Pirates: System run away, compensation concept level ability Chapter 023

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”

Sengoku roared into the Den Den Mushi.

“Aokiji’s strength and contributions are evident to all of us.”

“How could he be removed from his Admiral position just because of this incident?!”

Saturn Holy said in a deep voice, “Watch your tone, Sengoku!”

Both sides calmed down for a moment.

“I apologize, but I still reserve my opinion!” Sengoku temporarily suppressed his anger.

The Five Elders exchanged glances.

They covered the Den Den Mushi and deliberated for a long time.

Finally, Nusjuro Holy, holding a long blade, issued the ultimatum.

“Then we’ll give you Marines one last chance.”

“Let Aokiji regain his face during this period, preferably by capturing a few highly-wanted individuals.”

“Also, many affiliated countries don’t want the World Pirate Group to appear in the Grand Line.”

“We also don’t want to see a second Rocks, Sengoku, you should know what to do.”

Sengoku took a deep breath: “Understood, the Marines will now fully pursue the World Pirate Group!”

“Hmm.” Nusjuro Holy hung up the Den Den Mushi curtly.

Tsuru the Staff Officer and Sengoku exchanged a look, their minds weary.

“Do you have any news about Dio and his crew?” Sengoku asked.

Tsuru the Staff Officer shook her head: “They’ve disappeared again.”

Sengoku rubbed his temples: “Sigh~ Is it the North Blue or the East Blue this time?”

“No matter which sea, as long as there are traces of them, we will gather our forces and completely annihilate the World Pirate Group!” Tsuru the Staff Officer crossed her arms, resting them on her chin.

“Can we really succeed?” Sengoku pointed to the clock behind him: “That guy’s ability is a bit too outrageous.”

Tsuru the Staff Officer sighed helplessly: “Let’s give it a try, after all, his crew members don’t have such outrageous abilities.”

“Besides, if we can’t succeed, then let the World Government worry about it.”

Sengoku was startled, surprised that Tsuru would say such a thing.

“Don’t look at me like that.” Tsuru the Staff Officer spread her hands: “According to intelligence, Dio and his group don’t have a habit of slaughtering civilians.”

“Compared to those truly evil pirates, they’re much better.”

“The only reason they have such a high bounty is that they go against the World Government.”

“We Marines don’t need to fight them head-on and cause irreversible casualties.”

As she said the last sentence, Tsuru the Staff Officer revealed the Den Den Mushi she had used to talk to Aokiji earlier.

Sengoku frowned: “Allowing pirates to run free, this is against…”

Tsuru the Staff Officer raised her hand, cutting him off: “Don’t preach to me.”

“I’m just offering the best advice. You’re the Fleet Admiral, you make the decision.”

Sengoku fell silent, turning to face the world map, beginning to ponder.

…

Meanwhile.

Dio and his crew, who had caused a global sensation, followed their ship and landed on the coast of Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue.

This entrance scared the fishermen, who scrambled and fled towards the village’s Shimotsuki Dojo.

“Is this the East Blue?” Kidd, Killer, and Daz emerged from the training room.

Dio turned around, looking at the three increasingly muscular figures, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu.

What was this inexplicable sense of déjà vu? Don’t tell me they’ll actually turn into the Three Brothers of the Moonlight!

“Captain Dio, that’s Shimotsuki Village, where I told you there was a swordsman,” Kuma’s voice pulled Dio back to reality.

Shaking his head, Dio chuckled: “Anyone want to come with me to see the swordsman on this island?”

“Swish!”

Under the moonlight… no, Daz and the other two raised their hands in unison.

Dio’s face stiffened. When did these three become so in sync?

“I won’t go,” Kuma said with a gentle smile, rocking Bonney in his arms.

Dio looked around, seeing that no one else had any intention of going ashore, so he reluctantly called the three of them.

Walking on the small country road, Dio’s mood brightened slightly.

“It seems the residents of this island are quite industrious,” Daz observed the lush crops, feeling a sense of approval for Shimotsuki Village.

