After all, those two are ordinary humans and fundamentally unable to demonstrate firsthand like Ah Long and Robin could.
"Do you feel a sense of camaraderie?"
Shano glanced up at Robin and snorted, "Too bad I didn't notice the poison on my face yesterday, otherwise I would have made you cry like this too."
"..." Robin shook her head helplessly.
Is it because we're getting familiar that he's running his mouth, or was it a mistake to bring that up back then? Clearly, before ruining the atmosphere, the captain was quite concerned about his image...
Camaraderie?
Chopper vaguely heard this and looked up tearfully: "Big brother, so you were also bullied and called a monster like me back in the day?"
Huh?
Shano was stunned; did the little guy misunderstand?
Has anyone ever called me a monster?
Shano tilted his head, genuinely recalling carefully.
Many already blurred scenes flashed through his mind.
"Oh no! That monster is coming after us!!" The terrifying silhouette dragging Ah Long's corpse swiftly approached, the Fishmen shrieking, "What are you waiting for, run!"
"Boom! A fierce back-kick sent Garp crashing into the cliff, causing a muffled sound to echo throughout the mountain, the old man looked shocked, "Where did you come from, monster!"
"Cough..." Crocodile struggled to turn over, covered in blood, "Even like this, I can't handle you? What kind of monster are you..."
Snap.
The flashback ended.
Turns out I've been called a monster so many times; Shano suddenly felt a bit sentimental:
"Really, so I indeed had similar experiences to yours back in the day."
Robin held her forehead again.
Wailing... Chopper immediately held Shano tighter.
Big brother is such a warm-hearted person; he's been through greater grievances yet doesn't mind and even comforts him...
If only I could be so great someday!
"Come on, we've long moved on from it; you should be over it now too."
Shano gently patted Chopper's back, but his gaze caught sight of a silhouette flashing in the distant treehouse.
Is it Kureha?
No, that old hag has been watching secretly for ages? Just watching me coaxing the kid, huh? Can't even bother to come and greet us!
He stood up, went to the treehouse door, knocked loudly:
"Hey, old lady, stop sneaking around; it's time to open the door and welcome guests; the beautiful swordswoman came with meat!"
"Who are you calling old lady, impudent brat!"
Amid a furious shout, the wooden door opened, a foot flew towards him, Shano easily grabbed it, and the two began squabbling in the background, kicking up snow.
"Big sister, you're actually a Sword Master." Chopper wiped his tears and asked Robin softly.
"No." Robin smiled warmly, "The captain's words are completely separate."
So it's beautiful, swordsman, and meat?
Chopper was suddenly enlightened, then his expression stiffened: "Eh?"
————
The tallest peak of Drum Island, soaring five thousand meters high.
Perched atop this peak is an enormous castle, which serves as the palace of the Drum Kingdom.
Outside, wind and snow whirlwind, but inside the castle, it's as warm as spring.
"Five... five hundred and forty million Belly?!"
Wapol, fat as a ball, was lying on the throne, munching on gold-plated tableware, when he heard the soldier's report, metal fragments clattered from his wide-open mouth.
"Are you sure you didn't misread? That great pirate named Shano really came to our country?!"
"Absolutely, Your Majesty!"
The one-armed squad leader knelt crying on the ground, "Look at my wrist! That guy's Great Blade Sword Master nickname is truly deserved! Swinging his blade so fast you can't even see it, a casual swing just..."
"Shut up!"
Wapol suddenly raved, overturning the dining table, pacing nervously in front of the throne, the metal boots thumped the ground:
"Damn it! Damn it! How could someone of this level be after a small country like us!"
"Your Majesty!"
Trusted minister Jes hurriedly approached, "The crucial thing is to strengthen castle defense! We can't afford to be careless; heard that guy couldn't even be handled by a Navy Grand Admiral..."
"Defense? Defense my ass!"
Wapol slapped him, "Idiot! Do you think someone of this pirate's caliber would be easy to handle like those useless ones?"
"Go!"
He pointed abruptly out the window, "Prepare to head to the port immediately, everyone, follow me and set off, escape to the sea for a while, and come back when the island is safe!"
"Huh?!"
Several ministers were all stunned.
"What are you waiting for, weapons, food, doctors... take everything you can! Don't leave anything to these lowlifes, hurry and do it! Everyone meets at the castle gate in an hour!"
Only then did the soldiers awaken and started moving, causing a commotion in the hall.
Once only a few trusted ministers were left in the hall, Wapol suddenly turned, swallowed the throne into his bottom in one gulp, and kicked open the hidden door behind the throne.
"That guy must be after my amassed treasure! Mwahahaha... luckily, I was prepared in advance!"
He rushed into the treasure vault, his corpulent body bounced around the gold and silver treasures like a ball, his modified iron mouth greedily consuming piles of gold coins and jewels.