Behind Gawain and beside Smoker, Tashigi was still watching the swordsman apprentices with curiosity and admiration.
She muttered to herself as she watched.
"The atmosphere in this village is quite nice. There are many swordsmen, and almost everyone has a sword at their waist."
And, huh?!
At this point, Tashigi's eyes were fixed on Zoro's waist!
She wasn't looking at Zoro's sexy, muscular waist; instead, her eyes widened in disbelief, and she exclaimed.
"I'm not seeing things, am I? That's... that's...?!"
Could that be the legendary Wado Ichimonji, Great Grade 21 Swords, pure white Wado Ichimonji snow?!
How could this be...? How could such Famous Sword appear in such an ordinary village!
This...?!!"
At this point, Tashigi pouted and looked dejectedly at her waist.
His own sword wasn't even up to the level of Skillful Grade Swords, yet some ordinary-looking... Moss Head guy who looked like a swordsman apprentice was actually wielding a Great Grade 21 Swords!
This sense of disappointment, for Famous Sword enthusiast like Tashigi, was like a devastating blow...
It's like I'm nothing at all in my twenties, while others are driving Rolls-Royce in their teens...
And as Tashigi uttered those words, she was unaware that she was also delivering a terrifying blow to Koushirou's heart...
Because they were too far apart, Zoro could see Tashigi's unusual behavior, but he couldn't hear what Tashigi was saying.
Koushirou, the unassuming swordsman, instantly sensed Tashigi's affection for Wado Ichimonji!
Wado Ichimonji the sword of his beloved daughter!
Now suddenly there's a girl who looks exactly like my beloved daughter in the mirror, and she's suddenly showing a great deal of affection and shock for Wado Ichimonji...
This feeling made Koushirou immediately lower his head; he didn't want others to see his sorrowful eyes!
Similarly, he could no longer hide his grief!
Koushirou has now abandoned his original plan to find an opportunity to chat with Kuma after seeing the true nature of the Celestial Dragon.
All he wants now is to keep a low profile and stay quiet, and after this so-called welcoming ceremony is over, find a suitable corner to be alone for a while.
In other words, he is now...
I really miss my daughter who left us so young...
But things don't always go as planned. Just as Koushirou was enduring his sorrow and longing, Gawain happened to walk through the crowd and gradually approached him.
As Gawain slowly approached, the village chief and his group in front of Koushirou quickly dispersed, then nervously retreated.
And so, Gawain approached Koushirou was bowing his head, with a smile.
Of course, he then approached Zoro face was filled with vigilance and tension.
Sensing the movement of the crowd, Koushirou forgot his sadness and briefly perked up. He raised his head and thoughtfully looked into Gawain's eyes.
Gawain simply nodded slightly at him.
After nodding, Gawain turned to look at the wary Zoro and smiled.
"Hey kid, you were laughing your head off when I got off the boat."
What's up? Did you see something interesting?
Are you laughing at the little reindeer on my head?
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain reached out and took Chopper off his head.
Chopper, meanwhile, obediently nestled on Gawain's arm while stubbornly making a sulky face at Zoro.
As for Zoro, when he heard Gawain's voice, he thought he was about to be targeted by the Celestial Dragon.
Then, when he finally understood that Chopper was a reindeer...
With Zoro's lightning-fast reflexes, he forgot what he was referring to in the blink of an eye. Instead, he pointed incredulously at Chopper, staring wide-eyed and shouting, "What do you mean?"
"Wait, you're saying that the raccoon with the bubbles and hat is actually a reindeer?!"
"A raccoon dog?!?"
At that moment, before Gawain speak, Chopper in his arms immediately expressed his unhappiness.
Chopper dodged Gawain's grasp and instantly jumped onto Zoro's head.
While gently tapping Zoro's head with his little hooves, Chopper kept emphasizing this.
"It's a reindeer, a reindeer!!!"
Haven't you ever seen a blue-nosed reindeer?!
"Hello!"
Zoro, annoyed, reached out and plucked Chopper off his head. He then grabbed the fur from Chopper's back and presented it to Gawain.
"Hey Celestial Dragon, can you please control your pet? It's just jumping on other people's heads like that, it's really too naughty!"
After saying that, Zoro couldn't help but glance at Chopper again. To be honest, the little guy's fur was incredibly soft.
Anyway... cough cough.
This thing is actually quite cute!
As soon as Zoro finished speaking, the village chief's face turned completely green!
What do you mean by "Celestial Dragon"?!
We're doomed!!!
Shimotsuki Village is doomed!
The Buster Call here!!!
In that instant, no one knows what thoughts crossed the village chief's mind.
In short, the village chief fainted and fell into the arms of the people behind him.
