Chapter 68: Zoro Joins, Kuma and Bonney
"Why choose me?" Zoro asked.
"It's simple. I see your potential. I believe you can become the world's Greatest Swordsman, and I'm willing to give you the platform to train and achieve your goals."
Kain patiently coaxed, "Follow me, and you'll witness the widest landscapes and the strongest enemies in this world!"
The more Zoro listened, the brighter his eyes became.
No ambitious swordsman doesn't want to go out and experience the world.
"I will!"
Zoro was eager.
He was an orphan anyway, and the only thing worth cherishing on this small island was Kuina.
As long as wado ichimonji was with him, it didn't matter where he went.
"Then it's settled," Kain grinned.
Another potential seed harvested.
Excellent.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard.
The battle between Hawkeye and Koshiro Shimotsuki also concluded.
Hawkeye's clothes were slightly disheveled, but Koshiro Shimotsuki had a long gash across his chest, bleeding profusely.
"You're good."
Hawkeye sheathed his sword, offering a rare compliment.
"It's truly rare for the humble East Blue to produce a swordsman like you."
"With your talent, it wouldn't be surprising for you to become a Great Swordsman after a few years in the New World."
Hawkeye could tell that Koshiro Shimotsuki didn't have much combat experience; his ability to reach the level of a swordsman was purely due to his talent.
Koshiro Shimotsuki sheathed his sword, clutching his chest, and shook his head, "I don't have that ambition. This life is probably as far as I'll go."
With that, Koshiro Shimotsuki said no more and allowed his disciples to help him get his wound bandaged.
As soon as Koshiro Shimotsuki finished treating his wound, Zoro came looking for him.
"Teacher, I accepted Kain's invitation."
"What?!"
Koshiro Shimotsuki's glasses almost flew off.
He looked at Zoro in disbelief, hoping Zoro would tell him that what he just said was a joke.
But clearly, Zoro had no sense of humor.
"I've decided to join the Beasts Pirates."
Zoro was incredibly serious, "I want to see wider landscapes and stronger enemies. Only then can I become stronger!"
Koshiro Shimotsuki took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to beat Zoro.
He wasn't against Zoro going to sea; it was good for a young man to see more of the world.
But you can't just think of reaching the top in one go!
He hasn't even left the beginner village yet, and he wants to go to the final dungeon.
"Zoro!"
Koshiro Shimotsuki's voice suddenly rose, carrying an unprecedented sternness, "You don't understand anything! Do you know what the Beasts Pirates mean? Do you know what a terrifying abyss that sea, known as the 'New World,' is?!"
He decided to give Zoro a good lesson on the horrors of the New World: "The Beasts Pirates are one of the three most powerful forces in the New World, opposing the Whitebeard Pirates and the BIG MOM Pirates, who are also at the pinnacle! These three pirate crews have countless strong individuals and rampant monsters; any one of their leaders could wreak havoc in the East Blue."
Koshiro Shimotsuki paused, "There, Zoro—a single sword stroke can cut a mountain, a single sword stroke can split the sea—are not empty words, but genuine reality."
Although he had always lived in Shuangyue Village, he had channels with the Revolution Army, so his information wasn't cut off.
Unexpectedly, the more Zoro listened, the more energized he became.
"Can humans really achieve such a level? I must witness it with my own eyes! No, I must also reach this realm!"
Hiss!
Maybe I should just beat him up.
Why is this troublesome kid so stubborn?
Koshiro Shimotsuki's face darkened.
But looking at Zoro's fearless eyes, after a long while, he sighed.
"Zoro, I want to tell you. Once you join the Beasts Pirates, you must be prepared to die at any moment. The storms on the sea are no joke."
"I understand, Teacher."
Zoro's gaze was clear and firm, and he spoke solemnly, "I will die on the path to becoming stronger, even if it kills me. This is my resolve!"
Given that, what more could Koshiro Shimotsuki say?
He endured the pain in his chest and slowly stood up, "Perhaps you can't fully grasp it yet, but this is the last thing I can teach you."
Koshiro Shimotsuki walked to the corner of the room, pulled out a solid iron rod as thick as an arm, and stood it upright on the ground.
"All things have their breathing rhythm. When you can perceive and master their breath, you can cut anything!"
Swish—a flash of dazzling sword light appeared like a startled swan.
The next second, the upper half of the iron rod slowly slid down, falling to the ground with a clang, its cut surface smooth as a mirror.
"This is the realm of cutting steel."
He sheathed his sword, then found a thin, soft piece of white paper and gently suspended it in the air.
"A swordsman can cut steel, but he can also choose not to cut a piece of paper."
Whoosh—
Another swift flash of sword light passed.
Zoro's eyes were fixed on the blade as it passed over the paper.
The thin white paper actually danced and floated in the air with the blade.
Finally, it fell back into Koshiro Shimotsuki's hand, completely unharmed.
"This is the swordsman."
Koshiro Shimotsuki sheathed his sword again, letting out a soft breath.
Looking at the dumbfounded Zoro, he felt the pent-up frustration in his heart dissipate considerably.
"Further up is the forging of your own black blade."
Koshiro Shimotsuki's face held a hint of longing, "That's something I can't teach you. You can learn from others, like Hawkeye; his sword, Yoru, is a black blade."
"Alright, that's all I can teach you."
Koshiro Shimotsuki slowly sat down, clutching his chest. The demonstration just now had aggravated his wound, making him wince.
"Thank you, Genzo Teacher! I will engrave it in my heart."
Zoro bowed deeply in gratitude to his teacher.
As Zoro stood up and was about to open the door to leave, Koshiro Shimotsuki couldn't help but say, "Live, Zoro."
"Don't worry, Teacher. I will never fall until I become the world's Greatest Swordsman."
Zoro held up wado ichimonji high, "I will work hard for Kuina's share too!"
At the same time.
Sorbet Kingdom.
A church far from the city.
"Wail! Wail!"
"Run!"
"The vampires are going to eat us!"
Three little boys ran towards the main entrance, crying and wailing.
A little pink-haired girl in patched overalls fiercely chased them.
But when she reached the door, the little girl stopped.
She raised the internationally recognized friendly gesture and shouted loudly, "Goodbye, you brats, don't come in again!"
The three little boys reached the door and immediately changed their expressions, "Nya nya nya, you can only chase us this far, Bonney!"
"Bastards!"
Bonney was furious and wanted to give them a flying kick.
But before she could fully take off, a large hand with a paw print on its palm gently caught her.
An unusually tall man with black curly hair and black-rimmed glasses, using a gentle voice completely unsuited to his size, advised her:
"Bonney, please don't go outside, okay?"
"Don't worry, Papa, I won't go out because I don't want to see you sad."
Bonney held Kuma's hand back and said obediently.
The three little boys had scattered and fled the moment Kuma appeared.
"Bonney~" Kuma embraced his obedient daughter, tears of emotion in his eyes.
"Ah, you're such a crybaby."
Bonney looked disgusted but didn't push Kuma away.
Just then, the Den Den Mushi on Kuma rang.
"Hello?"
"It's me, Dragon."