One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

"How does it feel?"

Wright grinned as he watched Zoro pick himself up off the ground.

"...Senior brother! Kuina was trying to kill me!"

"With me here, what's there to be afraid of? Kuina has participated in real battles at Marine Headquarters, facing truly ruthless pirates."

Wright nodded approvingly at Kuina, who smiled with her eyes narrowed into crescents. "Kuina has learned the rules of the battlefield through life-and-death struggles."

"Killing intent, for a swordsman, can significantly enhance offensive power, especially in the early stages when swordsmanship hasn't reached a profound level."

"Later, as a swordsman forges their own path, the importance of killing intent diminishes to nearly nothing. After all, it's an external force. True strength comes from within, and a strong mind is rarely swayed by outside influences. A swordsman must ultimately rely on themselves."

"You wield three swords, which means you need to work not only harder than others but also smarter."

"Just don't let me catch you adding a fourth sword the next time I see you," Wright joked with a laugh.

"Oh..."

Zoro sulked, gritting his teeth as he raised the Nidai Kitetsu.

"Senior brother, I don't think I'm worthy of this Grade Sword yet. Please take it back."

"Idiot."

Wright ruffled Zoro's mossy green hair with a chuckle. "It's not about defeating Kuina to prove you're worthy of that sword. I've seen your progress—it's just that Kuina's improvement has been even greater."

"Keep the sword. I'm looking forward to seeing how you grow and what kind of destiny awaits you."

"Zoro, are you really not joining the Marines?"

Kuina asked seriously, "With your determination, you'd become even stronger if you joined."

"No, Kuina."

Zoro shook his head just as earnestly. "If I joined the Marines, I'd just be walking the same path as you... I want to carve out my own path!"

"I've heard the world's greatest swordsman is Dracule Mihawk. I want to find him and defeat him one day!"

As he spoke, Zoro's excitement grew. "Senior brother! You're also a great swordsman—how strong is Mihawk, really?"

Talk about hitting a sore spot! This brat has no tact at all!

Wright's eye twitched as he replied dryly, "Ah, I've fought him. I couldn't win."

"You've fought Mihawk?!" Zoro was stunned.

Kuina, on the other hand, wasn't surprised. While not widely known, this was no secret among those at Marine Headquarters.

"You want to meet him, huh? I know where he is."

"But... as you are now, you wouldn't even qualify to catch his attention—even if I brought you to him!"

"I'll find Mihawk on my own and defeat him with my own strength!"

Zoro declared firmly. Knowing that even his awe-inspiring senior brother had been unable to defeat Dracule Mihawk only heightened his anticipation.

"Ambitious. I'll be watching."

...

After bidding farewell to Koushirou, his wife, Zoro, and the rest of the dojo, Wright didn't mention anything about Wano Country.

If they could successfully eliminate Kaido, he'd tell his master about Wano then.

East Blue, Cocoyasi Village.

Kuina, who hadn't visited in a long time, went with Nami and Nojiko to play in the orange groves, while Wright, led by Genzo, visited Nami's study room.

"Wow! This is incredible!"

Wright was amazed as he looked around the room, filled with hand-drawn maps, nautical charts, climate analysis records, and ocean current studies.

"All of this was done by Nami?"

"That's right. Every single piece was drawn and recorded by her!" Genzo said proudly. "Ever since she received the precious knowledge you promised her, Vice Admiral Wright, it's like she's a cat that fell into a barrel of fish..."

"Nami devours the knowledge in those books as if she's starving for it. The wonders and insights those books revealed, unimaginable in a small village like this, deeply inspired her."

"Once she learned about the Grand Line, it was like she was possessed—fascinated by its bizarre and unpredictable weather patterns."

"Nami can now use her knowledge to provide the village with accurate weather forecasts!"

"Initially, her calculations were precise but occasionally flawed. Now, she can almost predict the weather at a glance. Her understanding of climate has shattered all our expectations!"

"Talent plays a part, but her success is inseparable from her hard work."

Wright couldn't help but admire her. Although his own knowledge of navigation was limited to being able to read charts, this was his first time truly appreciating Nami's unparalleled talent as a navigator.

"I wonder, if I brought Nami into the Marines, would Luffy still manage to set sail? If he couldn't become a pirate, wouldn't that be doing Garp a favor?"

The more Wright thought about it, the more amusing it seemed. Even if Luffy found another navigator, they wouldn't have Nami's extraordinary talent, right?

Then again, someone with Luffy's destiny... even without a navigator, he'd probably still survive!

However, Nami had once refused to join the Marines, unwilling to be bound by such an organization as she pursued her dreams. Wright had supported her decision back then.

Who knows, if fate still brings Nami and Luffy together, would she choose to follow him this time?

For now, Nami still had much to learn. When she could no longer find answers in books, it would be time for her to embark on her journey.

"Genzo, how's the village's security been these past years? Kuina mentioned Nami wrote in her letters about several pirate invasions."

Genzo waved his hand dismissively. "Just a few incidents! With timely support from the 16th Branch, there was no major harm."

"We have Vice Admiral Wright's protection to thank for that!"

"Just doing my duty. Were there any fishman pirates among them?"

"No..." Genzo thought for a moment before confirming. "In fact, we've hardly heard of fishman pirate activity in recent years, whether from passing merchant ships or the Marines of the 16th Branch."

"The villages Arlong once controlled even made a portrait of you, Vice Admiral Wright, to pray for peace!"

"..."

Wright wiped some sweat from his brow. This was getting out of hand.

"Arlong reportedly couldn't endure Impel Down's torture and recently died—Chief Warden Magellan even apologized to me, saying they 'overdid the care'... Ahem, I mean, there was some oversight."

"At this rate, there won't be any fishman prisoners left in a few years... Not that it'll trace back to me!"

"Vice Admiral Wright..."

Genzo wiped tears from his eyes and gave Wright a broad smile.

After a while, Nami and Nojiko returned to the village with Kuina in tow.

"Vice Admiral Wright!"

Nami greeted him cheerfully. "Kuina's amazing!"

"We were just worried about how to clear the big trees behind the orange grove for expansion, and Kuina cut them down in a few swings!"

"I wish I could be that strong!"

"..."

Using a Grade Sword to chop down trees—well done, Kuina. Truly the mark of a fellow swordsman.

Wright rolled his eyes at Kuina, who stuck her tongue out with a grin. Turning to Nami, he said, "I heard your orange trees don't bear fruit as well as Nojiko's. Is that true?"

"Yeah, my sister's better at that!"

Nami blushed but quickly raised her head. "But she can't draw charts like I can!"

"Haha..."

Wright chuckled, ruffling Nami's hair. "Everyone has their own strengths. Yours are charts and weather."

"Don't underestimate yourself—profound weather knowledge can be a powerful weapon too!"

"Really?"

"Of course!"

"Then I want to learn more!"

"Keep working hard like this. Someday, even a swordsman like Kuina might need your help!"

"If I can help Kuina, I'll give it my all!"

"Haha... I'm counting on you!"

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