Upon hearing this, Moke shook his head.
Although joining the Marine was not bad, it lacked too much freedom. Just like Smoker in front of him, if Marineford told him to stay in Loguetown, then he had to stay in Loguetown.
Most importantly, Moke did not want to be subservient to others. He certainly did not want to become a lackey of the Celestial Dragons...
So he shook his head without hesitation: "Thank you for your high regard, but my ambition lies elsewhere."
As soon as these words were spoken, Smoker's expression changed slightly. The look in his eyes towards Moke also became sharper. Because in this world, if a person does not become a Marine, he becomes a pirate.
Other possibilities are extremely small.
Therefore, this young man in front of him, by refusing so decisively, most likely had already made up his mind to go out to sea and become a pirate.
And with this young man's talent, once he became a pirate, he would definitely become a major threat.
This was not what he wanted to see.
However, at this time, Moke was not yet a pirate, nor had he done anything illegal or harmed anyone. His principles prevented him from eliminating this future hidden danger under such circumstances.
“Sigh....”
In the end, Smoker could not help but sigh, thinking to himself: "I hope this young man, for the sake of Tashigi, does not go astray!"
“Colonel Smoker...”
Just at this moment, a Marine soldier rapidly approached.
“Huh?”
Smoker's brows furrowed: "What happened?"
Marine soldier: "We found the Straw Hat..."
"Straw Hat Pirates?!!!"
Smoker was a little surprised at first, then his eyes became sharp. Because in his opinion, such a guy must not be allowed to leave the East Blue.
Otherwise, if he grew up, he would definitely become an existence that even the Marine would have a headache over.
It should be known that a month ago, Luffy defeated Arlong and was offered a bounty of 30 million Berries, becoming the pirate with the highest bounty in the East Blue. This was his first bounty...
Naturally, he became a special focus for the Marine in Loguetown.
“Swish....”
At this, even Tashigi and Moke both looked over. Tashigi because she knew that the Straw Hat had an excellent swordsman.
But Moke became excited.
He muttered to himself: "They're finally here... Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, Nami, Usopp... Today will definitely be an interesting day."
He was already impatient.
Smoker turned to Tashigi and said: "Tashigi, let's go!"
Tashigi: "Yes, Colonel Smoker!"
She immediately followed Smoker, but as she passed Moke, her eyes fell on him, looking very complicated.
Moke, however, seemed not to notice, just quietly watching her leave. Then he pointed his hand at the sun in the sky, feeling the warmth of the sunlight on his hand.
Light elements were immediately absorbed.
Immediately, Moke once again transformed into a light-element body. After absorbing Sandai Kitetsu and making it a permanent ability, he could still absorb other substances to transform his body when activating the Absorption Fruit ability.
However, when not using the ability, he would revert to the "Ghost Cutter Sword Man" state.
“Swish....”
Moke transformed into a beam of light and headed directly towards the center of Loguetown.
“What was that?”
Because Moke did not deliberately try to avoid it. Both Smoker and Tashigi noticed the existence of the beam of light. Their pupils simultaneously contracted, and they were both very puzzled.
Especially Smoker, because in his opinion, this beam of light looked very much like a Logia user, just like him.
.......
Moke quickly arrived in town and once again came to that weapon shop. Because he knew that Roronoa Zoro would inevitably still go to that weapon shop.
Indeed, when he walked into the weapon shop again.
Roronoa Zoro was already inside the weapon shop, but Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri had already been intercepted by him, so there were no famous swords in this shop.
So, in the end, he only bought two swords worth fifty thousand Berries.
Of course, another reason was that he had no money. Otherwise, he would not have bought the worst swords in the shop!
When the weapon shop owner saw Moke arrive, his eyes lit up: "Honored guest, what would you like to buy this time?"
When the boss saw Moke, it was as if he was looking at shining gold!
Moke chuckled: "I didn't come to buy a sword this time...."
Then he pointed at Roronoa Zoro: "I came for him."
“Huh?”
Roronoa Zoro looked surprised, then carefully sized up Moke. But after much thought, he couldn't remember where he had seen him.
However, his gaze soon fell on the Sandai Kitetsu at Moke's waist.
His pupils slightly contracted. Although he didn't know what kind of sword it was, as a swordsman, his intuition told him it was a good famous sword.
At the same time, he felt a similar aura from Moke.
That was unique to swordsmen.
The corners of his mouth could not help but curve slightly, as he had already guessed the other party's intention.
His hand also subconsciously rested on Wado Ichimonji. At the same time, he said with some excitement: "If you want to fight, then fight...."
The boss was slightly stunned, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Roronoa Zoro and Moke, and then he also reacted.
He immediately said: "Behind my shop, there is a small sword practice area, how about...."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning in his words was already clear.
Moke and Roronoa Zoro both nodded: "Good!"
It could be said they had excellent tacit understanding.
The two followed the boss, walked through the door behind the counter, passed through a small storeroom, and arrived at a sword practice area of about fifty square meters.
Moke and Roronoa Zoro exchanged glances, then nodded in satisfaction.
This place was already enough for them to spar.
The two successively came to the middle of the sword practice area, standing about four or five meters apart. They both assumed a sword-drawing stance.....
Roronoa Zoro's gaze once again fell on Sandai Kitetsu, knowing very well that it was a good sword, and the two ordinary swords in his hand, which could not be more ordinary, would probably not be able to withstand it.
"Then I'll use One Sword Style!"
His sword-drawing posture changed, his right hand gripping the hilt of Wado Ichimonji.
The next second, both of them drew their swords simultaneously and then charged towards each other. They both simultaneously slashed at each other, and Wado Ichimonji and Sandai Kitetsu clashed fiercely.
Under the powerful force, both sides were pushed back a few steps.
This sword strike was evenly matched.
Moke and Roronoa Zoro's eyes both lit up. Moke because he had an accurate assessment of his own swordsmanship strength.
At the same time, he was also happy, happy that his swordsmanship strength was already on the same starting line as the sword geniuses of this world.
Moreover, with the blessing of the Devil Fruit and the training of the past three months, in terms of strength... he was already not inferior to Roronoa Zoro.
His state of mind completely sublimated at this moment.
His aura also changed, becoming sharper, and his whole person was like a drawn sharp sword.
Roronoa Zoro naturally also felt Moke's change, but he did not retreat, instead, his fighting spirit grew stronger. Because, this guy in front of him was the strongest swordsman he had met in the East Blue.
Of course, excluding that guy with a pair of Hawkeye.