"I have learned much."
Koshiro sheathed his sword, lowered his head, and bowed sincerely in thanks.
Mo Xingchen slung an arm around Koshiro's shoulders and said with a grin,
"Come on. We just finished exercising, so it's time to eat. You don't mind treating me to a meal, do you?"
"Hahaha, what are you saying, sir? I would of course welcome you with open arms."
On the way back, Bogard and Koshiro both kept their heads lowered as they reflected on their recent spar.
They reviewed their own shortcomings, absorbed each other's strengths, and considered how to incorporate them into their swordsmanship.
Meanwhile, the two children excitedly clung to Mo Xingchen, asking him question after question.
When had they ever seen a battle like that? Even during their usual combat drills, Koshiro always carried himself casually and had never displayed such overwhelming pressure as he had today.
Mo Xingchen patiently explained everything, simplifying his wording as much as possible so that children their age could understand.
After lunch, Mo Xingchen roughly planned out some physical training for the two little ones, then let them train on their own.
Koshiro, Mo Xingchen, and Bogard sat by the veranda, sipping fragrant tea as they watched the apprentices in the courtyard pour out the sweat of their youth.
Koshiro suddenly sighed with emotion.
"Vice Admiral Garp was able to raise figures like you and Dragon. He must be a master of education. It is truly regrettable that I have never had the chance to meet such a hero!"
"Hahahahahaha! That's probably for the best. At least if you don't meet him, you won't be disappointed."
Mo Xingchen nearly burst out laughing and sprayed the tea in his mouth, while Bogard nodded beside him like a pecking chicken in wholehearted agreement.
Seeing the expressions on their faces, Koshiro looked utterly bewildered.
"When did you meet Dragon?"
Koshiro had been about to refill their tea when he heard that question. His hand trembled, and hot water spilled across the table.
Only then did he remember that although Dragon held Mr. Mo in the highest regard, the two men before him were Marines. For a moment, he did not know how to respond.
Mo Xingchen had merely asked casually while looking out at the courtyard. When no answer came for a while, he turned to Koshiro and saw sweat beginning to form on his forehead, his lips pressed together in silence.
So Mo Xingchen smiled and said,
"Don't worry. The upper ranks of the Marines all know his identity. Besides, he used to be a Marine himself."
"I was just wondering how he was doing. After all, I haven't seen him in many years."
Seeing how relaxed Mo Xingchen looked, and how Bogard wore an expression as though none of this concerned him, Koshiro finally let out a long breath and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
He continued refilling their cups with hot water.
"Actually, Dragon and I have known each other for many years. But the last time we met was probably two years ago. He said he had some matters to handle in East Blue and would take the opportunity to see his son."
"After that, we chatted for a while longer. But in his words, there was nothing but admiration for you."
"Mm, his son really is in East Blue. This time, I came with Vice Admiral Garp to see his grandson. Speaking of which, you're with the Revolutionary Army too, aren't you?"
That startled Koshiro badly. The hand holding his teacup trembled nonstop as he was about to take a drink.
Seeing this, Mo Xingchen burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha, isn't your reaction a little too big? You really need to train that more. As his friend, you can't be this flustered."
Mo Xingchen smiled, took a sip of hot tea, and said teasingly,
"Joking aside, once Kuina is a little older, you should have a new sword forged for her."
"Oh! Why is that?"
"It mainly depends on how tall Kuina grows by then. After all, your Wado Ichimonji is a long blade. If her reach and height are insufficient, she definitely won't be able to use it comfortably."
"I don't think a swordsman necessarily has to pursue a famed blade. Having a sword that suits oneself is far more important. You can have old Mr. Kozaburo forge Kuina a fine blade that belongs entirely to her, based on her height, strength, sword-drawing habits, and so on."
"Just like my Chun Jun. I think that would definitely help her improve even more in the way of the sword."
"Thank you, sir, for being so considerate toward my daughter."
Koshiro sat properly on his knees before Mo Xingchen, then bowed.
"It's nothing. I like that girl quite a bit too. Let those two children work hard. I hope they can keep at it. Well then, I won't trouble you any longer."
Mo Xingchen stood, waved to Koshiro, then turned and left with an easy stride. Bogard also rose, nodded in farewell, and followed after him.
By the afternoon of the next day, when Mo Xingchen and Bogard were nearly back at Windmill Village, they spotted frequent flashes of fire on the beach by the harbor from afar aboard the warship.
Soon after came booming explosions.
Bogard immediately ordered the warship to advance at full speed. He thought some foolhardy band of pirates was bombarding Windmill Village.
Mo Xingchen watched Bogard's anxious expression, but he himself remained unusually calm. He even patted Bogard's arm, signaling him to relax.
"With Vice Admiral Garp in town, what are you worried about? Bogard, how about we make a bet?"
At the mention of Vice Admiral Garp, Bogard's urgency eased somewhat. He had been so panicked just now that he had failed to think of it.
"Vice Admiral Mo, what do you want to bet on?"
"I bet one hundred Beli that Vice Admiral Garp made that commotion himself. What do you say, taking the bet?"
"No way. Why would Vice Admiral Garp throw cannonballs at the coastline?"
"Hahahaha, then let's wait and see!"
As the warship drew closer and closer to the harbor, Mo Xingchen and Bogard stood at the bow and finally saw what was happening on shore.
Garp stood on the beach, laughing loudly while shouting things like, "Run! Dodge it!" Then he continuously hurled cannonballs at Ace and Luffy, bombarding them without pause.
Ace and Luffy desperately dodged. They were not actually struck by the cannonballs, but the shockwaves from the explosions occasionally blasted them flying around.
At that moment, sharp-eyed Ace noticed the warship approaching from the sea. He waved both little hands and shouted,
"Uncle Mo! Save us! Grandpa's trying to kill us!"
Mo Xingchen grinned at Bogard, raised an eyebrow, and snapped his fingers. He then held his index and middle fingers together and lightly crooked them.
Watching the scene on shore, Bogard pressed his lips together and forcefully exhaled through his nose. He reached into the inner pocket of his coat, took out one hundred Beli, and slapped it into Mo Xingchen's hand.
Then he used Geppo to rapidly reach the shore, slashed apart the cannonball Garp had thrown, and shielded Ace and Luffy behind him.
He said angrily, "Vice Admiral Garp! This is far too reckless!"
Mo Xingchen followed close behind, descending from the air onto the shore. As if he had found someone to rely on, Ace dragged Luffy over to Mo Xingchen and immediately began complaining, angrily listing all of Garp's evil deeds against them.
"Yohohoho! You're back!"
Before you continue