Uchiha Puppet Master, Starting from One Piece.

Unohana Retsu walked slowly to the three of them. Her white haori fluttered gently in the sea breeze. She didn't say anything more, but simply paced gently beside them.

Retsu Unohana's voice rang out beside the three: "The key to sword Zen lies in sincerity and tranquility. Sincerity means being honest with Asauchi and with yourself, without harboring any distracting thoughts or concealing your true self. Tranquility means having a calm mind, not being disturbed by past victories or future obsessions. Only in this way can the imprint of the soul be deeply engraved in Asauchi, rather than just floating on the surface."

Retsu Unohana watched as the ashy knuckles on the three people's knees shimmered with different colors, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes.

These three people did indeed learn very quickly.

“Very good, you have all established the initial connection with Asauchi, but this is only the beginning. The cultivation of sword Zen is not something that can be achieved overnight, but rather through daily companionship and constant communication.”

"From now on, this light weapon must never leave your side. It must accompany you in eating, resting, cultivating, and fighting. Gradually engrave your intentions and your power into it, so that it becomes familiar with your soul and adapts to your power, until its soul and your soul are completely integrated and inseparable."

"When the asada fully accepts your soul imprint, it will gradually awaken its own form under the nourishment of your soul and heart."

Chapter 73 Europa Town

After drifting for more than ten days, until white sails dotted the harbor and the smoke from the chimneys of the streets mingled with the aroma of fruit and wheat and drifted towards the sea, Bai Yu and his group realized that they had arrived at the last major supply town before entering the Reversed Mountain in the Western Sea.

Europa, the last island in the Western Sea!

As the sound of the anchor sinking into the shallow sea subsided, the people on the deck had already packed up, and Bai Yu tied the Asauchi and Kusanagi swords to his waist.

After more than ten days of sword meditation, the emptiness within the sword had long since faded, replaced by a faint, almost imperceptible resonance.

"We've finally arrived in Europe!"

Matsumoto Rangiku stretched and relaxed, her golden curls brushing against her cheeks in the sea breeze, her eyes sparkling with joy, while also showcasing her great figure.

"Let's get this straight, I want a whole cabin full of wine today!"

Unlike Rangiku, the quiet Robin leaned against the ship's railing and closed her book, her demeanor as serene as a chrysanthemum—that perfectly describes Robin.

"I need some new nautical charts and historical books. Europa, as a major transit town, should yield many valuable information."

Connor clung to the ship's railing, swinging his little legs, looking around with his head tilted back and forth, his nose twitching slightly, his soft, sweet voice filled with anticipation: "I want sweets, lots and lots of honey cakes, fruit candies, and all kinds of pastries."

Retsu Unohana straightened her plain white haori and smiled gently: "Then let's split up. Shiraha-kun will be in charge of purchasing supplies, while Rangiku, Robin, Kanna, and I will go and buy clothes. If Shiraha-kun finishes early, you can come to the clothing store in the West District to find us."

Bai Yu agreed. Purchasing supplies was actually quite simple. All he needed to do was bring money, select the items, pay, and have the manufacturer deliver them to the ship.

The streets of Europa are paved with white flagstones, and shops line both sides of the street, with shouts of vendors rising and falling.

The first shop he turned into was a grocery store on the street corner. The dried goods and canned food in the shop were neatly arranged. The owner was a burly man with a thick beard. When he saw that he had come to buy supplies for the ship, he quickly packed him dried beef jerky, smoked fish, compressed biscuits, and purified water.

"Young man, are you going to cross the Upside-Down Mountain?" The shopkeeper smiled as he packed some seasonings for Bai Yu.

"My seasoning is moisture-resistant, so it's perfect for use at sea."

Bai Yu thanked them and then quickly went into the dessert shop next door.

The dessert shop window displayed all sorts of pastries: honey cakes decorated with buttercream, cookies covered in icing, and crystal-clear fruit candies—all the kinds Connor had been talking about.

The shop owner was a gentle proprietress. Seeing that he wanted to buy sweets for his child, she specially filled a whole box with honey cake, put various kinds of fruit candies in a glass jar, and even gave him some strawberry jam as a bonus.

