Oguro had a good impression of the brave young woman before him.
In the original story, whether it was facing Luffy's crew or the terrifying pirates of the New World, Tashigi never once backed down despite her lack of strength.
In his past life, Oguro had always felt that this character was created to make up for Kuina's regret.
The only pity was that, as a swordswoman, she had been stuck under Smoker—a Devil Fruit user—where she could never truly grow.
"Tashigi, huh?" Oguro smiled. "A swordswoman following a Devil Fruit user isn't the best match. How about joining me instead? I'll make sure you become a great swordmaster one day."
When it came to swordsmanship, there were plenty within the Gotei 13 who were masters—some even true grandmasters. Teaching one Tashigi would be easy.
"The Marines will never surrender to pirates!" she shouted, glaring fiercely.
"I'm not a pirate," Oguro replied, amused. He hadn't really expected her to agree anyway, so her refusal didn't bother him.
He glanced at Rangiku.
She immediately understood, Shunpoed behind Tashigi, and tapped her lightly on the back of the neck with her sword's hilt.
Tashigi's eyes rolled back as she fainted on the spot.
Just before losing consciousness completely, she heard Oguro's calm, almost mentoring voice:
"Bravery without strength is just foolishness. Not every enemy will be as merciful as we are. Don't throw your life away for nothing."
The group quickly retreated through the gap Rangiku had torn open.
With Shunpo's speed, the nearby Marines didn't even have time to react.
Watching Oguro and the others break through the encirclement, Smoker's expression hardened.
He locked his gaze on Rukia, his tone fierce and determined.
"At the very least… I'll make sure one of you stays!"
Rukia's beautiful face curved into a faint, disdainful smile.
Her lips parted slightly, her voice calm and sharp as frost.
"What gave you the illusion that you could keep me here?"
The moment the last word left her lips, Smoker's vision blurred—Rukia's figure vanished.
The next instant, a sharp slicing sound came from behind him—
the unmistakable sound of a sword cutting through the air!
Smoker whipped around, just in time to see the pure-white blade of Sode no Shirayuki shimmer with icy light as it slashed down toward his shoulder.
Slash!
The blade passed straight through his body.
A normal attack couldn't hit a Logia user—physical strikes were useless.
Smoker had just relaxed slightly when he heard a sharp crack.
Along the path where Sode no Shirayuki had passed, a layer of frost burst into existence, spreading rapidly across his chest.
Smoker felt as though even his soul had been frozen solid.
He couldn't move, couldn't control his body at all. His form stiffened, falling straight from the sky.
Rukia gave him a calm glance, then turned and flew toward the harbor.
Only then did Smoker realize—she could fly?!
A sword that could manipulate both ice and smoke… and even grant flight.
What kind of people were these?
He wanted to chase after them, but the freezing chill in his body made it impossible to stand.
Even turning to smoke didn't help.
All he could do was watch helplessly as Oguro's ship sailed out from the dock and vanished into the distance.
It took several hours before the ice on his body finally melted away.
"Tashigi!"
The moment he recovered, Smoker shouted an order.
"Report everything that happened here to Marine Headquarters immediately! Those people are powerful—this must be handled fast!"
---
Marine Headquarters, Marineford
In the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku was unusually relaxed, munching happily on his senbei.
"Damn that Garp—always stealing my limited-edition senbei! Good thing I hid the special ones separately this time."
Knock knock knock!
A sharp knock interrupted his rare moment of peace.
"Report, Fleet Admiral! Urgent intelligence from the East Blue!"
Sengoku sighed, setting down his beloved snack and straightening his face into his usual serious expression.
"Come in."
A Marine officer entered and respectfully handed over a report.
Sengoku began reading, his expression darkening with every line.
"Granting Devil Fruit powers to a sword… strength on par with Marine Headquarters officers… and even flight capabilities? What kind of monsters are these?!"
His face soured.
Since the start of the Great Pirate Era, powerful new pirates had appeared one after another—
so many that people even started calling them 'Supernovas.'
Meanwhile, the Marines had produced few noteworthy new talents, and that imbalance only made Sengoku's frustration grow.
"They defeated Smoker and possibly killed a branch base commander… such people can't be left unchecked."
Having made up his mind, Sengoku issued his order firmly.
"Transmit this to all branches—issue bounty posters immediately!"
---
East Blue, aboard Oguro's ship.
Their vessel was heading toward Reverse Mountain.
Thankfully, they'd stocked up on supplies before buying the Log Pose—or this would've been much worse.
"Oguro-sama, without a Log Pose, how will we navigate the Grand Line?" Nami asked anxiously.
Oguro smiled. "Don't worry. I know a place where we can get one. We won't get lost once we enter."
Nami's eyes lit up, gazing at him with open admiration.
"Hehe, as expected of Oguro-sama! You think of everything!"
Rukia and Rangiku both frowned at the sight.
Ever since Oguro had carried Nami to safety, the navigator seemed strangely attached to him.
Not that Nami cared how they looked at her.
All she remembered was the overwhelming sense of safety she'd felt in Oguro's arms.
For that feeling, she'd give anything.
Of course, her attitude only strengthened the resolve of the other two women—
they too made a silent decision in their hearts.
To avoid being chased down by Smoker, Oguro ordered full speed ahead.
That man's power might not be great, but his persistence was unmatched.
If Smoker could chase Luffy all the way from East Blue to the New World, he'd definitely chase them too if they lingered even a bit.
Two days later, they finally reached Reverse Mountain.
Just as Nami was preparing to steer the ship toward the canal, Oguro raised a hand to stop her.
"What's wrong, Oguro-sama?" Nami asked in confusion.
Oguro didn't answer immediately. He simply waited quietly.
Sure enough, after a short while, something massive rose from the sea.
A colossal shadow emerged—like a moving mountain. Nami and the others stood frozen in shock.
"That's an Island Whale—classified as a giant Sea King species. And this isn't even the largest kind," Oguro explained.
"Didn't think anyone from the East Blue would recognize Laboon. That's rare."
A calm, elderly voice came from near the lighthouse beside the canal.
They turned to look.
An old man with a unique hairstyle resembling coral stood on the lighthouse balcony.
Though aged, his sturdy frame still radiated strength.
He wore a pink shirt patterned with yellow and green flowers, casual yet full of confidence and life.
The others didn't recognize him, but Oguro did.
This was none other than Crocus—the doctor of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger's crew.
***
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