Helplessly covering his face,
Austin grabbed Zoro by the back of his collar and carried him forward like that,
"Let me go already!!! I can walk by myself!!!"
In Austin's hand, the little green-haired kid kept struggling, as though being carried like this was something terribly shameful.
He was a powerhouse who had successfully challenged every dojo in the neighboring villages!!!
Ignoring Zoro's racket, Austin looked utterly unconcerned. Perhaps Zoro had annoyed him a little too much,
"Quiet down. You're just a weak little brat who still reeks of milk!!!"
"Huh?!!!"
The arrogant young Zoro opened his mouth wide in fury at those words,
"I'm really strong!!!"
"Is that so~"
Austin wore a subtly mocking, unconvinced expression, waving his other hand,
"You're obviously weak. You can't even beat the people at Shimotsuki Dojo, so there's no way you can beat me. Stop bragging!"
"No way!!!"
Austin mischievously teased the kid, and the single-minded young Zoro immediately took the bait, waving his arms as he shouted,
"I'm really strong! That Shimotsuki Dojo or whatever, I'll challenge it in a moment and prove it to you! Then I'll beat you too, mister!!!"
Seeing that Zoro was angry enough, Austin curled his lips into a smile,
"Really? Then how about a bet?"
"Sure!!!"
At this moment, young Zoro had no idea what kind of "forbidden words" he had agreed to, nor did he know that he had already violated some unknown "maritime Rules of the World."
"If you successfully challenge Shimotsuki Dojo, I'll give you a Great Grade Sword.
If you can defeat me, I'll give you a Supreme Grade Sword."
With his hands in his pockets, Austin spoke as though Famous Swords were worthless and could be handed out whenever he pleased. Though that was indeed the case.
Back when his subordinates'