One Piece: Starting by Refusing Red-Haired's Invitation

Lin Mo asked speechlessly, "You're not open at night?"

After a brief pause, Shopkeeper continued, "You're from out of town, aren't you? My tavern only opens during the day. If you're buying alcohol for the adults at home, come back after dawn."

With that, Shopkeeper left.

Lin Mo said nothing more and prepared to return to Isshin Dojo.

He stopped when he passed a small stall selling wine gourds.

After thinking it over, he picked one out. As soon as he paid, he hung the newly bought Wine Gourd from his waist.

Several people hidden beneath dark-green cloaks passed behind him.

That presence...

Lin Mo turned to look at them.

At the same time, the leader of the group glanced back at him.

Lin Mo's gaze met that of the leader.

The former's expression remained unchanged, without the slightest hint of wavering.

A trace of surprise flashed through the latter's eyes.

Lanterns set up by the surrounding vendors for illumination cast a little light onto the faces hidden beneath the cloaks.

Especially after seeing the red square-patterned tattoo on the man's left cheek, Lin Mo confirmed his identity.

It was Monkey D. Dragon!

The leader of the Revolutionary Army, the son of Garp the Hero, and the father of the future Pirate King, Luffy.

"Hey, Dragon, what are you doing? We can't stay here too long. It'll be troublesome if we attract attention. Hurry up." The man walking beside Dragon had an exceptionally large face and reminded him while lowering his voice as much as possible.

One of the companions behind him also muttered, "Ivankov, your terrifyingly huge face attracted attention ages ago..."

"Hee-haw~ What did you say? Say that again." Ivankov spun around and immediately headbutted him.

The one who had been hit had tears in his eyes, but he dared not complain.

Dragon withdrew his gaze and continued walking, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Interesting."

A few minutes later.

In the Tea room in the rear courtyard of Isshin Dojo.

Koshiro was not surprised by these sudden visitors.

"I thought you wouldn't come for another couple of days." Koshiro took a sip from his Tea cup and smiled. "It seems the plan went smoothly."

"More or less." Dragon looked at the steaming Tea cup before him and took a sip as well. "This Tea tastes pretty good."

"Honestly! Koshiro, I want alcohol!" Ivankov shouted. "You used to prepare fine wine for us whenever we came over. Why are you being so stingy today?"

Koshiro smiled and shook his head. "It's not that I didn't want to prepare any for you. It's just that I gave away all the wine I had stored."

"Huh? You're kidding! You gave it all away?" Ivankov asked in surprise. "I begged you so much before, and you still refused to give me even one more jar. Who has that much face that you'd actually give away all your wine?"

"That little brat, I suppose." Dragon continued sipping his Tea and spoke as if he were merely making an offhand remark.

Ivankov said, "Hmm? Little brat? What little brat? Which little brat?"

Koshiro asked in surprise, "You've met Lin Mo?"

"Lin Mo? Who's that? Is he the little brat you were just talking about?"

"I saw him on the street just now." Dragon continued, "He had Wado Ichimonji and a wine gourd hanging from his waist. He wasn't afraid of me in the slightest. Moreover, I could tell that the boy's strength was no lower than Kuina's. It seems you've taken in quite a good disciple."

Ivankov said, "You saw him on the street just now? How come I didn't see him?"

"It would be nice if he were really my disciple." Koshiro smiled ruefully.

"What?" Dragon set down his Tea cup and looked at Koshiro in surprise. "He isn't your disciple?"

Koshiro nodded. "I did hope he would stay at the dojo, but he refused."

"Hey, hey, you two, didn't you hear me? Don't ignore me!"

After a brief silence, Dragon ignored Ivankov and continued speaking to Koshiro. "You gave him the fine wine you'd kept for so long, along with Wado Ichimonji. Even with such sincerity, he still refused to stay. He must have something he absolutely has to do."

"Perhaps." Koshiro took another sip of Tea. "Actually, Wado Ichimonji and the wine were his spoils of victory after defeating Kuina. You can't really say I gave them to him."

"You already knew he would win, then offered the wine and Famous Sword as the victor's rewards. That's no different from giving them to him for free."

Dragon had just finished speaking.

A burst of footsteps sounded from the corridor, drawing closer.

The people in the Tea room all looked toward the open sliding door at the same time.

A small figure with two swords and a wine gourd hanging from his waist calmly passed before their eyes.

Chapter 7: Shimotsuki Village: The Annoying Brat

After seeing Dragon's group in town, Lin Mo knew they had definitely gone to find Koshiro.

Dragon was the leader of the Revolutionary Army.

The purpose of the Revolutionary Army was to overthrow the unequal rule of the Celestial Dragons, who controlled the World Government. It was even regarded by the World Government as the greatest threat to global stability.

Considering the current point in time, the Revolutionary Army should still have been in the preparation stage and had yet to launch any large-scale operations.

As for Dragon's purpose in coming to Shimotsuki Village to find Koshiro, it didn't matter. In any case, it had nothing to do with him.

However, to return to the guest room Koshiro had prepared for him, he had to pass through the Tea room.

Koshiro spoke first and greeted him. "Lin Mo, did you go out?"

Lin Mo turned and glanced at him, then calmly nodded. "Mm."

Dragon sized him up with interest.

Ivankov couldn't hold back. He charged out of the Tea room and stared Lin Mo up and down from practically nose to nose. "You're the little brat Dragon and Koshiro were talking about? You don't look like much to me. Hey, hey, did you two get something wrong? Can this brat really defeat Kuina?"

Lin Mo pushed him away in disgust. "Stay away from me."

