Robbing Tashigi

A few days later, a ship appeared in Loguetown's harbor, flying a pirate flag. No one recognized the design: a long sword piercing a skull.

At the bow, Lu Zhuo lounged with Nami. As he watched the shore draw nearer, a gleam flashed in his eyes.

From today on, my Holy Sword Pirates will make a name for themselves!

Nami gazed at Lu Zhuo, captivated by the aura he suddenly exuded. She had no objections to him becoming a pirate. Just as he'd said, she belonged to him completely. Everything she had was his!

Immersed in her reverie, she watched as Lu Zhuo turned toward her, his expression serious. "Let me tell you my plan. This time, I only want to spar with Smoker, but there's no way we can charge straight into the Marine Branch. So, we'll need to come up with a strategy!"

"Smoker's got a strong sense of justice. As far as I know, he has a beautiful woman named Tashigi working under him. She's a total airhead. If we kidnap her, we'll definitely be able to lure Smoker out!"

At that, Lu Zhuo suddenly paused when he noticed Nami's wary expression.

"Beau...tiful woman?! You bastard, tell me the truth. What are you planning?!" Nami's little hand was already on Lu Zhuo's waist, as if she were ready to pinch him at the slightest provocation.

Well, the obedient kitten who'd been so sweet just moments ago had instantly bristled at the thought of someone else taking her place...

Lu Zhuo gave a wry smile. "It's just a simple kidnapping. We'll give her back to Smoker after the fight. Otherwise, how do you think I'd get away from a Logia user?"

As he spoke, Lu Zhuo's voice suddenly dropped to a mutter.

This girl's such an airhead. She's beautiful, but she'd be hard to make a move on. She'd have to join the Marines first... Well, never mind. I'll leave her to Zoro later on...

"What are you mumbling about?" Nami had just relaxed at his explanation, but then she caught the words he'd muttered afterward and immediately grew suspicious again.

"All right, all right!" Lu Zhuo waved his hand helplessly, then suddenly kissed Nami on the lips. Looking her in the eyes, he said, "Don't worry. No matter what I do, my feelings for you will never change. You'll always be the one I love most..."

At his words, Nami's face turned crimson, and she was so happy that Tashigi and the rest of them were instantly forgotten.

Even if Lu Zhuo's interested in you, he just wants to have a little fun. I'm the one he loves most...

Thinking this, Nami stared blankly at Lu Zhuo as he got to his feet.

Lu Zhuo stroked her hair and said softly, "All right, time to get moving. Wait here. And don't get too close to shore—we're pirates now."

With that, he pushed off with his foot and floated ashore.

Normally, finding one person in a town—even a beautiful woman—would be difficult. But when it came to an airhead like Tashigi...

Lu Zhuo smiled faintly as he searched one shop after another.

There were only a few stores in all of Loguetown that sold swords. After making a few rounds, he spotted Tashigi carefully inspecting a sword.

To be honest, he'd felt a little tempted when he saw her. But he'd already made a promise to Nami, so he'd better give up on the idea. Besides, if he really got together with her, he'd feel a little bad for Zoro.

He'd already dealt Luffy's crew a serious blow by taking Nami and Robin for himself... Who knew how the story would change? By the time Luffy set sail, he'd probably be a Shichibukai at the very least. He could help him out then.

Ahem! He was getting carried away...

Lu Zhuo walked up beside Tashigi and heard her speak in an exceedingly quiet voice.

"A replica of Black Blade Yoru? The craftsmanship is awful. It looks similar, but it's not even a fraction as good as the real Black Blade. It's practically an insult to the Supreme Grade Swords!"

After putting the replica Black Blade back, Tashigi scanned the entire shop again, but still couldn't find any good swords.

There were only twelve Supreme Grade Swords, twenty-one Great Grade Swords, and fifty Skillful Grade Swords. Only eighty-three swords in the whole world counted as good ones. Without the protagonist's luck, how could anyone find two Skillful Grade Swords as easily as Zoro had?

Just then, Tashigi's eyes suddenly lit up as she fixed her gaze on the sword at Lu Zhuo's waist!

The Nidai Kitetsu seemed to be a magnet, drawing Tashigi toward it one step at a time.

Lu Zhuo watched as she completely ignored him, circling the sword at his waist and even drawing it for a closer look. A helpless smile tugged at his lips.

He finally understood just how airheaded she was...

"Ahem!" Lu Zhuo coughed loudly, finally bringing Tashigi to her senses.

When she saw his face, her own flushed red. She quickly backed away several steps and said awkwardly, "Um... sorry, your sword caught my attention."

"It's all right. You seem to know a lot about swords," Lu Zhuo said with a faint smile. "Why don't you take a look at mine and give me your opinion?"

As he spoke, Lu Zhuo took off the Kitetsu and handed it to her.

Tashigi's eyes immediately lit up. She snatched the sword and held it as if she couldn't bear to part with it. But the next moment, a chill swept over her, making her shudder. The Kitetsu slipped from her hand and fell.

Lu Zhuo was a little surprised. He reached out and caught his sword in midair.

Even for the Nidai Kitetsu, that sinister sword aura was unusually strong. It had no effect on him, but as soon as it left its master's hand, it released its killing intent. Tashigi couldn't withstand it at all.

The moment the Nidai Kitetsu returned to Lu Zhuo's hand, it grew quiet. Tashigi gazed at him with surprise in her beautiful eyes, her expression full of envy.

"The Nidai Kitetsu, one of the Twenty-One Great Grade Swords. It has a black back and a heavy pattern, and they say it carries an evil curse. For this sword to willingly accept you as its master, you must be a powerful swordsman."

Lu Zhuo smiled at Tashigi without confirming or denying it.

"It really is a fine sword. I suppose I was lucky to get it..." As he spoke, Lu Zhuo's expression suddenly changed. The Nidai Kitetsu in his hand had begun to sing of its own accord.

The blade seemed to have a life of its own. It trembled, then spun in Lu Zhuo's hand and pointed in a certain direction!

This left not only Tashigi but Lu Zhuo himself staring in shock. The sword might have had a sinister aura, but this was too much. This wasn't just a sword with a sinister aura—it clearly had a spirit of its own!

Could the sword in my hand be the Shodai Kitetsu, not the Nidai Kitetsu?

That's impossible!