Ding! Congratulations, host—You have obtained: Golden Lion's current-level Dual Blade Swordsmanship!
"Hoh?"
Reno's eyes lit up.
A power that directly enhanced his combat ability—he always welcomed those.
Just as the mechanical voice fell, a surge of sword-wielding knowledge flooded his body.
Golden Lion's Dual Blade Style—unlocked!
As one of the legendary figures who once stood shoulder to shoulder with Whitebeard and Pirate King Roger, Golden Lion's swordsmanship was undoubtedly at the level of a top-grade daikenjū (great swordsman).
It wasn't the strongest in the world, perhaps, but it was most definitely terrifying.
The only letdown?
He'd only received Golden Lion's current-level swordsmanship—not the peak version from the prime of his pirate career.
The difference between the two?
Massive.
Back in the day, Golden Lion—Shiki—was bold enough to challenge the Pirate King directly, even when Roger had the likes of Dark King Rayleigh, Two-Axe Jabba, and Devil's Child Barrett by his side.
If not for that bizarre, fateful storm… no one could say for sure who would've won.
But fate played its joke—an unlucky ship's rudder impaled Golden Lion right in the head, crippling his strength.
Later, he was defeated by Sengoku and Garp in a 2v1 battle and imprisoned in Impel Down. He only escaped by sawing off his own legs.
Since then, Golden Lion had faded from his former glory.
"Hmm... Wonder where that crippled lion is hiding nowadays," Reno muttered.
He was certain Shiki hadn't died—just gone off the grid.
But whatever. That wasn't the plan right now.
"Time to stop by Baratie and test my blades on that guy."
Originally, Reno had planned to skip Baratie and head straight to Loguetown to recruit the bespectacled girl.
But this new reward had his hands itching.
He wanted to measure his skill—see how far he was from the true top dogs of this world.
The Next Day
After digging up a few top-grade orange trees, Nokiko and Nami officially joined Reno on his next journey.
No regrets, no looking back.
Reno had already planted a spatial marker in Cocoyasi Village. He could return with the girls any time.
"Nokiko, from today onward, you'll be our cook alongside Makino."
"Got it, Captain." Nokiko saluted with a ladle in hand, her tone serious.
She wasn't a fighter or a doctor like the others, but when it came to food and logistics, she'd give it her all.
Reno nodded with satisfaction.
With more women joining the crew, one cook wouldn't cut it. Makino couldn't feed an entire floating harem alone.
Nami strolled over, elbowed her sister, and grinned mischievously.
"So, sis... how was your first night?"
"Feeling... echoes from the past?" 😏
Nokiko blinked, then blushed.
This little gremlin—when did Nami get so dirty-minded?
Worse yet, she instantly got the joke.
Even a few days ago, she wouldn't have understood.
Now?
She'd been corrupted...
Meanwhile… at Marine Headquarters
After discovering Captain Nezumi's corpse, the Navy launched an immediate investigation.
It didn't take long.
Every villager in Cocoyasi pointed to the same person—Reno.
Confirmed. Witnesses. No chance of a cover-up.
The case reached Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Sitting in his office, he massaged his temple irritably as the Den Den Mushi's voice clicked off.
"Another damn pirate causing problems."
"If they dare kill a Marine captain today, what's next? Slaughtering HQ tomorrow?!"
Beside him, Vice Admiral Garp munched loudly on rice crackers.
Sengoku's eye twitched.
"GARP! How many times have I told you—no eating in my office!"
"Hahaha, don't be so uptight, Sengoku! I'm not the one getting you all worked up!"
He crunched louder, shameless.
Sengoku forced himself to stay on topic.
"Two new pirate crews are making noise in the East Blue," he said, pushing up his glasses.
"First: Reno's crew. All-female. Rumored to possess a Weather-based Logia. Navigator identified as Nami—suspected Goro Goro no Mi user."
"No info on the others yet. But photos are on the way."
"They're confirmed to have killed Captain Nezumi. Brutally."
Garp's expression darkened.
"And the second crew?"
Sengoku's eyes narrowed.
"Second crew: Straw Hat Pirates, led by a brat named... Monkey D. Luffy. Rubber-type Paramecia. First mate: Roronoa Zoro."
"They defeated Captain Morgan in Shells Town and Clown Buggy in Orange Town."
"Reports indicate the two crews clashed in Syrup Village. Both Luffy and Zoro were badly injured by Reno."
BOOM!
Garp's spiritual pressure exploded.
Sengoku barely leapt in time to hold him down.
"YOU CRAZY OLD MAN—Calm down!"
Garp: "Calm?! My grandson got slashed up by that little shit?!"
Wait—grandson?
Sengoku squinted at the Den Den Mushi log.
"Monkey D. Luffy."
"Monkey D... Garp."
...Oh, hell no.
Sengoku smacked his forehead.
"Don't tell me he's YOURS?!"