What do I think?
Upon hearing Gawain's words, Zoro pursed his lips and sheathed the three swords.
Then, shirtless, he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and spoke.
"I have no objection, anyway I'll be setting sail early next year."
Although I have lived in the dojo for six or seven years, this is not home, and my master is not my father, so I have no reason to stay any longer.
As for joining your ship... well, that's not a bad choice, anyway. You're not a pirate, and you seem to be some kind of important figure."
As Zoro tied his bandana around his head, he asked Gawain.
"Uncle, who exactly are you? What does 'Celestial Dragon' mean?"
I've never even heard of the term "Celestial Dragon" before I met you.
Are you an aristocrat, or simply a wealthy person?
But that has nothing to do with me. You're a good person, and very strong. There are many other powerful people on the ship who can help me improve.
In short, aside from the fact that your ship is too big and a bit easy to get lost in, I can't see any reason not to follow you.
At this point, Zoro slapped his sword sheath and then nodded heavily to Gawain.
"So, what should I call you now? Should I call you Captain?"
"Just call me 'Uncle,' kid."
Gawain said with a smile, waving for Zoro to follow him. And so, the two of them walked one after the other toward the docks of Shimotsuki Village.
As Gawain strolled along, he found it amusing that Zoro had gotten on board so easily.
But thinking about it, it makes sense. He did set sail at the age of seventeen to become Pirate Hunter.
As long as you don't join pirates or do anything bad, joining the Dark Bird Ship isn't unreasonable, is it?
As Gawain pondered, he continued speaking.
"You should have noticed these past few days that there aren't any particularly strict rules on my ship. As long as you don't betray me, I can be tolerant of each and every one of you in my own way."
As for how you address someone, it doesn't matter how important it is in the context; call them whatever you like.
I don't need to use how my own people address me to elevate my status and authority in the eyes of others. We can win back the respect of outsiders with our fists and weapons.
"Ha!"
Hearing Gawain's words, Zoro smiled and nodded.
"I understand, sir. It seems I didn't make the wrong decision."
This atmosphere is great! It sounds even more relaxed than a dojo. I'm even a little excited about it.
Oh, right, now that I'm on board, what happens next...?
Can I continue to challenge you?
"Certainly."
Gawain first nodded decisively, then shook his head.
"However, I suggest you start by challenging the younger ones first. Wait until you've defeated Ace and the others, and then Lucci and the others."
Only then will you barely have the qualifications to challenge me and the cadres."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain patted Zoro on the shoulder, then raised his hand and waved to the officers waiting near the dock.
"I don't need to say more, you probably all know, this kid has already joined us."
"Grandpa Zephyr, it seems you'll have to take care of another child, haha."
"It's nothing!"
Zephyr shook his head coldly, then clenched his mechanical fist.
Zephyr thrust his Seastone fist toward Zoro and said sternly to Zoro.
"Hey kid, enjoy your last moments of freedom!"
In the days to come, I will train you in a devilish way!
You have no right to be absent or lazy, and you have no right to be willful or refuse, do you hear me?
"I heard you!!!"
At this moment, Zoro was not worried at all; on the contrary, his eyes widened with excitement.
Through their interactions over the past few days, Zoro has learned the meaning behind the name Zephyr!
He is the teacher of three Marine Admiral, and also the teacher of 80% of the rear Rear Admiral and Vice Admiral in the navy!
With an instructor like this to guide my training, I'll never have to worry about the future again!
As for whether the training is tough, heh, Zoro wouldn't even care about that.
From childhood to adulthood, Zoro has always been a complete training fanatic; training only brings him joy!
Seeing the flames burning in Zoro's eyes, Zephyr rarely showed a relieved smile.
He said this to Gawain while laughing.
"Captain, this lad looks good, he's got a lot of energy!"
Those brats on our ship, especially the boys, ugh!
Those guys are all incredibly lazy!
Ace only likes developing Devil Fruit abilities, Sanji only likes cooking and is quite averse to fighting and training with his hands, and Usopp is a jerk who trains while crying, he never gives me a moment's peace!
I thought my male disciples were destined to be like this, but my female disciples are all more resolute than the last.
