Apart from his time in Shimotsuki Village, the only other notable thing Ban had done in the East Blue was delivering a large group of captured pirates to the 16th Marine Base to earn some starting money.
Clearly, those pirates must have spread information about him and his abilities.
But he wasn’t a pirate.
And the person coming was Garp.
He had absolutely no intention of joining the Marines, but he suspected that even if Garp found him, the legendary hero probably wouldn’t force him into service.
However, if it had been anyone else coming after him, Ban would definitely have considered leaving the village immediately to avoid dragging trouble onto everyone else here.
While Ban was deep in thought, Koushirou was also thinking things through carefully.
He looked at Ban walking silently in front of him, then glanced at his daughter, Kuina.
Previously, he had worried that Ban’s appearance might make Kuina even more competitive and stubborn, perhaps pushing her too hard and making her personality too rigid.
But looking at things now…
the result actually seemed surprisingly positive.
Still, what he truly hoped for most was that his daughter could continue living peacefully and safely here in Shimotsuki Village for the rest of her life.
In this era dominated by pirates and chaos, the world outside was just too dangerous.
Unfortunately, it seemed obvious that Ban wouldn’t be staying in Shimotsuki Village for very long.
If only he could stay for a few more years…
maybe then he could take Kuina out to see the world properly.
With Ban around to watch over and protect her, she would certainly be much safer out there.
Upon returning to the dojo, Koushirou told the three youngsters to go and do whatever they wanted for the rest of the day, while he himself went back to his room to rest and think.
“You want to use the power of a Devil Fruit to close the gap in physical strength and natural constitution, don’t you?” Ban asked suddenly, looking straight at Kuina before walking out of the dojo grounds.
Kuina froze for a moment, then quickly turned around and followed him silently.
Zoro, naturally, tagged along right behind her.
“Yes,” Kuina admitted quietly, not denying it.
“Don’t you think relying on external power like that goes against the true purity of the way of the sword?” Ban asked curiously.
Personally, he didn’t care about such ideals at all.
But he knew very well that in this world, many swordsmen held deep, pure beliefs and philosophies regarding their art.
“Why would you think that?
If I gain the power, then it becomes my power,” Kuina replied, genuinely confused by his question.
“Isn’t the path of a swordsman about devoting everything you have—mind, body, soul—to your blade, in order to reach the highest possible realms?” Ban asked as they walked through the village.
Many villagers greeted them as they passed by.
“So that’s what it takes to become the strongest,” Zoro nodded solemnly, looking enlightened.
Right now, he didn’t think too deeply about such complex ideals.
The most he knew was what an old swordsman had told him once about the nature of swords.
“But even if I gain that power…
I will still be the one holding the sword,” Kuina shook her head slightly, speaking firmly.
Ban was actually right—deep down, she also felt that doing things this way was somewhat like taking a shortcut.
But since Ban had arrived, she had clearly seen the immense gap between herself and true monsters of talent and strength.
Even Zoro…
she could already feel his strength gradually surpassing hers.
“If that’s truly what you want…
then once I set sail in the future, I’ll keep an eye out for one for you,” Ban smiled at her and promised.
“Hey!
What about me?! New chapters come out on g.com first.
What about me?!” Zoro jumped up and down beside him excitedly.
“You don’t need one,” Ban replied immediately, shaking his head.
Zoro instantly bristled with anger and launched himself straight at Ban, ready to fight.
But Ban simply reached out, grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, and lifted him right off the ground effortlessly.
No matter how hard Zoro struggled and kicked, he couldn’t break free from Ban’s iron grip.
Pfft!
Seeing the scene, Kuina couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“Come on, I’ll treat you two to something to eat.
Order whatever you like—your Senior Brother is paying today,” Ban said with a grin, waving his hand before casually tossing Zoro aside.
“Fine!
I won’t hold back then!” Zoro shouted, deciding to channel all his anger and frustration into his appetite instead.
Shimotsuki Village had inherited many customs and traditions from the country of Wano, including their distinct cooking styles and delicious food.
Kuina and Zoro definitely didn’t hold back, ordering plenty of food.
Meanwhile, Ban bought a copy of the newspaper.
