Ian snapped back irritably. "That swordsman from the Straw Hat Pirates!"
"The green-haired swordsman?"
Hearing Ian, Zephyr also recalled who it was and asked in a puzzled tone, "What's that guy doing coming to this godforsaken place? Wasn't he supposed to rescue Sanji?"
Before Ian could respond, Enel interrupted impatiently. "Hey, enough chatting. Do we need to drive that guy away?"
"… Forget it."
Ian thought for a moment and shook his head. "No need to make a big scene here. Let him come in! Besides, maybe he won't even find this place?"
"Whatever!"
Unable to understand what this guy intended, Enel gave up, yawned again, and lay back down.
Originally, hearing Ian mention the Big Mom Pirates, he thought they were there to confront that old lady and perhaps fight her to gauge his current strength against one of the Four Emperors.
But he hadn't expected it to be just to steal someone.
Had he known, he wouldn't have come!
At that moment, while Enel was feeling bored, Zoro had already arrived. It was unclear whether it was his tendency to get lost acting up, but despite there being many wide paths before him, he took the most secluded one.
Eventually, he arrived near the cave where Ian and others were hiding, looking puzzled.
"Huh? A cave? Where is this? Could Luffy and the others have gotten lost?"
Just after saying this, Zoro stepped into the cave and seemed to notice the people inside. His brow, previously furrowed, immediately became serious. Both hands went to his swords; his expression hardened, though a faint smile lingered on his lips. "Already discovered? Fine… I'll ask these guys where we are…"
However, before he could finish speaking, Zoro finally saw the four people inside the cave. His previously serious expression froze in surprise.
He stared dumbfounded at the four smiling faces before him, then glanced around the cave, and back again at the four still smiling. After a brief pause, he asked, "How are you guys here?"
"No, we should be asking you how you're here!"
Before Zephyr could say anything, Ian spoke directly while looking at Zoro with a puzzled expression.
"Did Luffy and the others leave something behind, so you came back to get it?"
"Leave something behind? What are you talking about?"
Zoro withdrew his hands from his swords, looking confused at Ian. But soon, he lost interest. "Forget it, let's not talk about that. Do you know where this is?"
"Of course, we know! This is Ohara!"
"Ohara? That sounds kind of familiar…"
"Of course it's familiar! Didn't I tell you? This is my territory, the Ohara in West Blue!"
Ian frowned while looking at Zoro with confusion.
Zoro: "...?"
Hearing Ian's words, Zoro, who had been looking resigned, was completely stunned. His eyes widened, mouth agape, displaying a shocked and disbelieving expression. "Y-you… you're saying this is… the West Blue?"
Kneeling directly on the ground, hands on the floor, Zoro's entire body seemed to sink into despair, as if drained of all strength while muttering to himself, "Damn it… How did I end up in the West Blue?!"
Was his… navigational incompetence really this severe?
"Hahaha!"
At this moment, the laughter of the four instantly echoed throughout the cave.
Zoro, who had been kneeling on the ground, had already stood up. He looked at the four in front of him with a face full of grievance, even gnashing his teeth as he stared at Ian, who was laughing the hardest.
"You!!!"
"Alright, alright, it's just a joke."
"That's not funny at all! You nearly scared me to death!"
"Don't be so stiff in the future."
Ian didn't pay attention to Zoro's face, which kept turning blue and black, and continued smiling. "Being bad with directions isn't a big deal!"
"I'm not bad with directions!"
Zoro roared angrily, his face dark. At this moment, he wanted nothing more than to cut down the four in front of him, but he held back, took a deep breath, and spoke seriously. "So, this place is still the territory of the Big Mom Pirates, huh!"
"Yes!"
"Phew!"
After receiving the confirmation, Zoro exhaled heavily. Damn it, he had almost really thought his poor sense of direction could take him straight back to the West Blue!
"What are you doing here?"
Zoro said, seemingly recalling something. His expression turned serious as he looked earnestly at Ian, speaking in an anxious tone. "No, Mr. Ian, could I ask you—"
"Stop, wait! I know what you want to say, but there's no need to say it."
Before Zoro could finish, Ian interrupted him with a smile. "You hope I can help you bring Sanji back, right? Well, I'm sorry, but I refuse."
Seeing that Zoro wanted to say more, Ian continued, "No need to speak further. I won't agree to any request. We have important matters to handle ourselves this time, and…"
His expression turned serious as he looked Zoro in the eye. "Roronoa Zoro! Have you forgotten your dream of going to sea? At the Enies Lobby and Sabaody Archipelago, you needed rescuing, and so was the public execution. Whenever trouble comes, you expect someone else to help. Are you planning to have someone help you all the way, helping you achieve your own dream?"
Zoro: "...?!"
As soon as these words fell, Zoro froze in place, his eyes wide. At that moment, his mind jolted, as if struck by some shock.
But in just a blink, he recovered. The corner of his resolute face lifted slightly, and his gaze became firm. "Stop joking. Who needs your help? You should know I'm going to become the strongest swordsman in the world! I just wanted to ask for directions earlier!"
"Turn left ahead and go ten kilometers forward; you'll meet your comrades."
"Got it."
Hearing Ian's words, Zoro didn't hesitate. As soon as he stepped into the cave, he turned and strode out with firm steps. But just as he placed one foot forward, he paused. "Still, I should thank you for the directions, Ian the God of Sun!"
Why go to the sea…
He had almost forgotten!
After saying that, he didn't stop again and continued walking with determined steps.
Seeing this, Zephyr showed a satisfied smile and nodded. "Not bad. Perhaps he really can become the strongest swordsman in the world."
But just as he said that, Enel, still lying down, yawned and said, "Let's not worry about whether he'll become the strongest swordsman in the world. It seems he's lost his way again; he goes to the right instead of the left. Should we remind him?"
Zephyr: "...?"
Zephyr's smile stiffened as he looked at Enel in disbelief. "He just left, and yet he already got lost?!"
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