One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

Under the sharp, knife-like gazes of the onlookers, Wright remained unfazed. Leisurely, he led two identical sword-wielding guards—young women—into a restaurant and booked a private room.

After inviting Tashigi to order, Wright encouraged Kuina to pick her favorites as well. Finally, he selected a few dishes himself and handed the menu to the waiter. "All of these, ten servings each!" he said casually.

The waiter left with a cheerful smile. After all, the staff in Loguetown were used to serving all kinds of big eaters—this request was hardly surprising.

"Um… sir, isn't this a bit too much food?" Tashigi whispered, her face still slightly flushed.

"Relax, this is nothing for Senior Brother," Kuina replied with a chuckle. "He can go three days without eating or eat three days' worth in one sitting. It's all the same to him—ha!"

Gods, that's probably true! Wright's appetite rivaled that of old man Garp!

Intrigued, Kuina turned to Tashigi. "Tashigi, right? I'm Kuina, and this is my senior brother, Vice Admiral Wright of Marine Headquarters. We're visiting Loguetown today for a tour!"

"What?!"

Tashigi's jaw dropped. "A Vice Admiral… from Marine Headquarters? Wright?"

"Oh? So you've heard of me?" Wright said with a faint smile.

"How could I not?!"

Stars practically sparkled in Tashigi's eyes. "You're the most legendary pirate hunter in the East Blue, the youngest Vice Admiral in Marine Headquarters! With your incredible swordsmanship, miraculous healing abilities, and the unparalleled blade Ashes, you're one of the strongest defenders of the East Blue!"

Wright scratched his head awkwardly. Another fan girl. Great.

"Ha! I knew it!" Kuina exclaimed with a grin. "I told you, Senior Brother—mention your name, and Tashigi was bound to know it. She's a swordswoman too, right? How many swordsmen in the East Blue don't know your name?"

As various dishes were brought to the table, Wright motioned for the two to dig in. It had been a long time since he last enjoyed Loguetown's unique cuisine.

"So, Tashigi, why are you here in Loguetown? Is there anything we can help you with?" Kuina asked warmly, clearly fond of the girl who looked exactly like her—especially since she was also a rare female swordsman.

"I… I came here to join the Marines!" Tashigi adjusted her glasses. "Vice Admiral Wright, despite the recent reinforcements in the East Blue, pirates continue to sail these waters unchecked.

"Ever since I was little, I've admired your stories. I've vowed to wield my sword to uphold justice!"

Her voice faltered as her face reddened again. "But… the Marines stationed in Loguetown seem different from the other branches. I… I haven't been able to meet the officer in charge."

Both Wright and Kuina were momentarily speechless. Wright cleared his throat, setting down his fork.

"Well… that's true. The Loguetown Marines fall directly under Headquarters jurisdiction, so their recruitment process is also handled by Headquarters," he explained. "That said, we're about to head back to Headquarters ourselves. If you're serious about joining, you can come with us."

Wright glanced at the sword beside Tashigi. "That blade of yours—it's at least a fine-grade sword, isn't it? For a swordsman capable of wielding such a weapon, you shouldn't have any problems in Headquarters."

"Thank you, Vice Admiral Wright!" Tashigi's face lit up in delight. The idea of being personally escorted to Marine Headquarters by Wright himself was beyond her wildest dreams.

"My swordsmanship foundation isn't strong," she admitted, gently brushing the sheath of her blade. "This fine-grade sword, Shigure, came into my hands by sheer luck…"

Her tone became more determined. "But I've always had one dream—to collect every famous blade stolen by evildoers and return them to their rightful owners!"

"An admirable dream!" Wright remarked, glancing at the now-empty plates around them. In the brief exchange, most of the food had already been devoured.

"Achieving that dream will require relentless effort," he continued. "As for swordsmanship, don't worry. Headquarters has plenty of skilled instructors. As long as you stay true to your convictions, your dream will one day come true."

"Thank you, Vice Admiral Wright!"

Tashigi hesitated briefly before asking softly, "Vice Admiral Wright… I couldn't help but notice earlier. Is that blade Kuina is carrying the Wado Ichimonji?"

"That's right. You're quite knowledgeable about famous swords," Wright replied.

"This is amazing… to see one of the 21 Great Grade Swords in person!"

"Well, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Now, let's finish eating. Once we're full, we'll head back to Headquarters!"

"Yes, sir!"

The journey back to Headquarters aboard the warship was lively, thanks to several comical incidents.

After testing Tashigi's swordsmanship, Wright officially allowed her to enlist. Kuina, after changing into her Marine uniform back on the ship, brought an identical set for Tashigi.

At that point, there was virtually no way to tell them apart—even their uniforms matched perfectly. To make matters worse, Tashigi occasionally pushed her glasses up onto her forehead to relax her eyes, making the resemblance downright uncanny.

Once back at Headquarters, Wright arranged for a Marine to assist Tashigi with her enlistment paperwork. He then prepared to depart for the G-5 Branch.

For Wright, however, "departure" was as simple as blinking an eye.

Seated in his office shortly after, Wright decided to check on an ongoing matter.

"Without Rosinante here, it feels strange not having the soundproof barrier," he muttered, activating his Observation Haki to ensure no one was around. Picking up a secure white Den Den Mushi, he dialed Morgans.

"Mr. President, how's the progress?" he asked casually.

"Everything is going smoothly, Vice Admiral!" Morgans' confident voice chirped from the other end. "You've probably noticed already—recent coverage about you has been deliberately downplayed."

"Moving forward, your reputation will be quietly managed, and when the time is right, it'll explode in the most impactful way possible. Trust me, it'll be worth the wait."

"As expected of you, Mr. President," Wright chuckled. "Honestly, I'm still surprised you chose me as your partner. You must have a lot of faith in your instincts."

"Of course!" Morgans declared proudly. "There's nothing more exhilarating than crafting a story that shakes the world. Your potential is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm already excited about what's to come!"

"Giving the higher-ups a 'surprise' they can't refuse… I get shivers just thinking about it," Morgans added with a gleeful tone. "Your vision is absolutely brilliant, Vice Admiral Wright!"

"Glad to hear that. Here's to a fruitful partnership."

"To a fruitful partnership!"

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