Chapter 23: Rising Fame [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

It can only be said that the road-blind halo is truly invincible.

Following Zoro and wandering around the village for half an hour, Siano’s head was almost spinning. Finally, he found an uncle to ask for directions and finally found the gate of the Isshin Dojo.

Unexpectedly, Koushiro was already guarding the gate.

"Why did you come so late?"

The middle-aged man was wearing a kimono and black-rimmed glasses, looking at Zoro with a smile. "It’s your reason, right? Bringing Siano-kaku to get lost too?"

"..." Zoro’s face flushed red again.

He could lie in front of Siano, but he was powerless to argue in front of his teacher who knew him well.

He hummed and hawed and turned around. "So annoying, anyway, people are brought here, aren't they! I’m leaving, don't call me for dinner, today’s extra training task isn't finished yet!"

Watching Zoro leave, Koushiro smiled and turned to walk into the dojo.

"Dinner is already being made. Siano-kaku, you should haven't eaten yet, right? Let’s eat together later?"

"I am indeed a bit hungry, then thank you for the hospitality."

Siano didn't be polite either and followed behind, a bit curious. "Mr. Koushiro knows my name? Could it be that Junichi has already returned from the clinic, so fast?"

"Junichi?"

Koushiro was slightly stunned and shook his head. "No, I only know the news that the child is back, I haven't seen him in person yet. Speaking of which, I have to thank you on his behalf. I didn't expect this Asakura Island trip to be so dangerous. If it weren't for meeting you, he might not have been able to return alive."

"Then how do you know so much..."

"This, naturally, is because Siano-kaku has been quite famous during this period."

Koushiro took out a few newspapers from the middle layer of the cabinet and handed them to Siano together, laughing. "If you read this, you should understand."

Newspaper?

Siano took it curiously. He had been drifting on the sea for the past few days and really hadn't bumped into any News Coos.

Or perhaps the News Coos flying at high altitude didn't notice their small boat.

"Shimotsuki Village is isolated from the world. Except for me who orders newspapers every day, not many people know about your deeds."

Koushiro said with a smile. "But other islands are different. In many places in the nearby sea area, you are the focus of these days. It’s no exaggeration to say that you are the most dazzling new star in the East Blue right now."

He didn't exaggerate at all.

From Siano’s unstoppable advance into the finals with a crushing posture, to the series of unexpected events in the competition dojo;

To the eerie horror of the masters of the Seven Great Dojos being completely puppetized, and the mastermind being the long-dead chairman Sakuraba Tree...

This bizarre story was enough to attract attention, and in this desperate situation, a young swordsman suddenly stood up and shattered the conspiracy with his own power.

After finding the secret vault of the mastermind, he didn't take a cent and took the initiative to distribute the huge wealth inside to all the victims.

Finally, before dawn, the young swordsman left quietly, hiding his merit and fame.

—This is simply the standard young hero template found in traditional folk stories. It would be strange if the popularity didn't explode.

Several local newspapers in the East Blue spared no ink and reported continuously for several days, and sales rose steadily.

Even the World Economic News was alarmed and hurriedly followed up. Although it wasn't the headline, it occupied a considerable space on the second page.

After some fermentation.

The title of "The Strongest Swordsman of the Young Generation in the East Blue" had quietly spread across more than half of the East Blue.

"This, this is too much praise..."

Siano held the newspaper, his old face blushing.

Most of the time, reporters were not at the scene, and much of the content was sorted out based on testimony after the fact, leading to many details being wrong.

For example, he did leave the two hundred million Beli in the secret room, but he held the four hundred million Beli in the Loguetown vault in his hand. How could he be so noble as to take nothing?

Junichi’s participation was also completely ignored, but this was also a disguised protection, which could be considered a good thing.

After all, as the son of the mastermind Sakuraba Tree, his identity was too sensitive.

With his fame hyped up, it was possible that many victims’ families wouldn't be able to distinguish good from bad and would come to seek revenge.

But then again.

The most wrong point was, sure enough—

"I was actually praised as the strongest swordsman?!!"

Swordsman?

Did you make a mistake!

His three-legged cat swordsmanship couldn't be brought out in the big battle. The final victory result was clearly smashed out punch by punch with this strong body!

"Hiss..."

Siano scratched his hair, feeling a bit of a headache.

In the future, if he meets a swordsman, will someone ask for a sparring challenge or guidance?

But this result is not unexpected.

After all, when the real big battle started later, everyone who could run in the dojo ran away, but his journey to the finals in the Kendo Tournament was recorded in full.

A genius swordsman who entered the finals with a full victory, and finally defeated the terrifying Devil Fruit user...

If it wasn't by swordsmanship, what else could it be?

It’s very reasonable.

Even the front-page photos of these newspapers used the photos taken by reporters when he was in the preliminaries.

—The black-haired boy holding a bamboo sword, standing proudly on the wooden platform, hard to find a defeat, surrounded by a large number of amazed audience members.

At a glance.

It really has the style of a young swordsman who is invincible as soon as he comes out of the mountain.

"Sigh."

Siano sighed long again.

Koushiro misunderstood his meaning and smiled.

"Famous but frowning, it seems Siano-kaku is the kind of person who likes to be low-key. That’s right, otherwise, how could you leave silently after the matter was over?"

He didn't hide his appreciation, which made Siano even more restless.

He was afraid that the next sentence of the other party would be "Want to see your swordsmanship," "Dinner is still being prepared," "Why don't you and I spar a few times," etc.

Fortunately, the figure pushing the door and entering saved his social anxiety.

"Father."

The black-haired girl with a cold expression stood at the door and said calmly, "Granny said the food is ready, and asked me to call you. Let’s go now... Eh eh eh eh!!!!"

She suddenly screamed, her gaze turned to Siano, and her little face was full of surprise. "Sia... Siano-kaku! Why are you here!"

*Thump thump thump*, before Siano could react, she rushed over, hugged his arm, touched him left and right. "Illusion? No! Not an illusion! It’s really him!"

Siano’s heart skipped a beat, and he turned his head to look at Koushiro.

"This is my daughter Kuina, excuse me. She wouldn't show this kind of behavior on weekdays."

Koushiro laughed. "This is all because she saw you in person that she lost her composure. Speaking of which, besides practicing swordsmanship, she also likes reading books very much, and often flips through the newspapers I subscribe to. She has been quite fascinated by your story these past few days and often reads it over and over again."

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 26 ===== [

Siano’s heart skipped a beat, and he turned his head to glance at Koshiro.

"This is my daughter, Kuina. Please forgive her; she doesn't usually behave like this."

Koshiro chuckled, "It’s only because she saw you in person that she lost her composure. Come to think of it, besides practicing swordsmanship, she also enjoys reading. She often flips through the newspapers I subscribe to, and these past few days, she’s been quite obsessed with your story, reading it over and over again."

(End of chapter)