A gentle rain fell from the overcast sky, casting a hazy veil over Shimotsuki Village.
Under the covered walkway of Isshin Dojo, Bane leaned lazily against a pillar. A steaming cup of tea sat by his side as he casually flipped through the latest newspaper.
Only two headlines truly caught his attention.
The first was in the World News section—a bold report:
"Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Fire Fist Ace, launches surprise attack on Drum Kingdom. King Wapol confirmed dead."
The article speculated the cause of the conflict may have involved a certain Devil Fruit.
"So he's already reached Drum Kingdom, huh? That means he's not far from the East Blue..." Bane murmured, sipping his tea.
Over the past six months, Ace's name had been showing up in headlines frequently. Judging by his path of destruction, it looked like he'd stormed through Fish-Man Island and into the first half of the Grand Line—all while heading in Bane's direction.
Bane had no doubt: the Whitebeard Pirates had discovered he was hiding in the East Blue.
Not surprising. While Shimotsuki Village remained under the radar, Bane had made no attempt to mask his identity back in Loguetown.
What did surprise him was how silent Blackbeard remained. There'd been no mention of Marshall D. Teach anywhere. The bastard was staying hidden—just like before.
In the original timeline, Blackbeard had attacked Drum Kingdom with his newly formed crew. Wapol hadn't been killed, merely driven into exile. But now? The paper had issued a full obituary.
That meant Wapol was definitely dead.
Bane guessed the Munch-Munch Fruit had probably ended up in Teach's hands instead—as a backup plan, now that Bane had taken the Dark-Dark Fruit for himself.
The second article was in the East Blue local paper:
"Former Loguetown Base Commander Smoker Appointed Commodore of East Blue Naval Command."
The article detailed how Smoker had launched a thorough sweep of corruption throughout the East Blue—starting with the takedown of the infamous Axe-Hand Morgan at the 153rd Branch.
Smoker had also led a raid on Syrup Village, eliminating the cruel ex-captain of the Black Cat Pirates, Captain Kuro.
In an official statement, Commodore Smoker declared his continued commitment to restoring discipline to the East Blue Navy, encouraging citizens to report any unlawful behavior by Marines.
That entire shake-up?
Bane's doing.
Before leaving Loguetown, Bane had purchased a personal Den Den Mushi, linked it with Smoker's signal, and the two had kept in occasional contact since.
During that time, Bane had begun sending "reports" to Smoker—first tipping him off about the previous East Blue commander's corruption, then exposing the collusion between Morgan and the Black Cat Pirates. He'd even sent a detailed dossier to back it all up.
At the time, Bane hadn't expected immediate action. It was more about laying groundwork—just in case he ever needed the Navy's favor down the line.
But fate had other plans.
Vice Admiral Garp—yes, that Garp—had decided to vacation in the East Blue and dropped in on his old friend Smoker.
Naturally, when Garp learned what was happening, he didn't just stand by. Unlike Smoker, Garp could pull rank—and he did.
With Garp's support, Smoker launched a full-blown crackdown. Morgan was arrested, Kuro was eliminated, and the East Blue's naval ranks were purged of corrupt scum.
Smoker was promoted.
The White Hunter had risen.
Even the Iron Club Pirates got swept up in the purge. Bane hadn't paid them much attention until he saw their captain's name.
Alvida.
Talk about bad luck.
Now, as far as Bane was aware, the only sleazy Marine left in the region was Captain Nezumi.
And Bane already had plans for that one—for one very important reason:
To recruit the greatest navigator the world has ever seen.
As Bane continued reading the paper, a familiar set of footsteps approached behind him.
It was Master Koshiro.
Bane made a move to stand and greet his teacher, but the man placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"No need to get up," Koshiro said softly, sitting across from him and pouring himself a cup of tea.
The two men sat in peaceful silence, watching the light rain fall beyond the dojo's walkway.
After a moment, Koshiro asked casually, "Where's Zoro? Not by your side today? That's rare."
Zoro, strong as he was, had always been a loner in the dojo. Ever since Kuina's death, he'd grown more distant—even if his relationships with fellow disciples remained cordial. There was a wall between them—a gap they couldn't cross. No one could walk the path of strength with him.
That's why, before Bane had arrived, Zoro had been preparing to leave the dojo, setting out to sea in search of worthy opponents.
But Bane's arrival had changed that.
Though Bane couldn't beat him in swordsmanship, he was stronger overall—and brought entirely new perspectives, techniques, and challenges.
Zoro was hooked. He'd never admit it out loud, but he practically glued himself to Bane whenever he was free.
And Bane? He respected Zoro. Admired him, even. The future Greatest Swordsman in the World was clearly worth investing in—and Bane found a kindred spirit in him.
They'd even promised to set sail together someday—to explore the world as rivals and friends.
"He went to visit Kuina," Bane finally said, eyes drifting toward the curtain of rain outside.
Koshiro paused—then smiled gently. "Ah... I almost forgot. He always visits her whenever it rains."
Bane said nothing. Some memories were better left undisturbed.
After a long silence, Koshiro noticed the newspaper in Bane's hand. His eyes lingered briefly on the article about Portgas D. Ace, then he asked:
"You're both planning to leave, aren't you?"
Bane smiled. "Zoro's been itching to get out and stretch his legs. And as for me... well, if I stay here too long, I might bring trouble to your doorstep."
"You're my student. I wouldn't drive you away over something like that," Koshiro said warmly.
"But I wouldn't want to cause you trouble either," Bane replied with a chuckle.
Koshiro exhaled deeply. After a short pause, he said, "You know I've had ties with the Revolutionary Army. If you ever need protection, I could introduce you to—"
"No need, Master," Bane interrupted with a grin. "I didn't come to this ocean just to hide and seek shelter."
Koshiro looked at the confidence in Bane's eyes—and couldn't help but smile.
"You're right," he said. "Without storms, there's no path to true strength."
Then, as if remembering something important, Koshiro reached into his robes and pulled out a notebook.
He handed it to Bane.
"I had originally planned to give this to you once you'd mastered the techniques... but if I wait any longer, you might be gone before I get the chance."
Bane accepted it reverently.
It was time.