In their spare time, Nami and Nojiko both voluntarily put in extra training. Iska is a training fanatic, training for at least sixteen hours a day. Vivi and Uta, those two little devils, have also recently started pre-training. Robin, in addition to reading, spends most of her time on the training field.
Looking at these girls, I feel ashamed for the boys under my command!
But now it's all good, haha, Zoro's spirit is finally giving the young men on our ship some pride!
As soon as he finished speaking, Zephyr laughed and grabbed Zoro's shoulder, giving him no chance to refuse. He then used Geppo to carry Zoro across the sea and rushed to the training grounds of the Dark Bird Ship.
After landing, Zephyr pointed directly to his feet and said...
"Kid, this is the first lesson I'm going to teach you: Geppo!"
Come on, run! Don't stop until I say stop!!!
Leaving aside the old man Zephyr's excitement at finally having a normal male disciple under his command, on the docks...
Seeing his disciple being taken away by Zephyr, even with Koushirou's composure, he finally widened his eyes slightly.
Not far from him, Kuma pondered for a moment, then spoke softly.
"Si Lang, you've actually raised this disciple of yours as if he were your son, haven't you?"
Hearing what Kuma said, Koushirou took a deep breath and then shook his head with relief.
"Even if he were my own son, as his father I shouldn't stop him from setting sail. How can a man have any spirit if he doesn't travel the Four Blues?"
Besides, he's just my disciple after all, so I have even less reason to stop him."
As soon as he finished speaking, Koushirou felt around in his pocket and took off a string of pendants.
Immediately afterwards, Koushirou pulled another book out of his pocket.
Holding the pendant and the book, Koushirou pondered for a long time before finally arriving near Smoker and Tashigi.
After nodding and smiling at the two of them, Koushirou stood in front of Tashigi and said with emotion.
"Tashigi, perhaps you don't know, but you and my deceased daughter... are almost 100% similar."
Looking at you, I can't help but want to give you these things!
Before he could finish speaking, Koushirou didn't give Tashigi a chance to refuse; he simply shoved the item into Tashigi's hand!
Seeing that Tashigi was blushing and about to refuse, Koushirou shook his head and emphasized.
"One should not refuse a gift from an elder, especially since it is not something valuable."
This necklace used to belong to my daughter; keeping it with me only adds to my sorrow.
As for this book, it is merely a swordsmanship notebook for the next life.
Although I am not famous, I have barely reached the threshold of becoming a great swordsman.
While my understanding may not be as suitable for you as Gion Vice Admiral's, it can still add a little bit of insight for you."
At this point, Koushirou narrowed his eyes and smiled at Tashigi.
He continued speaking while laughing.
"It's just a pity I didn't meet you sooner."
Otherwise, I really would like to personally hang my beloved daughter's knife on your waist.
As for now, the Wado Ichimonji has become the beloved script of my good-for-nothing disciple. Well, so be it, it's all fate.
In short, if you ever feel tired or weary in the future, feel free to visit Shimotsuki Village and let me treat you to a few simple meals."
After saying that, Koushirou didn't give Tashigi a chance to speak, but turned around and left the dock.
Watching Koushirou, Tashigi's Kakuzu even reddened.
"So, there really are two people in the world who are so similar, and one of them... is actually me..."
She wiped her eyes, her voice trembling with tears, then turned to look at the silent Smoker.
Watching the smoke rising from Smoker's cigar, Tashigi clenched her fist tightly.
"No matter what, I will become the World's Strongest female swordsman, carrying on Kuina's legacy!"
Starting tonight, I'm going to increase the intensity of my training!!!
As soon as she finished speaking, Tashigi solemnly picked up her swordsmanship notebook and followed Gawain's group with a touch of sadness, boarding the Little Dark Bird.
As for Gawain, he listened to what Rayleigh said to him as he boarded the ship.
"Gawain, Koushirou is also an excellent swordsman, why didn't you recruit him to your ship?"
I thought you would bring both master and apprentice on board. After all, leaving no one behind is your style, isn't it?
"Well..."
Hearing Rayleigh's words, Gawain rolled his eyes with amusement.
