"The injured stay here, others stay over there."
In the dojo scattered with withered yellow leaves, a gentle man wearing glasses was arranging accommodations for the arriving visitors.
"However, given the commotion you all caused recently, I must remind you that the dojo and the village residents cannot withstand your disruptions. Please be mindful of this!"
"Commotion?"
Watching the man leave the dojo, Sakura tilted her head sideways.
"Hmm hmm, see for yourself."
Dragon let out a meaningful laugh, pulled out a newly purchased copy of the World Economic News Paper, and tossed it into Sakura's hands.
"Mysterious."
Sakura, sitting under the engawa, lay back and unfolded the newspaper.
"What is this thing?!!"
Sunlight streamed through the eaves onto the newspaper, illuminating the big news written on the front page.
[The Great Pirate Haruno Sakura Has Arrived at Her Loyal East Blue]
Unsurprisingly, the incident of the Celestial Dragon's death had spread across the entire sea.
After all, the last time someone dared to lay hands on a Celestial Dragon was eighteen years ago.
Whether it was ambitious schemers, pirates, marines, kings, commoners... everyone's gaze involuntarily focused on the person who dared to commit such a major crime.
The Revolutionary Army's leader's identity was mysterious, with no traceable past, so Morgans only mentioned him briefly when writing the report.
In contrast, a certain great pirate had been constantly in the spotlight since her debut.
Such a troublemaker, who was also hard to kill, was the darling of all news workers on the sea.
Thus, the World Economic News Paper revised its draft overnight, almost collecting all of Sakura's glorious 'records' from the past to the present.
Originating from the Roger Pirates, witness to the Ohara Incident, liberator of slaves in Holy Land Mary Geoise, one special case violating 18 World Laws, two erased criminal records-
Up until now, the 'Deicide' tragedy that occurred in the East Blue a week ago.
Sakura gritted her teeth, her hand holding the newspaper trembling incessantly, especially when she saw the last sentence.
-Given her special attribute of causing destruction wherever she goes, the author believes she can be bestowed the title 'Higanbana'. (T/N: Red Spider Lily)
"That bastard Morgans! I'll make him pay one day!"
Sakura crumpled the newspaper wrinkled, completely failing to notice the small box below about a certain pirate losing an arm.
Simultaneously, a new wanted poster fluttered down from within the newspaper.
It featured a photo of Sakura grabbing the lightning sphere in the waters near Dawn Island. The string of zeros after the bounty even made her entertain the thought of turning herself in for the money.
[Higanbana · Haruno Sakura.]
[ONLY ALIVE]
[Bounty: 1,000,000,000 Berry!]
"Do the Marine guys also read the third-rate articles written by Morgans?"
The girl roared, baring her shark teeth, and forcefully slammed the wanted poster onto the ground.
Coincidentally, due to Sakura's movement, another wanted poster inside the newspaper slipped out. She picked it up to look.
"Pet... Leviathan. Bounty: 1,000 Berry."
"Pfft... Ahahaha, one thousand Berry."
Her mood instantly became wonderful. Sakura clutched her stomach, laughing as she slumped to the ground.
"Stop laughing~"
Leviathan felt insulted, puffed up angrily, charged forward, and tore the wanted poster to shreds.
Then she jumped onto the gleeful girl, ready to go all out with her right now.
But at that moment, a strand of rainbow light flashed in Sakura's emerald pupils.
She gave Leviathan a meaningful glance.
Understanding her shared intent, it immediately beat its wings, scattering a large number of black feathers.
Ever since the battle with Sea Snake ended, Sakura had been consciously training Leviathan's abilities.
Perhaps one day, it, also a Mythical Zoan, could reach the stage of awakening and become a huge asset in battle for Sakura.
"Got it~"
One of Leviathan's feathers flew back. Then, the feathers on the ground gradually transformed into flowing darkness, seeping through the cracks in the room to the space below the floorboards.
