Kidnapping Tashigi

A few days later, a ship appeared at the port of Loguetown, flying a pirate flag. No one recognized the emblem: a long sword piercing through a skull.

At the bow, Lu Zhuo, who had been cuddling with Nami, felt a spark in his eyes as the shore drew closer.

Well then, from today on, my Holy Sword Pirates shall become world-renowned!

Nami watched Lu Zhuo with a touch of infatuation as he suddenly exuded an imposing aura. She had no objections to him becoming a pirate; as Lu Zhuo had said, she was already entirely his, and everything she possessed belonged to him.

Just as she was lost in her daze, Lu Zhuo turned his head, his expression turning serious. "Let me explain my plan. Although I only intend to spar with that guy Smoker, I can't just charge straight into the Marine base. So, I have to come up with a strategy!"

"Smoker has a strong sense of justice. As far as I know, he has a beautiful subordinate named Tashigi. That girl is a total airhead; if I just kidnap her, I can definitely lure Smoker out!"

At this point, Lu Zhuo paused, noticing the wary look in Nami's eyes.

"Beau...tiful?! You jerk, tell me honestly, what are you planning?!" Nami's small hand was already resting on Lu Zhuo's waist, as if she would pinch him at the slightest provocation.

Well, the kitten that had been so obedient just a moment ago had instantly bristled the moment she heard someone else might be encroaching on her territory.

Lu Zhuo gave a wry smile and said, "It's just a simple kidnapping. I'll have to return her to Smoker after the fight anyway, otherwise, how do you expect me to escape from a Logia-type user?"

As he spoke, Lu Zhuo's voice dropped into a low mutter.

This girl is such an airhead. Even though she's very pretty, it's hard to make a move on her. She needs to be a Marine, anyway... oh well, I'll leave her for Zoro to deal with later...

"What are you muttering about?" Nami, having just calmed down, noticed Lu Zhuo's final words and immediately grew suspicious again.

"Alright, alright!" Lu Zhuo waved his hand helplessly, suddenly planting a kiss on Nami's pink lips, and stared into her eyes. "Don't worry, no matter what I do, my feelings for you will never change. You are the one I love most in this world..."

Hearing Lu Zhuo's words, Nami's face flushed red, and her heart filled with joy. Any thoughts of Tashigi were instantly cast aside.

Even if Lu Zhuo is interested in her, it's at most just for fun. Yeah, I'm the one he loves most...

Thinking this, Nami stared blankly at Lu Zhuo as he stood up.

Lu Zhuo stroked her hair and said softly, "Alright, it's time to act. You wait here. And be careful, don't get too close to the shore; we're pirates now."

With that, he stomped his foot and drifted gracefully onto the shore.

Logically speaking, finding a specific person in a town—even a beautiful one—is difficult. But as for the airheaded Tashigi...

Lu Zhuo smiled slightly and began checking the shops one by one.

There were only a few shops in all of Loguetown that sold swords. After circling a few times, he spotted Tashigi carefully examining a blade.

To be honest, when he saw Tashigi, he did feel a slight flutter of excitement. But since he had already promised Nami, he decided to let it go. Besides, if he really did take her, he would feel a bit sorry for Zoro.

He was already planning to take Nami and Robin, which would be a heavy blow to Luffy's pirate crew... He wondered how the plot would change. By the time Luffy set sail, he would at least be a Shichibukai, so he could just help him out then.

Ahem! I'm getting ahead of myself...

Lu Zhuo walked up to Tashigi and heard her extremely soft voice.

"A replica of Black Blade Yoru? The craftsmanship is too poor. Even though it looks similar, it doesn't even reach one-ten-thousandth of the real Black Blade. It's practically an insult to the Supreme Grade swords!"

After putting the replica back, Tashigi scanned the rest of the shop, still unable to find any decent blades.

One had to remember, there were only twelve Supreme Grade swords, twenty-one Great Grade swords, and fifty Skillful Grade swords. There were only eighty-three good swords in the entire world. If it weren't for the protagonist's halo, it wouldn't be so easy to find two Skillful Grade swords at once like Zoro did.

Just then, Tashigi's eyes suddenly lit up, locking onto the sword at Lu Zhuo's waist!

Instantly, Lu Zhuo's Nidai Kitetsu acted like a magnet, drawing Tashigi toward him step by step.

Lu Zhuo watched as Tashigi completely ignored him, circling the blade at his waist and even drawing it to examine it closely. He couldn't help but offer a helpless, wry smile.

I finally understand just how much of an airhead this girl is...

"Ahem!" Lu Zhuo coughed loudly, startling Tashigi back to reality.

Seeing Lu Zhuo's face, she blushed instantly, took several steps back, and said awkwardly, "Um... sorry, your sword just caught my attention..."

"It's fine. You seem to know a lot about swords," Lu Zhuo smiled slightly and said softly, "Why don't you take a look at my sword and give me your critique?"

As he spoke, Lu Zhuo unhooked the Kitetsu and handed it over.

Tashigi's eyes lit up immediately, and she snatched the sword, looking as if she couldn't bear to let it go. However, the next moment, she felt a chill wash over her. Her entire body trembled, and the Kitetsu slipped from her hands.

Lu Zhuo was slightly surprised and reached out to catch his sword in mid-air.

Even for the Nidai Kitetsu, this evil sword intent was a bit too strong. While it had no effect on him, the moment it left its master, it released its malevolent aura, which Tashigi simply couldn't withstand.

Watching the Nidai Kitetsu return to silence in Lu Zhuo's hand, Tashigi looked at him with wide, envious eyes.

"Nidai Kitetsu, one of the twenty-one Great Grade swords, the 'Black-Backed Heavy Flower.' It is said to be a sword cursed with evil. To have this blade willingly acknowledge you as its master, you must be a powerful swordsman."

Lu Zhuo smiled at Tashigi, neither confirming nor denying her words.

"It is indeed a good sword. Being able to obtain it was a matter of some luck..." As he spoke, Lu Zhuo's expression suddenly changed. The Nidai Kitetsu in his hand began to hum spontaneously.

The blade seemed to have a life of its own; it trembled, spun in Lu Zhuo's hand, and pointed in a specific direction!

At this, not only Tashigi but even Lu Zhuo was left dumbfounded. Even if the sword had a malevolent aura, this was going too far. This wasn't just a sword with an aura; it was as if the sword had a spirit!

Could it be that the sword in his hand wasn't the Nidai Kitetsu, but the Shodai Kitetsu?

The thought alone seemed impossible!