Beast

Outside the Biscuit Room, the G-5 Marines charge away from the battle, following Tashigi's order to save the children. They shout, "OK, LET'S MOVE, G-5!!" and "LET'S HURRY UP AND SAVE THOSE KIDS," with another Marine adding, "JUST LIKE CAPTAIN-CHAN TOLD US TO!!" Sanji runs with them, but the Marines complain about what just happened inside: "SO THERE WAS A LOGIA BESIDES CAESAR!!" and "THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD EVEN DO BACK THERE!!" One asks Sanji, "HEY BIG BRO BLACK LEG!! WHY DIDN'T YOU STEP IN TO HELP WHEN WE WERE BEING ATTACKED?" Sanji protests, "STOP DEPENDING ON ME SO MUCH!! I'LL NEVER KICK A LADY, NO MATTER WHAT!!" When asked, "WELL, WHAT IF YOUR LIFE WAS ON THE LINE!?" he answers with total seriousness, "I WOULD CHOOSE DEATH!!" A Marine calls it stupid, but the page makes Sanji's rule absolute: even against Monet, he will not strike a woman.

Sanji explains why he is not worried about leaving Tashigi in the Biscuit Room with Zoro. A Marine mentions Zoro's reputation: "BUT THAT CREW MEMBER OF YOURS, THE 'PIRATE HUNTER,' HE'D CUT DOWN ANYONE WITHOUT MERCY, YEAH? HE HAD A TERRIBLE LOOK IN HIS EYES..." Sanji corrects them: "Contrary to what you might think, he does have a soft side. But he's a guy who'll pull through, one way or the other. No need to worry about Tashigi-chan." The Marines keep running and shout, "ANYWAY, RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOTTA GO SAVE THOSE SHITTY BRATS," while another dreams, "SO THAT NAMI-SAN AND ROBIN-CHAN AND TASHIGI-CHAN WILL SHOWER US WITH PRAISE!!" Back in front of the Biscuit Room exit, Monet tells Nami, Robin, and the others, "YOU GO ON AND GET OUT OF HERE, TOO!!" Robin says, "I'M FREE TO DO AS I PLEASE," and Monet answers, "AND YOU'RE FREE TO BELIEVE THAT." The women leave, but the conflict between Zoro, Tashigi, and Monet remains behind.

In the Biscuit Room, Zoro and Tashigi face Monet in the snow. Zoro says, "WELL, SINCE I'M A PIRATE, I SUPPOSE I'M ALSO 'FREE' TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE CARE OF YOU FIRST!!" Tashigi immediately challenges him: "RIGHT, MARINE WOMAN...!?" Zoro replies bluntly, "YOU CAN'T." Tashigi is offended: "WHAT!? YOU WON'T CUT ME... AND NEITHER WILL YOU CUT THAT WOMAN!! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO DECIDE THAT!!" Monet watches with a smile and thinks, "I THOUGHT SO... JUST AS I EXPECTED..." She spreads her wings and rises into the room, laughing, "UFUFU..." The page sets the trap clearly. Tashigi sees Zoro's refusal as discrimination and arrogance, while Monet sees it as a usable weakness. Zoro's actual intent remains unreadable, but both women think they understand him.

Tashigi presses Zoro directly, asking, "WHY DO YOU REFUSE TO CUT ME!!" and then, "IS IT BECAUSE I'M A WOMAN?" Her anger grows because Zoro's face reminds her of an old wound. She says, "Your very existence bugs the hell out of me!!" Then she explains the resemblance: "LISTEN UP! THAT FACE OF YOURS? IT'S EXACTLY THE SAME AS THAT OF A FRIEND OF MINE WHO DIED A LONG TIME AGO!! AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF, YOU ACT EXACTLY LIKE HER, TOO!!" Zoro shouts back, "SO STOP IMITATING HER, YOU FRAUD!!" Tashigi has no idea what he means and yells, "WHA--!? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?" She accuses him, "YOU JUST THINK WOMEN ARE WEAKLINGS!! THAT'S WHY YOU REFUSE TO FIGHT!!" Zoro turns away in silence. The argument is not just tactical; it is tangled with Kuina's memory, Tashigi's pride, and Zoro's discomfort at seeing that face again.

Tashigi explains why she chose to stay. She tells Zoro, "Although you may not lose, you can never truly win if you're not willing to deal the finishing blow!! That's why I chose to stay here...!!" The reason is practical, not pride alone: "Because if she were allowed to chase after my men, the number of casualties would be unacceptable!!" Zoro asks, "ARE YOU SERIOUSLY DOUBTING ME THAT MUCH!!" Tashigi answers simply, "YES." Zoro sits down for a moment, then says, "Do as you like." Tashigi is startled, "EH!?" and tries to warn him, "YOU... HOW CAN YOU ACT SO LEISURELY? WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME!! IF YOU DON'T ESCAPE SOON..." Zoro replies, "YEAH, IT'S MY DUTY TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE DOESN'T FOLLOW MY CREWMATES. SO IT'S ENOUGH FOR ME TO SIMPLY GUARD THIS PASSAGE." Tashigi tells him, "DON'T LOSE FOCUS... OUR ENEMY IS OUT FOR BLOOD." The page shows their difference: Tashigi wants a decisive strike; Zoro is confident that holding the passage is enough.

