination, his eyes burning with an intense, demonic fire.

Slowly, he turned his gaze towards Hana. Despite the blood and carnage that surrounded them, he made his way towards her. His steps were slow and heavy, each one leaving a bloody footprint in the dirt. Hana, though dazed by the sight of him, managed to take a few steps forward to meet him halfway.

As Zoro came to a halt before her, he sank to his knees, his gaze never leaving hers.

"Are you hurt, Papa?" she asked, her small hand reaching out to touch his bloodied head.

"I'm fine," he replied, his voice a low, rough whisper.

For a moment, they stood there, frozen in time, their eyes locked on each other.

Then, Zoro's gaze was drawn to a figure that appeared in the distance, kicking through the air as though walking on an invisible staircase. Douglas Bullet had arrived.

***

Smoker stood on the ship's deck, binoculars in hand. Through the lenses, he watched Doflamingo, a tiny figure against the horizon. Doflamingo was still, too still, and it put Smoker on edge.

He had just seen Douglas Bullet leap into the air, an unnatural sight that left a sour feeling in Smoker's gut. Something was off.

What was Bullet doing here? The question echoed in his thoughts, a puzzle that refused to piece together.

Then, his mind shifted to Hana. The little girl, he helped to escape.

A sense of unease tugged at him. He didn't know what Doflamingo was up to, but he knew it wasn't anything good. Experience had taught him that much.