East Blue, Cleansing Campaign Fleet.
It was another unsettled day, with flocks of News Coo scattering newspapers across the sky.
Sakazuki stepped out of the cabin, looking at the soldiers on deck who wore stunned expressions, while Enel and Bullet looked indifferent. He asked:
"What happened this time?"
Enel shrugged.
"A third Emperor of the Pirates has emerged."
"The Beasts Pirates—Kaido."
"He fought fierce battles in the New World against Charlotte Linlin and Knock, seizing some territory."
"Not long after, those two jointly acknowledged Kaido's title as Emperor."
Bullet grinned viciously as he looked at the newspaper.
"That guy will be fun to fight."
Staring at the rampaging, corded muscles of Kaido shown in the paper, Bullet couldn't help feeling an itch to test himself.
Sakazuki took the newspaper Enel handed over.
"So it's already reached this point."
"Then your Vegapunk-sensei won't be resting easy any time soon."
He gave a low chuckle.
Enel frowned in confusion.
"What does he have to do with Vegapunk-sensei?"
Sakazuki said slowly:
"Of course he does."
"The relationship between a scientist and his material."
"I caught that guy once and threw him into Punk Hazard for experimentation."
"During that period, the research division collected quite a bit of his cells and flesh."
"But later, he 'accidentally' escaped."
Enel raised a brow. Good grief... accidentally.
"Well, that's interesting."
"Biological material from a Pirate Emperor, that's one of a kind."
"I doubt they'll be able to keep it hidden for long."
"Even though those people in the science division are far dumber than me..."
"But still, they're scientists. Even if they move by the book..."
"The research progress on Lineage Factors won't be something that can be covered up forever."
Sakazuki chuckled lightly.
"Don't worry."
"Your Vegapunk-sensei is the one writing the textbooks."
"What they can research all depends on what textbooks he gives them."
"If he casually points them in the wrong direction, that'll be enough to keep them busy for years."
"There's no need to worry about such things."
"Instead, keep your eyes on the matters in front of us—gathering information about this so-called 'Marine Hunter.'"
"We've had no time to deal with him these past few years, and he's gotten even more active, hmph..."
Following Sakazuki's gaze, the third page of the newspaper bore a massive headline.
"Challenging the World's Greatest Swordsman! 'Marine Hunter' Dracule Mihawk Defeats Great Swordsman 'Fire Sword' Shuzo."
Every time he defeated a famous swordsman, the title of 'Marine Hunter' would surface once again. And once he had defeated all of the renowned swordsmen—
The title 'Marine Hunter' would become 'World's Greatest Swordsman,' stepping upon the Marines to rise...
Boom—
The newspaper in Sakazuki's hand turned into flames, burning to ashes.
Suddenly—
Enel's gaze sharpened, turning toward a small island in the distance.
"Hm?"
There was a sharp trace of sword intent there, interfering with Enel's Observation Haki.
The other two noticed Enel's reaction and extended their own Haki toward it as well.
But as if aware of discovery, that trace of sword intent quickly drew back, vanishing completely from their senses.
Sakazuki snorted lightly.
"Where did that old one come from? That sword intent..."
"A hidden blade... a great swordsman, perhaps."
...
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village, shoreline.
Watching the departing warship gradually fade, the old fisherman let out a sigh of relief.
"Really now... so much for peace."
"Forgot the most basic vigilance."
"Tonight I'll have to punish myself with three cups."
"No, I'll have to change locations."
He didn't actually fear the warship—he just disliked trouble.
Seeing the warship pass without seeking trouble brought him relief.
If it truly came down to a fight, he wouldn't stand a chance against the three aboard. But dragging down the weakest one with him in a final struggle—he could still manage that. Of course, no one truly wanted to die...
It had been purely by accident. Normally, who would maintain such a wide range of Observation Haki at all times?
Usually, whenever a ship passed by, the fisherman would simply retract the sword intent from his hook.
But today, by sheer misfortune, he ran into Enel.
After all, not everyone had Enel's overwhelming spiritual power and Devil Fruit ability—his Observation Haki spanned several kilometers, like having a permanent full-map vision at no cost. Utterly outrageous.
Bang—
A heavy thud of stone crashing onto the ground rang out.
"One thousand!!!"
"Done!"
A spiky green-haired boy stood behind a giant boulder.
Wiping his sweat, he ran over to the old fisherman's side.
"I did it! Time for today's lesson!"
The old fisherman smacked his lips.
"Consider yourself lucky, boy. I was planning to work you harder for a few more days."
"But something unexpected came up."
"A few days ago, I taught you about 'Forsaking Name and Seeking Wisdom.'"
"Today, I'll tell you about 'What is a Sword.'"
"So then, in your eyes, what is a sword?"
The green-haired boy blinked. What the heck... he thought it would just be another samurai tale like before.
But since he was asked, he thought for a moment.
"A weapon?"
The old fisherman chuckled.
"That only counts as its form."
"Everyone has a different view of the sword. Some say—"
"A sword is the Way."
"A sword is Technique."
"A sword is Power."
"A sword is Death."
"But what I believe a sword is—"
"Arrival."
"Where its cut lands, death follows."
As the fisherman coldly uttered the final word, the green-haired boy felt an icy chill overtake his entire body.
It was as if before him stood not an old man, but a demon that had slain millions.
Yet in just an instant, that feeling vanished, as though nothing had happened.
He even doubted whether he was simply dizzy from training too hard.
Seeing the boy frozen in place, the fisherman smiled faintly. From the cloth bag at his side, he drew out two real swords and tossed them to him.
The green-haired boy hurriedly caught them, eyes wide in disbelief.
"This... this is!!!"
The fisherman smiled.
"A gift for you, boy."
"I've taught you 'What is a Sword.' Every person's path is different."
"What you believe a sword to be—that's something you'll have to grasp for yourself."
"I'm off."
He rose and started toward the village.
The green-haired boy snapped his head up.
"Hey! Old man, you..."
But the fisherman, hoisting his fishing rod, simply waved his hand, silencing him.
Watching the enigmatic old man, the boy's confusion lingered.
But soon, joy over the real swords swept it all away.
Clutching the blades in both hands, he gazed at their sharp edges, recalling the old man's lesson on 'Forsaking Name and Seeking Wisdom.' Swinging them forward, he shouted:
"I've got it!"
But nothing happened. There was no surge of power like in the old man's stories.
"What the... fake after all."
...
Night, Shimotsuki Village.
Inside Isshin Dojo, the dojo master Shimotsuki Kōshirō sat across the tea table from the fisherman he had seen earlier that day.
Kōshirō lifted the teapot, pouring the old man a cup.
"Heading out again, Father?"
The fisherman—Shimotsuki Kōshirō's father, Shimotsuki Kozaburo—took a drag from his pipe.
"Yes. Today, I accidentally got sensed by some Marines."
"One in ten thousand chance, but still—"
"It wouldn't do to bring trouble down on you all."
His gaze softened as he looked toward the room where Kuina slept.
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