“There’s no need to be so formal. As a Marine, we must eliminate trouble-making pirates,” Rokujin said with a serious expression. He almost believed his own words.
Suddenly, Luffy came over, curiously asking, “Brother Rokujin, your swordsmanship has improved again. Who did you learn from?”
“The world’s greatest swordsman!” Rokujin replied.
“The world’s greatest swordsman? Who’s that? Is he a Marine?” Luffy asked, scratching his nose and looking confused. He didn’t know much about swords. However, Zoro’s eyes narrowed, staring intently at Rokujin. Suddenly, he stood up. “You seem free. How about a match?”
Everyone was shocked!
“What? Zoro, what are you saying?”
“Brother Rokujin is Luffy’s brother. Why challenge him?”
“Haha, Zoro, I support you!”
The only one who understood Zoro was Luffy, knowing Zoro’s goal was to become the strongest. Seeing Rokujin’s powerful swordsmanship, Zoro naturally saw him as a challenge. Of course, Zoro’s ultimate goal was to defeat Mihawk. To beat Mihawk, he had first to defeat Mihawk’s disciple!
“Sure, but what’s your goal?” Rokujin asked with a smile.
“To be the strongest in the world!” Zoro replied without hesitation.
“Hahaha, the strongest in the world, that’s the same as my goal. Let’s see who can achieve it!” Rokujin laughed, heading outside the restaurant. Seeing this, Zeff quickly ordered, “Activate battle mode!”
“Yes, Head Chef!” Several cooks immediately ran out of the kitchen, activating mechanisms. With a loud bang, two battle platforms emerged on either side of the ship.
“You’re not my opponent. It’s still not too late to back out,” Rokujin said as he stepped onto the platform. Even though he knew Zoro wouldn’t give up, he still said it.
“Back out? This is my ambition, and a promise to a friend. I won’t give up!” Zoro said, tying his bandana around his head, his expression becoming serious. He held one sword in his mouth and two in his hands.
“Alright! In that case, I’ll use this sword to test your strength!” Rokujin drew the Supreme Grade sword he had received from the system, Zhan Tian. As Zhan Tian emerged, its red blade glowed even brighter under the sunlight, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.
“What a fine sword!”
“That must be a Supreme Grade sword. How come I’ve never heard of it?”
“Not many can possess a Supreme Grade sword!”
Zoro’s face turned serious. He was feeling unprecedented pressure from Rokujin. His entire body exuded a powerful fighting spirit.
“Use your strongest move. Let’s decide this with one strike!” Rokujin said casually. He didn’t want to waste too much time.
“Alright!” Zoro nodded, knowing that only his strongest move had any chance of winning. He spun the two long swords in his hands, creating several sword shadows, and charged at Rokujin.
“Three-Sword Style Secret Technique: Great Thousand World!”
“Unnecessary!” Rokujin raised an eyebrow, lifted his sword, and swiftly slashed past Zoro’s body, without even releasing a sword energy slash!
As the sword light passed over Zoro, the two long swords in his hands shattered into pieces. Blood spurted from his chest instantly!
“Pffft!” A deep, bloody wound appeared on his chest, and he collapsed.
“Zoro!”
“Zoro, are you alright?”
Everyone was worried and shouted. The onlookers were once again astonished by Rokujin’s swordsmanship.
“Even Zoro with his Three-Sword Style isn’t a match for Rear Admiral Rokujin!”
“Indeed! He’s truly deserving of being a Rear Admiral!”
“Is that why he became a Rear Admiral at such a young age?”
Zoro gritted his teeth, trying to get up, but found he couldn’t move an inch. He could only let out a helpless cry, “Ah!”
“Recognize the gap between us. There are many in this world who are stronger than you in swordsmanship. I’ll be waiting for you at the top!” Rokujin said solemnly, sheathing his sword.
At this moment, Luffy ran over anxiously, frowning, “Brother Rokujin! Zoro is my crewmate. Can’t you go a bit easier?”
“A swordsman isn’t judged by reckless victories. I’m just teaching him,” Rokujin replied.
“???” Luffy was utterly confused.
Suddenly, Zoro raised his remaining sword weakly and called out, “Luffy!”
“Yes!” Luffy answered.
“I must have worried you… If I don’t become the world’s greatest swordsman, you’ll be troubled, won’t you?” Zoro said, coughing up blood again.
“Cough cough!”
“Boss! Don’t talk anymore!”
“Boss!” Johnny and Yosaku shouted in concern.
However, Zoro, pointing his sword to the sky, couldn’t hold back his tears, and shouted, “I… I will never lose again! Pirate King, do you have a problem with that?”
“None!” Luffy grinned widely.
Watching Zoro and Luffy, Rokujin suddenly understood why Zoro was willing to become Luffy’s crewmate. Smiling, he said, “Luffy, you’ve found yourself a great crewmember!”
“Hahaha!” Luffy laughed heartily, a satisfied smile on his face.
At that moment, the system’s notification sounded.
[Ding, congratulations to the host for completing the mission. System reward: +5 energy points!]
“Luffy, Nami, Roronoa Zoro, goodbye! I hope the next time we meet, you will all be much stronger!” Rokujin said, then left with Ain.
“Brother Rokujin, next time I’ll definitely be stronger!!” Luffy said earnestly.
“Brother Rokujin, remember to treat me to a meal next time!” Nami waved goodbye.
Zoro remained silent, his gaze resolute, silently vowing, “Next time, I’ll defeat you!”
On the Navy ship, Rokujin watched Luffy and his crew fade into the distance, lost in thought. ‘Right now, Luffy and his crew are too inexperienced and not very strong,’ he mused. It seemed that because he defeated Arlong and other pirates, they missed out on many training opportunities, and the Navy hadn’t paid much attention to this fledgling pirate crew from the East Blue. They didn’t even have bounties yet!
However, he was certain the system wouldn’t leave things as they were; more tasks surely awaited him. As long as the rewards were good, Rokujin was willing to take them on. He looked forward to seeing Luffy and his crew grow stronger.
Suddenly, Ain approached him and softly said, “It’s surprising that Vice Admiral Garp’s grandson became a Marine while the other became a pirate.”
“Haha, Luffy has his own choices. Let him be! Besides, even his grandfather can’t control him!” Rokujin said with a wave of his hand, laughing.
“Mhm!” Ain nodded, understanding it was a family matter and refrained from asking further questions.
Just as Rokujin was about to return to his cabin to rest, the system’s notification sound rang out again.
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