Too Far Gone (Zoro-centric) COMPLETE

Reminiscing

The Video above is not mine. It is what inspired some of this chapter!

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"One more, Zoro...one one last attack will decide the winner."

"Sure...so...don't hold back..."

They were both out of breath, and they only had energy for one final attack. Luffy's jacket and coat was lost in the battle, and his limbs and chest were covered in stabs and slashes. The battle had gone too fast for him to clot them all, so some wounds were still bleeding

"Gear Fifth:" Luffy raised his fist high, and the Crew's eyes widened. Gear Fifth?

"Kutoryu Asura, Hidden Technique:" Zoro closed his eyes and came into a stance where his swords crossed eachother and seemed to act as a small barrier

The two sudied each other cautiosly, before finally finishing the name of their technique...

"Devil Awakening"

"Asura's Liberation"

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Kutoryu Asura, Hidden Technique: Asura's Liberation

He had worked hard to acheive this state, but as he did, he had the nagging feeling of regret, because knowing Akainu, he would be forced to use it against Luffy in the upcoming war, which was reported to be no more than a month from now.

Ever since Water Seven, and getting so easily beat down by Rob Lucci, he knew that he needed to get stronger. That everyone needed to get stronger. The power of Asura then came to him, somehow. He suspects Sandai Kitetsu, but it didnt seem right. As he advanced through battles in the government island, he wasn't at all oblivious to the demonic auras that he summoned in some attacks.

That Giraffe-guy, Kaku, mentioned that it may be an illusion created from his spirit, but Zoro knew better. It was not part of Kitetsu's influence, because he knew, even before meeting Luffy, there was something off about himself. It was a part of his spirit since birth.

During his bounty hunting days, when there was a decent opponent (which was highly rare), he often ended up playing with his 'prey.' Slicing them bit by bit, taunting them, and relishing in their frantic attempts to escape. Zoro knew the feeling was real, the thrill was real, and how a sadistic part of him he never knew wanted out when he battled, almost to the death. And when he sometimes unknowingly surrendered to it, he would grow stronger.

That's what he despised about it. It went against his pride and honor as a swordsman to 'play' with one's opponent instead ot giving mercy and finishing the battle quickly if he could, and as honorably as he could. It was a swordsman's code to respect their opponent.

Eneis Lobby was his ringing of the bell, that was when he realized--truly realized--that this life was no game. He wasn't intent on becoming the greatest for shits and giggles. They were risking their lives as they ventured on the Grand Line. There was a reason it was called the "Pirate Graveyard."

Thinking back to when he first attained Sandai Kitetsu, he noticed that that was when his urges began to grow stronger. He had always wondered why the sword chose him, knowing that it wasn't just pure luck, or willpower as he liked to believe. Perhaps the katana knew he had some demon within him, locked away deep in his soul, and the sword's evil presence and murderous, bloodthirsty aura had picked at the lock until it broke free...during Eneis Lobby. During his and Kaku's fight. After that, the urge vanished, but Zoro had a sense of foreboding, that it wasn't gone and simply waiting.