Dreams

When Kuta last saw the news about Kuta, he became interested in this suddenly appearing Great Swordsman and wanted to Kuta with him, but he was delayed by some things and couldn't go.

This time, we see news about Kuta again, and this time it's an even more powerful Kuta than before.

He... couldn't hold back anymore.

Thinking of this, he threw down the newspaper, slowly stood up, walked to the coat rack, picked up the wine-red patterned cloak, draped it over his shoulders, and then picked up a black top hat adorned with white fur and put it on.

He turned around, slung a Daikoku cross-shaped sword over his shoulder, and strode out of the Castle.

The last person who excited him so much, who was so eager to get started, was "Red-Hair Shanks" before he lost his arm and wasn't yet one of the Four Emperors.

But ever since he lost his arm, he hasn't been able to find a Swordmaster opponent who can excite him.

New World, somewhere in the sea.

On a deserted island, the Red Hair Pirates are currently holding a banquet.

In the middle of the island, on a broken tree, sat a middle-aged man with only one arm.

The middle-aged man had red hair and three vertical scars around his left eye, which appeared to be from being scratched.

He had a light stubble around his mouth, wore a white shirt, a black cloak, and a rapier at his waist.

This is none other than Shanks, the Captain of the Red Hair Pirates, one of the Four Emperors of the New World, who is famous throughout the world. His nickname is "Red-Hair".

He is also the youngest of the Four Emperors.

Shanks is Pirates, yet he has connections with the Five Elders, the highest leaders of the World Government, making him a man shrouded in mystery.

This guy can be said to be the Pirates who best embodies "freedom" in the world. If the definition of "Pirate King" is "the freest person on this sea", then Shanks is the closest to that throne.

This guy is also the only one among the Four Emperors.

A being who reached the pinnacle of the world without relying on Devil Fruit, solely through Haki.

At this moment, Shanks was holding a bottle of liquor in one hand, looking down at the newspaper spread out on his lap.

The more I looked at him, the more his brows furrowed.

Beside him stood Red Hair Pirates, dressed in a black V-neck t-shirt, army green cargo pants, and black First Mate Beckman, with a flintlock rifle strapped to his waist with a yellow belt, his gray hair slicked back, and a dark blue cloak with a spiral pattern draped over his shoulders. Noticing that Red-Hair's condition was off, he asked softly.

"What's wrong, Shanks?"

"Fine."

Shanks dropped his serious expression, turned to Beckman, and chuckled, "A newly arrived Pirates, yet he's strong enough to injure that yellow-skinned monkey."

"Oh..."

A flicker of surprise crossed Beckman's eyes. He put the cigarette between his fingers into his mouth, reached for the newspaper Shanks handed him, and began to read.

As he looked, his expression gradually turned serious. He looked at Shanks and said, "Isn't this the brat who killed Golden Lion?"

A flicker of shock crossed his eyes as he spoke.

"I never imagined their strength would reach this level!"

One Admiral and five Vice Admiral were nothing to their Pirates crew, but a one-on-one fight would be a different story.

Even Shanks would have a lot of trouble if he encountered this!

Yes! It's troublesome, but not insurmountable.

Shanks did not answer Beckman, but turned to look at the distant Sea.

"The balance of the New World is about to be broken again!"

Thinking of this, he picked up the bottle and took a few sips, then shook his head, putting these matters aside. His smile returned, and he and his men happily began their banquet.

From Kuta's messages, he could understand Kuta's character and way of doing things. At least this guy wasn't a vicious person, and that was enough.

What he was most worried about were those incredibly crazy and powerful Pirates.

Because once these guys arrive in the New World, they're bound to wreak havoc on New World because of their ambitions.

That would break the hard-won balance between the Four Emperors, the Navy, and the Shichibukai.

This plunges the world back into chaos, which is not what he wants to see.

Of course, this is not what the Navy and the World Government want to see either.

If someone like Kuta is Pirates whose purpose is adventure, then he can't be too bad, right?

I wonder if he'll still be this happy when he actually sees Kuta in the future.

Because Kuta's first target upon entering the Grand Line was the Shichibukai!

My goal upon entering the New World is to become the World's Strongest.

In other words, he will definitely fight Whitebeard. Although he may not necessarily clash with the entire Whitebeard Pirates, the change of the title of strongest will surely disrupt the old balance!

It will be very interesting when they actually meet.

Chapter 53 Dreams

East Blue.

Cocoyasi Village, Orange Grove.

Genzo was taking the newspaper from Nami's hand, and looking at the familiar faces on it, his face was full of smiles.

