[Ding dong]
[Stars align! Congratulations for catching S-rank Lucky Card—catch probability greatly increased, effect lasts three days, now in effect]
...
[Ding dong]
[Good luck comes! Congratulations, host, for catching one B-rank Ryo Wazamono Grade sword, worth one million berries]
...
[Ding dong]
[Good luck continues! Congratulations, host, for catching swordsman insights, comprehending the Breath of All Things]
...
[Ding dong]
[Luck upgraded! Congratulations, host, for catching one A-rank O Wazamono Grade sword, worth ten million berries]
...
[Ding dong]
[Character explosion! Congratulations, host, for catching S-rank famous swords Gan Jiang and Mo Ye...]
...
[Ding dong]
[Congratulations, host, for catching master craftsman Shimotsuki Kozaburo's sword forging insights...]
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village coast.
A young man sat alone at the cliff's edge.
Like an old monk in meditation, patiently fishing.
Three days had passed since arriving at Shimotsuki Village.
Three days ago.
After learning this was Zoro's hometown.
Sora had brought Tohru for a tour around the village.
His intention was to meet the future world's number one directionally challenged person.
Unfortunately.
At this time, Zoro had already been at sea for over half a year.
Although he couldn't meet Zoro, Sora didn't rush to leave, instead beginning his fishing journey here.
New island, new atmosphere, catch probability also increased.
During the past three days.
Sora had leaped from being a complete novice who knew nothing about swordsmanship to becoming an iron-cutting swordsman who had comprehended sword intent.
At the same time, he had gained several priceless swords.
Among them, what delighted Sora most was naturally the paired swords Gan Jiang and Mo Ye.
Because these were not swords native to the pirate world.
Like Tohru, they came from another world, originating from the Qin's Moon world.
Regarding the paired swords ranked fourth in the sword manual, Sora was naturally very familiar.
According to the system's S-grade rating, Gan Jiang and Mo Ye were sufficient to compare with the Supreme Grade swords of the pirate world.
Deep night.
Bright moonlight flowed like water, illuminating the sparkling sea surface.
Splash~
Waves crashed against the rocks, stirring up spray everywhere.
Tap tap!
Footsteps sounded.
A tall figure stopped about ten meters behind Sora.
The newcomer wore a gray Japanese-style training outfit.
His black hair was meticulously combed and tied behind his head.
He wore round-framed glasses, his face always bearing a squinting smile.
His name was Shimotsuki Koushirou.
The master of the protagonist crew's second-in-command, Zoro.
He was also the island's sword dojo master.
Three days ago, from the moment Sora and Tohru entered Shimotsuki Village, Koushirou had already noticed the two.
As a dojo master who could teach a disciple of Zoro's caliber, Koushirou naturally wouldn't be a weak paper tiger.
As a direct descendant of the Shimotsuki family, his swordsmanship talent was high, and he was now already a great swordsman.
He just usually kept a low profile, only acting when the village was in crisis from pirate invasions.
Regarding Sora and Tohru, these two unfathomable travelers, Koushirou naturally paid more attention.
However, after three days of observation, Koushirou had roughly determined that the two posed no malice toward this village.
Rather, for Shimotsuki Village, the newcomers' arrival had made the village atmosphere much livelier.
Especially the lively and active Tohru, who had already become fast friends with the village residents.
Under normal circumstances.
After confirming that outsiders had no ill intent, the peace-loving Koushirou wouldn't deliberately approach them.
Unfortunately, Sora and Tohru were simply too special.
Especially Sora.
In less than three days since arriving.
The village already had legends about him.
As a fishing enthusiast, he could catch anything except fish.
Initially, Koushirou had dismissed this as children's playful chatter.
Until he personally witnessed Sora fishing up an O Wazamono Grade sword from the sea.
Koushirou felt his entire worldview had been refreshed and reorganized.
That was an O Wazamono Grade sword!!!
Not some roadside cabbage.
There were only twenty-one in the entire world.
However...
Such a precious treasure had been so easily fished up, as if it were child's play.
Koushirou had spent a long time building up his mental fortitude before defining it as Sora having good luck.
Unexpectedly.
The next day.
Sora gave him another surprise.
This time he had actually fished up a 'Supreme Grade sword' even rarer than O Wazamono Grade swords.
Once could be called coincidence or chance, but twice...
With Koushirou's personality, he generally wouldn't meddle in others' affairs.
Unfortunately, what happened this time was simply too bizarre.
It almost overturned Koushirou's worldview.
Driven by intense curiosity.
Unable to sleep, Koushirou had come here under the moonlight.
"Good evening, Sora-san. May I sit down?"
After a long while, Koushirou spoke up.
"Of course you can. This is your territory, don't be polite!"
Sora picked up a beer from nearby and tossed a can to Koushirou.
Koushirou caught the beer, looking at the unique packaging with even greater amazement in his heart.
After drinking it, the bright gleam in his eyes intensified.
"Truly fine alcohol. Sora-san, you are indeed quite extraordinary, truly the most remarkable person I've encountered in my life!"
Koushirou praised.
"No, no, no, you flatter me. I'm just an ordinary fishing enthusiast!"
Sora said casually.
"If Sora-san counts as ordinary, then there are no special people in this world!"
Koushirou smiled and shook his head.
"To be honest, when my father was still alive, he used to fish here every day for ten years, yet never caught even a single special thing, unlike Sora-san..."
"Wait, don't speak yet."
Before Koushirou could finish, Sora suddenly interrupted, his expression becoming serious.
The originally calm sea surface suddenly surged with a huge whirlpool—this was the sign of a big catch taking the bait.
"Rise for me!!!"
Thinking there might be a 'big catch' no less significant than Tohru, Sora's expression became visibly excited.
Of course.
Excitement aside.
Sora wouldn't let his guard down.
He had already prepared for a prolonged battle.
However...
Sora never expected.
This big catch would be even more difficult to handle than Tohru.
The white-hot stalemate continued until dawn the next day.
Only then did Sora seize the opportunity and successfully hook the 'giant creature' with One Cast Opens Heaven's Gate.
But...
The true identity of this giant creature once again far exceeded Sora's expectations.
This was a little girl.
An 'ordinary' girl with short black hair.
Ordinary yet not ordinary.
Because she belonged to this world, yet didn't exist in this era.
"Ah!"
Seeing the girl who fell into Sora's arms, dojo master Koushirou couldn't help but cry out.
"Ku... Kuina! Is it really you? Kuina!"