Chapter 134: The Three-Sword Style and the Green-Haired Swordsman
Wright nodded in approval. "Arlong is an extreme racist. A guy like him barely has any supporters, even among the people of Fish-Man Island."
Genzo sighed, stealing a glance at Nami and Nojiko.
"Belle-Mère…" Genzo whispered the name of the woman he could never forget. "Arlong has been punished. If you were still here, I believe you'd stand with Vice Admiral Wright too, wouldn't you?"
After a brief moment of sorrow, Genzo gathered himself.
"In that case... please allow us to throw you a banquet! The villagers have been looking forward to celebrating with a legend like you!"
Genzo looked at Wright expectantly. Hosting a banquet before Wright's departure was a task entrusted to him by the entire village—a mission of utmost importance!
"A 'mission,' huh…" Wright's gaze seemed to pierce straight into Genzo's heart. "Fine. But let's be clear—I'll be paying for it. Marines don't eat and drink for free!
"And as for that Captain Nezumi, he's been taken into custody and sent to Marine Headquarters. What awaits him won't be pleasant!"
"That's wonderful news!" Genzo was overjoyed. "I... I need to spread this news to everyone immediately!"
"Nojiko, lend me a hand!"
"Of course, Mr. Genzo!"
…
Even in his excitement, Genzo didn't forget to leave Nami, Kuina, and Wright some private time to talk. He could tell Wright still had a few things to say.
"What a fine officer…"
Wright smiled and pulled out a small box.
Inside was a beautiful golden crystal pendant—a Lightforged Beacon Crystal, the ultimate gift for a lady.
"Nami, this is for you," Wright said as he handed her the exquisite pendant. "This little trinket might save your life—but remember to find a doctor quickly if you're in danger."
"This... this is too much…" Nami's eyes sparkled with the gleam of money as she accepted the pendant. "Thank you so much!"
"Hehe..." Kuina chuckled. "Nami, look, I have one too. They resonate with each other!"
"Wow! That's amazing!"
"When you meet someone with a crystal that resonates with yours, it means they're someone I trust," Wright explained with a smile. "These crystals are crafted by me, one of a kind!"
"Thank you, Vice Admiral Wright!"
…
The time for goodbyes inevitably arrived. On the deck of the Holy Light, Kuina bid Nami a heartfelt farewell. "Nami! Chase your dreams! I'll come visit you next time I'm in the East Blue!"
"I will, Kuina! And you better become the greatest swordswoman in the world!"
Standing at the forefront of the villagers, Nami waved with a bright smile as she sent off her new friends, despite only knowing them for a few days.
"Vice Admiral Wright! Thank you again!"
"Thank you, Vice Admiral!"
The villagers cheered in unison.
"Everyone, until we meet again!"
"Hoist the sails! Set course for Shimotsuki Village! Let's move!"
"Aye!!"
The Holy Light gradually sailed away, taking the nightmare of the Arlong Pirates far into the distance.
"One day, you'll achieve your dreams," Wright's parting words echoed in Nami's mind.
"For now, prepare yourself and work hard for the future you desire!"
Nami's smile grew even brighter as the golden crystal around her neck shimmered softly in the sunlight.
…
Arriving at Shimotsuki Village, Wright greeted Kuina's parents with joy and exchanged a few words before leaving the family to reunite.
Activating his Observation Haki, Wright quickly located Zoro training alone outside.
Slipping away from the overly enthusiastic dojo students, Wright made his way to the hillside where Zoro was hanging upside down from a tree, practicing his jaw strength—yes, his jaw strength.
"Yo, Zoro!" Wright descended from the sky, ruffling the startled swordsman's green hair.
It had been nearly two years since Wright last saw Zoro. The boy had grown taller and more muscular.
"S-Senior brother Wright!" Zoro's jaw dropped, causing the rope holding a large stone to fall and crash into the ground, leaving a sizable dent.
"When did you get back? Is Kuina here too?"
"Yeah, I brought her home to visit. I also wanted to see how your training has been coming along."
Wright scrutinized Zoro. Hm… against Kuina, he'd probably still lose miserably.
"Where's Kuina? I want to challenge her!" Zoro leapt from the tree, full of energy.
"You'd get crushed, kid…" Wright chuckled. "Kuina's progress is beyond anything you can imagine."
"Hmph! I haven't slacked off for a second!" Zoro retorted. "I feel like I could take on two of my old selves from two years ago!"
"Oh, confident, are we?" Wright smiled knowingly. "Kuina's busy catching up with her parents…"
"How about I test your progress instead?"
"Senior brother Wright…" Zoro hesitated for a moment. Even as a child, he understood how rare such an opportunity was. "Thank you, senior brother!"
The sound of clashing blades soon echoed through the forest. Wright, wielding an ordinary longsword, easily fended off Zoro's relentless Three-Sword Style attacks.
"Not fast enough! Go faster!" Wright critiqued as he parried Zoro's strikes with one hand.
"The Three-Sword Style is more suited for fighting groups. Against a single opponent, speed is key. You need to overwhelm them and disrupt their rhythm!"
"Biting a sword… only you could think of that. But your third blade is still too weak! Without enough power, what's the point of a third sword?"
"Your stamina is your biggest weakness right now. The One-Sword Style allows you to focus all your strength on a single blade. With the Three-Sword Style, your power is already divided. If you're not fast enough, how will you deal enough damage?"
"Don't insist on landing hits with all three blades. A skilled swordsman adapts to their opponent. Adjust your tactics to suit the situation!"
"The techniques for wielding three swords are different. You need to refine your coordination. Otherwise, the extra blade will just drag you down!"
"Stop!" Wright commanded. Zoro immediately dropped his swords, collapsing to the ground, completely drained.
"Holy Light!"
Golden light enveloped Zoro, instantly restoring his energy. Feeling rejuvenated, Zoro bounced back to his feet. "Thanks, senior brother Wright!"
"Well, still eager to challenge Kuina?" Wright teased.
"…Not yet!" Zoro admitted after a moment of reflection. "My Three-Sword Style is still incomplete…"
"This is a fighting style I've never fully explored before. I need more time to master its techniques and build my stamina!"
"Good. As long as you understand. Also, don't neglect your Two-Sword and One-Sword Styles."
"After all, you can't always guarantee you'll have three swords. Losing one and dropping a third of your strength would be ridiculous!"
"I'm not that dumb!"
"Haha…"
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