Kidd and Killer, who had always frequented city streets, had never seen such rural scenery and were filled with exclamations.

“It’s a beautiful view, isn’t it?”

Suddenly, a middle-aged man in samurai attire and glasses stood smiling in front of the four.

Not far behind him, many villagers held sickles, hammers, hoes, and shovels, extremely vigilant.

“You must be Koshiro Shimotsuki,” Dio stopped.

Daz and the other two also sized up Koshiro. Is this the swordsman Mr. Kuma mentioned?

“Oh? Do you know me, sirs?” Koshiro was curious; he didn’t seem to have met these people before.

Dio smiled faintly: “Kuma recommended me.”

Koshiro suddenly understood: “So you’re Mr. Kuma’s friends!”

“In that case, you should be considered guests. How about we chat at my dojo?”

“It would be our pleasure,” Dio nodded.

Koshiro turned, about to tell the residents there was no danger, when he saw their terrified expressions.

“Not good!”

The long sword at his waist was drawn, meeting Dio’s right fist, which was covered in Armament Haki, producing a metallic clang.

Koshiro stumbled back several steps before finally steadying himself.

“What is the meaning of this, sir?” Koshiro gripped his long sword, his eyes sharpening.

Dio removed his Armament Haki and shook his hand: “Don’t be nervous, I just wanted to test your so-called swordsmanship.”

“Because, initially, I wanted to ask you for some basic swordsmanship instruction.”

“But now it seems your swordsmanship is just so-so.”

After speaking, Dio pouted: “It’s not even as good as me practicing on my own.”

Koshiro’s face turned ashen. It was the first time anyone had dismissed his swordsmanship as utterly useless.

However, the man in front of him indeed had the strength to say such a thing.

Because his sword-holding arm was still trembling.

“What a joke! My master’s swordsmanship is not something you can defame!”

A green-haired boy ran from a distance, three bamboo swords slashing towards Dio.

“Zoro! Come back!” Koshiro rushed forward to help.

“Bang!”

“Clink!”

Kidd kicked Zoro away, and Koshiro’s blade was severed by Daz’s arms, which had transformed into blades.

“Impossible! I clearly reached the realm of cutting steel!” Koshiro stared at his broken sword, disbelieving.

“Cutting steel? Heh.” Daz’s blade-like arms receded from their Armament Haki: “If it’s merely cutting steel, your swordsmanship is indeed just so-so.”

Just as Koshiro was falling into self-doubt.

Zoro’s voice awakened him: “Master said the strongest sword is the power to protect what I believe in and cut what I want to cut!”

“What do you guys know!”

“Damn it, that really hurt!”

Zoro clutched his stomach, getting up from the field, glaring unhappily at Kidd, who wasn’t much older than himself.

“Zoro…” Koshiro’s eyes narrowed, and he repositioned his stance, exuding a sharp aura even with his broken sword.

“Good momentum,” Dio nodded, picking up one of Zoro’s dropped bamboo swords.

Although he had never swung a sword before, Dio felt as if it were an extension of his arm.

Closing his eyes, he concentrated.

When Dio opened his eyes again, Koshiro felt as if a master swordsman who had trained for years was standing before him.

“How can this be!” Koshiro was shocked.

This blond man, at first, clearly showed no signs of swordsmanship training!

“The strongest sword? Heh.” Dio chuckled: “There is never a strongest, only stronger!”

“Koshiro, what is swordsmanship?”

Koshiro stood frozen. What is swordsmanship?

After a long time.

“Protect what I believe in, cut what I want to cut!” Koshiro gripped his broken sword, repeating Zoro’s words.

“Is that so?” Dio’s bamboo sword, covered in Armament Haki, pointed at Koshiro.

“Swordsmanship has three aspects: the wielder, the sword itself, and the death between you and me!”

“Will you draw your sword, Koshiro Shimotsuki?!”

Cold sweat beaded on Koshiro’s forehead.

Will I draw my sword? Will I draw my sword? Will I draw my sword?

If I draw my sword, I might die!