A pirate on the high seas kidnaps a Celestial Dragon!

"Shimotsuki Koshiro, I don't need to tell you about your disciple's situation, do I?"

"Now, his life is in my hands, so how much ransom are you prepared to pay to redeem your disciple?"

Qi Bai also spoke to Shimotsuki Koushirou.

The words had barely left his mouth.

aside.

Zoro, who was being held hostage by Grimmjow, wished he could dig a hole in the ground and crawl into it.

Shameful.

It's so embarrassing.

It's one thing to get arrested.

But he was captured and taken to his teacher, who then used his life as leverage to extort ransom from his teacher before releasing him.

"You are also a strong person. Isn't it a bit too despicable for you to do such a thing as extortion?"

Shimotsuki Koushirou also frowned and said.

In his opinion.

Judging from the pressure that Qi Bai exuded, which even he felt, he was undoubtedly an extremely powerful expert.

however.

Such a powerful figure directly captured his disciple and brought him here to demand a ransom.

He had never seen a powerful person act in such a... despicable way.

"Coincidentally, 'despicable' is my nickname and 'shameless' is my real name. Besides, I, Qi Bai, am a ruthless bandit. Isn't it normal for me to do such despicable things?"

Qi Bai completely ignored what Shimotsuki Koushirou said.

After being bound to this most powerful bandit system, he knew that he would never be associated with honesty in this lifetime.

and so……

So be it, it's despicable.

At least, if there's a reward, it doesn't matter if it's a bit despicable.

Shigetsuki Koushiro: "..."

After hearing Qi Bai's words, he remained speechless for a long time.

he…

This is truly the first time I've ever met someone like Qi Bai.

mean.

But frankly.

No, that's not the point. The point is that my disciple Zoro is now tied up by the other side.

What do you desire, sir?

Shimotsuki Koshiro gripped the sword in his hand tightly, but after hesitating for a while, he loosened his grip and sighed.

He was just debating whether he should take action directly and snatch Zoro from the enemy's hands.

In this way, Zoro was saved.

but.

The two people in front of me.

He had a calm and composed demeanor.

He seemed completely unconcerned whether Zoro would attempt to save him by taking action, as if he was absolutely certain of Zoro's success.

The most crucial issue is that Zoro is currently in the hands of the enemy.

If I were to take action myself.

If Zoro cannot be rescued immediately, the enemy may very well kill him outright.

If so.

Then there would be no point in him taking action.

and so……

After careful consideration, he chose to compromise.

"Training manuals for Observation Haki and Armament Haki, as well as swordsmanship. I believe that this descendant of the Shimotsuki clan should at least have these."

Qi Bai also directly stated what he wanted.

These words also caused a look of shock to flash across Shimotsuki Koushirou's eyes.

The meaning behind the other person's words.

Clearly, they already knew Shimotsuki Koushirou's identity and origins as a member of the Shimotsuki clan.

"……Can."

Shimotsuki Koshiro agreed without hesitation.

The dual-color Haki training manual and the swordsmanship training manual were nothing to him.

“It’s good that Master Frostmoon agrees. However, I hope these cultivation manuals will be of better quality. Otherwise, Frostmoon Village may face a crisis. I think Master Frostmoon understands what I mean.”

Qi Bai spoke, his words to Shimotsuki Koushirou carrying a threatening undertone.

What he needs is not just ordinary dual-color Haki or ordinary swordsmanship training methods.

If it's just a basic training manual...

In his ruthless gang.

With Lucci already under his command, Lucci himself possesses Haki, basic Haki, so he doesn't need a manual. What he needs is a manual on advanced Haki training, something far superior to the basic level.

Otherwise, that would be different for him.

"That's natural."

Shimotsuki Koshiro nodded and said.

Although he felt slightly displeased with Qi Bai's threatening words, Zoro was currently in their hands, so even if he was dissatisfied with Qi Bai, he couldn't just show it off without considering his own feelings.

"Please wait."

Shimotsuki Koshiro also turned his back to Qi Bai and the other two and walked into the Isshin Dojo.

Shortly after.

He also brought some things with him when he came out.

"Here are training manuals for Armament Haki and Observation Haki, as well as a swordsmanship training manual, along with my notes. Take them; this should allow Zoro to be released."

Shimotsuki Koushirou also held a wooden box in his hand and handed it to Qi Bai.

Qi Bai reached out and took it, then opened it to take a look.

among them.

Inside the wooden box was a rather old book.

It's clear that this book is frequently flipped through.

Qi Bai also picked up a book, flipped through it, and read it briefly.

He already knew the writing system of this world, and the domineering cultivation records and sword cultivation records on it seemed to be without any problems. However, to confirm whether the records were up to standard, he would have to examine them carefully.

but.

Qi Bai certainly wouldn't waste his time on this.

There's absolutely no need to check anything.

The system will make the determination for him at that time.

If the other party tries to fool him with some substandard stuff, he can simply come back and fight them.

The other party's home is right here.

He also felt that the other party shouldn't be that stupid.

Grimmjow.

Qi Bai closed the lid of the wooden box and put it into the system space, then called out Grimmjow's name.

"Kid, you're lucky."

Grimmjow casually tossed Zoro in his hand toward Shimotsuki Koshiro.

With a thud, Zoro landed right in front of Shimotsuki Koushirou.

"Zoro, you have a great teacher."

"Congratulations on saving your life. If you're unhappy, you're welcome to come and cause me trouble anytime. But remember to carry some valuables with you, otherwise, it won't be fun for me to rob you."

"Goodbye."

Qi Bai also addressed Zoro.

These words were a direct and blatant taunt, which made Zoro extremely resentful.

His weakness was the reason he was treated this way.

It also made his teacher see his embarrassing state.

This is undoubtedly something that anyone would feel extremely ashamed to do.

The same applies to Zoro.

"No, there's also Wado Ichimonji. You bastard, give me back Wado Ichimonji."

After Zoro saw Qi Bai and Grimmjow turn to leave, he remembered that the Wado Ichimonji sword was still in Qi Bai's hands.

"Did you say this?"

Qi Bai also took out the Wado Ichimonji from his own system space.

"Unfortunately, this is my spoils of war."

"You only have yourself to blame for being too weak, which is why I took your sword."

"If you want to take back the Wado Ichimonji, you are welcome to come to me anytime, but on the condition that you have the strength to take this sword back from my hands."

Qi Bai said the same thing, and his words undoubtedly provoked Zoro.

"Damn it! You just wait and see, I, Roronoa Zoro, will take back the Wado Ichimonji from your hands."

Zoro roared.

His words were filled with resentment.

This defeat made him realize his weakness, which made him set his sights on taking back the Wado Ichimonji from Qi Bai. His weakness and unwillingness to accept defeat will all be transformed into the motivation for his diligent training.

"Then I'll wait."

After Qi Bai finished speaking, he and Grimmjow left together.

After Qi Bai left.

"Teacher, I lost the Wado Ichimonji. I'm so sorry!"

Zoro, with his hands bound by iron chains, knelt on the ground and spoke to Shimotsuki Koshiro.

He originally intended to carry Kuina's sword, to work hard with her, to make his name resound throughout heaven, and to become the world's greatest swordsman.

When her teacher gave her the knife, he entrusted Kuina's dreams and soul to him.

however.

However, he allowed Qi Bai to snatch the Wado Ichimonji.

This made him feel extremely sorry for Shimotsuki Koshiro, and he felt deeply guilty.

"It's alright, Zoro."