"Next stop?" Hathaway paused, then quickly remembered: "It's a small place called Shimotsuki Village. We need to resupply there."
"Shimotsuki Village, huh~" Nero tilted her head and sighed.
"Your Majesty, have you been to this place before?"
"No, it just sounds like a very peaceful village."
"Ah... The environment in the East Blue is mostly like this. In recent years, only Shanks has emerged, and among pirates, it's subtly earned the title of the Weakest Sea."
"Mhm, that does sound peaceful. I heard Buggy was also around here. I wonder if I'll meet him this time."
Nero suddenly perked up, remembering she had a subordinate here.
"I'm really looking forward to it! Buggy and Shanks, who's stronger now?"
"Ah, it is indeed something to look forward to. Compared to the flamboyant Shanks, Buggy seems to have always been low-key, with his bounty only around ten million."
Hathaway also showed a slight smile upon hearing Buggy's name, clearly also looking forward to meeting Roger's junior.
"Well, although he seems reckless, compared to Shanks, Buggy has always been a strategic player. I bet he's stronger than Shanks now."
"The Chop-Chop Fruit is also a very promising fruit, and it's also very effective against swordsmen. Perhaps Buggy has already reached the awakening stage!" Hathaway chimed in.
"Mhm, an awakened Chop-Chop Fruit! What would that be like? I'm very interested too!"
The two chatted and laughed, completely disregarding the possibility that Buggy truly only had a strength of around ten million.
Because in their eyes, Buggy and Shanks had always been inseparable, chasing and competing with each other, so even if there was a gap, it wouldn't be too significant.
While they were chatting, the ship unknowingly arrived at the port of Shimotsuki Village.
Nero yawned as she disembarked, looking around at the rather backward small island.
"Alright Hathaway, you go get supplies. I'm going to wander around the island. By the way, do you know if there are any fun places here?"
Hathaway nodded, thinking for a moment: "I heard there's a kendo dojo here, quite famous as an introduction to swordsmanship. Your Majesty could go there to pass the time."
"Kendo, huh~ Mhm, never mind, it's just to pass the time anyway." Nero waved her hand, put her hands behind her head, and lazily walked away.
Nero had to ask around to learn that the kendo dojo was called Isshin Dojo, and she heard the dojo master was a very gentle swordsman.
Almost every family on the island with some means would send their children there to study, and many people from surrounding islands would even come specifically to learn.
The dojo was quite remote, and Nero didn't deliberately search for it. Since it was just to pass the time, she simply wandered around casually.
"Hey, woman! Are you a swordsman?" Suddenly, a dirty little boy called out to Nero.
"Mhm, that's right, little one. Are you a swordsman too?"
Nero turned to look at the child, who was holding three bamboo swords, and asked with a smile.
Zoro, who had originally just noticed the unique sword at Nero's waist, immediately perked up when Nero asked him that.
"That's right! I am Roronoa Zoro, a Three-Sword Style swordsman, and I will also be the future greatest Swordsman!"
"Sugoi!" Nero clapped in response.
"Hehe!" Nero's applause made Zoro inwardly pleased. Rubbing his nose, he asked again: "Hey, what are you doing in Shimotsuki Village?"
"I was planning to visit Isshin Dojo, but I can't find the place. Can you help me with directions, Mr. Swordsman?"
Nero found the child quite interesting, so she asked casually.
"..." Zoro looked up into Nero's eyes, flames burning brightly in his own: "Leave it to me! I promise I will take you to Isshin Dojo!!!"
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