Luffy: Only true best friends last a lifetime!

Time flowed by like a gentle stream.

Zoro had traveled further and further down the path of sword-flight. The poor lad had been completely hoodwinked by Chu Bawang. Through Chu Bawang’s persistent "sword-nurturing technique," the Wado Ichimonji had finally developed a sword spirit! Or perhaps, one could call it a blade spirit.

"Bawang! I can feel it! I can truly feel it! The sword is communicating with me!" Zoro cradled the Wado Ichimonji, his face radiant with ecstasy. Had it not been for the magnificent vision of "Sword Come" deeply imprinted in his mind, he might have given up long ago. Now, the moment of harvest had finally arrived. Chu Bawang had not lied to him after all; it was truly possible to nurture a sword spirit!

"I shall fly by sword." After some communication, Zoro successfully gained the acknowledgement of the Wado Ichimonji’s spirit, allowing him to stand upon the blade and soar through the air.

"My goodness, there really is such a thing as a sword spirit in this world! Sword-flight—that is so cool!" Usopp stared, dumbfounded, at the Wado Ichimonji rising higher and higher, his eyes filled with envy. Alas, he lacked the talent for the way of the sword. Otherwise, he would definitely have mastered such a dashing feat himself.

In reality, this sword spirit was purely a product of Chu Bawang’s own doing. Chu Bawang had not anticipated that after Zoro succeeded, the style of the world’s swordsmen would take a bizarre turn. Hawk-Eye Mihawk began carrying his Black Blade Yoru everywhere—eating, sleeping, and even bathing with it. Fujitora started meticulously polishing his beloved blade every day, reciting deep, affectionate poetry to it. Shanks spent his days whispering to his sword, "Give me some face, give me some face, just give me some face!"

However, they were destined to be disappointed, for Zoro’s sword spirit was a creation of Chu Bawang alone. Without Chu Bawang’s help, let alone the Wado Ichimonji, not even the Black Blade Yoru could have developed a soul. This led to Zoro becoming the most mysterious "World’s Greatest Swordsman" in legend. After all, the ability to nurture a sword spirit was proof enough of how terrifying his strength must be. Yet, the historical truth was that it was merely an unintentional act by Chu Bawang.

With the sword spirit, Zoro became even more obsessed with his path. He insisted on consulting his sword spirit, Xiao Wen, about everything.

"Hey, Xiao Wen, I’m going to eat now."
"Hey, Xiao Wen, I’m going to rest, goodnight."
"Hey, Xiao Wen, I want to fly by sword today!"

Luffy felt as if he had taken ten thousand points of critical damage. *My best bud seems to have fallen in love with a sword? Damn it! A person and a sword can’t be together! Only best buds are for life!*

In the small study, Chu Bawang and Kaya were enjoying a quiet moment.

"Bawang... although I don’t know what methods you used to make the Wado Ichimonji develop a spirit, I feel like Zoro’s current state is a bit off. The boy’s intelligence is already questionable; couldn't you stop pulling his leg?"

Chu Bawang coughed awkwardly and grinned. "How could I be lying to him? He will soon master the essence of 'Sword Come'! Look, he can already achieve sword-flight!"

Seeing Kaya about to protest further, Chu Bawang impatiently sealed her lips with his. "Now, are you satisfied? Do you still think I’m misleading him?"

Kaya’s face flushed like a red apple. "You... you’re cheating!"

"What, you’re still not satisfied?"

"Don't... don't mess around, there are people outside."

"Rest assured, I’ve set up a soundproofing wall. They can’t hear anything from the study."

Two thousand words of indescribable events are omitted here.

The weather was sunny and full of spring. Usopp stood on high, scanning the surroundings with his binoculars. "Luffy! There’s a floating restaurant ahead!"

Upon hearing the word "restaurant," Luffy zoomed to the bow, nearly knocking Usopp into the sea. "A floating restaurant? Where! We need a cook anyway; maybe we can poach one from there!"

A black line appeared on Usopp’s forehead. *Luffy is probably the only person who can talk about poaching talent so brazenly. That skin of his really is thick.*

Nami asked curiously, "Where is Bawang? Why isn’t he playing the piano at this hour? I’d love to hear 'Kiss the Rain' a billion more times!"

"They’re in the study. They’ve been there for two hours already!" Luffy’s dense, straightforward nature was etched into his bones. He didn’t stop to consider why Chu Bawang, who was usually incapable of sitting still, would be staying so quietly in the study.

"Two... two hours?" Nami’s face reddened. They say girls mature faster—it seems that’s true.

Zoro stumbled out of the room with dark circles under his eyes.

Luffy asked in confusion, "What’s wrong with Zoro? He looks like he didn’t sleep well."

Usopp replied in despair, "He spent the entire night chatting with his sword spirit, Xiao Wen! Even I couldn’t get a good night’s sleep!"