"Hm?"
Sanji had never expected an answer like that. His mouth hung open as he asked, "Old man, you mean... you're going to train us?"
Uchiha Dumbledore Mai nodded with a smile, looking as kindly as could be.
"Got it!" Luffy was clearly thrilled. Stretching lazily into the sea breeze, he clenched his fists and declared with fighting spirit, "Then we'll be in your care, Grandpa!"
Zoro said nothing, merely staring at Uchiha Dumbledore Mai with excitement in his eyes.
Among the Straw Hat crew, he was the one who craved strength the most. Once against Hawk-Eye Mihawk and once against Kisame, the feeling of nearly dying twice had left him deeply dissatisfied.
Earlier, he had stepped forward without hesitation, willing to trade his life for his companions' survival.
But as a proud man, he would rather hold everyone's safety in his own hands.
"Do I have to join too?" Usopp raised a hand and asked cautiously.
"All of you will undergo training. Mm, but before that, I'll give you some gifts."
As he spoke, Uchiha Dumbledore Mai waved his wand, and a sword appeared out of thin air. The moment Zoro gripped it, he sensed something unusual. It was a swordsman's instinct.
"This is a type of sword I forged, called a Zanpakutō. By learning the name bestowed upon your own Zanpakutō and speaking with it in your heart, you can gain power. One day, when you can call out its name, the Zanpakutō will grant you tremendous strength. I don't think that will be difficult for a determined swordsman like you."
"Thank you."
Zoro said happily, immediately running his hands over the Zanpakutō and examining it from every angle, unable to put it down.
His weapons had been shattered before. When fighting Kisame, aside from Wado Ichimonji, the