Rising Reputation

I can only say that the "directionally challenged" halo is truly invincible.

After wandering around the village with Zoro for half an hour, Xianuo's head was spinning. Finally, they found the entrance to the Isshin Dojo after asking an uncle for directions.

To Xianuo's surprise, Koshiro was already waiting at the entrance.

"Why are you so late?"

The middle-aged man, dressed in a kimono and wearing black-rimmed glasses, smiled at Zoro. "It's your fault, isn't it? You made Mr. Xianuo get lost too?"

"..." Zoro's face turned red again.

He could lie to Xianuo, but he was powerless to argue with his teacher, who knew him so well.

He grumbled and turned around. "So annoying, isn't it enough that I brought him here! I'm leaving, don't call me for dinner, I haven't finished today's extra training yet!"

Watching Zoro leave, Koshiro smiled and turned to walk into the dojo.

"Dinner is already being prepared. Mr. Xianuo, you probably haven't eaten yet. Shall we eat together later?"

"I am indeed a little hungry. Thank you for the invitation then."

Xianuo was not polite and followed behind, a little curious. "Mr. Koshiro, you know my name? Could it be that Junyi has returned from the clinic? So soon?"

"Junyi?"

Koshiro was slightly startled and shook his head. "No, I only heard the news of his return, I haven't seen him in person yet. Speaking of which, I should thank you on his behalf. Your trip to Asagiri Island was unexpectedly dangerous. If you hadn't encountered him, he might not have survived."

"Then how do you know so much..."

"Well, that's because Mr. Xianuo has become quite famous recently."

Koshiro took out a few newspapers from a cabinet and handed them to Xianuo, chuckling. "You'll understand if you read these."

Newspapers?

Xianuo took them curiously. He had been at sea for the past few days and hadn't encountered any News Coos.

Or perhaps a News Coo had flown by at high altitude and they hadn't noticed their small boat.

"Here, have some tea." Koshiro personally brewed a cup of green tea and handed it over.

"Thank you."

They sat on the tatami mats across the tea table. Xianuo spread out the newspapers and began to read them carefully.

These newspapers were mostly from local East Blue newspapers. The front-page headlines, without exception, were all reports about the Asagiri Island incident.

"Shimotsuki Village is isolated from the world. Besides me, who subscribes to newspapers every day, not many people know about your deeds."

Koshiro said with a smile, "But it's different on other islands. In many places in the surrounding waters, you've been the focus of attention these days. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say you're the brightest rising star in the East Blue right now."

His words were not exaggerated at all.

From Xianuo's dominant advance to the finals, to the series of unexpected events that occurred in the tournament dojo;

Then to the bizarre and terrifying Puppetization of the Seven Great Dojos' masters, and the mastermind behind it all being the long-dead chairman, Sakuraba Tree...

This bizarre story was already eye-catching enough, and in this desperate situation, a young swordsman suddenly stood up and shattered the conspiracy single-handedly.

After finding the mastermind's secret treasure room, he took nothing for himself and even took the initiative to distribute the enormous treasure inside to all the victims.

Finally, before dawn, the young swordsman quietly departed, his achievements and fame hidden.

--This was simply the standard young hero archetype found in traditional folk tales. It would be strange if it didn't explode in popularity.

Several local East Blue newspapers spared no ink, reporting continuously for several days, with sales soaring.

Even the World Economic News was alerted and rushed to follow up. Although it wasn't the headline, it occupied a considerable portion of the second page.

After some fermentation.

The title of "East Blue's Strongest Young Swordsman" had quietly spread throughout most of the East Blue.

"This, this is too much praise..."

Xianuo held the newspapers, his old face turning red.

Most of the time, the reporters were not present, and the reports were compiled based on testimonies after the fact, leading to many inaccuracies in the details.

For example, he did leave the two hundred million Belly from the secret room, but he was still holding the four hundred million Belly from the Loguetown vault. It wasn't as noble as taking nothing.

Junyi's involvement was also completely ignored, but this was also a form of protection, which could be considered a good thing.

After all, as the son of the mastermind Sakuraba Tree, his identity was too sensitive.

If his fame grew, it might attract many victims' families who couldn't distinguish right from wrong to seek revenge.

However, speaking of which.

The most out-of-place point was still--

"I was actually praised as the strongest swordsman?!"

Swordsman?

Are you kidding me!

His mediocre swordsmanship was useless in the big battle. The final victory was clearly achieved by smashing it out with his strong physique, punch by punch!

"Hiss..."

Xianuo scratched his hair, feeling a slight headache.

Will people keep asking me for sparring matches, challenges, or guidance from now on?

However, this outcome wasn't entirely unexpected.

After all, when the real big battle began later, everyone who could run had already fled the dojo. His advancement path in the Kendo Tournament, however, was recorded in its entirety.

A genius swordsman who advanced to the finals with an undefeated record, and then managed to defeat a terrifying Devil Fruit user...

If not by swordsmanship, then by what else?

It made perfect sense.

Even the front-page photos in these newspapers used pictures taken by reporters during the preliminary rounds.

--A black-haired youth stands proudly on a wooden stage, bamboo sword in hand, seemingly unbeatable, surrounded by a crowd of astonished spectators.

At a glance.

He really did possess the air of a young swordsman who had emerged from seclusion and was already unrivaled.

"Sigh."

Xianuo let out another long sigh.

Koshiro, however, misunderstood his meaning and chuckled, "You seem troubled despite becoming famous. It appears Lord Xianuo prefers a low-key life. That's understandable; otherwise, why would you have left quietly after everything was over?"

He didn't hide his admiration, which made Xianuo even more uneasy.

He was afraid the next sentence would be something like, "I'd like to witness your swordsmanship," "Dinner is almost ready," or "How about we spar a bit?"

Fortunately, the figure entering through the door saved him from his awkwardness.

"Father."

The black-haired girl with a cold expression stood at the doorway and spoke calmly, "Grandma said the food is ready and asked me to call you. Let's go now... Eeeeeeeek!!!!"

She suddenly shrieked, her gaze shifting to Xianuo, her small face filled with surprise, "Lord Xia... Lord Xianuo! What are you doing here!"

Thump thump thump. Before Xianuo could react, she rushed straight towards him, hugging his arm, touching and looking him over, "A hallucination? No! It's not a hallucination! It's really you!"

Xianuo's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Koshiro.

"This is my daughter, Kuina. Please forgive her; she doesn't usually act like this."

Koshiro chuckled, "It's all because she saw you with her own eyes that she lost her composure. Speaking of which, besides practicing swords, she also enjoys reading. She often flips through the newspapers I subscribe to. For the past few days, she's been completely captivated by your story, reading it over and over."