That evening, to welcome Shano and his group, the Isshin Dojo hosted a grand banquet.
Nami and Nojiko were eagerly thinking about what they wanted to eat. Even before Zeff started preparing the dishes, they were already eagerly running to the kitchen to make requests.
Zeff laughed heartily and generously agreed to all their requests with a wave of his hand.
This immediately drew dissatisfaction from two helpers in the kitchen who had just woken up from a nap.
"We're about the same age! Why are we here washing and chopping vegetables while they get to make requests?"
Green Algae Head and Curly Eyebrow put aside their differences and indignantly teamed up for a strike in protest.
"Because they're our honored guests, you dummies!"
Zeff landed a hearty punch, which ultimately led to this epic strike coming to a screeching halt after just one minute amidst screams.
Meanwhile, for Shano...
Not having seen Kuina and Junichi until now, he couldn't resist asking Koushirou.
Only then did he learn that Kuina, after a year of hard training, with her exceptional talent had greatly advanced her swordsmanship skills. A few days ago, she had confidently headed to Asakura Island to participate in this year's Sword Dao tournament.
She said she was determined to pass the baton from Lord Shano and win this competition.
As for Junichi, despite his relentless hellish training day and night, his progress still lagged behind Kuina and Zoro. He was gradually surpassed by these younger juniors.
After days of self-reflection, he made up his mind and decided to leave half a year ago to sharpen himself as a Pirate Hunter.
Koushirou had some concerns about this, but Shano, while surprised, was quite appreciative.
Everyone has their path. Since he knew that training in Shimotsuki Village had limited prospects, staying and spinning wheels had little meaning. Having the courage to change paths and opting for improvement through life-and-death struggles shows that Junichi has found his resolve.
After dinner, everyone gathered around the hearth for a night chat.
Shano copied a Rokushiki Manual and handed it to Zeff.
Soru, Moonwalk, Tekkai—these three techniques are quite versatile. Zeff and Kuina can certainly pick their favorites from them to enhance their overall strength.
Of course, Zoro and Sanji can also train if they want.
However, he plans to officially set sail in three years. If these two little guys haven't grown up by then, whether they'll join the ship depends on their willingness.
...
Early the next morning.
The Orange Garden departed Shimotsuki Village, heading toward the final stop, the Goa Kingdom.
Shano also didn't forget another important task, quietly gathering supplies in the night.
Kuina's desk lamp, Zoro's bandana, Zeff's wooden prosthetic, Koushirou's new glasses—none were overlooked. He even left a small vial of blood by Sanji's bedside.
He's now well-practiced in this kind of operation, stealthily collecting things without making a sound, unnoticed the whole time.
The hard work resulted in a total of 2500 points, bringing his remaining points to 38500.
As for whether Koushirou and the others would suspect why they always lose things whenever he comes...
Obviously not.
Given his tall and upright character image in everyone's eyes, as long as he maintains his composure, even if caught with stolen goods, everyone would only think it was Zoro's mischief.
...
A few days later.
On a sunny afternoon, the Orange Garden sailed into the Goa Kingdom's waters, with the distant Korbo Mountain Range already in sight.
Shano sat at the bow, playing cat's cradle with Nami and Nojiko. During a free moment, he glanced up at the lush mountains, slightly furrowing his brows.
He couldn't explain why.
Since this morning, as they drew closer to the destination, an uneasy premonition had been building in his heart.
"Scar, in the subsequent reports, was there any mention of which Headquarter Vice Admiral was sent to the East Sea to deal with Buggy?" he asked, turning back.
"Just a moment, boss, I'll check right now."
Scar hurriedly searched through a stack of newspapers and, after a moment, looked up, "There is mention. It's Yamakaji, a seasoned and powerful Vice Admiral. With him leading, Buggy Pirates shouldn't stand a chance."
"Yamakaji, huh..."
Shano sighed in relief. It didn't matter who was coming as long as it wasn't Garp.
He just wanted to perform magic for Luffy one more time and leave quickly, without any complications.
...
The outskirts of the Korbo Mountain Range mark the commercial street of the Goa Kingdom.
The area has good security, and with a wide variety of goods, it's a nice place to shop and relax.
Shano entrusted the professional sailors brought from the village to play with the two sisters for a few days.
Meanwhile, he and Scar were preparing what they needed and then stepped into the forest.
With people familiar with the terrain, searching for the target was noticeably faster. By the afternoon of the second day, they had spotted Luffy.
He seemed to have parted ways with Ace, each entering the mountains for training. When Shano saw him from a hill, the little guy was being chased by three furious giant bears, fleeing in a panic and yelling all the way.
"Why are there three of them!"
Luffy cried as he ran, tears and snot flowing, "This isn't fair! All I did was steal your honey! And you call in so many helpers—let's have a fair fight if you've got the skill!"
"Roar!"
The giant bears didn't respond and just continued the chase at full force.
"I can't take this anymore, I'm fighting back!!!!" As his energy was about to run out, Luffy yelled, grabbed two nearby trees, extended his arms to their limit, and propelled himself backward, shouting, "Gomu Gomu—"
"Rocket!"
Thud!
His head banged into the forehead of the bear in the middle, and the injured bear cried out and fell to the ground.
But it didn't faint; after just three or four seconds, it shook its head and stood up again.
The other two bears had adjusted their positions, forming an encirclement blocking all escape routes, glaring menacingly at the little troublemaker below.
"I'm done for! This is really the end!"
Luffy's legs shook like a sieve, and he began to wail, "Wah, wah, Ace, where are you? Hurry and come save me..."
The unlucky kid.
Shano had been squatting on the cliff watching the show. Seeing the scene, he sighed, stood up, blinked, and vanished from his spot in an instant.
The next moment, he was beside Luffy, looking up at the three giant bears.
"Do me a favor."
Shano said with a chuckle, "Since this little guy was in the wrong first, I won't intervene. How about you guys leave voluntarily, okay?"
Who are you?
The three giant bears were bewildered for a moment, exchanged glances, and then simultaneously roared, stepping forward, opening their jaws to reveal fangs, drooling extensively.
So without being a Heavenly Celestial Dragon, face doesn't work here, huh, Shano sighed melancholically, just about to make a move, when he noticed the bears suddenly froze.
Looking up, it was inexplicable. The bears wore expressions of terror, growled lowly, suddenly turned, and fled the way they came without daring a glance back.
Huh?
Weird... Shano watched the bears' retreating backs, confused, when suddenly a grumpy voice echoed above him:
"Which little brat! Acting on your own to save people, you're so annoying! Do you even know how much effort I put into driving those three bears over here!"
Whose voice is this...
Shocked, Shano instinctively turned his head, just in time to see a fist the size of a sandbag rapidly enlarging in his pupils—