Even Koushirou rolled his eyes in exasperation, then glanced at the wooden sword tucked into his waistband.
I wonder how many attacks this unsharpened wooden sword can withstand from the Celestial Dragon' subordinates...
At this moment, Koushirou really wanted to transform into the Bodhi Patriarch and give a stern warning to the green-haired monkey in front of him.
After you leave, don't say you were taught by me!!!
Just as everyone was tense, Gawain glanced at Zoro and Chopper with great interest.
On one hand, Gawain was still pondering why Zoro hadn't set sail yet.
Logically speaking, Zoro should have set sail and made a name for himself as Pirate Hunter by now, right?
On the other hand...
Gawain reached out and took Chopper from Zoro, stroking Chopper's fur as Gawain laughed.
"Kid, Chopper isn't some pet. He's my ship's doctor, and the youngest of the three chief doctors."
Besides, Chopper is usually quite shy, I never expected him to be so friendly with you!
At this point, Gawain looked at Zoro with amusement, thinking that this was probably just a natural affinity.
After Sanji the crew, Chopper and Sanji's relationship remained unchanged; nothing special, they just gradually became familiar with each other.
But Zoro...
It's safe to say that Zoro truly deserves to be Chopper's half-godfather; the two of them are naturally compatible!
Hearing Gawain's teasing, Zoro's eyebrows twitched involuntarily.
"You keep calling me a little brat, but you don't look that old, do you?"
He asked Gawain, while giving Gawain his usual displeased look.
Gawain curled his lip in response to Zoro's greeting.
"What's your name? How old are you, kid?"
At this point, Gawain reached out and poked Zoro in the chest.
"You don't look like a child anymore, and you're carrying the Great Grade 21 Swords at your waist. A swordsman like you should have been out at sea long ago, shouldn't you?"
"Hello!"
Zoro snorted in annoyance.
"What does this have to do with my question? Besides, you're still calling me 'little brat'!"
I am Roronoa Zoro, destined to become the world's greatest swordsman!
As for my age, I'll be seventeen in a month and a half, and I'll be able to go to sea soon!!!
After saying that, Zoro rubbed his headscarf in frustration. At this point, he wasn't yet without a headscarf like he would five years later.
Gawain standing nearby, laughed when he heard Zoro's words.
"So you're only sixteen? Because you're not seventeen yet, it's not time to go to sea, right?"
So I'm eleven years older than you, well, not quite twelve, so it's really not appropriate to call you a little devil now."
Before Zoro could say anything more, Gawain reached out and stopped him.
Gawain laughed as he blocked Zoro's path.
"We'll talk about your business later. Look at you, acting all silly. Why don't you have dinner with me tonight, kid?"
As for now, I need to make arrangements for the villagers in your village first; we can't keep them waiting here indefinitely."
After saying that, Gawain waved to Kalifa.
"Kalifa."
"I'm here, sir!"
Kalifa immediately stepped forward and stood in front of Gawain, bowing as she glared fiercely at Zoro.
Zoro, of course, wouldn't tolerate Kalifa. He quickly returned the glare, while Gawain whispered instructions from the side.
"Kalifa, as usual, appease the villagers. We've purchased a lot of supplies in Syrup Village; let's give some of them to the local people."
In addition, send people to make preparations for Uta's concert. We will hold a small banquet in the evening so that the villagers can hear the unparalleled singing voice of the world's number one diva.
That's all, you can go and get back to work.
After speaking, Gawain waved his hand gently, and Kalifa nodded gracefully.
No sooner had Kalifa left than Gawain casually grabbed Zoro by the shoulder.
Holding the green-haired brat by the arm, Gawain addressed the surrounding villagers.
"Everyone has already met me, so we can skip the formalities from now on."
Now, everyone, please disperse quickly so as not to affect your work and lives.
There's a banquet tonight, and I hope everyone will attend on time. I'd like to invite you all to have a good drink.
"By the way, I stayed at Shimotsuki Dojo when I was in this village, Mr. Koushirou, is that alright?"
"Of course not, please feel free to stay here Celestial Dragon."
Koushirou nodded politely to Gawain.
Upon hearing Koushirou's words, Gawain nodded, then picked up Zoro and left.
"Hey, kid, did you hear that? Take me to your dojo. You're disrespecting my rules, we need to have a good talk!"
Let me teach you how to use a sword.
"Ha, you think you can teach me? You're not even a pure swordsman yourself. With your lightning abilities, what right do you have to teach me... Ah!"
Ouch, ouch, ouch! Be gentle!!!
Please don't carry me like a toy!!!
With Zoro's frustrated shouts, Gawain and Zoro walked further and further away, soon disappearing from the sight of the officials and villagers.
After Gawain left, Kalifa Logistics Department arranged for the logistics department to persuade and evacuate the villagers.
