One Piece: Born to Betray

"Nope!" Makoto grinned. "But you'll love hating me."

Then—

SHING!

A flash of steel.

Zoro's remaining bindings fell away before he even saw the blade move.

His eyes snapped wide.

That cut—too clean. That draw—too fast.

And that sword—

"Raikiri…" Zoro breathed, recognizing the curved blade instantly. "One of the 21 Great Grade Swords."

His gaze shot up to Makoto, reassessing.

This bastard wasn't just some cocky idiot.

He was dangerous.

Zoro hit the ground in a crouch, his hands already flying to his own blades. Despite 21 days without food or water, his grip was steady, his stance flawless. The fire in his eyes burned brighter than the inferno behind them.

Zoro's fingers tightened around Wado Ichimonji's hilt, his knuckles whitening. The scent of burning timber and blood filled the air between them as he locked eyes with Makoto.

"You're a swordsman," Zoro growled. "Fight me."

Makoto sighed dramatically, twirling Raikiri before sheathing it with a sharp click. "No, I'm not a swordsman. Why does everyone keep saying that?"

Zoro's eye twitched. "That cut. That draw. You don't get that skilled without dedicating your life to the blade."

Makoto tilted his head, thoughtful."Well, you're not wrong. I was planning to become a full-time swordsman— even aimed for that 'World's Strongest' title at one point." His thumb brushed absently against Raikiri's."But then I found what I was really looking for. Being a swordsman was only the backup plan."

Zoro's gaze sharpened. "So you're only half a swordsman?"

"More like… ehh, yeah, a half-swordsman," Makoto smirked.

"I still use it in my fighting style—one that fits me quite well."

A beat of silence.

Then—

"From that fire in your eyes," Makoto continued, his grin widening, "I'm guessing you're aiming for Mihawk. Am I right?"

Zoro didn't flinch. "And if I am?"

"Then I'll only say this—give up. You're too weak to even breathe in his presence."

Zoro's grip on his swords tightened, but something else flickered in his eye. "Did you meet him?" There was an edge to his voice.

Before Makoto could answer, the ground trembled.

CRASH!

Axe-Hand Morgan and his marine army stormed into the courtyard, weapons drawn, faces twisted in fury. The armory smoldered behind them, smoke curling into the sky.

"Anyway—" Makoto began, already turning to leave.

Zoro's blade flashed, stopping inches from his throat. "Don't ignore me," he growled. "Or I'll cut you where you stand."

Makoto went very, very still.

Then—

…Cut me?

The air changed.

A pressure like the ocean's depths crushed down on the courtyard. The grass flattened. The flames snuffed out mid-burn. The very light seemed to dim.

Zoro's arms locked up. Luffy's grin vanished. Taiga's breath caught in her throat.

Gosebumps.

Every instinct screamed at them: Do not move. Do not breathe. One wrong twitch, and you die.

Axe-Hand Morgan's face went slack. His son collapsed first, eyes rolling back as urine darkened his pants. Then the marines—one by one—folded like puppets with cut strings, crashing to the ground in a chorus of wet thuds. Some foamed at the mouth. Others simply went still.

Makoto's Conqueror's Haki was a living thing—a predator circling its prey.

And he wasn't holding back.

Taiga's knees buckled. Sweat dripped down her temples as she fought to stay conscious, her vision tunneling. Why… why wasn't she passing out like the rest?

Then she understood.

He was controlling it.

Makoto's crimson eyes burned into Zoro, who stood trembling but unbroken, his swords still raised through sheer willpower.

"You want to cut me?" Makoto's voice was soft. Deadly. "Then try."

The pressure doubled.

Zoro's nose bled. His muscles screamed. But his grip on his swords didn't waver.

Makoto's gaze locked onto him, impressed despite himself. "Huh."

Luffy, teeth gritted, managed a single step forward—

—and then, like a switch flipping, the Haki vanished.

The sudden release sent Taiga crashing to her hands and knees, gasping. Zoro swayed but stayed upright. Luffy's fists clenched.

Makoto stretched lazily, as if he hadn't just crushed an army with his will alone. "Welp. That's my cue to leave." He turned toward the docks, whistling.

Zoro's voice stopped him.

"You…" Blood dripped from his chin, but his eyes burned brighter than ever. "I will cut you one day."

Makoto glanced back, smirk returning. "Looking forward to it."