"'Hidari no raijin' and 'Wind Pearl'? Aren't these the swords of the Lightning Blade and Wind Blade Onii-chans of the Orochi Oniwabanshu? It was they, along with 'Invisible Ninja' Goemon, who ambushed and wounded me."
The VIP room was bustling with people, all eager to see the three famous swords placed on the round table. After all, it was rare to see three Grade Swords of Fifty Quality gathered together in West Blue.
Mai Hime almost jumped when she saw the three famous swords. She had thought she had shaken off these pursuers in the Land of Flowers, never imagining they had infiltrated so deeply.
"I never imagined your strength, Victor, was so formidable. You know, those two Onii-chans are members of the Orochi Oniwabanshu and are incredibly powerful."
Mai Hime picked up 'Hidari no raijin' and examined it closely. "Yes, it's 'Hidari no raijin,' though it's a shame it doesn't have a scabbard."
"What's that Orochi Oniwabanshu?" Perona clearly preferred the beautifully decorated 'Seimasun Hime'. "Also, this red scabbard one looks clearly better, right? Is it more powerful than the other two without scabbards?"
Mai Hime took 'Seimasun Hime' from Perona's hand, gently drew the blade, and the cool, sharp light reflected in her purplish-red eyes. After a long moment, she said, "'Seimasun Hime' is also a treasured sword from Wano Country, though its origins trace back twenty years. At that time, our country's famous swordsmith 'Senryomaru' pursued the ultimate treasured sword, creating numerous prototypes, and this 'Seimasun Hime' was one of the best."
Mai Hime lovingly stroked the hilt of 'Seimasun Hime,' as its appearance was truly exquisite: a completely red scabbard adorned with a beautiful woman painting, a flame-patterned hamon (tempering line), and a red-tasseled, wrapped hilt. She handed 'Seimasun Hime' back to Perona, then continued to answer her question: "The Orochi Oniwabanshu is the ninja unit directly subordinate to the Wano Country Shogun. It comprises eleven exceptionally skilled ninjas who only obey the Shogun's orders. And our current Shogun is 'Kurozumi Orochi,' a thoroughly shameless usurper!"
Speaking of 'Kurozumi Orochi,' Mai Hime's lips almost bit through. If it weren't for him! If he didn't exist! How happy Wano Country would be... This villain had destroyed everything in Wano Country!
Standing nearby, executive Kuranthna picked up 'Wind Pearl' and looked at it, asking, "So, the Shogun has the same status as the King? Both are rulers of the kingdom?"
Mai Hime nodded. "That's right. Ten years ago, our country's Shogun was Lord Kozuki Sukiyaki. The Orochi Oniwabanshu was originally the Kozuki Oniwabanshu. These traitors are opportunistic!" As she spoke, she looked at Victor, worriedly saying, "It wasn't just the Wind and Lightning Brothers who pursued me, but also Goemon. This man is skilled in 'stealth ninja arts,' claiming 'he stands before your eyes, yet you cannot see him,' and can also use invisible, formless stealth shuriken 'Shadowless Birds,' and even various escape techniques, carrying a Grade Sword of Fifty Quality..."
"I met him too. A wild haircut who talks a lot, right? It's a pity I couldn't get his 'Nogamigiri.'" Victor interrupted Mai Hime's 'enemy praise session.'
"Wild... Yes, that's him. Did you defeat them, fighting one against three? They're all practical combatants among the Orochi Oniwabanshu!" Mai Hime was so surprised she felt numb. Could there really be someone with both strength and good looks like that in the world?
"I don't know what you're talking about, but Onii-chan is the strongest," Perona said dismissively of Mai Hime's surprised expression. Victor-onii-chan had never lost to anyone!
At this moment, Capone Bege, who had been ominously standing in the corner, spoke, "Boss, while you were fighting just now, some intelligence came in from 'Coral' headquarters."
Victor glanced at Capone Bege and smiled, "Please speak, Mr. Bege. These are all our own people here; you can speak freely."
Bege pulled a folded slip of paper from his suit jacket pocket, opened it, and read, "'Charcoal Eyebrows' Umridge was defeated and expelled from Solenard Island by a mysterious person calling himself 'King of Zombies' one month ago." He closed the paper and said in a heavy tone, "Boss, that 'King of Zombies' is that guy, isn't he?"
Victor leaned back on the sofa, hands clasped behind his head, and casually said, "Ah, it should be him."
Mym, who had been looking left and right at the treasured sword 'Wind Pearl' but couldn't discern what made it a famous sword, looked up and asked, "Boss, who are you talking about?"
"The former hero of West Blue, Gecko Moria." Capone Bege took a deep drag from his cigar, exhaling plumes of white smoke from his nostrils.
Victor's tone was somewhat puzzled. "What puzzles me is why 'Charcoal Eyebrows' appeared unharmed?"
"Boss, what do you mean?" Kuranthna was a little confused.
"Gecko Moria's shadow-cutting ability is notoriously nasty. Once he cuts your shadow, you can no longer appear in sunlight, or you'll turn to dust." Victor picked up 'Hidari no raijin' and tossed it in his hand.
"But I clearly remember 'Charcoal Eyebrows' standing brazenly in the sunlight during our fight. Mr. Bege, if you had Moria's ability, would you let 'Charcoal Eyebrows' leave freely without cutting his shadow and making him serve you?"
"Of course not, boss." Capone Bege said unequivocally, "But have you heard that rumor? The legend about Gecko Moria's utter defeat in the Grand Line?"
Victor's expression became serious. "Gecko Moria was undoubtedly a strong contender. He initially gathered a large number of powerful and extraordinary individuals as comrades through his generous and chivalrous personality, but unfortunately, he set his sights on Kaido."
"Kaido?" Mai Hime didn't understand why the topic had shifted to Wano Country's 'Guardian King'.
"In any case, we'll eventually have to meet this Gecko Moria." Victor tossed 'Seimasun Hime' to Mai Hime. "Hime, you can use that for now. 'Hidari no raijin' doesn't have a scabbard, so it's more suitable for me. Which of you wants to take this 'Wind Pearl'?"
Leaving Mai Hime, whose face was flushed with joy while holding 'Seimasun Hime,' Kuranthna first shook his head, holding up his cane sword. "I'll pass, boss. My swordsmanship is better suited to this cane sword."
Capone Bege puffed out a cloud of smoke, grinning. "I don't know swordsmanship; this thing would be useless to me."
Perona shrugged, Gigggling. She was a Devil Fruit user, not one for blades or guns.
Mym had no say at all; Victor was even afraid he might cut himself if he handled the sword.
"Then 'Wind Pearl' will be stored with me for now." Victor stood up, put 'Hidari no raijin' and 'Wind Pearl' into the zippered space in his palm, and announced loudly, "Full speed ahead, return to Algaro Town!"
"We're going home!"
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