233 233. The Happiest Day Of Her Life

The bat eared man glared at Flare for a moment before flying up.

"Die!"

He nocked three arrows and shot them at Flare.

"Haha, you have to do better than that!"

Flare laughed and slashed his sword. Sword rays flashed out, it cut the arrows and continued towards the bat eared man.

Hmph!

The man scoffed and knocked a couple more arrows. This time he used busoshoku haki.

Flare took care of the remaining pirates and dodged the haki coated arrows without looking back.

After he was done he focused on the flying opponent and grinned.

"Hey, I can fly too."

Geppo!

He used Geppo and flashed infront of the bat eared man in an instant.

How?!

The man was stunned. He immediately raised his bow and defended.

Flare cleaved down with his sword. Busoshoku haki coated his sword as it tore through the air.

The man didn't feel any pain. It was over in an instant.

Flare's sword slashed his bow in two and cut through his body in a flash. Blood spilled out as the two halfs of his body fell from air.

Flicking his sword Flare got rid of the blood on it.

"Komachiyo is really fast."

He said before disappearing into the distance.

...

Tama was worried as she looked back from time to time, "Big brother, is Flare big bro going to be alright? They are really fierce."

Leo patted her head and said with a smile, "Don't worry. Flare is also very fierce."

Just as he spoke Flare flew down from the sky. He landed lightly on Komachiyo's back.

Leo didn't say anything. Tama was relieved to see Flare return safely.

"Flare big brother, did you really beat them?"

She asked excitedly.

Flare nodded, "Of course. If I didn't have this much strength then I am not qualified to accompany sir."

Tama asked, "Big bro is very strong?"

Flare smiled. He didn't know how to answer that question, he thought for a second and said, "Let's say that there are very few people who can actually fight sir on equal grounds."

"Really?!"

Tama was very happy to hear that. She giggled happily for a while.

Leo, Luffy and Flare were affected by her pure happiness and unknowingly smiled.

Soon they reached the town.

It's worse than I expected.

Leo thought to himself.

The town was devoid of any sort of activity. People walking by had skinny bodies and wore patched clothes.

Just as they got down from Komachiyo they heard a rumble.

Boom!

A second later several houses near them were destroyed, two figures jumped out from the it.

One was a man with green hair and holding three swords. He was carrying a woman in his arms.

His opponent was a blonde haired man with black markings below his eyes. He held a sword that seems to be made from straws.

Leo waved his hand. Sword rays swirled around them and grinded the rubble flying towards them into dust.

By now Zoro noticed them.

"Teacher?!"

He was shocked when he saw Leo.

Leo stared at Zoro and said coldly, "I don't remember teaching you to be so weak."

Zoro trembled for a moment. The lazy attitude he had a moment ago disappeared. His aura spiked in an instant. He threw the woman down on a pile of straw.

Hawkins was startled. His opponent was retreating a second ago, however now he seems to be a completely different person.

Before he could react Zoro moved. Three streaks of sword rays moved with incredible speed and at impossible angles.

What?!

Hawkins hastily raised his sword to defend.

Spurt!

However his straw sword was slashed in two. His body was thrown back as he spewed out blood. Two scars criss crossed on his chest. Blood seeped out from it.

How did this guy get so strong in an instant?

Hawkins stood back up and narrowed his eyes. He gripped the handle of his sword. It started to squirm and grew from the sliced off part.

He was about to attack when he lost sight of Zoro. When he reacted his body was already slashed.

A thin line of blood seeped out from his neck.

Hawkins fell down. His body lost all of it's strength.

Zoro sheathed his sword and walked towards Leo. He bowed and said.

"It's nice to see you, teacher."

Leo nodded and finally smiled.

"I knew we would meet again someday, I never expected it to be so soon."

Zoro asked, "Teacher, why are you here?"

Leo waved his hand, "Long story, let's leave it at that. I'm more interested in knowing why you guys are here."

Tama was curiously looking at Zoro.

Zoro also noticed Tama.

"Ah, forgot to introduce, This is Otama, you can call her Tama."

Tama sized up Zoro's swords, "You have three swords."

Zoro nodded, "I use three sword style, so it's obvious I use three swords."

Cough! Cough!

Suddenly they heard someone coughing and turned around. The woman Zoro threw down a second ago got down from the pile of straws when a stack fell on her.

Zoro walked to her and helped her get up.

The woman bowed and thanked them, "I am Tsuru, thank you for helping me."

Leo nodded and asked, "Why were they after you?"

Tsuru explained, "Because they are rumours about me being a remnant of the Kozuki clan."

Leo raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Are you?"

Tsuru nodded, "Yes."

Leo was surprised, "Should you be telling that out so causally?"

Tsuru smiled, "I shouldn't, but not to you and your friends. Please, let me attend to you."

Leo nodded.

Tsuru led them through the dying town towards her home. They soon reached a small tea house.

"Please."

She invited them in.

As they stepped through the door they saw a tall woman inside.

"Ma'am, I am glad you are safe."

Tsuru said, "Kiku, these people saved me."

The tall woman immediately bowed towards Leo and party, "You have my gratitude."

Tsuru went inside and brought out some tea and a large bowl of soup that was red in colour.

"Please, have some. I only have this much to show my gratitude."

Leo didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up a small bowl and poured some soup before giving it to Tama.

He then picked up a bowl and took some for himself.

"So tastttyy!"

Tama's cheeks puffed up as she broke out into a cheerful smile. Her eyes were starting to tear up.

She swallowed a bit more and ate blissfully. At some point Leo and the rest stopped eating.

Finishing her bowl Tama smiled, "This is the happiest day of my life!"