Gawain murmured, pondering. "Isn't that why we set sail—to find such a thing?"
Gaimon blinked, then grinned. "Pretty cool! To thank you, we're throwing a feast tonight!"
Gawain smiled faintly and followed Gaimon.
Along the way, countless jungle beasts trailed Gaimon. Over twenty years, many had lived and died, but their bond endured, passed down through generations.
Gaimon had found his treasure; Gawain was still searching, unaware of the companions now following him.
…
The feast was held in a cave at the island's center.
Around a central fire, Gaimon offered homemade fruit wine, smoked fish, and fruits gathered by his beast friends, laid out for all to share.
Kuro clinked cups with Gaimon. "Sorry about earlier."
Gaimon waved it off. "It's in the wine!"
He gulped a mouthful. Kuro, smirking, downed his bowl.
Gaimon's wine, limited by his immobility and crude methods, wasn't refined. But the drink wasn't the star—the crew's smiles and camaraderie were.
…
The feast lasted days, ending only when the storm outside calmed.
Gaimon, not seeing humans for twenty years, unleashed his pent-up enthusiasm, undeterred by the crew's hangovers.
On the beach, the storm-stranded ship was pushed back to sea. Protected well, it was damaged but seaworthy.
Gawain left Gaimon a Den Den Mushi, saying to contact him for outside needs, then sailed off with his crew.
…
After the storm, clear skies followed. Gentle waves and warm sunlight bathed the crew.
Nami, sunbathing, turned to see a green-haired figure emerge from the cabin.
"Where am I? Where're Johnny and Joseph?!" Zoro asked, scanning the deck.
In days, his chest wound had nearly healed. Pale but combat-ready, his three swords proved it.
"Yo, awake?" Gawain, polishing Wado Ichimonji on the deck, glanced up.
He'd checked Zoro's potential with his badge: golden-tier, as expected. Even without breakthroughs, Zoro could reach the top ranks naturally.
His potential surpassed Gawain's current level.
Gawain was eager to recruit him.
"You saved me?" Zoro asked, hand on his swords, eyes eager but restrained.
"If you want me on your crew, forget—"
"You owe me three lives, kid," Gawain cut in, holding up three fingers with a smirk. "Rejecting your savior? Not nice~"
Zoro's eye twitched. "I've got one life! Where's three?!"
Gawain pointed to Johnny and Joseph, mopping the deck. "Your two buddies don't count?"
Zoro fell silent, then met Gawain's gaze. "What'll it take to free them?"
"How about a bet?" Gawain said seriously. "It's ten days to my base. Attack me any way you want. If you make me bleed, you're free, and I'll hand over your friends."
"The stake?"
"You."
Zoro grinned defiantly. "If you put it like that, refusing would be foolish."
"But even if I lose, I'll leave this ship the day I surpass you."
"I've got a promise to keep, even if it costs my life!"
Gawain nodded. "Already planning your exit? But those don't conflict. Fine, I'll take that as accepting the bet."
Three silver slashes grew large in Gawain's eyes. Zoro, itching for a rematch, attacked.
Clearly, he wasn't over his last defeat.
"Eager guy~" Gawain smirked, thrusting Wado Ichimonji forward.
The scene mirrored days ago—his blade met Zoro's three swords at their convergence. Despite Zoro's full effort, he couldn't advance an inch.
This time, Zoro was ready.
If Gawain could do it with a dagger, it was no surprise he could with his bonded sword.
Zoro withdrew his dual blades, aiming to regroup, but Wado Ichimonji stuck like a viper.
Gawain's relentless thrusts overwhelmed Zoro, who barely blocked with frantic swings, retreating across the deck.
In moments, he was at the edge.
Gawain's assault paused. As Zoro exhaled, a silver slash shot from Gawain's blade.
Zoro ducked, the slash grazing his scalp.
Slash!
A sea beast, dozens of meters long, leapt from the water and was cleaved in two by Gawain's flying slash.
Zoro, gaping at the sea, swallowed hard. "Swordsmen can do that?"
Gawain smiled. "A strong swordsman can cut down dragons in the sky."
"Wanna learn?"
"I'll teach you."
"Hmph!" Zoro's grin was defiant.
He realized joining Gawain's crew might not be bad.
Gawain saved even a rival, suggesting he wasn't a villain. Sparring with such a foe would only speed Zoro's growth.
He was confident: three years, max, to match Gawain.
"I'll become the strongest my way!"
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