Ron smiled faintly and waved his hand.
"Don't worry too much about it," he said. "As for that sword, you'll know in time."
The Seven-Star Sword — his true goal — still rested somewhere in the unknown, waiting to be found.
There was no need to reveal too much too soon.
He turned to Tashigi.
"So then, I'll be relying on your expertise for picking the right blades?"
"Of course! It's an honor," Tashigi replied quickly, her eyes bright with curiosity.
Inside, she was still puzzled — how could someone so young have achieved such terrifying skill?
That question lingered in her mind as they stepped out of the shop.
By the time they emerged, Ron carried a bundle of over twenty swords across his back.
Both Zoro and Tashigi stared in disbelief.
A swordsman who bought blades by the bundle — they had never seen anything like it.
During testing, Ron had casually swung a few — and shattered several in half with a single motion.
His calm confidence made both of them speechless.
"Well then," Ron said, fastening the bundle. "I have other matters to attend to. Let's leave it at that for now."
He gave them a casual wave.
"Until next time."
"Wait," Zoro called out, his tone serious. "Ron — when you face Mihawk again, I want to be there."
Ron smiled. "I'll remember that."
Then his gaze shifted to Tashigi. "You too, Miss Tashigi — you're welcome to witness it."
Tashigi's eyes widened with excitement. "R-really? I… I'd be honored!"
Just as Ron turned to go, Tashigi suddenly froze.
"Wait… isn't that Captain Smoker?" she said, pointing ahead.
Ron looked up — and there he was.
A tall man with short silver hair, a thick white coat, and two cigars clenched between his teeth.
His cold eyes locked immediately onto Ron.
"Tashigi," Smoker said sternly, "what are you doing here? Who are these people—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Recognition flared in his gaze.
Ron.
The name printed across the bounty notice he had received that very morning.
A man declared by Marine Headquarters as "to be eliminated on sight."
Smoker's jaw tightened.
"So," he said coldly, "you're the bounty hunter — Ron. Fifty million Berries on your head."
He stepped forward.
"I'm afraid you're under arrest."
"What?!" Tashigi gasped. "He's the wanted man from East Blue? The one with the highest bounty?"
She could hardly believe it.
Just minutes ago, she'd been helping him pick swords.
Now she was standing beside a man branded as a criminal.
Zoro's expression darkened.
He clenched his fists and took a step forward.
"Captain Smoker," he said through gritted teeth, "do you even know who you're talking to?"
He glared sharply.
"You think you can capture my comrade so easily? Don't make me laugh!"
Ron blinked, a little surprised — and amused.
Zoro's loyalty was almost touching.
Was he really defending him this fiercely?
For a moment, Ron couldn't help but grin.
"Guess the kid's got good taste," he thought.
But Smoker's expression grew darker.
"You dare mock the Marines?" he growled. "Then you're his accomplice. Both of you will be detained."
Zoro scoffed. "Try it."
His hand slid to the hilt of his blade.
He wasn't bluffing — if Smoker made a move, he'd strike first.
To Zoro, anyone who insulted his rival, his goal, or his friend… deserved only his sword.
Ron finally sighed and stepped forward.
"Easy there, Smoker," he said calmly. "You're a man of justice — I've heard of your name."
He met Smoker's eyes, tone still polite.
"If you're wise, you'll walk away and pretend you saw nothing today. I have no wish to harm you."
It wasn't arrogance.
It was simple truth.
Smoker was one of the few Marines he actually respected — honorable, uncorrupted.
But even honorable men sometimes made fatal mistakes.
Smoker sneered.
"You don't want my life?" he echoed mockingly.
"Tell me, was it ignorance or arrogance that gave you that confidence?"
Tashigi stepped closer, voice trembling.
"Captain… maybe he's not—"
"Silence," Smoker snapped. "You don't understand, Tashigi."
And then — he moved.
His body blurred like smoke, vanishing and reappearing in front of Ron in an instant.
A single fist swung forward — fast, heavy, and precise.
The blow cracked the air like thunder.
He didn't even use his Devil Fruit.
He didn't think he needed to.
He would prove that sheer strength was enough to crush this so-called prodigy.
Zoro's eyes widened.
"Fast!"
Smoker's punch shot forward, tearing through the air toward Ron.
The ground trembled from the force of it.
And yet — Ron didn't flinch.
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