East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.
Shimotsuki Dojo.
"Ha!"
A bunch of little kids, looking serious, swung wooden swords, practicing the moves. Shimotsuki Koshiro, the dojo's master, watched closely, gently fixing their stances.
The morning practice ended, and the kids ran home for lunch.
Just then, Roya showed up with some of his men.
"Excuse me," Roya called out.
"And you are?" Koshiro asked, looking a little puzzled.
Roya pulled out Rain Cutter, the sword gleaming in the sunlight, and explained with a friendly smile, "I'm Roya, a Colonel from the Logue Town Marines. I'm here to see the old swordsmith, Shimotsuki Kozaburo."
Koshiro's eyes widened as he recognized the sword.
That's... Rain Cutter.
He knew this sword; it was his father Kozaburo's last masterpiece, made for a certain Mr. Syrup. Koshiro himself had helped craft it.
A shadow passed over Koshiro's face. He sadly shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, but my father has already passed away."
"..."
Roya's smile vanished.
"Was it because of this sword?" he asked quietly.
"You could say that," Koshiro replied softly.
He smiled calmly. "This sword was his final work. He was old, and his strength was fading. He died peacefully soon after finishing it."
"I'm truly sorry," Roya said, feeling a pang of guilt.
"There's no need to apologize," Koshiro insisted.
He seemed at peace. "My father died with a smile on his face. He was happy to forge such a great sword at the end. If you wield it well, that will be the best way to honor him."
"I will," Roya promised, nodding solemnly.
Without Mr. Syrup's request, Kozaburo might not have poured his life into forging the blade, and certainly wouldn't have died from exhaustion.
These Famous Blades come at a high price.
"Speaking of which, Zoro..." Roya began, then stopped, his face turning confused.
"Where's Zoro?"
Fullbody and Jango blinked, then looked around, realizing he wasn't there. Sweat trickled down their foreheads.
He was right behind us!
Damn, did that kid get lost on the way back?
Koshiro perked up at the mention of Zoro's name, a smile returning to his face. "Zoro came with you?"
"Yes," Roya confirmed, quickly explaining the situation.
"Haha, Zoro hasn't lost his sense of direction," Koshiro chuckled with relief. "Don't worry about him. I can guess where he is. Come inside for a drink. Zoro will be back tonight."
"Then we gratefully accept," Roya replied.
---
Behind the dojo, on a quiet slope up the mountain.
An old tombstone stood on a small, lonely patch of ground. The writing was faded, but the name was still visible.
[Tomb of Kuina]
Fresh fruit and two white sake cups sat in front of the stone. The Wado Ichimonji sword lay next to one of the cups.
"Pour!"
The cups were filled with sake.
"I've come to see you, Kuina," Zoro said, sitting alone before the grave. He drank his own cup, then poured Kuina's onto the ground.
He might get lost finding the village, he might lose his way home, but the path to this place was etched into his heart.
"Kuina, after I set sail, I met a really strong Marine..."
Zoro told her everything that had happened since he left, holding nothing back. He spoke of his training and how he was getting stronger.
His eyes shone with determination.
"I'm heading to the Grand Line next. I hear there are tons of incredible swordsmen there, so I probably won't be back for a long time."
"But I promise you, the next time I visit, I'll be known as the World's Greatest Swordsman!"
"Then we can have our 2002nd duel!"
---
Night fell.
Zoro came back to the dojo.
"Master, I'm back," he announced.
"Welcome home," Koshiro replied simply, as always.
The next day, Zoro said goodbye to Koshiro and followed Roya without hesitation. He was ready to chase his dream of becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman on a bigger stage.
"Set sail!"
The warship sliced through the waves.
Roya stood at the ship's rail, looking back at Shimotsuki Village, as well as Shells Town and Syrup Village.
I've said goodbye to everything I needed to.
He was now heading to the New World. He wouldn't be back in East Blue anytime soon. Travel in this world was too difficult.
"G-1 Branch," Roya sighed in frustration.
Things never go as planned.
He had wanted to go to the G-5 Branch, but the transfer orders had already been issued. It was almost impossible to change them.
At least the G-1 Branch is in the New World too, not far from G-5. He reluctantly accepted it.
No, I can't just sit around and wait for something to happen!
The G-1 Branch had military power second only to Marine Headquarters. Commodores were everywhere, and Rear Admirals were even more common.
I won't even get a chance to stand out!
If he wanted to make a name for himself in such a tough place, he'd have to make some waves. He needed a strong team he could rely on.
Usually, he could bring a few of his direct subordinates, no more than ten. He couldn't take all the officers from the Logue Town branch, or it would be hard to run things back there.
"Smoker..."
Smoker was the most talented Marine in the Logue Town branch, but he was the same rank as Roya, so he couldn't take him along.
Plus, once he left, Smoker would become the new base commander of Logue Town, and Headquarters wouldn't let him leave either.
As for the other officers...
---
A week later, Logue Town base.
News of Roya's transfer to the G-1 Branch caused quite a stir. Even Fullbody and Jango were shocked.
We thought we were going to G-5!
It was a pleasant surprise, to be sure.
Compared to the G-5 Branch, the G-1 Branch was the face of the Marines, with a status equal to Headquarters. Everyone wanted to climb higher.
Inside the branch conference room, more than a dozen officers were gathered, all looking at Roya eagerly, hoping to be chosen.
"Lieutenant Fullbody, Lieutenant Jango!"
"Here!"
"Major Lu Yun!"
"Here!"
"The three of you will come with me to the G-1 Branch!"
"Yes!"
The officers who weren't chosen looked disappointed, but they knew their chances were slim.
Smoker's face was dark, his mood sour. He hadn't even gotten revenge for his previous loss, and Roya was already running away.
This can't be happening!
Roya glanced at Smoker.
"Smoker, I'm leaving the Logue Town branch in your hands. Besides Fullbody and the others, I'm also planning to take some new recruits with me."
"Hmph!" Smoker scoffed.
With that thought, Roya left the conference room with the three officers, immediately telling Fullbody, "Fullbody, go find Bartolomeo and the others. I want to take them to the G-1 Branch!"
"Them?" Fullbody asked, confused.
"Colonel, who exactly are you talking about?"
"All of them!" Roya sneered.
As Marines, Bartolomeo and the others are terrible, but as troublemakers, they're experts.
As for whether the G-1 Branch would accept them, he didn't care much.
If they're strong enough, they can kick me out. Then I'll take this group of hooligans and fight guerrilla warfare. We won't starve!
---
Three days later, the warship set sail!
Smoker watched the warship disappear, his anger bubbling inside him. He barked orders at the Marines behind him.
"Prepare a warship immediately!"
"Colonel Smoker, where are you going?" the Marines asked, confused. There were no missions scheduled.
Smoker's eyes burned. "Where else would I go? I'm going after that bastard, to the G-1 Branch!"
"But Colonel Smoker, this town is under your command now. If you leave, how will we explain it to the higher-ups!" the Marines cried. "Do you have to be so reckless!"
"Just tell them!" Smoker said coldly, raising his middle finger.
"Stop telling me what to do!"
"..."
"Quickly, prepare the warship for departure!"
The Marines scrambled to action. No one dared disobey Smoker's orders. They didn't care what happened next!
"Colonel Smoker!" Tashigi rushed up to Smoker, panting. She bowed deeply and begged, "Please take me with you! I want to become stronger!"
"Then get on the ship!" Smoker yelled, his face red with anger. He didn't come to Logue Town from Headquarters to be a lousy base commander!
"Black Hair" Roya is my opponent!
*
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter Access up to Ch 257
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]