One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

"Hehehe... it's all a misunderstanding..."

Wright laughed awkwardly. He'd casually mentioned something as his mood struck, but who would've thought that this blue pheasant liked eavesdropping at the door?

"Come in. If you hadn't, I was just about to head back to sleep."

Kuzan stepped aside, letting them into the office. He plopped into his chair, tossing the eyepatch he'd just been holding onto the desk.

"So, the three of you came together. What's going on?"

"Hahaha, senior brother, you were just named an admiral candidate! Of course, we're here to congratulate you," Wright said with a grin, stepping forward.

Since Kuzan had brought up their brotherly ties, Wright naturally went along with it. He was well aware that, unlike when he'd first joined G-3 under Garp's lead, his current strength and reputation were now enough to earn Kuzan's recognition.

"Arara... coming to congratulate me empty-handed, huh?" Kuzan quipped with a chilly humor.

"Senior brother, how about this: I'll give you a grand 'Great Sword' as a gift!" Wright raised his hand, and a pillar of golden light descended onto Kuzan.

While Kuzan was still pondering what a "Great Sword" could mean, a divine radiance enveloped him. In an instant, he felt invigorated; minor discomforts and old injuries healed swiftly.

"Hmm... ha~ah!" Kuzan stretched lazily, yawning. "Not bad, not bad. That feels quite refreshing... makes me want to sleep even more."

Wait—Vice Admiral, isn't this supposed to make you feel energized? What's with this strange reaction?

"Kuzan-senpai, I'm planning to transfer to Wright's ship," Smoker said, stuffing three cigars into his mouth.

"Uh..."

Kuzan looked at Wright, exasperated. "Didn't you say this was a misunderstanding?"

"..."

Wright shrugged. "Well... that's unexpected. Smoker mentioned before that he wanted to lead his own crew."

"What? You don't want him?"

"How could I not? Of course I do!"

"Hehe, so you're really poaching him from me, huh?"

"..."

Kuzan sighed. "Alright, alright, I'm just messing with you. This candidate-for-admiral position isn't exactly news. You know as well as I do—Smoker isn't going to grow much under me here."

"If he leads his own crew, given his current strength, there's hardly anyone in his rank's jurisdiction who would be a challenge for him to pursue."

"So sending him to you isn't a bad choice. I approve."

Huh? That easy?

"Senior brother, you don't have to be this quick to accommodate us..." Wright scratched his head while Rosinante facepalmed beside him.

"Wright, it seems you've been so caught up with missions that you don't know much about Smoker's reputation over the years," Rosinante muttered.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Wright frowned. "I've been drowning in work—Garp's been slacking, Sengoku's been piling on tasks, and I still have to manage the supply of Lightforged Crystals for HQ. What's Smoker been up to?"

"Cough..." Smoker took a long drag on his cigars, nearly choking. Kuzan shot him a glance, then said helplessly, "Your dear friend here is notorious on our side of the sea."

"Reckless, insubordinate, openly defies orders—he's been involved in all sorts of trouble. Do you know what they call him outside?"

"The Navy's Mad Dog!"

"If I hadn't been holding the reins, he'd have been reassigned to some backwater branch long ago."

"Wow..."

Wright stared at the expressionless Smoker, jaw dropped. "Big bro, you're living my dream! You've done everything I've wanted to but couldn't pull off!"

"If there's ever a day I can defy Garp and leave him helpless... tsk, that'd be incredible!" Wright seemed to drift into some wild fantasy.

"..."

Kuzan silently felt grateful.

If Garp wasn't your superior, you wouldn't be any easier to handle than Smoker. Seriously, both of you...

"Well, I was wondering how to deal with this troublemaker, and here you are. I'll leave him to you," Kuzan said lazily.

"Sure thing, senior brother. You're hesitant to bully him, but I've got no problem beating sense into him!" Wright waved dismissively, not noticing Smoker's darkening expression.

"Rosinante..."

"Yes, Vice Admiral Kuzan!"

"Eh, drop the formality—call me senior brother too. I hear your ability works wonders for sleep. Before you go, let me try it out!"

"...Alright, senior brother. You won't be disappointed."

After leaving Vice Admiral Kuzan, who eagerly returned to his nap, the trio wandered through the headquarters' food stalls.

"Hey, Rosinante, I heard your brother hates barbecue. Do you hate it too?" Wright asked, skewering meat with gusto.

"Yeah... probably childhood trauma. But I was younger back then, so it didn't stick with me," Rosinante replied while tearing into a skewer.

"No, you look like you're venting some deep-seated emotions on those skewers," Smoker said, puffing away as he somehow managed to eat and smoke simultaneously.

"Your brother got played last time—it was hilarious! Next time we meet, let's bring him to a barbecue for laughs!"

"..."

As they joked, Wright's expression suddenly stiffened. His hand, holding a skewer, froze mid-air.

"What's wrong?"

Rosinante and Smoker noticed the change, their expressions turning serious.

"...A Lightforged Beacon Crystal has been triggered. I need to check it out," Wright said, exhaling.

"A Beacon Crystal?" Rosinante's eyes widened—he had personally witnessed its miraculous power before. "Does this mean a high-ranking officer is in danger?"

"What's going on?" Smoker asked, still confused since his rank didn't grant him access to information about these crystals.

"No... the crystal points toward the East Blue." Wright's expression turned complex. "I'll head there first. Rosinante, report to Sengoku for me. Garp's likely already involved... and handle Smoker's transfer for now. I'll contact Sengoku soon."

With a flourish of golden, resplendent wings, Wright soared into the sky amid a flurry of astonished exclamations:

"Lord Wright!"

"So cool!"

"Ah! My eyes!"

"A few months ago, a Beacon Crystal was triggered during the Celestial Dragon's visit to the Goa Kingdom. That time, it was undoubtedly Sabo."

Flying swiftly toward the Calm Belt, Wright calculated inwardly:

"This time, the crystal... no doubt, it's Kuina!"

A golden streak tore across the sky as Wright accelerated.

"The three-year promise is near. My calculations were correct..."

"Sensei must have followed the instructions in my letter. Kuina should be safe for now. Serious injuries are inevitable, but with timely treatment, her life shouldn't be at risk."

"No wound is insurmountable... World's Greatest Swordsman? Perhaps that title will elude her, for I stand in her way. But a grandmaster swordsman? That's still within reach!"

"I'll be there soon!"

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