"It's been a long time since I've seen Kuina, and I don't know if she still remembers me."
Looking at the surrounding scenery, Atlas felt a bit emotional.
The island where Shimotsuki Village is situated is quite sizable. However, due to the presence of Isshin Dojo, Shimotsuki Village is renowned in the surrounding area. The entrance of Shimotsuki Village is situated close to the coast, but Koushirou's Isshin Dojo is positioned at the center of the village, making it a bit distant from where the warship is docked.
Atlas didn't allow other Marines to follow him, including Smoker, who appeared curious. This was merely a private meeting, and there was no need for such a large entourage.
"Hey! Marine over there, are you a swordsman?"
Just as Atlas was about to walk towards Shimotsuki Village, a childish voice stopped him.
"That's right, little guy, what do you want from me?"
The corners of Atlas's mouth formed an intriguing expression, and his eyes followed suit.
A child with algae-green hair, a straw in his mouth, and a determined expression appeared in front of him. He seemed to be only 7 years old, yet he displayed no fear in the presence of this stranger.
"Kid, are you lost? I just saw you wandering around over there."
Atlas knelt down and touched the child's algae-green hair, gesturing towards the woods not far away.
As soon as he arrived on the island, he had already released a small part of his Observation Haki, allowing him to see Zoro, who had been wandering in the forest. Yes, this guy was Zoro.
It's uncertain if he is a resident near Shimotsuki Village, but he probably hasn't ventured to Koushirou's Isshin Dojo yet. This can be inferred from the absence of calluses on his hands from practicing swordsmanship.
"I'm not lost!"
"Don't underestimate me just because I'm young. I'm here to challenge you!" Zoro swatted Atlas's hand away from his head and shouted angrily, "If I win, I will take the sword in your hand. If I lose..."
Zoro looked at the Sandai Kitetsu on Atlas's waist and felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity for some reason.
"What happens if you lose?"
Looking at Zoro with a stubborn expression, Atlas suddenly became playful.
'Originally, the first thing I planned to do when I came to Shimotsuki Village this time was to see Kuina, check if I could meet Zoro, and then find a way to apprehend this guy for the Marines.'
For Zoro, there is actually no significant difference between being a Marine and being a pirate. He is even more inclined towards being a Marine. During the most challenging period when he first ventured to sea, he lacked the desire to become a pirate and engage in robbery, especially during his time as a pirate hunter. If he hadn't met Luffy, he would probably still be a pirate hunter.
In general, Zoro is an individual with a normal moral bottom line and a clear sense of right and wrong, good and evil. His goal to become the world's greatest swordsman aligns well with joining the Marines.
"If I lose... if I lose, I'll let you do whatever you want!"
Zoro looked at Atlas with a smirk on his face, and for some reason, he had a premonition that he was about to fall into a den of thieves. Still, he remained stubborn and had no intention of backing down.
"Oh, is that so…"
Atlas rubbed his chin nonchalantly and observed Zoro with interest, who continued to conceal his nervousness.
"Of course, I will do what I say!"
"Okay, I just don't have any weapons right now, so I'll make some for you."
Swish
As soon as he finished speaking, Atlas disappeared in front of Zoro. Even as he looked around, all he could hear were roars and... the panicked sounds of birds and beasts in the forest not far away.
"Here! I made a lot of them; you can take your time and choose!"
Before Zoro could react, a pile of wooden swords of various shapes was placed in front of him, almost higher than his head.
So fast?
Zoro couldn't help but swallow secretly, but he still didn't give up the idea of challenging Atlas.
Swish...Swish....
Zoro grabbed one of the wooden swords from the ground. Several were in his hand, and several were held in his mouth.
Isn't the more weapons, the more powerful they are? This is the truest thought of young Zoro.
"I am Roronoa Zoro! Please advise!"
As soon as he spoke, the sword in his mouth immediately fell down like running water. (T/N: Always asked how does he keep a sword in his mouth and talk, but then again Anime Logic wins.😊)
Upon seeing this, Zoro hurriedly bent down and bit another wooden sword from the ground. The wooden swords in his hands also fell due to their abundance, leaving him with only one in each hand, and one still clenched between his teeth.
"Where are your weapons?"
Zoro, who was assuming a standard three-sword style posture, noticed that the Sandai Kitetsu on Atlas's waist was not unsheathed, and asked with some confusion.
"Oh, I almost forgot!"
Atlas slapped his forehead with some annoyance, bent down, and slowly picked up the straw that Zoro had just spat out onto the ground. He gestured at Zoro.
"Well, this will do just fine. Unfortunately, I don't have a smaller sharp instrument than this one."(T/N: Deja vu)
"That's enough making fun of me!"
Zoro's jaw almost dropped when he saw this, and he cursed with an angry expression on his face.
"Just kidding, don't mind, little brother."
Atlas threw away the straw, scratched his head, and smiled. Then, he picked up a wooden sword from the ground and pointed its tip at Zoro opposite.
Hah
Looking at Atlas, who had the same serious expression, Zoro shouted and struck with three swords!
Boom!
Zoro fell to the ground!
"Ah, that hurts so much!"
Zoro frowned and said bitterly. There was a big, steaming bump in the middle of his algae-green hair.
"How about it, I won, right?"
Atlas put the weapon in his hand on his shoulder casually, with a half-smile on his face.
"Once more!"
Boom!
"Once more!"
Boom!
.....
Boom!
Zoro fell heavily to the ground, his head already covered with big bumps, but there was no trace of dejection on his face. Even Atlas had to admire his persistence.
"How's it? Have you admitted defeat?"
Atlas teased as he moved his face closer to the panting and sweaty Zoro.
"Hmph, I lost. Tell me, what do you want me to do?"
Zoro turned away and said in a low voice.
"Be my son!"
Atlas put away his smiling expression and imitated Whitebeard's tone.
"Hah?"
Zoro suspected that he heard it wrong, but it seemed like this guy wasn't joking. What should he do? Should he promise him?
'How could you ask someone like that so carelessly!'
'But how can a man promise his word and not keep it?'
"I'm kidding! Hahahaha!"
Looking at Zoro, who seemed to be hesitating whether to agree or not, Atlas couldn't help laughing.
"You bastard…"
Zoro was immediately a little embarrassed. Fortunately, he had not seriously considered this request just now.
"Okay, I won't tease you anymore. I can give you this sword, but we have to make an agreement, an agreement between men!"
Atlas' expression turned serious instantly, and he spoke in a serious tone.
"This sword is a cursed sword! No, it should be a Meito!"
Suddenly, an old and hoarse voice came from behind.
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