Three days later, at dawn, in the port of Crocodile Island in the North Sea, the moment a pirate ship appeared, the once-bustling harbor suddenly fell silent.
The workers loading and unloading cargo, those giving commands, those training—all of them wore anxious expressions, gripping anything they could use as a weapon, watching the pirate ship sailing steadily toward the dock with great caution.
This was only natural. In this era, the word "pirate" meant destruction, plunder, and disaster.
"Pirates are coming! Pirates are coming! Everyone, prepare the cannons! Someone go inform the mayor!" someone suddenly shouted, startling the vigilant crowd. One person quickly added, "Right! You guys go tell the mayor, quick!"
"Whoosh!"
In an instant, the previously silent port turned noisy again.
On Roger's pirate ship, Roger seemed to suddenly remember something and turned to Rayleigh.
"Rayleigh, how much money do you have left? Lend me some, I need it."
"Huh?" Rayleigh looked baffled.
"All my money was taken by Qingcheng to buy medicine and tools. Just lend me some for now, I'll pay you back next time," Roger patiently explained.
"You're something else… Fine, here, this is 100,000 Berries. That's all I've got," Rayleigh said, handing him a wad of bills.
"Thanks," Roger said as he accepted the money.
"Shanks, Buggy, come here for a second." Qingcheng called to the two who were about to disembark.
"Dr. Qingcheng, do you need something?" Shanks asked.
"I need to go into town to purchase a large amount of supplies. I'd like you two to help me carry some of it," Qingcheng explained.
"No problem. It's an honor to help Dr. Qingcheng," Shanks said with a smile.
"You can go if you want—I'm not going," Buggy replied. "We finally got into town. I'm not about to waste it working."
"Oh?" Qingcheng said playfully, "I'm offering pay. You sure you don't want it? It's 5,000 Berries."
"What? 5,000 Berries?!" Buggy's eyes instantly lit up. "No problem! Carrying stuff is what I do best!"
"Great. Then I'll be counting on you." Smiling, Qingcheng adjusted his bag and looked at the approaching Crocodile Island, waiting for the right moment to disembark.
Time passed quickly.
At the port, Qingcheng felt uncomfortable under the wary stares of the townspeople. In the past, people had looked at him with awe and admiration, not fear.
"You'll get used to it, Dr. Qingcheng," Rayleigh said calmly.
"Mm," Qingcheng responded, then stood silently by, watching the crowd of a hundred civilians who blocked their way.
"Yi hee hee hee!" Roger laughed and stepped forward. "I'm Roger, captain of the Roger Pirates. We're here to resupply. We promise not to damage anything in your town. Please rest assured."
"Step."
A man with graying hair took a step forward and said, "Such a polite pirate—this is the first time I've seen one. Pleased to meet you. I'm Genryuu Juuza, the mayor of this town."
He paused, then warned in a low voice, "That said, Captain Roger, don't say I didn't warn you—once you enter the town, you'd better stick to what you just promised. If I catch you causing trouble, don't expect me to play nice."
"Yi hee hee hee! Thanks for the warning. We'll keep that in mind," Roger replied with a grin.
"Good," the mayor smiled and turned around, waving his hand. "Everyone, disperse! Get back to your work."
"Whoosh!"
With that command, the crowd that had been blocking them quickly scattered.
"Yi hee hee hee! Alright, everyone, go have fun or do your shopping, but don't go overboard. Be back on the ship before sunset. If you get left behind, don't blame me!" Roger called out to his crew.
"Yes, Captain Roger!" they responded in unison, then surged toward the town like a tide.
"Sir, I have a request," said Kozuki Oden respectfully.
Qingcheng stopped and looked at him. "Do whatever you want. You're my retainer, but I don't need constant protection thanks to my own strength."
"Yes!" Oden replied with delight and rushed toward the town.
"Let's hope the pharmacy here doesn't disappoint," Aocheng muttered as he headed into town with Shanks and Buggy.
However, what no one knew was that just as they left the port, far off on the sea, a navy-flagged sailing ship was steadily making its way toward Crocodile Island.
Meanwhile, someone trailing behind Mayor Juuza spoke nervously, "Mayor, is it really okay to just let them into the town? They're pirates…"
"You think I wanted this?" the mayor said calmly. "I observed them earlier—these pirates are not ones we can afford to provoke. More importantly, can you guess who I saw among them?"
"Who?"
"The world-renowned doctor, Halvis D. Villia Qingcheng, and his retainer, the swordmaster Kozuki Oden."
"Him?" the man's face changed. "I didn't expect him to become a pirate…"
"He offended the World Nobles—what other choice do you think he had? Also, do you really think any ordinary pirate crew could keep someone like Qingcheng aboard?"
Sweat dripped down the man's face. "You're right, Mayor. What should we do next?"
"Same as always," the mayor said. But then his expression darkened. "However, if they break their word, I—Genryuu Juuza—won't sit idly by."
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a shadow appeared before them.
"Who's there?" Genryuu Juuza asked instinctively.
"I am Kozuki Oden," the figure said.
"Oh, so it's the famed swordmaster Oden! Hearing about you doesn't compare to seeing you in person. I didn't expect you to be so young," Juuza smiled faintly. "So, what brings you here?"
"You flatter me, senior. In my years wandering the seas, I've often heard of your great name!" Oden said seriously. "If my sources are correct, you're more than just a mayor. You're also the current head of the Genryuu Sword Dojo—and the North Sea's number one swordmaster."
"You're right," the aide nearby said smugly. "The mayor is the great swordmaster Genryuu Juuza. You pirates better not stir up trouble—or you won't be leaving alive."
Genryuu Juuza looked at Oden. "So what is it you seek from me?"
"To be honest," Oden said with eyes blazing with fighting spirit, "I came here today hoping you would give me some guidance."
"Guidance? Sounds more like a challenge," Juuza thought to himself. "But it's just in time. Maybe this will help me break through to the Great Swordmaster level."
"I wouldn't dare say 'guidance,'" Juuza replied aloud. "But I'd be happy to spar. Come with me."
With that, he turned and continued walking.
The title Great Swordmaster had always been Juuza's dream. Though he'd been stuck at the peak of swordmaster level for twenty years, he never gave up.
But what he didn't know was that the young Kozuki Oden had the same goal—and the same burning drive to surpass his limits.
And perhaps it wasn't Juuza's fault for underestimating him. In his mind, Oden was just another hotheaded youth hoping to make a name for himself by defeating a renowned master—just like he had been when he wandered the seas in his younger days.