Ezra D. Vale had spent half a day in Windmill Village, and by now he was completely at ease among its residents.
"Ah, so you're that famous Vice Admiral everyone's been talking about lately!" cried Dadan, raising her cup high with a boisterous laugh. "Come on, kid! Drink with me!"
Ezra didn't refuse. "Ha! Don't mind if I do!"
As their cups clinked, he couldn't help but feel a deep respect for this rough-edged woman. Dadan was loud, blunt, and far from elegant, yet she had done what few others could she'd raised three boys who would later shake the world: Luffy, Ace, and Sabo. Her beliefs and stubborn strength had shaped them all in ways she probably didn't even realize.
The sun began to dip toward the horizon, spilling golden light through the tavern windows. Ezra stretched lazily, glancing up at the old clock hanging on the wall.
"Getting late already, huh? Guess I should get going."
Dadan blinked in surprise. "Heading out now? At this hour? You've already wiped out most of the pirates in East Blue. Can't you stay a bit longer?"
Ezra smiled faintly. "True, the seas are quiet for now. But I still have a few places I want to visit before the next tide turns."
Dadan nodded, sensing he wouldn't be persuaded. "Then I won't stop you. Come back for a drink next time, Vice Admiral."
After buying several barrels of Windmill Village's famous wine, Ezra and his crew boarded the warship once more. The villagers gathered to see them off, cheering and waving as the ship pulled away.
On the shore, Mayor Woop Slap noticed Makino standing silently at the edge of the dock, her gaze fixed on the shrinking silhouette of the ship.
He sighed softly. Truth be told, he hadn't expected Ezra's charm to reach this far. Even the calm and gentle Makino seemed captivated. But… he also knew how vast the gap between their worlds truly was.
Still, he gave her a kind smile. "Makino, next time that man comes back be a little bolder."
"Eh? Wha—? N-no, it's not like that, Mayor! I just—"
Woop Slap chuckled and turned away, leaving her flustered and blushing.
As the sun finally disappeared beyond the waves, Makino continued to stare at the sea, a faint silhouette etched into her thoughts one she couldn't seem to let go of.
Once they were back on open waters, Tina leaned against the ship's railing, watching the last glimmer of sunset fade.
"So, Vice Admiral," she asked teasingly, "which lovely lady are we visiting next?"
Ezra sighed, then bonk! gave her a swift knock on the head.
"All you think about is nonsense. Enough of that. Set our course next destination, Shimotsuki Village."
"Ow! Ow! Got it, got it," Tina grumbled, rubbing her forehead before running off to relay the order.
Ezra stood at the bow, eyes narrowing against the wind as he thought about the name he had heard in countless rumors.
Shimotsuki Koushirou.
A man said to have reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
"I wonder," Ezra murmured to himself, "just how much I can learn from someone like him..."
Five days later, the warship reached the quiet shores of Shimotsuki Village.
"This is it?" Tina asked, looking around in disbelief. "It's… smaller than I imagined."
The streets were simple, lined with wooden houses and paper lanterns swaying in the breeze. Children in kimonos chased each other, wooden practice swords clacking as they laughed. To Tina, it looked like any other remote village.
"I don't get it," she whispered. "Why would someone like you come all this way for… this?"
Ezra only smiled in response and didn't bother explaining.
Instead, he strolled over to the group of children, pulling a small bag from his coat. "Hey there, kids. Want some candy?"
The little swordsmen stopped mid-play, eyeing him suspiciously. His uniform and aura were intimidating but his smile wasn't.
"Go ahead," Ezra said, crouching down. "They're special sweets from Marineford."
At that, their eyes sparkled. "Thank you, big brother!"
"Good kids," Ezra chuckled. "Now, big brother's got a question for you. I came here to learn a bit of swordsmanship, but I don't know where the dojo is. Can you help me out?"
One of the boys pointed eagerly toward the distant mountain ridge. "Over there! There's a dojo behind that hill!"
Ezra ruffled the boy's hair. "Thanks, little guy. You've helped me a lot. Here take the rest of the candy."
The children cheered as he stood and turned toward the mountain path.
"Let's go, Tina. Our destination's behind the hill."
As they walked, Tina glanced at him curiously. "Vice Admiral, your swordsmanship is already terrifying. Do you really need to study more?"
Ezra's eyes gleamed faintly in the sunlight. "Tina… when it comes to swordsmanship, there's no such thing as the strongest. There's only stronger."
A low voice suddenly came from the trees nearby.
"I agree with that sentiment completely."
Tina tensed, stepping in front of Ezra. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
A blur of motion cut through the air, and a young man stepped into view. His eyes were sharp and golden, his black hair cropped short. A single katana hung at his waist, radiating a restrained but unmistakable pressure.
He looked at Ezra with unwavering focus. "My name is Dracule Mihawk. Seventeen years old. A wandering swordsman."
His gaze flicked to the blade at Ezra's hip Ryūjin Jakka, the sword that shimmered with a faint ember-like glow.
"I heard what you said just now," Mihawk continued, his voice calm but brimming with anticipation. "And I couldn't agree more. You're a swordsman too, aren't you? I'd like to challenge you to a duel to test my own growth."
Ezra's brow arched slightly, a faint grin curling his lips.
"Ezra D. Vale. Swordsman."
The name struck Mihawk like a jolt of lightning. He'd heard it before rumors whispered among the East Blue's wandering fighters. And then, suddenly, it clicked.
"You… you're the one who fought Whitebeard to a standstill!" he exclaimed.
Excitement flashed in his hawk-like eyes. His blood burned with the thrill of meeting someone stronger a chance to cross blades with a true legend in the making.
"Please," Mihawk said, drawing his katana with a soft, metallic whisper. "Allow me to challenge you!"
Ezra smiled, his fingers brushing lightly over the hilt of Ryūjin Jakka.
"Very well, Mihawk," he said, voice steady and calm. "Let's see how far your blade can reach."
The wind stirred. Two auras flared against the quiet mountainside one like wildfire, the other sharp as a predator's talon.
And as steel met steel, the world itself seemed to hold its breath.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Enjoying the chaos, action, and wild adventures?
Don't stop here! You can unlock advanced chapters and exclusive content by joining my P@treon! Every powerstone counts if we reach 300 powerstones, a BONUS CHAPTER will be released! ⚡
Be the first to witness the next epic battles, shocking twists, and hidden secrets before anyone else!
Join the crew on P@treon and set sail beyond the horizon!
[email protected]/_sey
Change @ to a