Monet accepts Tashigi's warning as confirmation of Zoro's weakness. She grows into a monstrous snow-harpy form and screams, "INDEED I AM...!!" Then she thanks Tashigi: "THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POINTING OUT HIS WEAKNESS. AND, WELL, EVEN IF YOU CAN USE HAKI A BIT..." Monet lunges at Tashigi and adds, "THAT WON'T STOP ME FROM DEVOURING YOU!!" Tashigi blocks with her sword, but Monet's speed and ferocity press hard against her. Monet explains the danger of a Logia who moves faster than her opponent can strike: "YOUR HAKI MAY ALLOW YOU STRIKE AT AN ABILITY USER'S TRUE BODY... BUT IF YOU CAN'T MATCH MY SPEED, YOU'LL NEVER LAY A FINGER ON ME...!! UFUFUFU!" The page makes the rules concrete. Tashigi can hurt Monet if she connects, but Monet intends to win by never letting that Haki blade land.

Monet attacks Tashigi at high speed, asking mockingly, "AM I RIGHT?" Her claws and teeth crash into Tashigi's defense with a loud "CLANG!!" and Tashigi is driven back, crying, "AHH!!" Zoro watches and comments, "Coming from a Yuki Onna? That stings." Monet, amused, calls him "You're one cold guy..." and then asks Tashigi, "Are you fond of snowball fights?" Tashigi snaps, "YOU DON'T HAVE THE LEISURE OF IGNORING ME!!" but Monet is already moving again, flinging herself through the room with another burst of snow. The page keeps Zoro in the background, still not intervening, while Tashigi tries to force Monet to acknowledge her as the main opponent. Monet's attention remains split between testing Zoro's restraint and overwhelming Tashigi.

Monet unleashes "YUKI RABI!!" with a note translating it as "snow rabbit." Snow projectiles shaped like rabbits burst across the room and pelt Tashigi and the surrounding space. Tashigi uses "SORU" to move through the attack, but Monet is ready with another storm and says, "--!! WELL, YOU ARE SMOKER'S RIGHT HAND... I WONDER IF I UNDERESTIMATED YOU A BIT." She then calls out "BLIZZARD!!" and the room floods with a violent stream of snow. Tashigi reacts, "EH!?" as the blizzard pours across the panels. Monet is adjusting mid-battle: she acknowledges Tashigi's Marine skill but escalates immediately, using the entire environment to keep her off balance.

The blizzard roars through the Biscuit Room, pushing Tashigi back in a white current. She staggers and cries, "WAH," while the snow sweeps across the floor. Monet watches and says, "...!! OI, OI...!!" as Tashigi is forced into a difficult position. At the same time, one of the G-5 Marines is trapped beneath Monet's jaws. He calls out, "I'LL BE SURE TO SAY HI TO YOUR MEN, FOR YOU," meaning Monet intends to kill or devour him and use his death as a message. Tashigi sees the threat and moves, but Monet's maw opens wider amid the storm. The page shows Monet fighting on two levels at once: she is dueling Tashigi with snow and speed while also using the captured Marine to punish Tashigi emotionally.

Monet bites down harder on the Marine's shoulder, and the man screams, "AHHH!!" with "CRACK CRUNCH" as the injury worsens. He cries, "MY... MY SHOULDER!! WHAT'S GOING ON!!?" Tashigi rushes in and demands, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? PLEASE LET GO...!!" But Monet tightens her grip and says, "IF I LET YOU GO... YOU'LL BITE MY SHOULDER CLEAN OFF!!" She adds with predatory confidence, "WELL, I CAN STILL CRUNCH STRAIGHT THROUGH AS IT IS," while the Marine continues screaming. The paneling traps Tashigi between urgency and helplessness: if she hesitates, the Marine is maimed or killed; if she rushes badly, Monet can turn the opening against her. The page makes Monet's cruelty physical and immediate.

Tashigi finally lands a direct slash on Monet while trying to save the Marine. Her blade cuts across Monet with a loud impact, and Monet, dripping and shocked, reacts, "HUH!?" Tashigi says, "TIME'S UP. I'LL BE MOVING THINGS ALONG NOW." She breathes hard, but her strike proves she can reach Monet's true body with Haki. Monet realizes the danger, yet her confidence turns toward Zoro instead. Tashigi thinks, "But I thought... I thought he wouldn't hurt a woman! This guy...!!" Monet, however, looks at Zoro and says, "IT SEEMS YOU UNDERESTIMATED ME, YUKI ONNA." She understands the larger threat: "HE CAME AT ME JUST NOW WITH EVERY INTENTION OF CUTTING...!!" The page shifts the battle's center. Tashigi has shown she can wound Monet, but Zoro's killing intent, even before the final blow, has begun to frighten her.