"Wah!"
A small scream came from below. Soon, a girl wearing a white T-shirt and black mid-length pants emerged from under the floor.
"You are... the dojo master's daughter?"
Sakura, sitting cross-legged on the engawa, rubbed her chin and examined the girl before her. "What brings you here?"
Although a flash of fear passed through the plainly dressed girl's eyes, she straightened her chest and spoke to Sakura: "You... you are a great pirate from the outside seas, right?"
"Oh~, knowing I'm a great pirate and still daring to approach me? Quite some nerve, huh?"
Sakura propped her face with a hand, her elbow resting on her crossed knee, putting on a villainous act.
She intended to scare the girl, but the latter didn't show the expression the mischievous someone wanted to see.
"That doesn't matter. My name is Kuina. There's a question I must get an answer for from you, even if it costs me my life!"
The girl pressed her fists onto the wooden engawa and bowed her head deeply to Sakura.
"Hmph hmph, I'm not a swordsman. Your doubts shouldn't be directed at me!"
Her Observation Haki had already sensed the confusion on the other party. But given Sakura's circumstances, she wasn't suitable as a reference for the girl.
Deeply aware of the gap in talent, and having started her journey on this sea with cheats from the beginning, she wouldn't presumptuously interfere in someone else's life.
After all, the path Kuina had chosen was one covered in thorns. If she didn't realize the storms of blood she would face upon stepping onto it, she would ultimately become mere prey on that path.
"But you carry the scent of a swordsman! And you're a woman too!"
Kuina looked at her stubbornly. Sakura refused to back down returned the stare. The two remained locked in a stalemate.
A long time passed...
Far less stubborn than a swordsman, Sakura conceded with a long sigh. "Sigh, ask away. I'll answer you based on 'my' experiences as much as possible."
"I want to know if a female swordsman, due to physical limitations, can never become the World's Greatest Swordsman?"
Kuina's voice was hoarse, her shoulders trembled, and tears slid from the corners of her eyes.
"Let me ask you a question first. Are you prepared for the constant slaughter for the title of the strongest?"
Instead of answering directly, Sakura posed a counter-question, switching the hand propping her face and leaning her body from one side to the other.
"Of course! I've long been prepared with such resolve!"
Taking a deep breath, Kuina wiped away her tears, putting on a determined expression before Sakura.
"Such things, your words alone are useless."
Sakura's free hand twisted at the wrist, making a tiny cut on her fingertip.
Then, using Fish-Man Karate technique, she pinched the droplet of blood in her hand.
Then, with a speed Kuina couldn't perceive, her pale finger tapped Kuina's forehead.
The Soul Corrosive Poison, diluted by Sakura's blood over the past few days, influenced Kuina, letting her experience the savage and ferocious killing intent of the CP0 agent.
'I'm going to die, die, die!'
In her dazed vision, Kuina felt herself falling.
She fell into water, as if sinking into a deep pool, drifting aimlessly in the darkness called death.
"How about it? Giving up?"
A soft voice caressed Kuina's soul, dragging her towards corruption.
She only needed to sink here, shout 'I give up' to be immediately liberated, escape from this pitch-black abyss, and gain relief.
"But... why... do I feel so unwilling!"
The girl's clear and pure will sang loudly. She assumed the stance in Kendo, all her scattered thoughts converged into one.
'I don't want to lose!'
Kuina, raising her hands high, swung her sword with all her might in the darkness. The empty darkness seemed to be cut open by her, and a light seeped in from behind.
Snap!
A crisp sound burst forth. After Kuina swung her sword, everything around her returned to normal.
Only she herself, vaguely gripping a non-existent sword, her clenched fists held together struck Sakura's raised palm.
"Not bad. Now I can give you my answer."
Sakura's smile was extremely bright, offering an answer belonging to a pirate.
"In this world where will can be manifested as power, only conviction… surpasses everything!"