*Psssh*
A colorless, odorless healing spray misted, gently landing on Zoro's body.
The skin that had been cut open by falling rocks began to heal instantly.
As the bottle of medicine emptied, Zoro's tightly shut eyes slowly began to open.
It was like a beam of white light piercing through a pitch-black world, then rapidly expanding.
Light reclaimed the world once more.
"Wh… What happened?"
A drained Zoro blinked in confusion.
When he turned his head, he saw a chibi-fied Luffy grinning dumbly beside him.
"You're awake, Zoro!"
Seeing that the medicine given by Red had such miraculous effects, Luffy cheerfully greeted him.
However, Zoro just stared at Luffy for a long while, then peacefully closed his eyes again and lay still.
"So it was just a dream~"
"..."
"A dream? That kind of escapism doesn't really suit your character, Zoro~"
Just then, a clear youthful voice rang out—Red's—which made Zoro's eyes snap open.
"How do you feel? Luffy held back with the final blow. Think you can stand?"
Red extended a hand to help Zoro up. But this small gesture only made Zoro more confused.
"Wait a second!"
He quickly turned to look at the chibi Luffy beside him and exclaimed in shock:
"Was I… not dreaming?"
"But…"
Zoro pointed a finger at Luffy.
Right then, Luffy's body suddenly rebounded as if it had surpassed its elasticity limit.
*Pop!*
A sharp, clean sound.
Chibi Luffy instantly returned to his normal form.
"That's the side effect of Luffy's move. There's no great solution for it yet," Red explained with a smile and pulled Zoro up from the ground.
Though Zoro had been unconscious, it was just a sparring match after all.
Under Luffy's control, Zoro only passed out due to impact and exhaustion.
Still, now standing, Zoro was clearly in a daze.
Part of it was due to his body, but mostly it was the overwhelming sense of helplessness he felt when facing Luffy.
After pausing for a moment, Zoro lifted his head and looked seriously at Red:
"Red… can you tell me…"
"What is the world out there really like?"
"The outside world, huh…"
Red let out a sigh, as if reminiscing.
Then he grabbed Luffy, stretching out his cheeks as he spoke:
"It's… complicated."
"All you need to know is—out in the Grand Line, there are countless people stronger than this guy. They're as common as fish in the sea."
He wasn't trying to scare Zoro.
Although Luffy's current strength was comparable to his level during the Enies Lobby arc—maybe not exactly, but close—
In the New World two years later, everyone has Haki.
And Luffy, who hasn't even mastered Armament Haki yet, is far from impressive.
"What did you just say!?"
As expected, Zoro's hand trembled slightly upon hearing this.
His first reaction: 'No way! Absolutely not!'
But would Red lie to him?
The answer was obvious.
In the end, Zoro had no choice but to accept this reality with a heavy heart.
Then Red went in for another blow:
"And also…"
"Your goal—the current World's Greatest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk…"
"If he wanted to beat Luffy, he could probably do it in one strike."
"The gap… is really that big?"
Zoro's eyes darkened.
Even though it was just Red's words, it felt as if a towering, insurmountable mountain had risen in front of him.
"What's the matter? Thinking of giving up?" Red asked with a gentle smile.
"Give up? No way!"
Zoro chuckled bitterly and shook his head, then placed his hand on his sword's hilt and took a deep breath.
"I just feel like the road I have to walk suddenly got a lot longer."
As he said this, his determined gaze returned to his eyes.
Looking at the drifting clouds in the sky, he said with conviction:
"If this alone is enough to make me give up, then I might as well die on the road chasing my dream!!!"
"Exactly!" Luffy immediately chimed in with a loud laugh. "A dream's only real when you risk your life chasing it!!!"
"Oh, and Red…" He turned his head and clenched his fist in frustration.
"Saying there are that many people stronger than me? That's just too much!"
"I'll show you, with your own eyes, how I knock all those guys flat!!!"
"When that day comes, your jaw will definitely drop in shock!"
"Right, Zoro!?"
"Damn right!" Zoro gripped his sword hilt. It felt like endless strength surged through him from the blade.
He replied with confidence:
"Watch me, Red!!!"
"Forget the Grand Line—even Mihawk, I will defeat him!!!"
"Oh really?" Red smirked but let out a soft sigh:
"Well, I guess I'll have to disappoint you, then."
He pressed down the brim of his hat, his gaze clear and glinting with light:
"Because I've never once doubted that… you guys can do it."
"And with me, the trainer around, no matter how strong you get, I won't be surprised."
Then he turned back to Zoro:
"Remember today's defeat well, Zoro!"
"True strength isn't just about power, it's about what's in your heart."
"I hope this loss will drive you forward, help you grow into a true warrior!!!"
"I'll do my best!" Zoro clenched his fist just like Luffy.
"I believe in you." Red smiled gently, though deep in his eyes, a barely noticeable look of mission accomplished flashed.
Yes, yes, yes!
That's it!
No pressure, no motivation!
Today's entire scenario, Red had planned it all before the sparring match!
He wanted Zoro to feel the pressure of the outside world!
After all, for guys like Luffy and Zoro with strong hearts, any pressure just gets converted into strength!
The East Blue was just too weak; nothing there was worth risking everything for.
And that's not a good thing.
With Zoro and Luffy's incredible talent, it would be a waste if they didn't push themselves.
Red even felt a bit of regret, he had never considered setting sail with Luffy before, so for those two and a half years, he hadn't been strict about training him.
But now…
It was a whole new ballgame!
"Nami!" Red suddenly turned around to face Nami, who had been staring blankly into space, lost in thought.
"Huh!?"
Startled, Nami quickly responded:
"W-what is it?"
"What are you daydreaming about!?"
Red approached her and playfully flicked her forehead.
"Didn't you see Luffy and Zoro all fired up? Come join the fun!"
"No thanks!" Nami pouted. "I'm not one of those hot-blooded idiots."
"And stuff like bonds and friendship? Not my thing."
"Oh really?" Red grinned wickedly.
Then he suddenly opened the backpack behind him!
This was the one he had with him when setting sail, not the space backpack from the game.
So when it opened, it revealed the large stash of cash and small jewels they had looted from Captain Morgan's office.
Nami: "!!!"
"What about now?" Red asked, watching her eyes light up.
"If you need anything, just say the word, Lord Red!"
"This humble lady is ready to walk through fire and water for you!!!"
Nami instantly dropped to one knee, her whole body bursting with enthusiasm!