"Have you heard? The Zoro clan is changing too. They're no longer training in the Way of the Blade—they've started pursuing the Way of the Sword!"
"I know, right? Ever since the powerhouse from another continent defeated our continent's strongest warriors, they've taken control here. Naturally, they're spreading their own culture. I heard someone from the Zoro clan was discovered to possess a Sword Soul. They had no choice. These days, anyone still practicing the Way of the Blade is either a madman or monstrously powerful. But even the Zoro clan's strongest only ranks at level four. That's still far too weak."
"I wish someone could uphold our Way of the Blade. It's our own tradition, after all!"
"Are you crazy? Our continent is under foreign rule now. If they overheard us, we'd all be punished. This is their business—not ours!"
On the streets, people whispered nervously, as if there were some forbidden subject hanging over them. It all stemmed from a war that broke out a year ago—a war of blade versus sword. Those on the side of the blade lost to the foreign swordmasters.
That defeat led to occupation. The Way of the Blade, once mainstream, became taboo. Many warriors had once trained in both sword and blade arts, but the blade had been dominant. Wielded by mighty fighters, the blade once symbolized strength and pride. Now, to carry a blade was to mark oneself as a rebel—one liable to be executed.
So, reluctantly, many began switching to sword training, though it felt unnatural.
The Zoro clan came from a city in the southern part of the continent. It was a remote, undeveloped area, lacking any strategic value. Yet even there, the sword faction had infiltrated and established a base, tightening their control.
A level-ten swordsman now guarded the region, effortlessly maintaining order. He was incredibly powerful. Rumor had it his swordsmanship could carve chasms into mountains—a strength beyond human norms. And this man was stationed in a backwater region, where no true challenge existed.
Recently, someone had been discovered to possess a Sword Soul. Though just a child, his power was already at level ten. With proper training, he could master that force. And he was from the Zoro clan.
The moment he was found, the level-ten swordsman seized him. Someone like that could never be allowed to join the blade faction. He had to belong to the sword.
Thus, the Zoro clan lost its last hope. They had no choice but to train in the Way of the Sword. It was a sorrowful, inescapable reality.
Zoro emerged from the deep mountains, unsure why he felt a strange sense of familiarity. He had wandered aimlessly, only to stumble into a populated area. Either this place was unusually crowded, or he had simply stopped getting lost.
As he walked, people cast curious, even wary glances at him, as if sensing he was out of place. Zoro paid them no mind. He only wanted to find someone to ask about his surroundings. But the language—he couldn't quite understand what they were saying.
"What language are they speaking? Why can't I understand them? And... there are some powerful people nearby. I don't know the situation here—I'd better not make a move."
He sensed something strange but couldn't pinpoint it. Still, Zoro was never one to be constrained. He didn't care. He'd always lived freely.
Eventually, curiosity got the better of him. He stopped someone to ask for information. But as soon as he spoke, the other person looked baffled. Zoro was puzzled. What was going on?
"Excuse me, could you tell me where this is? Also, do you know where the Sabaody Archipelago is? I got separated from my companions—can you help me?"
Zoro didn't know what else to say. Finding out where he was seemed like the logical first step.
But the passerby's reply shocked him. Zoro could tell who this person was—wasn't he from the Zoro clan? Then why didn't he understand Zoro's words?
"I don't know what you're saying. Go ask someone else."
The man walked off. Zoro was baffled. Why didn't anyone understand him? This was getting weirder by the minute.
"What's with these people? Why are they all acting so strange?"
He didn't understand what was happening, but he knew he needed to keep asking. Otherwise, he'd get nowhere. He still had to reach the Grand Line and find his crewmates. But what was going on with the people here?
Zoro asked several more people, but no one understood him. He finally realized—he couldn't communicate with anyone. The language was completely foreign.
How was he supposed to leave this place if he couldn't even talk to the locals?
"Hey, isn't that the Zoro clan's eldest son? The one who disappeared a month ago? Why's he suddenly here?"
"Yeah, that's him! Quick, go notify the Zoro clan—we might get a reward!"
"Right! Let's spread the word. This is our chance!"
Some people recognized Zoro. He was the heir of the prominent Zoro clan, missing for a month. Now that he'd resurfaced, there was surely a reward for the information. After all, his clan was incredibly wealthy.
"What is going on? Why can't they understand me, but I can sort of understand them? This is too strange."
Zoro didn't understand what was happening, but one thing was clear, without language, he couldn't find out where he was. And he couldn't afford to stay here. his crewmates were still waiting for him!