Although the slash across Koshiro's chest made him look bloodied and battered, a closer look revealed that the wound had avoided every vital point. It wasn't even particularly deep.
Of course, this wasn't because Kaito's final strike lacked power.
Just as Koshiro had said—
Kaito had deliberately shown mercy.
Seeing that their master wasn't seriously injured, Zoro and the other disciples finally let out sighs of relief.
"Let's head back."
Kaito glanced at Koshiro one last time, gave a slight nod, sheathed both of his golden sabers, and led everyone back toward the port.
Once they returned to the harbor, Koshiro received the same treatment Zoro had earlier.
The medical team aboard the War Pirates' flagship quickly treated his injuries.
Afterward, Kaito turned to Zoro.
"We'll set sail tomorrow morning."
"I'll give you one day to say your goodbyes."
"Any problem with that?"
Zoro nodded firmly.
"No problem, Captain."
There was already a trace of respect in his eyes.
Nothing earned respect more easily than overwhelming strength.
The duel between Kaito and Koshiro had demonstrated Kaito's absolute superiority.
After witnessing that battle firsthand, Zoro had truly begun to acknowledge Kaito as his captain.
Once they had agreed on tomorrow's departure, Zoro, Koshiro, and the members of Isshin Dojo left the port.
Watching them disappear into the distance, Robin walked over beside Kaito.
"Captain..."
"Aren't you going to recruit Koshiro?"
"That doesn't seem like you."
Hearing her question, Lafitte, Law, Sandy, Mangu, and the others all looked over as well.
After all, everyone knew how much Kaito valued talented people.
Someone as strong as Koshiro should have been exactly the kind of person he liked to recruit.
"His strength is excellent."
Kaito answered calmly.
"But I don't like his background."
"So there's no need to recruit him."
"His background?"
Robin and the others exchanged puzzled glances.
Seeing their confusion, Kaito explained.
"Koshiro comes from Wano."
"And I don't have a favorable opinion of that country."
"In fact..."
"Once we reach the New World, I plan to erase Wano from the world entirely."
"Wano?"
"I think I've heard of that country before."
"Huh?"
"I've never heard of it."
"The New World..."
"So it's a country in the second half of the Grand Line?"
"It is."
Robin nodded thoughtfully.
"Wano is located in the New World."
"It was once considered one of the world's great nations."
"Although it seems to have declined over the years."
Lafitte smiled elegantly.
"So that's how it is."
"If the captain dislikes Wano..."
"Then there's really no reason to recruit Koshiro."
"And destroying an entire country..."
"That actually sounds rather interesting."
After hearing Kaito's explanation, everyone understood why he had no intention of recruiting Koshiro.
As for Kaito's plan to destroy Wano—
None of them objected.
Lafitte even looked rather interested.
The moon rose.
The sun set.
Night quietly descended.
After finishing his training for the day, Kaito relaxed comfortably inside the warm, mist-filled bath.
Suddenly—
A head emerged from the water in front of him.
"So cute."
Looking down at Tashigi's obedient face, Kaito smiled softly and gently patted her head.
A moment later, the bathroom door slid open.
Robin and Neferpit walked inside.
"Captain, we're coming in."
Kaito waved cheerfully.
"Come on in."
Neither Robin nor Neferpit looked surprised to find Kaito bathing with Tashigi.
Instead, they calmly removed their towels and stepped into the bath, just as they always did.
Robin settled beside Kaito on his left.
Neferpit curled up beside him on his right.
"Robin."
"I'm planning to have Tashigi work under you."
"From now on, she'll help manage the logistics department as your assistant."
Kaito leaned farther back into the hot water.
At the same time, Tashigi continued dutifully serving him while he spoke comfortably.
Robin glanced at Tashigi before looking back at Kaito.
"That's fine."
"Having Tashigi helping me should make things easier."
She agreed without hesitation.
Then she shot Kaito a meaningful look.
Her captain was excellent in almost every way.
The only flaw—
He was far too carefree when it came to women.
Neferpit had fallen into his hands soon after joining.
Now Tashigi had done the same.
"Hmm...?"
Robin suddenly seemed to remember something.
"What about Karina?"
"Weren't you together with her long ago?"
As she mentally counted the women aboard the ship, Karina immediately came to mind.
Compared with Robin herself, Karina possessed an even more eye-catching figure.
Knowing Kaito's personality—
Robin found it impossible to believe he'd simply ignored someone like her.
"That's right."
Kaito answered as though it were completely obvious.
Naturally, he hadn't let Karina go.
She wasn't just beautiful—
Her figure was exceptional as well.
Ignoring someone like that would have been a waste.
The only difference was that Karina's personality contrasted sharply with her glamorous appearance.
She was unexpectedly shy.
Although she had already become his woman, she refused to make the relationship public and preferred to keep it hidden while secretly spending time with him.
"I knew it..."
Robin sighed helplessly and rubbed her forehead.
Just as she'd expected.
There was no way Kaito would've overlooked Karina.
"Meow."
Suddenly, Kaito felt someone tugging on his arm.
Turning his head, he saw Neferpit rubbing against him while looking up with an unmistakably expectant expression.
"Ahem..."
Kaito understood instantly.
"Tashigi."
"You can take a break."
Tashigi obediently stepped aside after working for quite a while.
Neferpit immediately took her place with obvious excitement.
The bathwater rippled gently.
Another pleasant evening quietly passed aboard the flagship.
The following morning...
Zoro arrived at the harbor exactly as promised.
Standing on the deck of the No. 1 flagship, Kaito watched as Zoro boarded.
Without another word, he tossed two sheathed swords toward him.
"Catch."
"This is your welcome gift."
Startled, Zoro hurriedly caught both swords.
"A welcome gift?"
He looked at them in confusion.
Lafitte walked over with a smile and rested a hand on Zoro's shoulder.
"Zoro..."
"The captain thinks very highly of you."
"One of those swords is the Grade Sword Yubashiri."
"The other is the cursed blade Sandai Kitetsu."
"Those are the captain's gifts to celebrate your joining the War Pirates."
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