Chapter 94 - The Test

Zoro got up from the floor rubbing his head while taking off his mask, he then looked up towards the place that he was kicked from and saw a man wearing a Black pair of pants and trench coat with a Blue shirt and a purple katana by his side, the man also wore a mask with teal markings.

[Hey! Who are you and why did you kick me!?]: zoro

Luffy, Sanji and Nami all looked towards the man who had kicked Zoro. When Luffy saw who it was he was excited and almost shouted, but before he did the man put up his finger to his mask for the quiet sign while facing Luffy. Luffy was smart enough after Soren's training to get what that meant and kept quiet. Soren then used his old persona that was made from back in Bleach and spoke with his finger still over his mask.

[I don't like loud people, so keep quiet]: soren

Zoro didn't want to accept this disrespect that Soren had given them and spoke up.

[Who are you to tell us to be quiet! This is our ship and you barge in and kick ME!... Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right here and now]: zoro

When Soren heard Zoro's words he started to laugh before speaking again.

[Hahaha… Look here young one, I only came by to say hello but then I saw you were all wearing masks… I just had a question so I introduced my foot to your face is all]: soren

After Soren said his words Luffy started laughing on the inside but kept quiet, Nami noticed this and thought it was strange, because normally Luffy was the first person to try and fight someone who would attack his friends, but he just stood there. Nami then decided to watch how this would go down and stood next to Luffy.

[So can I take this as a challenge?]: zoro

Soren then started laughing so hard that he fell from the crows nest.

[Hahaha!... Oh… Oww!]: soren

Soren got up and rubbed his head and spoke with a serious tone now.

[You are still 1,000 years to young to challenge me]: soren

Zoro was furious right now and drew a katana and put it in his mouth, he then drew the other 2 and held them in each hand.

[Then Lesh fight then]: zoro

Soren then started to walk forward, he didn't draw his katana nor did he prepare any kind of attack and just kept walking towards Zoro who was preparing for a fight to the death. Luffy saw this and spoke out loud on accident and Nami caught his words.

[Hehe… Zoro is so screwed]: luffy

[What do you mean Luffy! Zoro is your friend, why don't you help him?]: nami

Luffy heard Nami's words and inside just said one word "Fuck!" Luffy then tried to clear himself without revealing Soren's identity.

[Zoro wouldn't want any help, I will let him battle]: luffy

Luffy was bad with excuses and just started to sweat and walk away, Nami then followed suit due to her suspicion, Luffy then sat on the railing where the helm was to watch the fight and give Soren and Zoro room. Sanji saw this and did the same, now Luffy, Nami and Sanji were up by the helm while Soren and Zoro had the whole deck to themselves.

[I will give you a handicap… I won't use my hands at all, all you need to do is inflict damage on my body and you win]: soren

Luffy heard Soren's words and hoped deep down that Zoro would not fall for them, Luffy then started to reminisce about the time Soren gave the same challenge to him.

[I will give you a handicap!... Make me bleed and you win]: soren

[That will be easy!... If I win can you take me to go eat lots of food?]: luffy

Soren smiled and gave Luffy a thumbs up while saying.

[Sure!... But if I win you need to buy me food]: soren

Luffy agreed and started to charge Soren, Soren just sat there not even looking at Luffy, he even had his hands behind his back. Luffy struck out and hit Soren square on the face, but to his surprise Soren's face turned a Black color with dark Teal color, Luffy's hand then started to throb and he gave up. Soren then got a free dinner that night and Luffy felt robbed as he had worked for a week to get that money from Soren.

After Luffy had finished reminiscing about the past he started watching the fight with Zoro and Soren, Soren was now about 1 meter in front of Zoro and restated his words.

[Like I said… Strike me and make me bleed and you win… I won't use my hands]: soren

Zoro was beyond pissed and took all 3 of his katanas and struck out at Soren in rage, Soren on the other hand just started whistling. Once the 3 swords struck Soren's body a black film covered the stricken area and repealed the attack made by Zoro.

[What the…]: zoro

Soren started walking forward and then started talking in a condescending tone.

[Man… I underestimated you just a tad… You made a nick on my coat, I guess I could charge you for the damage later]: soren

Zoro was getting up to face Soren again and saw that there was not even a scratch on his body, Zoro felt disappointed on the inside. Soren saw this and made a move to cheer him up.

[Don't feel bad, not even Mihawk could face me… Though he would cause damage if I were to let him strike me, but I still could beat him… Maybe]: soren

[What do you mean? Mihawk is the "Number One" swordsman in the world… You say you could beat him!?]: zoro

[Hmm… Maybe… Like a 50/50… Last time I fought with him was 9 years ago]: soren

Soren started telling him about the fight with Mihawk, this also made Zoro feel like he had a lot more work to do before he achieved a state like this masked man before him or Mihawk.

[Well now that I have tested you I can now say that your technique needs work… How else would you fight alongside my disciple]: soren

At that time everyone was stunned, what was this masked man before them even talking about. Disciple? Who? Soren then went to remove his mask and Luffy also rushed up to him, once Luffy got close he threw an attack towards Soren's face.

[Take this Sensei!... HAA!]: luffy

Soren dodged and punched Luffy in his gut sending him back hitting the wall, Soren then started giving him a joyful laugh and spoke.

[You are still far from my level but still better than that swordsman]: soren

Zoro felt hurt when Soren's words were negative about him, Luffy then got up from the floor and rushed back up to Soren to continue the fight. As they fought Luffy started telling him about his journey and all the people he had met and all the things he had seen. Soren then brought up the incident at Loguetown, and asked.

[So how did you get caught?]: soren

[Well I wasn't caught… I wanted to see where the King of the Pirates had died and was caught off guard and shackled]: luffy

[So you were caught… Never mind that… You have been lacking in your training I can tell… I will travel with you guys for a bit to make sure you don't slack]: soren

Soren ended the fight and looked around only to see Nami, Sanji and Zoro surprised about how Luffy and him were able to converse while fighting.