Chapter 53: 53. East Blue Cheats: Rubber And Sing

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- "It seems there's no need to elaborate on the results of this competition. You are truly worthy of the title Shogun of Wanokuni, and I didn't expect you to have the ability to fly." Watching Alex's figure as he descended, Koshiro lowered his sword, looking upon Alex's skills with an admiration that had grown from mere envy into genuine awe. "If you've ever seen news about the 'Flying Admiral' in the papers, and compared the details carefully, you'd know—that's me," Alex said with a knowing smile. Unlike Laffitte and Robin, Koshiro hadn't reacted with surprise when he first saw Alex. Alex could tell that Koshiro hadn't recognized his infamous identity. "This battle has taught me a lot and given me a clearer understanding of your strength. I dare say, there are few in all of Wanokuni who could match you. If you were to open a dojo there, it would no doubt produce many outstanding warriors." Hearing Alex's praise, Koshiro's lingering self-doubt faded a little, replaced by a proud smile. "After what you've said, I'm starting to look forward to returning to Wanokuni." Wanokuni was his homeland—a place of legends, where tales of dragon-slaying and sword heroes lived on. It was a land renowned for its mighty warriors. Koshiro wondered if sparring with swordsmen there might push him further in his craft, and how different the students there might be from his own. Shortly after the duel, Koshiro returned to his dojo and began preparations to move. There was little reason to stay here any longer, and Alex and the others returned to the ship to wait for him. Though he didn't bring much, Koshiro lingered as he packed, gazing around the home he had known for decades. The thought of leaving stirred mixed feelings, but the call of his distant homeland and his ideals outweighed his reluctance. With newfound resolve, Koshiro gathered his belongings, along with Kuina and a green-haired child, and headed toward the shore. "So, these are your only students?" Alex asked with a smile as Koshiro approached with the children. "I tried my best, but convincing their parents proved difficult. I had to refund their tuition in the end." Koshiro sighed, then gestured to the small green-haired boy beside him. "This one is the child of an old friend of mine, Roronoa Zoro. His parents had no means to raise him, so I decided to bring him to Wanokuni and teach him swordsmanship." "Zoro." Alex nodded, glancing at both the young boy and Kuina. "I have a hunch that they'll become great warriors of Wanokuni one day." The potential within Zoro was unmistakable. Alex recalled how Zoro would eventually master Conqueror's Haki infusion, standing as one of the strongest swordsmen among the Emperor's commanders. And Kuina, with Koshiro's sharp kendo instincts, was a prodigy—someone who could challenge Zoro endlessly without a single loss. If fate had spared her, she might've rivaled top female swordsmen like Gion or even surpassed them. Koshiro, hearing Alex's words, simply took them as a form of encouragement. After all, who could truly foresee the future? For now, Zoro and Kuina were still just children, with their lives and potential only beginning to unfold. "Excuse me, Shogun, may I learn swordsmanship from you in the future?" After hearing Alex's compliment, Kuina stepped forward, her expression resolute. She'd overheard the girls talking earlier and learned that this was the famed Master Alex, someone they deeply respected and from whom they regularly received guidance in improving their strength. Though Kuina was determined to inherit her father's dojo, she didn't believe that following his path was the only way to master the sword. At just five years old, witnessing the astonishing swordsmanship Alex had displayed sparked a yearning in her heart—a desire to train under a master of such caliber. Alex looked at Kuina thoughtfully but did not answer right away. Instead, he glanced toward Koshiro. Koshiro hadn't expected his daughter to make such a bold request, but seeing the longing in her eyes, he bent down and addressed Alex respectfully, "Though it's difficult for me to make such a request, I must ask... Shogun Alex, please grant Kuina this opportunity. I will do all I can to repay your kindness." Kuina blinked, surprised at her father's formal plea. She hadn't expected him to make such a gesture just for her request. Unaware of the conversation Maria had shared with Kuina earlier, Koshiro only knew that his daughter's request was sincere—driven by a genuine desire to learn and not by whim. Regardless of Alex's noble status as Shogun or his tremendous skill in swordsmanship, Koshiro understood that truly skilled swordsmen rarely agreed to teach others easily. Though Koshiro had his own traditional views on swordsmanship, he was, at heart, a father devoted to his daughter's growth. "Koshiro, there's no need for that." Alex gently lifted the bowing Koshiro. "I'll grant your request." Kuina's natural talent in swordsmanship made her a student Alex was more than willing to teach. Of course, this decision was only because her abilities aligned with his interests; had it been an ordinary student, Alex wouldn't have agreed so readily. Not aware of Alex's reasoning, Koshiro felt a deeper sense of gratitude. A sense of loyalty toward Wanokuni grew within him, further strengthening his resolve to return and repay this kindness. Thus, upon leaving Shimotsuki Village, Alex gained not only Zoro and Kuina—two kendo prodigies—but also Shimotsuki Koshiro, a swordsman who could someday become a renowned master himself. With Koshiro's commitment to help raise the swordsmanship level of Wanokuni's samurai, the journey held a rich promise. As he voyaged through East Blue, Alex thought of the original plot, especially how the Red-Hair Pirates had two cheats with them, the Human-Human Fruit Model Nika and Sing-Sing Fruit. Despite these temptations, Alex knew that seizing the Nika Fruit would be unwise. Even if it were accessible, its awakening required the fruit's own will to bestow its power, a condition that had only been met once in hundreds of years, by Luffy alone. Without that acceptance, it was nothing more than an ordinary Rubber Fruit, lacking true potential. Alex saw little value in risking the attention of the World Government just to obtain it. Instead, his sights shifted. The Sing-Sing Fruit held a far more promising allure.