Time flew by, and three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Smoker looked at Tashigi with a scrutinizing gaze, because he noticed that Tashigi had been taking leave frequently over the past three months.
Especially in the last half month, even when she was present, her mind often wandered.
She was completely out of it!
"Tashigi, what's wrong?" Smoker couldn't help but ask.
Normally, as long as it didn't affect official duties, he wouldn't interfere with his subordinates' private matters, but now... it was already affecting them.
Tashigi shook her head upon hearing him, "It's nothing, Captain Smoker."
"Nothing?" Smoker's eyelid twitched.
He wasn't blind; how could he not see it?
So he pressed on, "What exactly happened? What's got you so distracted?"
However, as soon as these words left his mouth,
he couldn't help but think of the rumors circulating in the base recently, saying that Tashigi had been dating a man. Could it be true?
Was she in love?
Tashigi, however, answered with a question of her own: "Captain Smoker, do you think women are inherently inferior to men in swordsmanship?"
Smoker was somewhat unable to follow her train of thought and was clearly taken aback. However, at this moment, he also understood something and offered a word of comfort: "Women are only physically weaker than men. But that's all it is... After all, for swordsmanship, strength is just one factor. So, you don't need to be discouraged. If you lack in strength, then make up for it in other areas. As long as you keep working hard, your name, Tashigi, will surely be among the Sword Masters in the future."
"Is that so?"
Tashigi's eyes brightened at first upon hearing this, but then immediately dimmed again.
She murmured, "But how do you explain that guy? In just three short months..."
"What?"
Smoker hadn't heard clearly and looked confused.
At this moment, Tashigi turned and walked away, a hint of loss in her eyes.
Smoker: "..."
This guy isn't really in love, is he?
No matter what, Tashigi truly resembled a woman heartbroken in love right now. But a heartbroken woman was asking about swordsmanship again?
As Smoker, who had been single for decades and relied solely on his own efforts, he felt like his head was splitting.
He stood up, having made a decision. He had to figure out what was wrong with Tashigi; he didn't want his promising subordinate to fall into such a slump.
So he followed her.
...
In a small grove on the outskirts of Loguetown, Moke stood wiping Sandai Kitetsu.
Yubashiri leaned against a nearby tree.
He and Tashigi had agreed that Tashigi would teach him swordsmanship for three months. After the three months were over, Yubashiri would be hers.
And today was the last day of the three months.
If before, Moke had only practiced swordsmanship to compensate for his own shortcomings, then now, he was already a qualified swordsman. Because, through these three months,
he had completely integrated into this world, possessing the heart of a brave, the heart of a strong person, and the heart of a Sword Master.
He was no longer the college student who ate instant noodles and watched movies in his dorm.
"Huh?"
Moke's ears twitched, and he turned to look to the side, then couldn't help but smile: "Tashigi, you're here!"
Tashigi tightened her grip on Shigure. Over these three months, the first month was spent teaching Moke basic swordsmanship, and the latter two months were spent in continuous sparring between the two.
It was also because of this that Moke's combat experience soared.
Tashigi pursed her lips: "Moke, you are the most talented swordsman I have ever met. In just three months, you have achieved what took me six years. No... you have already forged your own path in swordsmanship, while I am still confined to learned sword techniques. So, you have already surpassed me... Today is the last day, and it should end."
As she spoke, Tashigi walked to Yubashiri's side and took it into her hand.
As a sword fanatic, her heart was filled with a bit more joy because of this Yubashiri.
Because starting today, this Yubashiri would belong exclusively to her. This was what she deserved, because in these three months, she had taught Moke swordsmanship without reservation.
Then she looked at Moke again: "I know that you've been holding back for the past half month. Before you leave, can you show me your own technique?"
Moke nodded upon hearing this. He bent his knees slightly, assuming a drawing-the-sword stance.
The next second, he and the Sandai Kitetsu in his hand simultaneously released Ghost Cutter energy. Even his eyes had turned dark green.
"One Sword Style - Ghost Flame Flash!"
Instantly, Moke vanished from Tashigi's sight. When he reappeared, he was three or four meters behind Tashigi, slowly sheathing Sandai Kitetsu.
"Boom..."
At the same time, a three-meter-tall tree next to Tashigi was cut down. And on this severed tree, a purple flame with hints of green ignited.
It began to burn rapidly.
Of course, this ghost flame was formed from Ghost Cutter energy.
Tashigi, however, widened her eyes, her gaze filled with shock. This guy, just three months ago, couldn't even swing a sword correctly. But now... he was already unleashing such a powerful sword technique.
She feared he was only a step away from the realm of a Sword Master.
Let alone her, even Moke himself was sometimes quite puzzled. Why did he possess such absurd swordsmanship talent? After much thought,
he could only come up with one rather unreliable possibility.
That was, he had absorbed Sandai Kitetsu and transformed into a "Ghost Cutter Swordsman," which was why he possessed such outstanding talent in swordsmanship.
Of course, there was another possibility.
He originally possessed such talent in swordsmanship. It was just that in his previous life, he simply had no opportunity to cultivate it...
However, he leaned more towards the former.
"Thump, thump, thump..."
At this moment, a series of footsteps sounded, and Moke and Tashigi simultaneously looked over.
Upon seeing the newcomer, both of them were taken aback. Because the person who came was none other than Captain Smoker.
Although Moke knew he would meet him sooner or later, he hadn't expected it to be here, in this manner.
Tashigi, however, felt a bit guilty.
But the next second, both of them were dumbfounded. They heard Smoker first say to Tashigi: "Is this your boyfriend?"
Speaking, he scrutinized Moke for a few moments, then coldly said to Moke: "You brat, since you're with Tashigi, then be considerate to her. How can a grown man argue with his own woman?"
"Huh???"
Moke looked utterly bewildered.
Tashigi was also utterly bewildered, but then her face immediately flushed. She first glanced at Moke, then immediately ran towards Smoker and explained: "Captain Smoker, it's not what you think. I'm just here to teach swordsmanship!"
"You teach him swordsmanship?"
Smoker looked disbelieving; he had just seen that kid's sword strike.
It was quite impressive.
Even if he were placed in Marineford, he could easily become a Lieutenant Commander. Although Tashigi also had considerable talent in swordsmanship, she was still too green now.
With her current strength, it would be more appropriate for this kid to teach her.
Smoker's expression deeply stung Tashigi's heart. However, she still explained the whole situation to Smoker.
"What?"
After listening, Smoker couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. When he looked at Moke again, his gaze had changed.
With an incredulous expression, he said: "So, this guy is also a Devil Fruit user? So, this guy went from having no swordsmanship to his current level in just three months?"
Alright!
Moke's swordsmanship talent truly astonished him. One must know that he was a disciple of Zephyr. To his knowledge, neither his generation nor the generations above and below him had produced such a monstrous individual.
Among all of Zephyr's students, only Kizaru, Akainu, and Aokiji had such monstrous talent!
"Whew...."
Smoker took a deep drag from his cigar, then exhaled. For a moment, smoke billowed... but it also calmed him down quite a bit.
At this moment, when he looked at Moke, it was as if he was looking at a priceless treasure.
"Are you interested in joining the Marine? If you are willing, I will personally recommend you to Marineford. With your talent and strength, I can't guarantee too much, but a Marineford Lieutenant Commander position is certainly possible. Of course, this is just your starting point..."