One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

"Hahaha! Wright! Little Kuina really likes Mt. Corvo!"

Ace was just about to ask in detail about the things Garp had never told him regarding the Pirate King when Garp's booming voice interrupted.

Dragging a massive tiger behind him, Garp approached with Kuina in tow, both Wright and Ace staring at him with dark expressions.

Kuina excitedly ran to Wright's side. "Senior brother! The tigers here are so big! I had to slash at it several times before I could take it down! But Grandpa Garp said killing it like that ruined the pelt…"

Wright rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Garp, old man! What did you tell me over the Den Den Mushi?!"

"Huh?"

Garp paused, letting go of the tiger, which landed with a loud thud.

Scratching his head, he replied, "Oh yeah, I think I said I was bringing Kuina over to teach these two brats a lesson... But no worries, we can do that tomorrow. Let's eat first!"

Laughing heartily, Garp gestured toward the dead tiger, its eyes still wide open. Wright sighed helplessly.

"Ace, we'll talk about your situation later."

The next day, Ace and Luffy, brimming with energy, showed up early at the training site—only to be thoroughly beaten by Kuina.

Yes, they got beaten.

Using a bamboo sword, Kuina started by easily overpowering Luffy. Though the bamboo sword didn't hurt his rubber body, it still sent him flying repeatedly.

When it was Ace's turn, his superior strength and speed gave Kuina a bit more trouble. However, Ace had abandoned his dagger in favor of close combat, which proved to be a poor choice against Kuina. Her extensive experience in dealing with melee combatants left him at a complete disadvantage.

Ace's past opponents—thugs and small-time pirates wielding weapons—were no match for Kuina, whose swordsmanship came from a prestigious lineage. While he lasted longer than Luffy, Ace was ultimately taken down by Kuina's "Ittoryu (One Sword Style): Mountain Splitter," leaving him unable to get up for quite some time.

"How about it, brats?" Garp roared with laughter. "Don't think you can make a name for yourselves on the seas with just those measly skills! Now you've seen how strong a truly excellent Marine recruit can be!"

Well, this year, aside from Kuina, there weren't many recruits this strong...

Although Wright was tempted to say as much, he held back. After all, for kids like Ace and Luffy to endure Garp's hellish "training" and grow as they had was already remarkable.

"Garp, old man, comparing pure combat strength is too one-sided. How about I take them on a little tour of the surrounding villages?"

Wright understood that Garp still hadn't given up on shaping his grandsons into Marines. Unfortunately, his methods were a bit too… crude.

Wright, in the past, had no intention of interfering with the fates of Ace, Luffy, and Sabo. As long as they didn't descend into evil, he didn't mind if they chose to be pirates. After all, how many pirates had become so by choice? And how many pirates were labeled as such simply because they threatened the World Government?

There were pirates who embodied valor and righteousness, even acting as protectors of their communities. But Wright's experience as a Marine Vice Admiral had taught him some hard truths.

Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, Akainu, Kizaru, Aokiji—these stalwarts of justice each had their unique ways of handling things. Their perspectives, shaped by their roles, allowed them to see truths hidden from most.

For Wright, it boiled down to this: the moment you raised a pirate flag, you became a pirate. Whether or not you committed evil directly, the existence of pirates inherently disrupted the world and carried consequences.

Meanwhile, the World Government and the Celestial Dragons had no regard for the Marines' sense of justice. They treated the Navy as their front-facing tool—less significant than even CP agents. They cared nothing for solving the problem of piracy and instead perpetuated tragedies to serve their selfish interests.

All they wanted was balance—a stagnant, lifeless equilibrium. As long as the populace obeyed, the Celestial Dragons maintained their dominion, delighting in their unchanging theater of control for eight centuries.

Roger's final act upended this era, disrupting the balance. The ancient drama of the world was entering its climactic conclusion.

Thus, Sengoku bore the burden of "Absolute Justice" as Fleet Admiral.

Garp upheld his principles, even against his family.

Akainu enforced ruthless justice, eradicating evil with an iron fist.

Kizaru remained detached, fulfilling his role as a mere tool.

And Aokiji, disillusioned, ultimately chose to leave.

Each made their own choice, seeing truths invisible to others. Wright himself was beginning to peel back the layers of the world's facade, uncovering its hidden realities.

"Diminishing piracy, strengthening the Navy, and forging alliances—these steps are unavoidable."

Wright pondered silently, glancing at the three children.

"Let's go. We're visiting nearby islands and villages to hear what the people think of pirates and Marines."

...

"Pirates? Those scumbags! If I had the strength, I'd kill every last one of them!"

"Pirates who don't commit evil? Hah! Maybe they exist, but we've never met one!"

"I… I've been helped by pirates before. But I swore never to reveal their identity."

"Marines? My brother was a Marine sergeant. He gave his life to save civilians. I idolize him! When I grow up, I'll join the Navy too!"

"Corrupt Marines? Yeah, I've seen them. Some were worse than pirates! What's the point of knowing their names?"

"I've admired the Marines since I was little. Bringing evil to justice is my dream… but I was injured and lost my chance. My son, though, will succeed!"

After touring the nearby islands and villages—and cleaning up a few corrupt Marines—Wright returned to Foosha Village with the kids in tow.

On the way back toward Mt. Corvo, Wright turned to the three and asked what they had learned.

"I'm going to be the Pirate King!" Luffy declared, clutching his straw hat. "I promised Shanks! The Pirate King is the freest person in the world, and I want an adventure like no other!

"No matter if they're Marines or pirates, if they're my enemies, I'll knock them out!"

Wright massaged his forehead, despairing for Luffy's single-mindedness.

"My goal is to become the world's greatest swordsman!" Kuina said firmly. "At first, I joined the Navy just to grow stronger and break my limits—probably because I've never faced true hardship."

"But after my battles and training in the Navy, and hearing the voices of the people... I've decided my blade will only strike down the wicked. I'll wield it for justice!"

Wright nodded. Kuina's desire to grow stronger had evolved into something more profound. Her new goal would solidify her resolve and push her further.

As for a certain moss-headed swordsman… in the original story, his goals of becoming the greatest swordsman and helping Luffy become Pirate King worked hand in hand.

Now, Wright mused, who knew what path he would take?

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