Zoro faces Monet and makes the truth explicit. He says, "BACK WHEN YOU REALIZED YOU COULDN'T MEASURE UP... YOU SHOULD HAVE RUN." Then he adds, "IT'S TRUE THAT THERE ARE THINGS I'D RATHER NOT CUT. BUT LET ME ASK YOU--HAVE YOU EVER MET A BEAST THAT YOU COULD BE SURE WOULD NEVER BITE...!? BECAUSE I SURE HAVEN'T..." Monet tries to move, but terror freezes her. She thinks, "WHAT IS THIS!? MY BODY WON'T MOVE." Tashigi sees the opening and cries, "HE'S GOT ME!!" Monet understands too late that Zoro's danger is not limited to his blade. His presence and intent pin her down. Her eyes widen as his gaze fills the panel, and the scene prepares for a strike that is driven as much by fear as by steel.

Zoro ends the standoff with "DAISHINKAN," translated in the note as "Great Dragon Movement." Monet screams in horror as Zoro's slash cuts through her massive snow-harpy body from above. The spread is dominated by Zoro's dark figure, blades drawn, and Monet's body split by the attack while Tashigi watches in shock. The impact is overwhelming enough that even before the physical result is clear, Monet's expression shows she has already lost control of the fight. This is the chapter's title made visible: Zoro is the "beast" Monet failed to measure. He did not need to prove his strength through a long exchange; the moment he chose to bare his killing intent, Monet's confidence collapsed.

Zoro sheaths his sword with a quiet "SHINK" and asks, "SATISFIED NOW? YOU TWO?" Tashigi stares and says, "HE CUT HER." Monet lies split on the floor but is not dead. Tashigi realizes it and says, "EH!? SHE'S STILL ALIVE...!?" Monet, gasping, begins to pull herself together and snarls, "MAKE A FOOL OF ME WILL YOU...!!" Zoro's attack was terrifying and decisive, but it did not use Haki to finish her true body. The page makes that distinction important: Zoro broke Monet's will and cut her snow form, yet Monet can still move because she is a Logia. Tashigi sees both the power of Zoro's strike and the remaining danger if Monet regains herself.

Tashigi realizes the full truth of Zoro's attack: "IT CAN'T BE! HE DIDN'T USE HAKI!?" Monet tries to reform, but her body shakes uncontrollably. Tashigi explains what has happened: "SHE'S LOST CONTROL OF HER BODY...!! IT'S THANKS TO HER OVERWHELMING FEAR OF SUCH STRONG OPPONENT... AND THE FACT THAT SHE'D BE DEAD HAD HE USED HAKI!! IS THIS REALLY ONE WAY TO WIN...?" Monet, trembling and furious, tells Zoro, "YOU... WON'T GET... AWAY...!!" Zoro walks away in silence as Monet thinks, "WHERE ON EARTH DID THE STRAWHAT CREW DISAPPEAR TO THESE PAST TWO YEARS... AND WHAT WERE THEY DOING THERE...!? HOW STRONG HAVE THEY REALLY BECOME... THESE PEOPLE?" The page turns the two-year timeskip into a threat. Monet cannot understand how far Zoro has grown.

Tashigi delivers the finishing cut. She raises her sword and strikes with "KIRISHIGURE!!" translated as "Drizzle Slice," cutting Monet with Haki while Monet remains shaken and exposed. Monet reacts in shock as Tashigi's blade passes through. Tashigi declares, "...THIS IS... YOUR LOSS...!!" Zoro watches without interfering. The action resolves the earlier argument between them in practice: Zoro created the opening by breaking Monet's will, but Tashigi is the one who lands the decisive Haki strike and claims the victory. The page closes the Monet fight while keeping both characters' positions intact. Zoro's strength made the outcome unavoidable; Tashigi's blade made it final.

After the fight, Tashigi challenges Zoro's behavior. She asks, "WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT!? IN THE END, YOU NEVER ACTUALLY DID DELIVER THE FINISHING BLOW." Zoro answers, "DON'T BE SO STUPID, WHEN YOU'RE THE ONE WHO INTERFERED. IF YOU HADN'T CUT HER JUST NOW, THEN I WOULD HAVE." Tashigi tries to call him out: "SO YEAH, IT'S JUST LIKE I SAID, YOU REALLY--" but Zoro cuts her off with "L-LIAR!!" and then, "THAT'S SNEAKY! OF COURSE YOU CAN SAY THAT AFTER I'VE ALREADY ENDED IT!!" She asks, "IS THIS REALLY NECESSARY?" Zoro dismisses the argument and says, "GOOD WORK, CAPTAIN FOUR EYES. YOU MADE SURE SHE WON'T BE GOING AFTER ANYONE. THE ACHIEVEMENT IS YOURS TO CLAIM." Tashigi snaps, "WHA!! WHY DOES IT SOUND LIKE YOU'RE TALKING DOWN TO ME...!!" Zoro answers, "BECAUSE YOU'RE BELOW ME." The page ends the chapter on their prickly rivalry: the mission is accomplished, but their argument is nowhere near settled.

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