At the same time, Rayleigh, along with his officers, arrived in front of Koushirou.
Looking at Koushirou's bespectacled appearance... which showed absolutely no sign of danger, Rayleigh nodded appreciatively.
"You must be Koushirou, right? I've heard Oden mention your father quite often."
Oden really loved those two swords, Ame no Habakiri and Enma.
"Indeed, those two knives were also the brainchild of my father, who often mentioned them."
If only Father knew that even now, you still frequently mention his name.
"Then my father's spirit in heaven will feel comforted."
Koushirou responded with a smile, then bowed to Rayleigh. As Oden's first mate, Koushirou felt it was necessary to show Rayleigh the respect he deserved.
After all, Oden was the shogun recognized by Wano Country and Kousaburo, and Rayleigh was the shogun's first mate, so he naturally had to treat him with great courtesy.
Beside him, after Koushirou bowed, Rayleigh chuckled and patted Koushirou on the shoulder.
"Alright, I don't want to waste my time on etiquette. The etiquette of your Wano Country is too troublesome, tedious and boring."
Let's go straight to your place and have a couple of drinks. Kuma has a lot to talk about with you.
Speaking of which, Shiro, it sounds like you didn't inherit your father Saburo's forging skills, but instead became a very excellent swordsman!
Even though I only wear a wooden sword at my waist, I can smell the power to cut through gold and jade in that wooden sword!
After speaking, Rayleigh nodded appreciatively, and the large group of swordsmen behind him all showed expressions of interest.
Seeing the menacing gazes of Gion, Shiryu, and the others, Koushirou's forehead immediately beaded with sweat.
This pressure is really different...
Fortunately, Kuma helped Koushirou out of the predicament. He came to Rayleigh's side and said softly.
"Gentlemen, please allow me and Koushirou some time to chat."
As for the exchange between swordsmen, it can wait until everything is finished and the banquet is over."
At this point, Ookuma nodded slightly to Koushirou and continued.
"Long time no see, Shiro!"
"Long time no see, Mr. Bartholomew Kuma Bear."
Koushirou chuckled and greeted them, then led a group of his subordinates toward his dojo.
When they arrived at the entrance of the dojo, Koushirou paused and told the disciples to rest for a day.
After all his disciples obediently left, he led the cadres into the temple.
Looking at the classic Wano Country -style garden around him, Rayleigh's eyes were filled with nostalgia.
"The scenery here is just like Oden's cabin back then, with tatami mats, weapon racks, the occasional piece of armor, bamboo swords, and Sakura."
As soon as he finished speaking, a glint flashed in Rayleigh's eyes. He pursed his lips and chuckled softly.
"Seeing this, I suddenly feel a sense of nostalgia. I want to take a trip to Wano Country!"
That Oden must have died a very unpleasant death, right?
Back then, I was helpless in this matter. I found out too late, and as the vice-captain, it was impossible for me to make the decision to gather the crew and lead them to fight Kaido for Oden without Oden asking for help.
Now that the captain is determined to unify the Four Blues, I have a chance to reminisce with Kaido about what happened back then!
After saying that, Rayleigh let out a heavy breath, slung his sword over his shoulder, and left the courtyard.
"I won't stay in a place that evokes sad memories; the forest suits me better."
You all rest, I'm going to take a stroll in the forest and do some hunting.
"Hey Zeff, what kind of wild game are you good at cooking?"
"I'm good at everything, so go ahead and catch them!" Zeff laughed as he responded to Rayleigh.
Upon hearing this, Rayleigh nodded, then turned and left.
Jinbe chased after Rayleigh, jogging and shouting as he went.
"You have to take me hunting, haha!!!"
In the courtyard, watching Rayleigh leave, Koushirou shook his head regretfully.
"Mr. Rayleigh doesn't seem to be just sad. I think he might have some resentment towards Oden ..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Koushirou looked at Kuma with a puzzled expression.
Kuma shook his head in response.
"It's not that I'm dissatisfied, after all, Oden was one of the people who arrived in Laugh Tale with them."
However, Oden refused to seek help from his old friends, even at the cost of his life. This might be a matter of personal responsibility for Kozuki Oden, but it also gave the impression that he didn't consider Rayleigh and the others as friends.
Even when Rayleigh and the others saw the news of Oden's death in the newspaper, Oden had already been dead and all alone for a long time...
Rayleigh once said that after Roger's death, that is, after their pirate crew disbanded.
Oden was the first crew member to die...
His death completely shattered the Roger Pirates; no one would bother their former friends with their own difficulties without Oden seeking help.
Wouldn't that make them seem inferior to Oden?
In short, Oden seems to have set a bad precedent among the Roger Pirates.