Moss Head
Shimotsuki Village is not far from Bariaria Island. With the Sirius's dual-drive speed, it only took half a day to reach the outer sea of the island.
"This is it?"
Yamato leaned against the periscope, observing the island in the distance through it. "It doesn't seem like anything special."
It's just an ordinary island, the kind you see anywhere in the world. It's not very big; it can probably only accommodate a few villages.
These islands are generally nominally owned by a nearby country, paying taxes and receiving protection, with the navy also providing protection, although there is usually no navy stationed on the islands.
"Go up and see for yourself."
Sirius laughed and said, "You might meet some interesting people."
"Kindness!"
Yamato was in high spirits.
"Hopefully, there won't be any more trouble this time," Luo sighed. "Former Admiral, CP0, this isn't an ordinary trip."
"That's hard to say."
Sirius put his arm around his shoulder and laughed heartily, "Who can see the future anyway?"
"Anyway, get the disguise in place and get ready to land!"
Luo rolled his eyes.
This time, Jack stayed behind to guard the ship, while everyone else went ashore.
Sirius donned a baseball cap, large sunglasses, a floral shirt, shorts, and flip-flops, looking like a tourist on a tropical island vacation.
Yamato changed into her kimono after Yamato time, tied on a thick shimenawa rope, and put on the Hannya mask that she had treasured for a long time.
It is completely different from the photo on the wanted poster.
Sirius and his crew landed on a deliberately chosen deserted coastline, in a sparsely wooded forest. After they reached land, Jack steered the Sirius to dive and disappear into the sea.
"Let's go! Let's go see Shimotsuki Village!"
Sirius his arms and shouted.
"Oh!!"
Yamato, Bepo, and Peggy responded in unison.
"That's enough, is this some kind of weird treasure hunt?" Luo lowered the brim of his hat.
The group walked into the woods.
It wasn't a dark, dense forest, but rather an ordinary grove of trees that you could see everywhere. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns, and with the lush grass and bushes growing among them, Sirius even felt like he was on an outdoor picnic.
Yamato walked beside him, picking up a dry twig from somewhere and cheerfully using it to sweep away the surrounding weeds, muttering softly to herself.
"Thunder Bagua!"
Not bad.
Sirius turned his head to examine Yamato and the withered branch in his hand.
Smooth and straight, it lives up to its name as a weed killer.
"By the way, Sirius,"
Hiyori, following behind Sirius, suddenly asked, "Do you know where Shimotsuki Village is? There should be several villages on this island, right?"
"Have no idea."
Sirius didn't even turn his head, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"I don't know!"
Luo's lips twitched slightly. "Then what kind of directions are you leading us on?"
"I don't know, but I can always ask someone for directions."
Sirius said with a smile.
A crackling sound came from behind the bushes ahead.
Sirius stepped forward, and after passing a few somewhat lush trees, a fairly spacious open space appeared before him.
At the edge of the open space sat a large rock, and a boy was hacking at it with three bamboo swords like a storm.
The hard stone was being struck, sending stone fragments flying everywhere. Sirius could even see fine cracks gradually spreading across the stone.
"Three-Blade Style?"
Hiyori some surprise, "That's quite rare."
The boy was wielding three bamboo swords simultaneously, one in each hand and one in his mouth.
Sirius's lips curled into a smile. Was this a fateful encounter?
"Kindness?"
Noticing the arrival of Sirius and his group, the green-haired brat stopped applying pressure to the stone, and curiously took the bamboo sword from his mouth, standing still and observing Sirius and the others.
"You--"
He met Sirius's gaze, and his expression immediately turned serious.
Are you here to ask for directions?
Sirius's lips twitched slightly. It was true.
What to do? After seeing this boy, I absolutely don't want to admit it anymore.
"That's right!"
Yamato shouted, "Young man, do you know where Shimotsuki Village is?"
"As expected?"
The boy coolly slung the three bamboo swords over his shoulder, turned around, then slightly turned back, and said in a very reliable tone, "Come with me, I'm going back anyway."
"Oh! I've met a really reliable guy!"
Yamato was pleasantly surprised.
Sirius was in a real bind.
"Juvenile,"
He finally spoke up, "Shimotsuki Village, that's the village outside this forest, right?"
I can already sense those auras; there really is a village outside the forest.
"Indeed."
The green-haired boy turned around in surprise. "You already know that, don't you? Hey, are you making fun of me?"
"Wait a minute," he narrowed his eyes, "Speaking of which, you guys look rather suspicious. Are you perhaps pirates?"
"That's right! We're pirates!"
Yamato nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Then.
"Ah! Sirius," she looked at Sirius, "Is this something I can't say?"
"Then don't say it." Luo rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"This kid's reactions are really slow." Ulti her hands on her hips, shook her head helplessly, then hugged Page One's head and said sweetly, "Pay-tan can't become like this."
"Kid or something."
Page One muttered, "Sister, you're not necessarily older than him, are you?"
No, Ulti is still a bit older.
About a year older.
Sirius thought to himself.
"It really is a pirate!"
The green-haired kid stared wide-eyed in astonishment. "This is the first time I've ever seen anything like it."
"Huh? Aren't you scared?" Black Maria asked in surprise. "We're real pirates, you know."
"Don't talk nonsense!"
The boy's lips curled into a smirk, his previous somewhat naive demeanor completely gone. He grinned wickedly and said, "I'm going to become the World's Greatest Swordsman! How could I possibly fear mere pirates!"
"The World's Greatest Swordsman?"
Black Maria paused for a moment, "So, the target is Hawk Eyes, Sirius?"
She laughed and said, "Have we met a very interesting child?"
Sirius smiled. "Anyway, let's go to the village first."
"Come with me."
The green-haired brat turned around as if nothing had happened and led the way.
"Hey, kid, you've gone the wrong way," Sirius said kindly, watching him head in another direction from the village.
"Huh? How could this be!?" The boy's face was covered in cold sweat, looking as if his secret had been exposed.
"Haha, what an interesting fellow!"
Yamato, who always enjoyed interacting with people, chatted with the boy Yamato a smile, "My name is Yamato, what's yours?"
"Yamato? What a strange name. Is that my name?"
The boy smirked. "Then remember this well: the name of the future strongest swordsman, Roronoa Zoro!"
"Zoro?"
Listening to the Moss Head's self-introduction, Sirius suddenly remembered something.
Neither he Yamato had surnames, did they?
Even Jack Maria Ulti, and Page One don't have it.
Compared to guys with names as long as Luo's, I feel so inferior.
"Zoro, do you know how the name Shimotsuki Village came about? Hiyori is really interested."
"Who knows about that kind of thing? Go ask the teacher. I think his surname is Shuangyue?"
"..."
Hiyori's eyes widened.
Soon, Sirius and the others brought Zoro to the village.
This kid is very popular in the village; all the adults who see him greet him with a smile.
He accepted it calmly.
However, they encountered some trouble finding the location of Zoro's master's dojo, but fortunately, Sirius managed to find the way by asking someone for directions.
"Isshin Dojo? Is this the place?" Hiyori looked up at the plaque of the dojo, looking somewhat expectant.
"Zoro, you're back!"
A gentle voice came from inside the dojo, "I was just about to bring you dinner."
"Teacher, we have a guest."
Zoro swaggered into the dojo, saying, "It's a gang of pirates."
"Eh?? Pirates!!"
The voice became somewhat excited, and then quickly, a middle-aged man wearing glasses rushed out of the dojo.
"Oh."
Sirius greeted him with a smile.
"..."
The man was stunned.