Chapter 9

Ding—snap!

A coin was flicked by his thumb, thrown into the air, and caught steadily when it fell rapidly, repeating this constantly.

Siano walked leisurely in the street in the twilight, and the rhythm of the coin rising and falling in his hand gradually became consistent with his pace.

"Hmm?"

He suddenly raised his head.

Not far away, a huge pale pink banner was hanging above the city gate, with the words "The 25th Asakura Island Dojo Tournament" written on it.

On the left, there was a bulletin board, and the crowd around it was bustling.

"Excuse me, thank you."

Relying on his strong and powerful body, Siano easily pushed aside the crowd and reached the bulletin board all the way.

"You mother—"

Several young men who looked like thugs were furious after being pushed aside and wanted to go up and find trouble, but after seeing the sturdy back with knotted muscles, they finally stood back in place silently.

"Kendo Tournament? Anyone who is a disciple of a swordplay dojo can participate, registration fee 10,000 Berries, deadline tomorrow."

"Advance to the semi-finals to get 1 million Berries, champion 5 million Berries?"

The treatment is not bad, Siano was really a bit tempted.

It's a pity that his swordplay is really unbearable, so it's better not to take it out and embarrass himself.

More importantly, he has to find a ship to the Goa Kingdom early tomorrow morning; God knows how long this tournament will last. If it takes a week or even half a month, he doesn't have that time.

Siano shook his head and was about to cross the drawbridge to enter the city and find an inn to rest.

Suddenly, next to the city wall, he saw the thin boy wearing the ragged kendo uniform again, staring at the banner blankly, holding a bamboo sword tightly, but his eyes were dull and lifeless.

This can be returned to its owner.

"Here, your money, keep it well."

A cold, hard object was suddenly stuffed into his hand, and the thin boy was slightly startled, looking up at this sturdy man whose age he couldn't figure out.

"You are..."

The thin boy spread his palm, seemingly not having recovered yet; after seeing the familiar coins clearly, he understood and muttered: "Another scammer..."

"You don't seem surprised at all?" Siano raised his eyebrows, "Then it's my turn to be surprised."

"Ah, I can probably guess what happened."

The thin boy still stared at his palm, "After all, it is my mother’s hometown, and I lived here for a few years when I was little; I have heard of the character of those professional beggars."

"Then you still give money?"

"..."

"Spirit is commendable, but that old thing doesn't look right at a glance; your ability to distinguish seems to need strengthening."

"..."

"Teacher?"

Siano’s gaze moved to the other party’s bamboo sword; the hilt was wrapped with ragged cloth strips, obviously used for a long time, "Kendo teacher?"

"Yeah, maybe you haven't heard his name."

Mentioning this, the thin boy finally raised his head, his tone full of reverence:

"But, Mr. Koshiro is absolutely an amazing swordsman! Being lucky enough to become his disciple is the proudest thing in my life!"

Koshiro?

Siano was stunned; he was just returning a few coins, and there was an unexpected harvest?

Could this be a good deed rewarded?

He immediately became interested, "So, you came from Shimotsuki Village?"

"Eh! How did you know?" The other party widened his eyes, "Have you been to Shimotsuki Village too?"

"Not yet."

This is all counting on you to take me there.

Shimotsuki Village hasn't been established for many years, and it has a bit of a secluded peach blossom source flavor, much more remote than Cocoyasi Village.

There are not many merchant ships passing by all year round, and it’s hard to go without your own ship.

Since the thin boy in front of him is Koshiro’s disciple and can come here, he must have a way to go back; he just needs to follow him.

This one-month sailing trip is just to shear sheep everywhere.

If there is no chance, forget it, but since fate is in front of him, how could he let go of little fat sheep Roronoa Zoro?

"I’ve heard of Mr. Koshiro’s name before, so I knew." Siano said, "So, are you representing the Isshin Dojo to participate in this kendo tournament?"

"No, no, no, I don't have the ability to represent Mr. Koshiro."

The thin boy hurriedly waved his hands in panic, as if afraid of tarnishing the reputation of the Isshin Dojo, "And the Asakura Island Kendo Tournament doesn't accept registration from outside disciples; only dojos officially registered on the island are qualified."

"As for my other identity..."

He suddenly woke up, bowed deeply, "Ah! I haven't reported my name to you yet, how rude! My name is Junichi Sakuraba, and I am the current master of the Sakuraba Dojo on the island."

Dojo master?

Siano only then noticed that this boy named Junichi had a faded family crest embroidered on the cuffs and left chest of his kendo uniform.

Although it was washed white and blurred, one could still vaguely see a blooming cherry blossom.

"Siano." He reached out and shook hands lightly, which was considered a greeting, "Talk somewhere else?"

……

Southwest of the city, in an ordinary tavern.

"Two Binks' Sake, thank you."

"Four thousand Berries."

Snap! Siano took out two large banknotes and slapped them on the bar, took the wine, and went to the corner seat.

He currently had the 50,000 Berries Bell-mère gave him, which hadn't been touched yet; originally, eating and living on the Gatto would cost a small half, but because of the Sea King incident, he didn't spend a single cent.

So he was quite well-off.

"No, that's not good, I'm only fifteen." Junichi was a bit cautious; he had never entered a tavern before, "Isn't it inappropriate to not be an adult..."

"It's fine, the alcohol content is not high." Siano said casually, his attention focused entirely on the wine glass in his hand; this was his first time seeing this quite famous wine.

Binks' Sake is not just a song; the wine itself is also very famous in the East Blue.

Rum, white wine, and orange juice are mixed in a fixed proportion to stimulate a refreshing taste, and the flavor is quite popular, so it is widely welcomed.

As for the alcohol content, it’s about ten degrees, and it’s hard to get drunk.

Is that so?

Junichi clumsily held the wine glass with both hands, watching the liquid in the glass sway up and down; suddenly his mouth was dry, and he finally couldn't help but take a big sip.

Just then, Siano’s slow voice sounded:

"By the way, I'm thirteen, even younger than you."

Pfft—

The wine he hadn't tasted yet was sprayed out; Junichi couldn't care about the heartache, just raised his head to look at Siano across the round table, his eyes wide open.

This is thirteen?

"Why are you so surprised."

Siano tasted the wine to himself; a sip of ice-sweet wine flowed down his throat, and he narrowed his eyes with satisfaction.

What a sin; it’s all the fault of the sailors who instigated him to drink wildly that night, leading him astray; otherwise, he would still be a good boy who doesn't drink a drop of alcohol.

"Let's talk about your business."

He put down the wine glass and looked at Junichi, who was still in a state of shock, "Let me guess... the dojo in your house should have already declined?"

This didn't even need guessing.

This ragged kendo uniform couldn't be a rich young master out playing cosplay.

"Yes, it's a shame to say."

Junichi lowered his head and muttered, "My father was once the strongest swordsman on Asakura Island, and the Sakuraba Dojo he founded was once the most famous dojo on the island."

"But... since my father passed away five years ago, the dojo has been jointly suppressed by other dojos on the island; the senior brothers left one after another, and finally even the land of the dojo was taken back by creditors. If it weren't for Teacher Koshiro taking me in, perhaps I would have starved to death on the sea long ago."

There will be another update in the evening.

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(End of this chapter)