"Poor Buggy."
On the deck of the Orange Garden, Shano picked up his fishing rod, put down the newly bought newspaper, and laughed heartily.
Can't blame him for setting people up.
Ah Long passed away, and the East Sea was left with only small fries, there really wasn't anyone fitting Mouse's description of "hidden master."
There was no choice but to let the great Buggy take the fall for this.
Those with Supreme King Luck shouldn't be capsizing in such minor waves.
Truthfully, when you think about it, the Navy Headquarters fleet wasn't strictly aiming to wipe out the Buggy Pirates.
As long as they scare them out of the East Sea and push them into the Grand Line, the mission was considered complete.
The Four Seas are the foundation of the World Government's rule, with vast populations and lands surpassing those of the Grand Line, and the East Sea has been peaceful since Roger's execution, unable to tolerate major disturbances.
The Grand Line, on the other hand, seems more like a battle royale for pirates, where they kill each other off without needing much interference.
The fishing rod remained quietly held in his hand, not showing any signs of action.
Shano wasn't bothered.
Fishing was an amateur hobby he picked up as a corporate slave in his past life, and after reincarnating, he hadn't paid it much attention.
Now it was merely to adjust his overly tense mindset, not entirely back to normal yet, so he casually used a piece of red bean bread as bait, not really expecting any foolish fish to bite.
"Boss."
Skinny Monkey's voice came from the lookout tower, "I can already see Shimotsuki Village ahead, we'll be there in about half an hour."
"Oh, really?"
Shano was a bit surprised; it was much quicker than he anticipated, Ah Long's boat indeed had impressive speed.
He set the fishing rod aside, turned his head, and looked toward the distant horizon, indeed seeing a faint outline of an island.
This time visiting Shimotsuki Village, besides collecting wool, was to resolve the issue of Zeff's severed leg.
He initially thought the best way to solve it was to find a miracle medicine that could regenerate flesh in the trade market.
Such things are quite rare, but he wasn't in a hurry, as there were a few years left till the agreed date, so he could take his time waiting.
But unexpectedly, when he bought 'Iron Bone' two months ago, he also came across this item—
[Genos's Cybernetic Leg]
[Type: Equipment]
[Price: 625 points]
[Description: In the One-Punch Man World, a mechanical leg modified by Dr. Kusuno, capable of automatically adjusting to fit various heights and physiques of disabled individuals, with self-repair functionality]
[Seller's Remark: Finally snagged a valuable offering, wait, why is there a bald head coming angrily towards me?]
...
Seems like this solution isn't bad at all, a proud transformation in its own right.
Shano bought it on the spot, preparing to hand it to Zeff.
Just that.
What would the old man's title be when he sails with me after this...
Shano shrugged and glanced at the remaining points.
Over the past year, aside from purchasing secret manuals on 'Rokushiki' and 'Blood and Flesh Melting Furnace Technique,' he hadn't been spending frivolously.
Additionally, after acquiring points from Ah Long Pirates and Mouse, the current balance was exactly 36,000, only a few thousand less than a year ago.
"There's nothing worth buying this month, need to wait till next month to see."
Shano stroked his chin, pondering, when suddenly the fishing rod at his foot trembled, sliding towards the side of the ship, he quickly stepped on it.
Could it be real?!
Gripping the rod single-handedly, weighing it, it was quite heavy, probably over a hundred pounds, Shano was overjoyed, immediately pulling it vigorously—
Swish, a green algae-haired youth biting stubbornly on a piece of red bean bread was fished out of the water, turning his head in bewilderment.
"..."
Caught in eye contact, three black lines appeared on Shano's forehead.
"Why is it you?!" They shouted in unison.
......
An hour later, on the country road leading to Isshin Dojo.
"So, you were circling the island in frog-style swim twenty times earlier, training your leg muscles?"
"Yeah, Uncle Zeff set that goal for me."
Zoro walked at the front, with seven or eight red bean buns in both hands, devouring them, "It's exhausting, I got hungry after only twelve laps, otherwise I wouldn't have been caught by your bread!"
"Oh, is that so... Wait, hold on, that's not right?" Shano widened his eyes, "Aren't you supposed to practice swordsmanship, hurry to catch up with Kuina, why are you learning leg techniques instead?"
Could it be that Kuina beat him up again for a year, knocking his confidence off?
"Definitely not!"
Zoro heard the implication in Shano's words, couldn't help but shout, "It's that arrogant curly brow brat! He started learning leg techniques from Uncle Zeff half a year ago, progressing smoothly, got praised several times, and then flaunted it in front of me, I couldn't stand it, so I started too..."
Shano quickly grabbed Zoro, who kept walking to the right, "Where are you going, to the left!"
I've only been here once and remembered the way, how do you manage to walk this road every day and still get lost!
"Oh, I guess it is the left."
Zoro scratched his head, "Anyway, I also started learning leg techniques from Uncle Zeff, but I haven't neglected swordsmanship! I just want to prove to that brat that my talent is much stronger, it's just leg skills, practicing a few hours every day is enough to master it!"
As they spoke.
The group followed Zoro, arriving at the entrance of Isshin Dojo.
Before they even entered, they saw a blond curly brow youth with a bamboo blade in each hand and one in his mouth, digging into a firm stance, swiftly striking, hitting the wooden stakes around with a crackling sound.
"..."
Shano was silent.
He took a step back, glanced at the door sign, indeed, it was Isshin Dojo, didn't get lost.
"I say, Zoro..." Nojiko poked Zoro's arm, asked quietly, "That guy looks strange, why does he insist on holding one in his mouth too."
"Pretty dumb, right? I think so too!"
Zoro bit into a red bean bun, sneering, "That guy sees me as a unique dual-blade swordsman, insists on proving he's stronger, holding one in his mouth too, claiming himself a three-blade swordsman! Crazy, who fights like that!"
"It is dumb." Nami and Nojiko nodded in agreement.
At this moment, Sanji also noticed the crowd outside.
"Mr. Shano! What brings you here!"
First showing surprise, then spotting Zoro at the front, he couldn't help but laugh with hands on hips.
"Hey! Green Algae Head! How was my sword speed just now, not much slower than you now, in a few months, not only Kuina, but even your swordsmanship will be no match for mine!"
"Stop dreaming, idiot!"
Zoro crossed his arms, sneered, turned around, and kicked horizontally, the Isshin Dojo's signboard instantly exploded into smithereens.
"You might as well witness my leg techniques, see this power, it's already surpassed yours! Leg skills, are just easier to learn than swordsmanship!"
"Nonsense!"
Sanji angrily drew three blades at once, instantly slicing the shattered signboard pieces into even finer chips.
"See that! Clearly, swordsmanship isn't that great after all!"
"Leg skills!"
"Swordsmanship!"
The two got closer nose to nose, arguing more and more intensely.
Not noticing behind them, Zeff and Koushirou were standing side by side, their expressions dark as a pot's bottom...