"Genzo, this must be Kuta, the one who saved Cocoyasi Village and killed Arlong!"

Nami has only been back for a few days.

When she dragged her exhausted body back to the village, she couldn't believe her eyes.

Because the once joyful Cocoyasi Village has returned.

It took her several days to process the fact that the shadow that had loomed over her heart and over Cocoyasi Village had completely disappeared.

Next comes boundless gratitude towards Kuta and Kuina.

She had gathered all the information about Kuta and the others, and this was the latest news delivered by the newsbird today.

"Um!"

Genzo looked at Nami, nodded, and gratitude flashed in his eyes.

"This sir, he really doesn't stop!"

"It's Big News Morgans wherever I go."

Nami looked at the photo of Kuta the newspaper, her eyes sparkling. Without Arlong's constraints, her heart, yearning for her dream, was stirring again.

But she resisted the urge; she had long ago come to understand the cruelty of the Sea.

Without a reliable group of partners, it's best to keep the idea of going to sea to yourself.

Although I can't go to the Grand Line, the East Blue...

She can still make her way in the world.

With that thought in mind, she rushed into the house next door, grabbed her backpack, slung it over her shoulder, and dashed out of the room like a gust of wind, running quickly toward the dock.

"Nami, where are you going?"

Genzo shouted loudly as he watched Nami's retreating figure.

Nami had her back to Genzo, raised her right hand, and waved.

"This time, I'm going to set sail for my dream!"

"A dream?"

Genzo looked at Nami, his smile deepening. He didn't stop Nami from going out to sea, but shouted loudly, "Then be careful! Be extra careful when you're out and about!"

"Knew."

Dreams—no one can stop someone from setting sail for their dreams.

Just like Zoro in the Isshin Dojo Shimotsuki Village at this moment.

Ever since seeing the news about Kuta and Kuina, he couldn't resist the urge to go to sea any longer.

Have you made a decision?

Koshiro sat cross-legged on the steps in front of the door, looking at Zoro standing below, and spoke softly.

"Um!"

Zoro nodded, his eyes resolute.

"Now that you've made the decision, let's go!"

"Only..."

"What?"

Koshiro looked at Zoro, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I'm not worried about your strength, it's just your illness..."

I'm hopelessly directionally challenged...

"No way!"

Zoro blushed and shouted at Koshiro, "I'm not directionally challenged! I'm just... just..."

He couldn't think of a word to describe his terrible sense of direction.

"You just weren't looking where you were going, right?"

Koshiro looked at Zoro, a smile playing on his lips.

"Yes, yes, yes!!"

"I'm not directionally challenged!"

As he spoke, Zoro kept nodding, as if he really wasn't directionally challenged.

Koshiro stared at Zoro without saying a word, until Zoro's whole body stiffened and he was clearly about to explode with anger. Only then did he look away and look down at the black, long, sculpted sword resting on Zoro's lap.

"An eagle must soar through the sky to truly become the master of the heavens, and so it is with people; they must go out to sea and experience various battles and trials to truly realize their ideals."

Thinking this, he picked up the long sword, looked up at Zoro, and handed it to him.

"Take it!"

"This sword, like Kongtai's Kuta - Zankū, was made by me. Consider it a gift for your voyage!"

"Same as Zankū."

Zoro excitedly took the sword, and couldn't resist gripping the hilt and drawing it.

Clang--!

The blade was drawn from its sheath with a crisp, sharp sound.

It makes you feel from the bottom of your heart that this is a good knife.

A flash of cold light appeared, and a Zankū, almost identical to the one used in the Zankui sword and resembling the Famous Sword Shusui sword, was placed in front of Zoro.

Zoro tucked the sword in his left hand into his waistband, and couldn't help but reach out to stroke the blade, feeling its sharpness, his face flushed red.

He had long admired Kuina's Wado Ichimonji and Kuta's Zankū.

Every time he wanted to borrow them to play with, these two guys would put on a very unwilling face, which annoyed him greatly.

Now he has a good knife too.

"Master, what's the name of this knife?"

Bite--!

Zoro sheathed his sword, his eyes filled with excitement as he looked at Koshiro.

"How would I know the name of your knife!"

Koshiro looked at Zoro and said with amusement, "Kuta's 'Zankū' was a name he chose himself. Why don't you choose one yourself?"

As he spoke, he pushed up his glasses and picked up the newspaper next to him to read.

This is the newspaper Zoro just brought; he hasn't read it yet.

As I watched, a smile couldn't help but appear on his face.