"Old man, what are you saying? Isn't 'leaving no one alive' a description of bandits? How could we possibly be bandits?"
With a joking remark, Gawain turned back as he walked, looking at Koushirou's receding figure.
He then continued.
"As for Koushirou, in some ways I really want to recruit him."
Although recruiting him would be difficult, he would not be willing to leave his hometown, especially the place where his daughter is buried.
But if I'm determined, I'll always find a way.
However, considering our future plans, namely our intention to attack Kaido...
To deal with Kaido, it's inevitable to deal with and sort out Wano Country. That country has been closed off for too long, and no one knows what it has become.
The battle with Kaido is destined to be decisive and direct, and I'm not sure what scale of damage it will cause in Wano Country.
In short..."
At this point, Gawain's lips curled into a deep smile, and he spoke in a low voice with a solemn expression.
"In short, Koushirou is ultimately a citizen of Wano Country. If he were the leader of a country like Vivi's, then no matter what harm he caused to Wano Country, I could negotiate with him."
But Shiro is just an ordinary person, so absorbing him now seems unwise, especially since we are destined to cause harm to Wano Country.
Even if we were to recruit him, I would much rather do so after we've defeated Kaido and reorganized everything in Wano Country, using Wano Country as our homeland as an incentive!
After saying that, Gawain turned around and boarded the Little Dark Bird.
It wasn't until the Little Dark Bird went to the Big Dark Bird, and until all the officers had returned to the rest area, that Rayleigh finally spoke to Gawain on behalf of all the officers.
"It seems you've made a decision, Captain. In your plan, the damage to Wano Country is destined to be so great that Koushirou cannot accept it!"
"Hey, what are you saying, old ghost?"
Just as Rayleigh finished speaking, Shakky immediately strolled over and gave Rayleigh a sharp rap on the head.
After knocking Rayleigh to the ground, Shakky blew on her fist, which was as big as a sandbag, and said coldly.
"You old devil, you don't sympathize with any random Wano Country people, do you?"
We are facing war, especially a war with Kaido!
In this war, we already have to allocate a considerable number of manpower to guard against the other three pirate kings of the New World. As for Newgate and Shanks, we can't just abandon our defenses against them because of a verbal agreement, can we?
With not being able to use all our manpower, dealing with Kaido is destined to be a tough battle for us, especially since this is the first real tough battle we've fought since raising the Dark Bird Flag!
In such a crucial war, do you think we still have the right to sympathize with the Wano Country?
We can only win, we cannot lose!
If we fail, we will not only face Charlotte Linlin's counterattack, but we will also lose the right to continue our agreement with Whitebeard and Red-Haired Shanks!
Our plan will be delayed by at least five to ten years, and even the final success rate cannot be guaranteed!
At this point, Shakky, with a cigarette dangling from her lips, scanned almost every cadre like a she-wolf.
Of course, there's no need to scan Shiryu, Hancock, and Crocodile.
In this way, Shakky's stern gaze effectively deterred the eyes of every kind-hearted cadre.
Then, she smacked Rayleigh on the head!
Snap!
With a loud noise and Rayleigh's scream, Shakky continued speaking to the crowd as if she had struck a gavel.
"Remember what I just said, everyone: even if the enemy is a monster like Kaido at his peak, we are only allowed to win, not lose!"
With this goal in mind, even if it means destroying the entire Wano Country to achieve our objective, we must do it!
War allows no room for compassion, because once we put ourselves in their shoes, those we sympathize with might not even sympathize with us!
Therefore, everyone should prepare yourselves as soon as possible. Since we have embarked on this path of change, it is inevitable that we will use blood and brains to smear the bones beneath our feet, isn't it?
"That's right!"
As soon as Shakky finished speaking, Gion, who was to Gawain's right, immediately slapped her sword.
"When I was in the Navy, I was unhappy with Admiral Sakazuki's orders more than once!"
Even so, once I receive a massacre order that I loathe so much, as a soldier I must carry out everything in the order!
Compassion is a quality of kindness, but kindness means staying away from war!
If sacrificing our generation today can bring about a better tomorrow...
Let all the blood flow on the land of our generation!