Bai Yu bought a lot of sweets in small quantities.

"By the way, kids love all kinds of sweet sauces. They're especially sweet when spread on bread. You can buy more blueberry jam and mango jam."

"Eating too much is bad for your teeth."

"No problem, our jam is different..."

Uchiha Shiraha definitely didn't buy so many sweets and jams because of the proprietress's generosity...

As for the fruit wine and spirits that Rangiku specifically requested, brewed locally in the West Sea, the distillery's jars filled the entire room. The wines were mellow and not too strong, perfect for drinking at sea.

What made the boss happy was that all the drinks in his room were bought up today.

On the other side, Retsu Unohana led Rangiku, Robin, and Connor into a clothing store in the center of town. The store was filled with a dazzling array of fabrics, from light cotton and linen to thick wool. The proprietress also greeted them warmly.

"What would you ladies like to choose from? We have just received the most fashionable dresses from the West Sea, as well as lightweight styles suitable for wearing at sea."

Rangiku immediately spotted a burgundy, waist-revealing long dress. The flowing chiffon skirt accentuated her graceful figure. She held the dress up against herself and turned to ask, "Hana-nee, Robin, what do you think of this one?"

Robin chose a navy blue fitted long dress with light blue vine patterns embroidered on the neckline, simple yet elegant, perfectly matching her temperament.

Connor, however, was drawn to the bear-patterned dress in the corner. She tugged at Retsu Unohana's sleeve, pointed at the dress, and said in a soft, sweet voice, "I want this one...the bear one."

Retsu Unohana smiled and nodded, but her gaze fell on two particularly daring dresses. One was a pink short strapless top paired with high-waisted wide-leg pants in the same color, with a very low neckline and silver tassels tied at the waist.

The other one was a sky-blue halter dress with a slit up to the waist. The fabric was as thin as a cicada's wing, and when it clung to the body, the outline of the skin could be vaguely seen.

She reached out and took down the two pieces of clothing, handing them to Rangiku and Robin. Her smile remained gentle as she squinted and said, "Rangiku, this strapless top with wide-leg pants will definitely look neat and beautiful on you. It suits you very well. And Robin, the pattern of this suspender dress is very similar to the one you picked. The material is light and thin, so it will be cool to wear at sea."

Rangiku looked at the strapless top in her hand. The pink fabric barely covered her chest, and her face instantly turned red. She held the fabric in her hands for a long time, unable to speak: "Hana-neechan... this is too revealing! It's windy at sea, this is not suitable at all."

As for Robin, she was also clutching the slit dress, her eyes filled with astonishment. She always dressed simply and elegantly, and she had never even thought of such a daring style. She looked up at Retsu Unohana and saw that she was still smiling gently, but there was no sign of backing down in her eyes. For a moment, she was speechless.

As for the proprietress, in order to sell the clothes, she naturally chimed in, "Ladies, you all have such great figures, you'll definitely look good in these! This is our most popular style, and many noble ladies are scrambling to buy it!"

Rangiku and Robin exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes. They only knew that Unohana Retsu looked gentle and was very opinionated as the captain, but they never thought she had this side to her.

The fact that she would choose such a style for them left the two speechless. They could only blush and accept the clothes, secretly complaining in their hearts, yet unable to bear going against her wishes.

Seeing that the two had accepted the clothes, Retsu Unohana's smile deepened. She picked out two more children's clothes for Connor before turning to the shopkeeper and saying, "Besides these, take us to see some swimsuits. Once we cross Reverse Mountain, we'll be on the Grand Line. The sun is strong at sea, so we need to be prepared."

The proprietress immediately led the group into the inner room, where shelves were stocked with all kinds of swimsuits in various styles, including simple one-piece swimsuits, perfect for children, as well as daring bikinis.

Bai Yu had just finished purchasing some supplies and followed the direction to the clothing shop. After pushing open the door and confirming that his companions were all there, he went into the inner room.

Then he stumbled upon the scene inside, and his steps instinctively stopped. His gaze fell on the group of people, and he couldn't take his eyes off them for a moment.