The president of the World Economic News was certainly a bold man—he dared to publish just about any news, no matter how sensitive or dangerous it might be.
But the great advantage of newspapers was that they allowed you to see all the major events happening across the world right now.
As soon as Ban opened the paper, his eyes immediately fell on the front page.
There were three figures standing together, dressed in Marine uniforms.
[The Strongest Fighting Force of the Marines]
Reading the bold headline, Ban narrowed his eyes slightly.
Kizaru, Akainu, and Aokiji!
While paying for the food for Kuina and Zoro, he read through the entire report carefully.
Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, was stepping down from his position.
He would be succeeded by Sengoku himself, who was being promoted to Fleet Admiral.
At the same time, the three candidates for Admiral were all being officially promoted to the position at once.
Looking at the newspaper, Ban felt as though he was reading the history of this world, and a faint smile involuntarily appeared on his face.
But there was something about that smile—it carried a sense of superiority and distance, as if he were looking down on everything from above.
Maybe it was just the angle he was holding the paper, or perhaps there was something more to it.
“Ban!”
Kuina’s voice called out from beside him, and a skewer of meatballs was held up right in front of his mouth.
Ban reacted instinctively and took a bite.
The taste was actually quite good.
…
In Village Foosha, East Blue.
Garp, dressed in ordinary clothes, looked down at Luffy, who was rubbing his head vigorously.
It was obvious that just moments ago, Garp’s famous “love punch” had landed squarely on Luffy’s head.
“Damn it, Shanks!”
Garp spoke with clear displeasure in his voice.
“You can’t say bad things about Shanks!
I’m going to set sail someday, and I’m going to be the King of the Pirates!”
Hearing his grandfather badmouth Shanks, Luffy flew into a rage and shouted back with a stubborn expression on his face.
Garp grew furious, clenching his fist ready to teach his grandson a lesson.
Brrrrbrrrr!
The sound of the Den Den Mushi rang out, signaling an incoming call.
Garp lowered his fist, took out the Den Den Mushi and answered it.
The creature’s form shifted and changed, transforming into an image with long sideburns, a beard, and a seagull perched on top of its head.
“Garp, how is that assignment I gave you going?”
Sengoku’s voice came through clearly.
“What assignment?” Garp asked instinctively, before suddenly realizing what he meant.
“Cough cough…
I’m still looking for it.”
“GARP!!!”
Sengoku’s roar echoed loudly from the Den Den Mushi, making Garp quickly hold the device further away from his ear.
“You idiot!
What did you go back to the East Blue for?
Do you think this is just a vacation?!”
Sengoku’s shout came again, loud enough to shake the room.
Garp looked a little embarrassed, scratching his cheek awkwardly.
“No, no!
I’m really looking for it!
You know how big the East Blue is—finding one specific person here is really difficult, you know.”
Garp tried to make excuses, but Sengoku knew his old comrade far too well.
Just hearing his tone told Sengoku exactly what was happening: Garp had basically spent the whole month doing nothing but lazing around and enjoying himself, and had completely forgotten all about the task he was supposed to do.
A long, deep sigh could be heard from the other end of the line.
After a moment of silence, Sengoku spoke again.
“In that case, consider the mission ended.
You must have seen the newspaper, right?
You have a part to play in this.”
“It’s not like it involves me at all,” Garp replied casually, picking his nose with his left pinky finger as his tone turned lazy and unconcerned.
As expected, this response made Sengoku completely lose his temper.
His shout was so loud and powerful that young Luffy immediately covered his ears, looking absolutely terrified.
What kind of monster is this guy?
He sounded even scarier than Grandpa!
Thinking this, Luffy slowly began to back away quietly, trying to slip out of the room unnoticed.
But the moment he moved his foot, he felt an unbearable sharp pain strike straight down from the top of his head.
He screamed out in agony, falling to the ground and rolling around clutching his head.
Even his Devil Fruit powers were completely useless against this kind of pain.
Perhaps that was one of the reasons why Luffy was sometimes a little slow-witted.
“Monday to Friday – Update 3 Chapters a Day”
“Saturday and Sunday – Off”