"There's actually 600 points?"
Shano was a bit surprised.
It seems that although Siteres was only a minor character in the manga, appearing a few times,
being a Headquarters elite Vice Admiral, the weight brought by his strong power indeed made the scabbard he cherished quite valuable.
His gaze fell again on the last line of the appraisal note.
"Regret and pity, huh..."
The beloved scabbard fell into the sea, Siteres would indeed feel regret and pity.
For that kind-hearted woman who indirectly saved his life, what kind of emotions would he hold when, under the orders of the Heavenly Celestial Dragon, he raised his blade against her?
"Navy Headquarters Vice Admiral..."
Shano slightly shook his head.
He wasn't an extremist and didn't like to generalize, whether it was the Navy camp or the Pirates camp, he actually had quite a few fond impressions of people from both.
But... without a doubt.
Unless the Celestial Dragon class completely disappears, the justice touted by the Navy will always be a joke in the end.
Of course.
Those debates over camps are still far from him, and his current goal is simply to make some "money".
[Remaining Points: 7325]
Glancing at the points number, Shano's mood improved significantly, and he turned off the system panel.
...
Early morning, the sky was dimly lit.
After running around the city for most of the night, the two finally finished the final touches and sat down to rest on a high ground, overlooking the sea dyed red by the rising sun.
"Do you have any plans next?" Shano asked.
"Initially, I thought my skills were enough to finish my training."
Junichi rested his chin on his hands, with a troubled look, "But after seeing you, Boss Shano, I realized I'm still far behind, not qualified at all, better go back to Isshin Dojo and keep practicing hard for a few more years."
Shano silently turned his head to glance at Junichi.
In the faint morning light, this frail young man held his Rotten Bamboo Sword, staring at the horizon with eyes that clearly held a determined light.
Does he really think he's not ready to finish his training?
With this kid's swordsmanship skill, on the vast sea, it's certainly not enough.
But if confined to the small corner of Asakura Island in the East Sea, officially finishing training, opening a dojo, accepting disciples... that's definitely more than enough.
Perhaps the obsession has changed?
In the past, the obsession driving Junichi to continuously practice and get stronger was the dream of revitalizing the Sakuraba Dojo's reputation.
Now, it seems this obsession has shattered and drifted away along with the figure of madness, replaced by those few high and mighty figures?
The Heavenly Celestial Dragon and the Navy Headquarters Vice Admiral... Such terrifying statuses are enough to make most people choose to give up in despair, burying hatred deep within their hearts.
But Junichi seems to be not so easily intimidated.
"I say, do you still think I really know swordsmanship?"
"Eh? Don't you?"
"You're really so naive, Junichi, it's no wonder you got tricked by a fake beggar."
"...I've already started becoming immune to your hurtful words, boss."
Shano laughed heartily, stood up, and stretched comfortably in the morning light, "Let's go, let's set out! Take me to Shimotsuki Village!"
"Eh?" Junichi raised his head in surprise.
"What's with that expression, didn't I mention it to you before? I've long admired Mr. Koushirou, it's such a rare opportunity to visit him, how could I miss it."
"Yay!"
The frail young man suddenly jumped for joy.
Originally, when Shano stood up, he thought it was time for them to part ways and felt a bit sad; unexpectedly, there was such a pleasant surprise.
Haha, Boss Shano really is a guy who says one thing and means another.
Claiming he wants to visit teacher Koushirou.
Actually, he just can't help but worry and insists on escorting me all the way back to Shimotsuki Village to feel at ease, right?
...
Half an hour later.
After purchasing food and fresh water, with Junichi leading the way, Shano followed him to the most secluded pier of the dock.
There was a small boat anchored here, roughly seven or eight meters long, quite rudimentary.
"No way, you came over here on this thing?"
Shano touched the shabby canvas doubtfully, "This is way too primitive, can this sail even work? Don't tell me you paddled all the way to Asakura Island?"
No one responded.
He turned around and saw Junichi using the Bamboo Sword to pry open the board under the rear seat, groaning as he pulled out two large barrels of cola from inside.
Slam!
Junichi closed the board and tapped the hidden button beside it.
Suddenly, four exhaust pipes extended from the back of the small wooden boat, and two grooves appeared beside the button, just enough to place a barrel of cola each.
"Hey, with this, you won't have to worry. If you slowly consume one barrel of cola as fuel, it's just normal cruising mode, similar speed to a regular sailboat."
"If you hit the button again, consuming two barrels at the same time, it enters high-speed jet mode. The speed is astonishing, but the consumption rate is even more exaggerated, so unless there's a special situation, it's best not to use it lightly."
