Zoro's Ambition

Shells Town, harbor.

The 32nd Branch's Warship raised its sails.

Fullbody and the other marines covered their eyes with their arms, crying their hearts out as they reluctantly bid Isca farewell.

They had finally gotten a female companion, only to be separated so soon.

Sob T﹏T!

Isca stood before Luo Ya with a sweet smile. "Second Lieutenant Luo Ya, I learned so much while working with you. I hope we'll have another chance to fight side by side someday!"

"We will."

Luo Ya nodded with a smile.

The girl's talent for swordsmanship was exceptional, and her future was bright. As long as she remained within the Marine system, they would meet again sooner or later.

Luo Ya offered her his heartfelt blessing. "When we meet again, I hope it will be at Marine Headquarters."

"Thank you!"

Isca's eyes curved into crescents.

As a marine, anyone with even the slightest ambition wanted to go to Marine Headquarters. It was the Holy Land in every marine's heart.

"I'm leaving!"

Isca boarded the Warship.

The Coast erupted in wails.

"Goodbye, Isca-chan!"

"We'll miss you!"

"Waaaah, adorable Isca!"

Fullbody and the other marines burst into tears, constantly waving at the Warship, looking as though they were saying, "Yanzi, how am I supposed to live without you?"

Luo Ya shook his head speechlessly.

Could they show a little more dignity?

A short while later, at the Food Tavern.

With Year-end approaching, the tavern was much livelier than usual.

"Second Lieutenant Luo Ya is here!"

"Second Lieutenant Luo Ya caught so many Pirates this time. He'll definitely get promoted, right?"

"Of course he will!"

When the patrons saw Luo Ya arrive, they greeted him enthusiastically, their eyes full of admiration. A few of the more lecherous regulars even waggled their eyebrows at Luo Ya and Lilyca behind the bar.

Heh, naked jealousy!

Luo Ya responded with a cheerful smile, then sat at a table by the window. Across from him sat Zoro, who was freeloading.

Zoro had not caught any Pirates this time, which meant he had no income. His pockets were so empty he could not produce a single coin, leaving him no choice but to mooch food and drink off Luo Ya.

Seeing Luo Ya staring at him, Zoro awkwardly set down his bowl and chopsticks, then spoke with feigned calm. "Don't worry. I'll pay you back."

"I'm not here to collect a debt."

Luo Ya's expression turned serious.

"Have you thought it over? Do you want to train with me?"

"I..."

Zoro's face was full of conflict.

After arriving in Shells Town, he had taken the initiative to bid Luo Ya farewell. But without a cent to his name, he had nowhere to go, and there were no Pirates to catch in town.

At night, he lay down outside the tavern to rest, drawing quite a bit of attention.

After hearing about it, Luo Ya had rushed over, dragged him into the tavern for a hearty meal, and given him money to stay at the nearby inn.

Of course, Zoro did not want to owe anyone a favor. He considered the food and lodging a loan, and he would definitely repay Luo Ya someday.

After that, Luo Ya invited him to stay and train together.

Zoro was deeply grateful. He could feel Luo Ya's regard for him, as well as his intention to recruit him into the Marines.

He did not dislike the Marines. Rather, no normal person would dislike them, since they protected these seas.

There was nothing wrong with becoming a marine and catching Pirates, but he was used to being alone and was not accustomed to the Marines' rules and regulations.

And if he joined the Marines, he would not be able to search for that man.

Zoro hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "My dream is to become the World's Greatest Swordsman!"

"A fine dream."

Luo Ya raised a brow. "Since you have such a lofty dream, you should all the more seize the time to focus on training. Being a Pirate Hunter and struggling to make a living will only take you farther and farther from your goal."

"I..."

Zoro could not find any reason to refute him.

During his time on Luo Ya's ship, he had not needed to think about anything. Every day, he immersed himself in intense training and could clearly feel his own improvement.

