"Oh?" Mike arched a brow, his gaze fixed on the young Marine officer before him.
"You want to see Kusanagi?"
He watched the deep brown of Tashigi's eyes burn with an intense, focused desire, locked onto the hilt of the blade at his waist.
Every subtle shift in her expression, every slight parting of her lips, betrayed her complete and utter fascination with the weapon.
As a known "sword fanatic," she was hopelessly drawn to its lethal, otherworldly beauty.
Usually, Mike might have been amused.
But right now, it was giving him a massive headache.
His shopping spree was complete.
The next, and most crucial, step of his "inspection tour" was to lead his team to Loguetown's famed Red-Light District for a well-deserved massage session.
And at this very moment, Tashigi, the sword-obsessed obstacle, had latched onto him.
Knowing her personality, she wouldn't let this go until she got a proper look.
If he tried to brush her off, she was absolutely the type to follow him, creating a monumentally awkward situation.
He could already picture it: just as he was enjoying a moment of bliss, Tashigi's determined face would appear at the door.
"Captain, can I take a look at your sword now?"
'Sigh…' Mike let out a resigned sigh.
The only way out was through.
He'd quickly humor her, let her see the sword, and then she'd be on her way.
With a faint, strained smile, he drew the Kusanagi from his waist.
The moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, the blade, which had been humming with a barely suppressed energy, trembled slightly and went completely docile.
"What a magnificent blade!" Tashigi breathed, taking the sword with a reverence usually reserved for holy relics.
She examined it closely, her eyes tracing the flawless patterns along the steel.
Then, a flicker of professional curiosity crossed her face.
"But why isn't a masterpiece like this listed in any of the famous blade catalogs?"
"Uh…" Mike froze.
Right.
The sword was from another world's gacha system; of course it wouldn't be in a local catalog.
He needed a plausible, and more importantly, fast excuse.
"It's... just for decoration," he said, the lie feeling clumsy on his tongue.
"It can't cut anything. So, you know, it's normal that it's not listed." He was already mentally planning his escape route.
Tashigi didn't seem convinced. "Really? It doesn't feel like a decorative piece..."
"Really, really," Mike cut her off hurriedly, his patience wearing thin.
"Done looking? Good. Now go on patrol, don't waste time here. There are plenty of pirates out there waiting to be caught!"
Just as he was about to take the blade back, a new voice suddenly cut through the air.
"That's a fine sword."
Mike whipped his head around.
Standing there was a young swordsman with short green hair and three golden earrings, his hand resting on the hilt of the white sword at his waist.
He was staring intently, not at them, but at the Kusanagi in Tashigi's hands.
Mike blinked.
'Well, if it isn't Roronoa Zoro? What's he doing here? That means Luffy can't be far behind. Heh, Smoker is about to have a very bad day.'
None of which was his problem.
He had zero interest in getting tangled up with the Straw Hats.
That crew was a magnet for trouble, an unkillable cockroach of a captain with sky-high connections.
Just thinking about the paperwork was exhausting.
All he wanted was the warm, welcoming embrace of the lovely ladies at Loguetown's Redlight district.
Zoro approached slowly, his thoughts was in disarray.
He'd heard someone mention the name of his new target, "Marine Captain Mike," and had come to investigate.
But the situation he found was far more complicated.
The young Marine officer looked uncannily like his childhood friend, Kuina.
And the sword in her hands... its blade gleamed brilliantly, the steel so perfect it almost hurt to look at.
Though it felt dormant, the exquisite craftsmanship and the powerful aura it exuded convinced Zoro of its extraordinary nature.
As a three-sword style user currently down to one sword, this blade before him was the weapon of his dreams.
"This sword…" Zoro's voice was low, brimming with a swordsman's longing.
"Is it for sale?"
"Ah…" Tashigi froze, stunned by the blunt question. "This sword... it isn't..."
Before she could finish, Kusanagi emitted a faint, sharp hum.
The blade trembled violently in her hands, and in an instant, a suffocating killing intent surged from the steel, nearly freezing the surrounding air.
"Ah!" Tashigi shuddered, the sword almost leaping from her grasp.
Just as she was about to drop it, a long, powerful hand shot out and caught the hilt firmly.
Mike was suddenly beside her, his fingers wrapped around the blade's handle.
He gently stroked the flat of the steel.
Like a lion being soothed by its master, Kusanagi immediately calmed, its killing intent receding as its aura became peaceful once more.
"Sorry," Mike said with an easygoing tone in his voice as he slowly sheathed the blade at his waist.
"But this sword isn't for sale."
In this world, aside from him, there was no one Kusanagi would acknowledge as its master.
"I see..." Zoro watched quietly, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.
The blade wasn't docile; it had simply condensed all its ferocious spirit within itself, waiting for its master's command.
And the master...
Zoro studied Mike carefully.
He was handsome, dressed in a perfectly tailored Marine uniform, with a lazy posture and a completely relaxed demeanor.
But anyone capable of taming such a blade had to be a master swordsman.
"How about a duel?" Zoro's gaze sharpened, battle intent flashing in his eyes.
"A duel?" Mike chuckled, an amused glint in his own.
'Classic Zoro. Always ready for a fight.'
But he was on a tight schedule!
"Sorry, i'm not that good yet with the sword."
"Is that so..." Zoro looked slightly disappointed, but the excuse was just plausible enough for a sincere person like him to accept.
"Excuse me, then. Could you tell me where the nearest weapons shop is?"
"Go straight, then turn left," Mike pointed cheerfully, already tasting victory.
"Got it. Thanks," Zoro waved and walked off, his steps firm.
Mike watched him go with a faint smile of relief on his face.
'Finally! He's gone! I'm free!'
'Soft, bouncy titties, here I come!'
"Captain Mike..."
Tashigi's voice came from behind him, tinged with a sharp, accusatory resentment.
"Didn't you say that sword was just a decoration?"
Her voice was louder than she intended.
"As a Captain of Marine Headquarters, you actually lied!"
"Tap—"
Zoro, who had been about to turn the corner, stopped dead in his tracks.
His entire body went rigid.
This time, he definitely hadn't misheard it.
He turned around slowly, his eyes wide with a dawning, horrified realization.
"Marine... Headquarters... Captain.... Mike"