Chapter 106: Setting Sail [Support Appreciated]

The Navy’s efficiency was commendable—seven-year-old wanted posters could still be unearthed. Fortunately, the space inside the backpack was vacuum-sealed; whatever state an item was placed in, it remained unchanged upon retrieval. Otherwise, the pirate’s head would have long since turned to a skull!

To Tang Shen’s pleasant surprise, the bounty on the pirate he had just slain had actually increased over these seven years. Tang Shen felt like exclaiming “Awesome!” The scoundrel was cut down by his hand, ceasing his evil deeds, yet the bounty had risen. It was simply unbelievable!

He liked this kind of development.

The increase wasn’t huge, doubling from 200,000 Beli to 400,000 Beli—a full doubling, which put a smile on his face.

Without hesitation, Tang Shen shamelessly declared that the pirate he had just dispatched had attempted to invade Frost Moon Village. As a righteous envoy, how could he allow such acts? Hence, he had struck with indignation.

Now, having claimed the bounty, he was sent off amid the heartfelt thanks of the Navy base’s officers.

In a remote village like the East Sea, although a naval station was present, its forces were weak. The highest-ranking officer was only a sergeant, an elderly and frail man who had risen through the ranks merely by seniority.

Guina stood silently to the side, watching the entire scene with quiet disbelief. Had it not been for the fact that seven years ago she and her master had slain pirates together, she might have truly believed it.

A righteous envoy?

Well, perhaps.

After all, the pirates had intended to attack Frost Moon Village, and had they not acted preemptively, a tragedy would have been inevitable.

Returning to the Ichishin Dojo, they found Zoro kneeling on the floor, bidding farewell to Goro, surrounded by the dojo’s students.

Today was the day he set sail.

“Master, once I’m at sea, I will diligently train in the way of the sword and live up to your expectations!” Zoro said, unusually earnest.

“Good. I have faith that you will succeed,” Goro replied, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. Over the past seven years, he had watched Zoro grow step by step. He had personally nurtured him and thus knew the potential and resilience of the boy kneeling before him.

After a moment’s consideration, he reached to unfasten a long sword at his waist, solemnly saying, “This is Kikuichimonji Norimune, blade length 78.48 centimeters, with an exceptionally long cutting edge. The blade is thin and slender, and the handle is engraved with sixteen chrysanthemum petals. It is one of the twenty-one great swords. I began learning swordsmanship at seven, obtained this blade at fifteen, and it has accompanied me for twenty-three years. Today, I entrust it to you, hoping that one day you will realize your dreams.”

Clang!

Goro slowly drew the blade—slender, gleaming, a cold gleam flashing forth. In fame and quality, this sword rivaled the Wado Ichimonji in Guina’s possession.

There was a hint of reluctance in his eyes. After all, it had accompanied him for twenty-three years, witnessed his growth and his retirement. A sword was a swordsman’s life; it never left his hand or side.

Yet, at this moment, it was a legacy—not just the inheritance of a sword, but the inheritance of a dream.

Upon hearing this, Zoro suddenly raised his head, eyes wide with disbelief, a mix of indescribable excitement and trembling.

He wanted to speak but found no words; he reached out tremblingly and slowly accepted the sword. Though the blade was not heavy, the weight at that moment was immense—he felt he was receiving not just a sword, but Goro’s hopes and dreams.

Guina, standing nearby, was momentarily dazed, watching the scene unfold.

Since she began her sword training, she had always seen Goro carry that sword at his waist. Apart from routine maintenance, she had only seen her father truly draw it once—when a band of vicious pirates tried to raid Frost Moon Village. Amid flashes of blades and cries from the pirates, Goro’s towering figure moved through them like a mountain, immovable and unyielding.

Learning swordsmanship, the spirit of the way of the sword since childhood, and sword maintenance—all had been taught to her by Goro.

She knew how deeply her father cherished that sword; even she had never touched it.

And today, Goro was passing that sword on to Zoro.

This should have been a touching moment—a legacy passed down.

Yet, in Tang Shen’s eyes, the intense eye contact between master and disciple was painfully awkward, especially since both were men.

He felt sparks of lightning and fire crackling between their gazes, making it unbearable to watch.

“Alright, alright, just give the money already! Stop staring at each other; you’re polluting my eyes,” Tang Shen finally blurted out loudly. “Someone who didn’t know better might think you two are lovers, going through a life-and-death farewell.”

Zoro: “......”

Goro: “......”

Instantly, the sorrow Goro had felt vanished, replaced by a cross-shaped vein bulging on his forehead.

Yes, he was a bit riled up.

He struggled to control himself, tempted to take the sword and strike down this annoying fellow.

What had been a solemn moment of parting, a passing of dreams, a transmission of swordsmanship, was instantly ruined.

“You two are the real couple. You and your whole family are couples.”

Guina: “......”

Guina snapped out of her daze, hearing Tang Shen’s words, a black line appeared over her forehead.

Well, truth be told, there was something to it—it was quite eye-watering.

The more she thought about it, the harder it was to look away.

Why was a moment that should have been sorrowful and solemn now making her want to laugh?

She lowered her head secretly, covering her mouth to stifle her laughter—she couldn’t let her father hear, as it would be too hurtful.

What about Goro’s strength? What about his perception?

His Observation Haki was top-notch; there was no way he could miss what was happening.

If one observed carefully enough, one could clearly see the twitching at the corner of Goro’s eye behind his glasses, indicating the anger still swelling within.

At that moment—

Pfft!

Someone suddenly burst out laughing among the students.

Goro’s eyes immediately sharpened like an eagle’s, fixing on the source. All the students shuddered and shivered, startled and frightened into silence. None dared to laugh further.

Watching Goro turn away with a blank expression, they felt a chill down their spines—today’s incident would not pass so easily.

At this point, Goro stiffly pulled a pouch of money from his pocket—yes, payment was still due.

Although Tang Shen’s words had been blunt and crude, the principle remained the same.

The money still had to be given.

“This is the savings I have accumulated over time. Take it with you! When you’re out in the world, besides training, you must also take care of your food and lodging,” Goro said earnestly as he placed it into Zoro’s hands.

Zoro was deeply moved, utterly overwhelmed. He had thought Tang Shen was joking, but his master had truly prepared this for him. Taking it with both hands, he held it close to his chest, feeling the weight.

No matter how many Beli were inside, it was likely his master’s entire savings. After all, the dojo had no other source of income.

He was moved, saddened, grateful, and reverent—all at once.

A wild child who had grown up on charity now felt the stern discipline and education of his master, and more importantly, the care of an elder—care he had never known before.