Chapter 74 Swimsuit

Rangiku chose a white and pink bikini with a tie-up top that accentuated her snow-white skin and slender waist. Her golden curls cascaded over her shoulders, adding to her allure.

As for Robin, she still loved purple and predictably chose a purple two-piece swimsuit. The halter style accentuated her beautiful shoulder and neck lines, while the purple lace triangle swim trunks made her legs look even longer. Her eyes were downcast, and her ear tips had a hint of red, but it couldn't hide her elegant temperament. It can be said that although Robin's figure was already very impressive at this age, she still retained the charm of a young girl, which made Uchiha Hakuba take a second look.

As for Connor, she was also wearing a dark blue one-piece swimsuit, also known as a school swimsuit. Her round little face and short, chubby legs made her so cute that it melted people's hearts.

As for Retsu Unohana, she was holding up a moon-white backless swimsuit and trying it on. Her fair skin glowed softly under the light, and her slender waist was so delicate that it could be encircled with one hand. The backless design made the lines of her neck even more beautiful. Her usually gentle eyes and brows had a touch of everyday life in them, which was somewhat different from her usual smiling face with her Zanpakuto in hand.

Bai Yu's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily; his young body was still too easily aroused. The sound of swords clashing rang out, and the others turned around. Robin, seeing him standing in the doorway, instantly blushed and covered her chest with her hand: "Bai Yu! Why did you suddenly come in! Don't you know how to knock?"

As for Rangiku, she didn't react at all, instead showing off her figure generously, and even showed off other moves in front of uninvited guest Uchiha Hakuha.

Connor waved his little hand and shouted, "Brother Baiyu! Look at my little swimsuit, isn't it pretty?"

Unohana Retsu turned to look at him, her smile still gentle, showing no embarrassment at being caught. Instead, she turned around, showing off her moon-white swimsuit, and asked softly, "Shiraha-kun, what do you think of this? Isn't it perfect for the sea, on the deck of a ship?"

Bai Yu's gaze unconsciously fell on her smooth back, then quickly looked away, his ears turning slightly red. He cleared his throat and said, trying to appear calm.

"They're all very nice. I've bought all the supplies."

He then added, "You guys keep choosing, I'll just take a look... um... I really don't have the habit of exposing my back to others..."

Unohana Retsu chuckled softly upon hearing this, adjusted her bikini, and then slowly walked up to Shiraha. Her slender white fingertips gently touched his wrist, and her tone remained as gentle as ever: "Shiraha-kun, do you simply not have the habit of showing your back, or have you not seen enough yet? But you're being too polite. We've been looking for a long time and still can't decide. You always have good taste, so why don't you help us choose an outfit so we can see if it fits us?"

Her fingertips were slightly cool, and the moment they touched Bai Yu's wrist, a subtle tingling sensation spread through his skin. Good heavens, is this really Sister Hua? Where did I get here? Hmm, this world isn't a boarding school, and Aunt Mei Jing doesn't have this hairstyle...

Amitabha Buddha... Amitabha Buddha...

Just as he was about to decline, Retsu Unohana handed him a purple lace bikini and then pushed him towards Robin: "The ones Robin picked are on the conservative side. This ship is full of our own people. Shiraha-kun, can you help her see if this one suits her skin tone better than the one she has? You can also help her check the size so that it's not too big or too small and inconvenient to wear at sea."

Bai Yu was pushed and stumbled. When he finally regained his footing, he was already very close to Robin, and he could almost smell the faint fragrance of her hair.

Robin's ears were already red, and when he got so close, his body stiffened instantly, and he even breathed a little softer. His eyes were lowered, and he didn't dare to look at him. He only noticed the even more revealing bikini in Bai Yu's hand.

"I...I can do it myself..."

Robin's voice was barely audible, filled with barely concealed shyness. But as soon as he finished speaking, Retsu Unohana gently pressed Shiraha's hand from the side, placed the purple lace bikini in his palm, and then pushed his hand to lightly touch Robin's waist.

"Just try it on, Bai Yu-jun. Robin-chan is shy, so you should measure it for her to be sure. Otherwise, if it doesn't fit, it will be a waste of time."

