Chapter 79: Life Goals

"Master Koushirou, look at my sloppy swordsmanship!"

"Master Koushirou, the most important thing to avoid with a sword is unnecessary emotions!"

"Master Koushirou, with such a weak personality, you're not fit to be a sword teacher. Go back home and raise pigs!"

No matter how Adrian provoked or challenged him, Koushirou always remained indifferent.

Those squinty eyes hidden behind his black-rimmed glasses made people want to tear them off and smash them like glass beads!

Adrian muttered under his breath, "Damn it! You squinty-eyed monster!"

"I can't pretend I didn't hear that, Momoya." Koushirou pushed his glasses up and said in a flat voice, "In fact, you're the real monster!"

Even though there are always legends of monster rookies on this sea, Koushirou had never seen anyone as strong as Adrian.

Such a young and yet so powerful swordsman, even in the land of Wano, where samurai and swordsmen are said to be abundant by his father, would surely be rare, right?

And based on his intuition as a swordsman.

Koushirou always felt that Adrian seemed to be hiding some even greater power within him, but all along, he had only shown his swordsmanship to the people at the dojo.

"I'm not a monster at all," Adrian waved his hand, refusing to acknowledge such a title.

Koushirou sighed inwardly and shook his head.

A small monster like this, who is never satisfied with his own strength, is the truly terrifying existence!

In the not-too-distant future, the name of the "Evil Swordsman" may not be limited to the East and West Blues.

Who knows if it will be a good name or a bad name…

"Come to think of it, I've never asked you before," Koushirou changed the subject. "I wonder what you plan to do in the future, Momoya?"

"The future?"

Adrian was slightly startled, wondering why Koushirou had suddenly changed the topic to this.

But after a moment of blankness, he couldn't help but fall into a state of thought.

After a long silence, Adrian slowly spoke:

"In the future…

"I should first spend some time on the sea, living a carefree and extravagant life. When I'm short of money, I'll go after some notorious pirates and collect bounties from the Marines…

"After getting tired of the four seas, I'll go to the Grand Line for a spin. It doesn't matter if it's the first half or the second half, or the sky or under the sea…

"It would be best if I had a few young and beautiful human girls by my side. Of course, beauty is the most important thing. Whether they're human or not… cough cough…

"After that, around the year 1521 of the Sea Circle Calendar, I'll retire from my job as a pirate hunter and join the Marines. I'll live a leisurely public service life where I can slack off at work, eat snacks at work, and clock in at work every day…"

Koushirou's temples throbbed when he heard the middle part of the speech, and the last sentence, which was somewhat degrading. Koushirou thought to himself, "What does this guy think the Marines is?!"

However, Koushirou noticed one peculiar aspect in Adrian's seemingly ordinary and happy ideal life.

He asked, "Why is it the year 1521 of the Sea Circle Calendar?"

Hearing Koushirou's words, Adrian suddenly came back to his senses from his reverie about the future, and fell into a handsome man's speechless state.

Why did he join the want to join Marines in the year 1521 of the Sea Circle Calendar?

Of course, it was because the Marineford War would break out before that year. After that, world recruitment of the Marines and the World Government would happen and he would be able to directly obtain the position of Admiral!

Casually playing the role of Admiral for two years, and when questioned by Fleet Admiral Akainu at that time, he could confidently say, 'I am learning from the venerable Admiral Kizaru!'

As for what happened after that?

After that, Luffy would really punch the Four Emperors and kick the admirals to become the Pirate King!

The World Government and the Celestial Dragons would probably collapse at that time!

When the war broke out at the end, he would be either be a traitor or a guide.

After the war, he would retire directly and receive a pension of the rank of Admiral. Wouldn't that be great?

Young people should play more, and when they are old, they can just find someone to marry and live with. Isn't this the correct attitude to life?

But I can't tell others this reason!

Adrian's mind was working quickly, and he soon came up with an explanation that seemed logical but was actually nonsense.

"Because… by then, I would be a 40-year-old man, an Ojisan(Uncle). After experiencing so much, I would not be so disgusted with the foolish world nobles and Country nobles. Joining the Marines would provide me with a stable life while also allowing me to continue to exert my remaining sense of justice. Isn't that good too?"

Looking at Koushirou expression, he should have reluctantly accepted this explanation.

But then Koushirou's expression became strange. "In the year 1521 of the Sea Calendar, you will be only 40 years old? 39 years old? That means you are probably only 17 years old now, right?"

In Koushirou mind, he instantly moved Adrian from the 'Monster' level to the 'Demon' level!

An underage Swordmaster!

Unbelievable!!

Adrian waved his hands repeatedly, "I'm really 17 in actual age, 18 in nominal age, practically 19, and barely 20! I feel like I'm getting old!"

Koushirou felt as if his heart had been stabbed more than once.

"Cough, cough!" He cleared his throat a few times and stopped beating around the bush. "I wonder if you'd like to learn the Haki called "Ryūō" that I mentioned earlier?"

Although Adrian was somewhat amazed at Koushirou's natural talent, he nodded his head frantically like a chick pecking at rice.

This is Ryūō!

If he missed this opportunity, he would have to go to Wano Country, deep in the New World, and try his luck!

If it wasn't for his thin skin, Adrian would have asked Koushirou-sensei about this question as soon as he finished the battle!

Seeing Adrian so excited, Koushirou nodded slightly. He felt that he still had good judgment.

He believed that everything Adrian had said just now was the truth from the bottom of his heart. In recent days, his life and interactions in the dojo had confirmed this. {…}

No one would have thought that the infamous "Evil Swordsman" in the West and East Blues was actually a man of justice who was loyal to the Marines!

Since that is the case, Koushirou is also prepared to entrust him with something.

"If you want to learn 'Ryūō', then that's fine, but I have a task for you," Koushirou said, his expression becoming a little serious. "It's also my father's unfulfilled wish!"

Adrian also said in a serious tone, "Please tell me."

"After you learn [Ryūō], when you one day leave the Four Seas and head to the second half of the Grand Line, you need to go to a country called [Wano], and help inquire about the [Shimotsuki] family."

At the same time, a message popped up on the panel.

[You have triggered the quest [Legacy]!]

[Quest Introduction: A longing for home causes early graying of hair. Thirty-two years ago, Shimotsuki Kozaburo led his samurai subordinates to flee the closed-off Wano Country, and died without ever being able to return to their homeland… Now, Shimotsuki Koushirou is pleading for your help, hoping to make up for his father's greatest regret in life.]

[Quest Requirements: Travel to Wano Country, investigate the current situation of the Shimotsuki family, and inform Shimotsuki Koushirou.]

[Quest Time: Unlimited.]

[Quest Rewards: 1 million experience points, [Armament Haki Specialty: Ryūō].]