One Piece: The Strongest Asura

Finally, Zallor had obtained a sword that he could wield—one that seemed extraordinary. Satisfied, he realized how much time he had spent training. His body ached with exhaustion, demanding rest. If he didn't stop now, he feared he wouldn't even have the strength to stand.

While resting, Zallor had a vivid dream. In it, he saw himself lying on a desolate, uninhabited island, his body battered and broken. There was an unusual mark in the sand nearby—something that resembled a bear's paw.

The sight of himself in such a state was disturbing. He could feel the pain of every wound on his body—not just any pain, but an overwhelming agony that pierced his very soul. His dream-self seemed on the verge of shattering, the sheer intensity of the injuries threatening to tear him apart.

Suddenly, he woke with a start. Morning had come, but he was drenched in cold sweat. The vividness of the dream left him shaken. "It felt so real," he muttered, his voice trembling. "Almost as if I lived through it myself."

The dream lingered in his mind. Could it have been more than just a dream? He questioned whether he had truly survived Kuma's power or if he was merely grasping at illusions. "No, I'm overthinking this. It was just a dream. I'm alive, aren't I? Or... could it be that this life itself is a dream?"

Confusion and uncertainty clouded his thoughts, but Zallor quickly reminded himself of what truly mattered. "Dream or not, the answer doesn't change. As long as I'm alive, I'll find my way forward."

Rising from his bed, Zallor smiled wryly. "No use dwelling on things I can't understand. It's time to focus on getting stronger. The answers will come through action, not idle speculation."

Having spent over a month in this place, he felt restless. It was time to venture out again. He had grown significantly stronger, but the real test awaited him outside these walls.

"Today, I'll finally begin training with the energy they call 'qi.' If I can master it, combined with my strength, I'll gain unmatched power," Zallor mused. The concept of qi intrigued him—it seemed to enable effortless, devastating strikes while preserving stamina. Such a skill could revolutionize his combat style.

He recalled how much effort it had taken to defeat PX-5 in the past. Despite his team's full power, the battle had pushed them to their limits. If he had known how to harness qi back then, the outcome might have been different.

Zallor's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the family patriarch, accompanied by a small group of swordsmen. The Zallor family's current strength was modest compared to its former glory, with only a handful of skilled fighters remaining. Yet, these men represented the family's resilience, rebuilt from scratch under the patriarch's leadership.

"You've been up all night, haven't you?" the patriarch asked, his tone a mix of concern and admiration.

"I'm fine," Zallor replied with a faint smile. "I feel great. This blade... it's incredible. Thank you for giving it to me."

The patriarch's eyes gleamed with pride. "You truly are the prodigy of the Zallor family. With this determination, you'll surpass me in no time. Perhaps one day, you'll even rival the greatest swordsman in this city—or beyond."

Zallor nodded, his resolve unwavering. "Surpassing others isn't enough. My goal is to become the strongest swordsman in the world. I'll surpass everyone and everything. That's my dream, and until I achieve it, I won't let anything stop me."

Hearing this, the patriarch smiled knowingly. He could see the fire in Zallor's eyes—the unyielding ambition of a man destined for greatness. The Hidden Snow Blade, so selective and elusive, had chosen Zallor as its master for a reason.

"Then chase your dream, boy. With your talent and determination, there's no limit to what you can achieve," the patriarch said.

Zallor gripped the Hidden Snow Blade tightly, a sense of destiny coursing through him. His dream was no longer just a distant vision—it was a path he was carving, one step, one strike, and one victory at a time.

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