The touch was as light as a feather brushing against Robin's delicate waist and abdomen. The warm sensation came through the thin fabric, and both of them were startled.

Robin's face instantly turned bright red, the redness spreading from her cheeks all the way down her neck, even her ears were burning hot. She shrank back abruptly, but was blocked by the shelves behind her, leaving her nowhere to retreat. She could only timidly glance at Bai Yu before hurriedly lowering her head again.

Robin is usually very calm, but this time she showed such a contrast.

As expected, the 18-year-old Robin and the 28-year-old Robin are not the same person at all. If it were the 28-year-old Robin, she would naturally provoke Bai Yu at this time.

Bai Yu quickly withdrew his hand, but the warm touch still lingered in his palm. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily. Just as he was about to apologize, Matsumoto Rangiku approached with two swimsuits, casually draping her arms over his shoulders, her soft breasts brushing against his arm.

Goodness, boys need to protect themselves when they're out and about, especially in places with lots of women. If there are more than three women, a single man definitely can't handle it.

"Bai Yu~ Can you help me take a look? Which one suits me better, this red and black outfit or this white and pink outfit?"

Rangiku smiled charmingly, her golden curls brushing against his neck, carrying a faint scent of wine and fruit. As she spoke, she pulled his hand and gestured to her waist.

"Look at my waist, doesn't it make me look even slimmer in this cropped outfit?"

Her movements were both graceful and intimate, her fingertips brushing against Bai Yu's palm with a touch of coquettish teasing. Bai Yu felt the sensations on his shoulder and palm intertwined, making him feel uncomfortable all over. He wanted to dodge, but Rangiku held his arm tightly.

Robin had been pulled aside by the landlady at some point, but she was still staring intently at him, her face still flushed, her eyes filled with shyness and a hint of barely perceptible panic.

Bai Yu felt all the blood rushing to his head, from his ears to his cheeks and neck, all burning hot. He was still clutching the purple lace bikini he had picked out for Robin, and the soft touch of the fabric made him even more flustered.

Rangiku's arms were wrapped tightly around his shoulders, and Unohana Retsu would occasionally move closer from the side.

Uchiha Shiraha felt a sense of déjà vu about this scene...

Chapter 75 Seaside

"Hana, Hana-nee, Rangiku, once you've made your selections, hurry up and pay the bill. I... I'll wait for you outside; there are still some things to take care of on the ship..."

Bai Yu tried to pull away Rangiku's arm from his shoulder, but Rangiku deliberately tightened her grip and leaned closer to him, her soft breasts brushing against his arm again. She smiled and said, "What's the rush, Bai Yu? We haven't chosen yet. Hana-nee is waiting for your opinion."

To be honest, if he were any older, Bai Yu would definitely not act like a gentleman. After all, at his current age, he would be reported.

Unohana then walked up behind him and gently adjusted the strap of his Kusanagi sword at his waist. Her fingertips casually brushed against his lower back as she spoke softly, "Don't rush, Shiraha-kun. Just take a look at the last outfit for us. Do you think this black backless swimsuit would suit me well?"

The moment her fingertips brushed against his lower back, Bai Yu felt a jolt of electricity run through him, and the hairs on his body stood on end. He couldn't hold back any longer and took two steps back.

"Alright, alright, let's meet at the beach..."

As Bai Yu spoke, he saw that the door was not far away and turned to leave, but in his haste, he bumped into the shelf, and the swimsuits on it fell to the ground. He frantically tried to pick them up, but bumped into Robin, who was bending down to pick something up.

Their foreheads touched lightly, and the warm touch made Robin let out a soft "hmm," her face turning even redder.

The moment their foreheads touched, everything around them seemed to fall silent, except for the rustling of the swimsuits that hadn't yet fallen from the shelves, and the slightly rapid breathing of the two of them so close together.

Bai Yu could clearly see the fine dust clinging to Robin's long eyelashes, feel the warmth of her forehead against his own, and even clearly see the pool of water in her eyes, a mixture of shyness and panic. His heart felt as if it had been scratched hard by a feather.