Junichi spoke confidently, while Shano was left speechless.
Oh no, I've really become a country bumpkin now!
"Is there really such black technology in Shimotsuki Village?"
Unable to resist his curiosity, Shano directly hit the button. The cola in the barrel started bubbling violently, and a pleasant-smelling transparent airflow shot out from the stern, propelling the small boat toward the outer dock.
"Hehe, it's lent to me by the teacher. It's the only one in Shimotsuki Village, very unique."
Junichi adjusted the sail, chuckling foolishly, "How is it, amazing right? I had a similar reaction the first time I saw it too."
"A few years ago, Grandpa Kozaburo... ah, that's Koushirou's father, he once mentioned to me while he was still around, about how during their journey settling in the East Sea from the closed-off Wano Country, they encountered a very skilled shipwright in a place called Shuiliu City. Seeing their boat all worn out and barely able to go on, he offered help to make many modifications. This device was acquired at that time."
"Shuiliu City? Water Capital, perhaps?"
"I think so, I don't remember clearly."
That makes sense.
Shano stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Kozaburo and the group journeyed from the secluded Wano Country, traversing through the Grand Line before finally reaching the East Sea.
If they ran into someone in Water Capital, it might just be the renowned shipwright Tom, who was Franky's teacher and had the legendary experience of building Pirate King Roger's ship.
Tsk, guess I am riding a low-cost version of the Thousand Sunny now.
Taking advantage of Junichi's inattention, Shano's eyes rolled and he suddenly slapped the button again.
The two barrels of cola started to boil violently, and he laughed heartily while raising his arms, letting the sea breeze fill his opened jacket, "Let me experience the power of the high-speed jet, full speed ahead, Sunny! Let's go!"
"Hey! Boss, didn't I say, normally you can't..."
The young man's eager shout was shattered by the sea breeze, turning into scattered foam on the wave crests.
Screech!
White seagulls swooped past the mast, and the wake from the stern airflow transformed the cherry blossom strewn island into a faint pink silhouette at the horizon's end.
————
Two days later.
In a certain sea area, dark clouds gather, and drizzly rain falls.
On a lonely little island reef.
The rocks are rough, with no vegetation whatsoever.
A blond, curly-eyebrowed boy could only use broken planks to assemble a crude rain shelter. He huddled inside, his hollow eyes staring dumbly at the distant sea.
"50th day...,"
His form was haggard, mumbling while hugging his knees, "Food ran out last month, so hungry, really hungry... Today, today there must be a ship passing by, right?"
But it's still raining.
The blond boy numbly glanced at the wood and fire in the corner.
The last time there was a passing ship, it was during heavy rain, and the rescue fire couldn't be lit no matter what.
He shouted desperately for help, but it was all in vain, and in the end, he could only hopelessly watch the ship pass by in the distance.
"Let me try a bit longer, Junichi, just three more minutes then we can jet."
A vague voice suddenly drifted from the storm.
"No! Shano boss! You forget how much cola you wasted the day before yesterday. If we continue this, what if the cola really runs out?"
"Hey, what's there to fear, then I'll row with the oars. I'll row us all the way home; you know how strong I am..."
The conversation was becoming clearer and clearer.
In the oncoming sound, it seemed there was also the roar similar to Germa 66's motorcycle engine.
Is it an illusion...
The blond boy dazedly turned his face, just in time to see a speedboat jetting rapidly towards him, expanding quickly in his view—
Boom!
"Damnit, where did these island reefs come from! It's your fault for talking to me, causing me not to watch the way, now we're stranded, great!"
This was the last voice he heard before passing out.
...
"Luckily, nothing broke."
Shano got off the boat and did a quick check, instantly relieved.
"It was lucky this time; what about next time? Shano boss, from now on, I'm driving the boat. You're forbidden to hit any buttons randomly!"
"Got it, got it."
Shano knew he was in the wrong, so he pouted, planning to push the boat back to the sea, when suddenly Junichi called out in surprise:
"Eh? Shano boss, look, there seems to be someone over there!"
He turned and looked, indeed spotting a tall figure sitting at the edge of the reef, wearing a white cloak, motionless like a statue.
"That outfit... could it be the Navy!"
"No."
Shano stared at the figure, becoming more familiar with it. It's a pleasant surprise, he suddenly grinned, "Don't be so stereotypical, Junichi, remember, just because someone wears white doesn't mean they're Navy; they might be a cook."
Just like how someone riding a white horse isn't necessarily a prince; they might be a general.