After getting around half an hour of rest, Ryuma walked toward a nearby tree and sat beneath its shade. The gentle breeze from the fields brushed against his face as he closed his eyes, and a moment later, his consciousness entered the mental space.
As soon as Ryuma appeared there, he did not materialize inside the dojo where he had first begun his training years ago. The dojo still existed, standing in the distance, but his current location was an open field scattered with various training tools: different weights, large stones, massive metal balls, and multiple swords.
The training equipment existed because Zoro had personally taught him how to train his body properly. After all, even training itself was a skill. A person could not simply lift weights randomly and expect good results; incorrect training methods could damage muscles, joints, and even permanently harm the body.
That was why Zoro had guided him through every stage. Of course, Ryuma's situation was somewhat special. He possessed the same monstrous physical talent as Zoro, and his body's recovery ability was absurdly strong compared to ordinary people. As long as he consumed enough food and nutrients, most physical strain and injuries would recover naturally over time. Even so, proper training remained important.
As Ryuma stepped onto the field, he saw Zoro standing a short distance away, arms folded and looking calm and ready. Ryuma immediately gave a respectful bow, which is a traditional way for a student to show respect to their master. To Ryuma, Zoro was exactly that; over four years of tough training and sword skills, every bit of Ryuma's improvement came from Zoro's teaching on these grounds.
Zoro calmly accepted the greeting before speaking. "Well, you have learned most of my sword moves, but you still have not felt the Breath of All Things. You have to work hard in that category and master it as soon as possible."
Ryuma nodded after hearing those words. "Well, Sensei, I understand what you're saying quite clearly." His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable determination in it. "And today, I have come here with conviction and confidence that I will leave this mental space only after I feel the Breath of All Things."
Zoro remained silent and listened.
"As you said before, to clearly feel the Breath of All Things and reach the state where I can truly perceive it, I have to experience a life and death situation," Ryuma continued, his expression gradually becoming serious. "Now that I've been stuck at this stage for so long despite all my hard work, it seems I have no choice but to fight you to the death. Well, not a real death, of course. Even if I die here, it will only happen within the mental space."
Then his expression became solemn once more. "But even that isn't without consequences. Death here still affects my body and spirit. The backlash isn't visible in reality, but it exists. That's why I've been hesitating until now. I didn't want to suddenly suffer an injury that nobody could see and end up worrying my parents. They've already done their best for me all these years. I don't want to give them another reason to worry."
For a brief moment, thoughts of Raito (his father) and Kazumi (his mother) flashed through his mind. They work hard every day. The least I can do is avoid causing them unnecessary concern.
"Not to mention, if my spirit suffers severe damage, my training will also be affected," Ryuma said. He paused before slowly clenching his fist. "But I don't think I can afford to waste any more time." His eyes became firm. "I need to master the Breath of All Things as soon as possible. I need to become stronger."
A powerful confidence emerged from within him. "And I'm confident that once I master the Breath of All Things, I'll possess strength that surpasses even a Jonin of the village (at least in terms of physical ability)." That was not blind arrogance; it was a conclusion he had reached after years of relentlessly tempering his body and refining his swordsmanship. "With that kind of strength, I'll be able to earn money more easily."
Then another reason surfaced. "Not to mention, only after mastering the Breath of All Things will I be able to receive those swords from you." At the mention of the swords, Ryuma's eyes briefly flickered toward the weapon racks in the distance. Over the years, he had learned exactly how precious those blades were. "After all, you've already set the condition. I can only obtain those three swords after mastering the Breath of All Things. With good swords, I'll be able to exert even greater strength. My swordsmanship will be able to display its full potential with blades worthy of it."
After finishing his words, Ryuma stood quietly in the open field while the breeze moved gently through the grass around him. Across from him, Zoro remained silent. For the first time in a long while, the atmosphere between master and student carried the feeling of an approaching decisive battle.
Zoro listened to Ryuma's words and slowly nodded. "Well, it is good that you have decided so," he said calmly. "Then I will oblige you. Take it."
As soon as Zoro's voice fell, three swords materialized in front of Ryuma. Of course, they were only ordinary metal swords created within the mental space, not the treasured blades Zoro had promised him in the future.
Even so, Ryuma's eyes immediately sharpened. Without hesitation, he reached forward and caught all three swords. One by one, he positioned them at his right side. Then, with practiced movements refined over the last four years, he unsheathed each blade: one sword clenched between his jaws, one sword settling firmly into his right hand, and the last sword resting in his left.
In an instant, Ryuma entered the stance of the Three Sword Style. His entire body tensed, and his focus narrowed. He intended to go all out from the very beginning. After all, his opponent was Zoro, and holding back even slightly against someone like him would be foolish.
Across from him, Zoro stood quietly. In his hand was only a single ordinary sword, nothing more (no second blade, no third blade). Clearly, Zoro did not believe he needed his Three Sword Style against Ryuma. A single sword was more than enough.
Ryuma took a deep breath, tightened his grip around the hilts, and let out a loud roar. "HAAH!"
The next moment, he exploded forward. The ground beneath his feet cracked as he dashed toward Zoro at full speed, vanishing the distance between them almost instantly.
Three blades descended at once. Zoro's expression did not change.
Clang!
His single sword rose. The three swords and the lone blade collided in a crisscross, entering a brief stalemate. Ryuma pushed with all of his strength, the muscles throughout his body bulging as he tried to force Zoro backward, but it was useless. Zoro did not move even an inch. It felt as though Ryuma was trying to push a mountain.
Then, with casual ease, Zoro swung his sword forward. The immense force behind that movement instantly shattered the balance of the clash, pushing Ryuma backward. His feet scraped across the ground as he took multiple steps back to regain his footing.
The moment he stabilized himself, he lowered his center of gravity. His knees bent and his legs compressed like springs being wound to their limit.
Swoosh!
In the blink of an eye, he launched himself forward again. His figure blurred as he appeared in front of Zoro once more, his three swords striking from different angles simultaneously.
However, Zoro did not immediately counterattack. Instead, he waited calmly and patiently. His eyes observed every movement Ryuma made: every shift in footing, every adjustment in balance, and every tiny opening hidden within the Three Sword Style. He waited for the perfect timing, the perfect angle, and the perfect flaw.
And then he found it.
The instant Ryuma's attack reached its peak, Zoro moved. A simple stab. Nothing flashy, nothing complicated, just a perfectly executed thrust. Yet that single attack slipped through the gaps between Ryuma's three swords as though they did not exist.
Ryuma's eyes widened. He tried to react, tried to redirect his blades, and tried to defend, but he was too late. The sword pierced straight through his guard.
Thud.
The blade sank into his chest. A sharp pain erupted throughout his body, causing Ryuma's pupils to contract. Even though this was only the mental space, the pain felt completely real. He gritted his teeth as the urge to scream nearly escaped his mouth, but he endured it. Without hesitation, he jumped backward to create distance between himself and Zoro, having no intention of worsening the injury by recklessly charging again.
Blood slowly spread across the front of his clothing. Ryuma continued breathing heavily while keeping his guard raised.
Then, just as the distance between them widened, Zoro suddenly spoke. "Did you feel it?"
Ryuma blinked. The pain in his chest was still intense as he looked at Zoro in confusion.
Feel it? What exactly is he talking about? The sword strike? The opening in my stance? The sensation of death? Or something else entirely?
For a brief moment, Ryuma could not understand what his teacher was asking him to feel.
----
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