Learning medicine is indeed challenging, especially in the world of pirates, where the difficulty is even higher. Not only does it involve studying the anatomy of typical humans, but it also requires understanding the physiology of various non-standard species like the Giants, Long-Arms, Minks, and Tontatta. This complex diversity makes the medical system exceedingly intricate.
Luckily for Luffy, he only needed to learn the basics of standard human anatomy. Uta was learning similar foundational knowledge—primarily how to perform emergency wound treatment. To maximize their time, Uta had even invited Doctor Hongo to teach them within the dream realm.
Days passed, and one bright afternoon around six o'clock, the outline of a new island came into view on the horizon.
"Land ahead! Shimotsuki Village!" Yasopp, acting as the lookout, stowed his telescope and leaped down from the mast.
"Finally! I wonder if we'll get to see one of those legendary swords," the crew members voiced their excitement as they prepared to land.
Shanks's stories had already piqued everyone's interest. After all, in the world of the Great Sea, what man doesn't hold some fascination for famed swords?
Meanwhile, in the village of Shimotsuki, a man in a kimono was strolling through the streets, carrying a jug of sake. In Shimotsuki Village, swords and sake were more than symbols; they were a way of life. As he observed the golden horizon, about to recite a haiku to match the magnificent view, he noticed something in the distance—a flag rising from the ocean.
Two crossed swords, flanking a skull with three scars across the left eye.
The sight of the flag jolted him from his thoughts, and the jug slipped from his grasp, shattering on the ground, its scent filling the air. His voice echoed urgently through the streets: "Pirates are coming!"
The warning bell tolled, and villagers hurried to the shoreline. There, they saw the unmistakable skull-and-crossbones banner and the massive ship approaching.
"Prepare your weapons!"
"Children, elderly, and women—back to the houses!"
At the elder's orders, the villagers sprang into action. Men who were farmers only moments ago now held bright blades at their sides, embodying the fighting spirit of Shimotsuki.
A green-haired boy stood among the adults, holding two bamboo practice swords.
"Who's this kid?" the elder muttered, squinting at the green hair.
"He's from the neighboring village over the mountain," one of the villagers replied. "Lost his way and stayed in the dojo. He's an orphan."
The elder nodded. "Get him to the dojo with the other kids!"
"Let go of me! I'm strong enough to fight!" the green-haired boy protested, but the adults picked him up and carried him to the dojo along with the rest of the village children.
The dojo instructor, a tall woman with short hair and a shirt buttoned up to her collar, frowned as she opened the door to greet the incoming children. Behind her, a bespectacled man stood calmly in the courtyard, gazing at the chaos outside.
"Something happened?" she asked.
"Terrible news, Master Koshiro! Pirates are coming straight for us! We need you to protect the children!"
The instructor quickly ushered the kids inside, her mind already focused on how best to safeguard them.
---
"It's a village steeped in warrior tradition," Shanks observed, as he stood at the bow of the ship and looked at the villagers lined up along the shore. Their stances and bearing indeed carried traces of Wano's samurai spirit, but in his eyes, they were still lacking the power and presence he remembered from Kozuki Oden and the warriors of Wano.
"They certainly look interesting," Beckman commented from Shanks's left, while Uta and Luffy stood on his right.
"Doesn't seem like a very prosperous island, though," Uta remarked, sounding a bit disappointed by the sight.
"Just wait, Uta! Wano clothing is incredibly beautiful," Shanks said, chuckling as he placed his hat on her head.
"Really?" Uta's eyes lit up as she adjusted the hat. "Then I'm looking forward to it!"
Luffy, meanwhile, adjusted the props he'd brought—a pistol strapped to his waist for effect, and a standard Navy sword across his back. With Shanks here, there was no need to fight, so his equipment's only function was for show.
Uta couldn't help but giggle at the sight of him. "Luffy, your outfit looks so weird! It's not cool at all!"
"Just wait until I'm stronger," Luffy replied, unfazed. "When I'm stronger, this will be the real trend. Just you watch!"
"Sure, whatever you say," Uta teased.
As the Red Force drew closer, the villagers tightened their grips on their weapons, their gaze filled with determination and fear. The gangplank lowered, and the pirates descended, laughing and talking among themselves. Shanks walked down last, his relaxed and friendly demeanor helping to defuse some of the tension.
"Pirates, this village has nothing you want," an elder said sternly as he stepped forward, paying no mind to Shanks's powerful, yet calm aura.
"We mean no harm," Shanks replied, bowing politely. "We're just here to find someone who can teach this kid a bit of swordsmanship."
He nudged Luffy forward, who smiled brightly and introduced himself. "I'm Luffy! Nice to meet you all!"
The elder looked at him in silence for a long moment, then slowly lifted a hand, signaling the villagers to lower their weapons. Though surprised, they complied.
"If you're strong enough to be their captain, then you're strong enough to teach a child swordsmanship," the elder said, his voice heavy with skepticism.
"Oh, don't get me wrong," Shanks laughed. "Being strong and being a teacher are two very different things!"
The elder took a drag from his pipe, his eyes glinting in the evening light. "There is a dojo in the village. The master there will be more than enough to meet your needs," he finally said, turning to leave.
"And if it's not too much trouble," Shanks called after him, "we'd love to join you for a meal. It's been a long time since I've tasted oden."
The elder stopped, just for a moment, before resuming his pace. "We'll make sure our guests are satisfied."
"Oden? What's that?" Uta asked, tugging on Shanks's sleeve.
"Oh, it's a wonderful dish from Wano," Shanks said with a grin. "Kozuki Oden treated us once. He even danced a funny little dance!"
As he spoke, his gaze grew soft, as if recalling a distant, treasured memory.
---
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, Garp was pounding away at a colossal, scrapped battleship in a remote dockyard. With each punch, the metal buckled and shattered under his relentless assault. Next to him, a young man was doing the same, using nothing but his raw strength against the massive hull.
"My grandson hasn't called me in ages!" Garp fumed, delivering a particularly ferocious blow. "That blasted Shanks must have done something!"
Beside him, the man paused, looking over with a bemused expression.
"Vice Admiral, how is this my problem again?"
With a final punch, Garp sent the scrap crashing down. "I'm putting in for leave and heading back to East Blue. See if you can cover for me."
With that, he turned and stormed off. The young man shrugged, calling after him, "Sure, Vice Admiral… though why I'd need to cover for you is still beyond me."
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