The conversation between Rebecca and Shimotsuki Kozaburo didn't go unnoticed by Vista.
Sensing something amiss, Vista immediately went to inform Tenguyama Hitetsu.
Vista analyzed with Hitetsu: "Master, if Rebecca becomes Shimotsuki's disciple, then it'll be said that the supreme sword was forged by their combined efforts with you. Future generations will think that calling it the Sword of Four Souls implies that Rebecca holds equal skill with the three of you.
In this way, Shimotsuki Kozaburo's lineage would appear superior to yours, and your reputation would suffer. This old Shimotsuki is up to no good."
Tenguyama Hitetsu seethed with anger. "Outrageous! Now I understand why that old coot insisted on calling it the Sword of Four Souls, claiming it sounds better than the Sword of Three Souls—absolute nonsense!"
"No, I'm going to demand we change the name of the sword!"
As Hitetsu prepared to storm out, Vista held him back. "Master, the name has already spread. Changing it now would look indecisive. Instead, why don't you take Rebecca as your apprentice? That way, she'll be part of your lineage."
"Yes, yes, you're right. I'm going to find Rebecca now and make her my disciple!"
Aboard Chiba's ship, Rebecca, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, and Tenguyama Hitetsu gathered together. Shimotsuki and Hitetsu soon fell into a heated argument, accusing each other of underhanded tricks.
Vista stood off to the side, trying to suppress his laughter, his mouth twitching.
Chiba rubbed his temples, feeling the strain of dealing with these two stubborn old men who insisted on competing over everything.
Rebecca kept her gaze low, avoiding Chiba's eyes, as if he could see right through her.
"Shimotsuki Kozaburo, you're so shameless!" Hitetsu yelled. "You took Rebecca as your apprentice so it could be said the Sword of Four Souls was forged by us with your apprentice, boosting your reputation over mine. Well, don't think for a second I'll allow that—I'm taking Rebecca as my apprentice too!"
Shimotsuki Kozaburo glared at Vista, silently cursing. "That damn kid must have explained it all to Hitetsu. Otherwise, with Hitetsu's usual lack of cunning, he would have congratulated me and never thought of this."
"Oh, don't make things up!" Shimotsuki Kozaburo retorted.
Rebecca turned to Shimotsuki Kozaburo and asked, "Master, was this your real intention all along?"
"Rebecca, don't listen to him!" Kozaburo hastily replied.
Rebecca, realizing the truth, responded calmly, "If that's the case, then please forgive me, Master Shimotsuki, but I can no longer be your disciple."
With that, she looked at Chiba and said, "Master Chiba, let's handle the Dressrosa issue first."
"Alright, take care," Chiba said, giving her a nod. Rebecca turned and left.
"Rebecca, don't you want to stay by Chiba's side?" Shimotsuki Kozaburo called out after her, instantly regretting it.
Rebecca shot him a withering glare before transforming into flames and disappearing.
Vista's eyes widened. Although he'd overheard Rebecca's previous conversation with Shimotsuki, he hadn't caught all the details.
Could it be that Rebecca wanted to learn blacksmithing just to stay close to Captain Chiba? Vista thought back on how he had been urging Hitetsu to forge a top-quality blade for him. He knew this might be his last chance with both masters nearing retirement.
Yet, here he was, stumbling upon a whole other revelation.
It turns out, that little girl Rebecca actually has feelings for Captain Chiba!
Tenguyama Hitetsu, piecing it together, scolded Shimotsuki Kozaburo. "You old fox! So, you encouraged Rebecca by pointing out that Chiba doesn't have a blacksmith by his side. You suggested she become a blacksmith so she could stay close to him, didn't you?"
"Honestly, the lengths you'd go to for a bit of fame are disgusting."
Shimotsuki Kozaburo snapped back, "Who Rebecca likes is her business. If Chiba doesn't want her by his side, that's his choice. Don't meddle."
Chiba, rubbing his forehead again, sighed. Handling these two masters was exhausting, especially with Shimotsuki Kozaburo's endless scheming.
"Master Shimotsuki, I don't think I need to be a witness to this," Chiba said, excusing himself as he got up and left.
Meanwhile, on her way to Dressrosa, Rebecca fumed. "Shimotsuki, you old fox!"
The toy soldier, Cyrus, beside her asked, "Rebecca, do you actually like this Chiba?"
"Mr. Soldier, why do you ask?" she replied.
The soldier doll hesitated before saying, "Honestly, Chiba's an interesting person. He's good to those close to him, and you could be happy with someone like him. But, there are so many women around him. I'd hate to see you hurt."
"Mr. Soldier, don't listen to Shimotsuki Kozaburo's nonsense. I only admire Mr. Chiba, nothing more."
"We're about to free Dressrosa, and that's what matters now. I want to focus on my training, improve my skills, and learn to wield the power of the Four Souls."
Rebecca then headed into her cabin, leaving the soldier doll sighing as he recalled his own past when he was still human.
He thought about his romance with the princess, the challenges they faced, and how they finally came together after overcoming numerous obstacles. He hoped his daughter could also find her happiness after the hardships she'd endured.
But with so many strong, beautiful women surrounding Chiba, would his daughter have a place in his life?
The soldier doll couldn't help but worry.
[•———•——•———•]
𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧
✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.