"Huh?" Ivankov staggered back several steps, deeply wounded. Then he clutched his heart, hunched over, and trembled all over. "Ah, my heart... My heart... No, I'm dying. I'm dying..."

A few seconds later, Ivankov suddenly sprang back to life. Raising both hands, he laughed loudly. "Hee-haw~ I'm not going to die!"

Koshiro smiled and twisted the knife. "Ivan, Lin Mo's already gone."

"Ah!" Ivankov froze and looked in Lin Mo's direction. Sure enough, Lin Mo had already gone far away.

Devastated as if struck by lightning, Ivankov sat down against the wall while hugging his legs, his entire body sinking into a vast shadow. "That rotten brat actually just left like that..."

"Heh-heh." Koshiro smiled. "Ivankov's still the same as ever. Full of energy."

"Indeed." Dragon took a sip of Tea and set down his cup before suddenly asking, "Is that brat named Lin Mo really a child?"

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"His eyes and bearing look just like those of an adult who's been through a great deal."

"I felt it too. But he really is still a child—and an extraordinarily gifted genius at that." Koshiro smiled as he answered. Then his eyes flickered, and he asked in return, "Dragon, do you believe in miracles?"

After a pause, Dragon asked in confusion, "Miracles? What are you referring to?"

"If you had come a few hours earlier, you would understand." After saying this, Koshiro took another sip of Tea. His mind involuntarily conjured the scene from a few hours earlier, when Lin Mo's strength had suddenly surged before him, giving him a faint sense of oppression.

The next day.

Dawn had barely broken.

Lin Mo rose early.

The moment he stepped out of his room,

a murderous figure darted over from the side.

Lin Mo sidestepped it without a word. He had noticed long ago that someone was lying in wait outside for an opportunity to attack.

He raised his hand and struck with a hand blade, knocking down the overconfident fool.

"Ah!" Zoro landed face-first on the ground.

Lin Mo did not even spare him another glance. He simply walked past.

Zoro got up from the ground, gripped two bamboo swords, and followed. Instead of becoming furious over his defeat, he was excited. "Lin Mo, I remembered everything you told me yesterday. Although I spent all night thinking about it and still haven't figured out a lot of it, I won't give up. Sooner or later, I'll fully understand what you said, surpass you, and defeat you!"

Lin Mo gave a perfunctory reply. "Oh."

Zoro continued, "I'm serious! You might not even think much of me right now, but that's fine. I'll prove myself. I'll show you through my actions and work twice as hard to prove that I can do it!"

Lin Mo: "..."

What an annoying kid...

Speechless, Lin Mo continued walking.

As he passed the Tea room, Koshiro's voice suddenly came from inside. "Zoro, you should be going to morning Ren."

Zoro abruptly stopped in his tracks while following closely behind Lin Mo. He immediately bowed respectfully to Koshiro. "Yes, Teacher!"

After saying that, he ran toward the dojo full of enthusiasm.

Lin Mo looked into the Tea room at Koshiro, who was sitting upright and drinking Tea, and nodded. "Thanks."

Koshiro smiled. "You're welcome. Are you heading out?"

"Mm."

Without wasting any more words, Lin Mo left Isshin Dojo and entered the hills surrounding Shimotsuki Village to begin his usual hunting.

It was something he did every day. Fighting all kinds of powerful animals not only improved his combat skills, strengthened his body, and increased his Haki proficiency, but also allowed him to exchange the animals he hunted for Beli, earning money to buy wine and food.

Two hours later.

Lin Mo returned with a full haul.

He gave part of the meat he had hunted to Isshin Dojo.

Then he made his way to the tavern in Shimotsuki Village.

Just like the first time he had entered Makino's tavern in Foosha Village,

his arrival immediately provoked uproarious laughter from all the drinkers.

"Am I seeing this right? Looks like some brat just walked into the tavern."

"Hey, kid, this is a tavern. If you want fruit juice, go buy it somewhere else. Hahaha!"

"Look, he's even carrying two swords. Is he a student from Isshin Dojo? Why isn't he practicing swordsmanship at the dojo at this hour? Did he come to the tavern to put on a sword-splitting performance for us? Ahahaha!"

"Kid, this isn't a place for you. Hurry back to the dojo and practice your slashing. Yahahaha!"

Lin Mo ignored the voices and approached the tavern counter.

He easily climbed onto the tall stool in front of the bar.

He took out a handful of Beli, placed them on the counter, and said casually, "Bring me the best wine here."

"All right." Shopkeeper wiped a glass and turned around with a smile. The moment he saw Lin Mo, he recognized him. "Eh? You're that child from last night, aren't you? You came after all. Where are the adults in your family? Didn't they come with you?"

Lin Mo had no interest in making small talk.

He raised his hand and tapped the countertop.

Shopkeeper looked down, immediately smiled, and pocketed the few Beli in front of Lin Mo. "Drinking alcohol at such a young age? How impressive."

As he spoke, Shopkeeper quickly poured Lin Mo a cup of the tavern's specialty sorghum liquor.

Lin Mo picked up the cup and took a sip.

A rich, mellow fragrance spread across his lips and teeth.

Although it was slightly inferior to the wine Koshiro had given him, the overall flavor was still quite good.

Lin Mo was fairly satisfied, so he pulled the Wine Gourd from his waist and placed it on the counter. At the same time, he took out some more Beli. "Fill it up."

Shopkeeper nodded, accepted the money, took the Wine Gourd, filled it, and handed it back to him.

In that short time, Lin Mo had already finished the cup of sorghum liquor.

Seeing that his face was neither flushed nor strained and that he looked completely unaffected, Shopkeeper couldn't help giving him a thumbs-up. "I never would have guessed it. For such a young age, you can really hold your liquor."