During the half year before that, he had first needed to think about catching Pirates for bounties and filling his stomach. He simply had not had much time to train.

As for becoming stronger through life-and-death battles...

He had indeed encountered a few somewhat formidable opponents, but only somewhat formidable. Those Pirates had not even been stronger than Kuina.

How was he supposed to become stronger like that?

"Don't overthink it. You're still young."

Luo Ya gazed at Zoro and gave him sincere advice. "There is only one thing you need to do right now: train hard and make yourself stronger."

"Without strength, you don't even have the right to speak of dreams."

"Keep your eyes on what is before you."

"As for what path you take in the future, that is a matter for the future. No one can force you, not even me."

Keep his eyes on what was before him!

Zoro raised his head, and flames seemed to burn in his eyes.

Luo Ya added with a smile, "By the way, there are countless swordsmen in the Marines. Among them, there are too many swordsmen capable of Cutting Steel to count. If you can't even defeat them, you have no right to challenge that man."

"Stronger than Isca?"

Zoro could not help asking. While aboard the Warship, he had actually wanted to challenge Isca, but she was a woman.

Luo Ya shook a finger with amusement.

"A hundred times stronger than her!"

"...!"

Zoro abruptly rose to his feet, astonishing fighting spirit radiating from his entire body. "Let me board your ship. But let me make this clear first: I have no plans to join the Marines for now. In return, though, I'll fight for you!"

"Fine."

Luo Ya nodded with a smile.

Haste made waste.

He was in no hurry to recruit Zoro. There were still four years until Luffy set out to sea, more than enough time to build a friendship with Zoro.

First, he would keep Zoro by his side.

"Gather at the harbor tomorrow morning."

"No problem!"

"Wait, there is a problem!"

Luo Ya suddenly realized that if he let Zoro go to the harbor by himself, he might still be lost by nightfall.

"Come on. I'll take you to stay on the Warship. Stay there tonight and don't go anywhere. Or would you rather sleep in a Prison cell?"

"..."

Veins bulged on Zoro's forehead.

Who would get lost over such a short distance?!

Early the next morning, more than twenty marines from the 153rd Branch gathered at the harbor. At the same time, Luo Ya's promotion order was approved.

Rank: Major!

A three-rank promotion in a row!

Wiping out more than a dozen Pirate crews had already earned him a tremendous amount of military merit, and subjugating the Buggy Pirates was an even greater accomplishment.

Catching Pirates was the quickest shortcut to promotion.

But further promotions would become ten times more difficult. For marines in the East Blue, officer rank was essentially the ceiling.

At the harbor, the marines stood in neat formation. When Luo Ya arrived, they seemed to have arranged it beforehand as they roared at the tops of their lungs.

"Major Luo Ya!"

The entire Shells Town nearly got blasted into the sky.

"Mm, good work."

Luo Ya nodded with a beaming smile.

Excellent. Very spirited!

As expected of the men he had picked!

"Set sail!"

Foosha Village.

The Dog-headed Warship slowly docked.

"Vice Admiral Garp is back!"

The villagers were overjoyed. Over the years, Foosha Village had remained peaceful thanks to Garp's deterrence. Even the Pirates from Uncertainty Terminal dared not set their sights on Foosha Village.

Garp was Foosha Village's guardian deity!

News of Garp's return quickly spread through the village.

At Makino's tavern, Luffy and Ace were secretly drinking. They had hunted a large wild boar and brought over half of it to thank Makino for taking care of them so often.

When the two heard Garp's name—

"Pfft~~"

They simultaneously sprayed wine onto each other's faces.

Without even wiping themselves off, they charged for the door without a second thought. Their survival instincts drove them to flee!

Bang!

The tavern door was violently shoved open.

A burly man appeared before them.

"Pwahahaha! My adorable grandsons, Grandpa came back to see you!"

"Grandpa!"

The two boys' eyes nearly popped out of their heads.

It's over—we're dead!