The courtyard of the Shimotsuki Dojo buzzed with energy, the sun beating down on polished wooden floors where the two schools' students faced each other. After the morning's warm-up matches, both groups were beginning to respect one another's strengths. Some students were panting, others whispering about the skills they had just witnessed.
But there was one boy who had yet to fight among them.
"Oi, Zoro," one of Koushirou's students nudged him
"you going to just sit there with your swords strapped to your waist all day?"
Zoro smirked and stood up slowly, tying his bandana across his head. His short green hair caught the sunlight, and the three wooden practice swords at his waist rattled slightly as he walked forward. The students from the capital watched curiously—most of them had never seen anyone carry three swords before.
'How does he even hold the third sword' they silently asked themselves .
Hyogoro raised an eyebrow. "Three swords? At his age?"
Koushirou folded his arms calmly. "If thats surprising then you'llbe more suprised to learn that when he first came to my dojo he held 8 swords 4 on each hand simultaneously." Koushirou chuckled remember the 1st time Zoro came to the dojo
"8 swords at once " All the students exclaimed .
"More swords does not equal more strength ,but looks like he learned from that "One student from the capital looking at Zoro.He was filled with anticipation to see him fight
A large, broad-shouldered student from the capital stepped into the ring. He towered over Zoro, smirking down at the smaller boy. "You're small. I'll finish this in one blow."
Zoro tilted his head, unimpressed. "Then you'd better not miss."
The referee shouted: "Begin!"
The big student charged, swinging his wooden blade with enough force to rattle the floorboards. But before anyone could blink, Zoro had already drawn both swords in a single smooth motion.
"Two sword … Tiger hunt!"
The air cracked as Zoro dashed forward, crossing his blades in a perfect strike that hit square across the giant boy's chest. The impact sent him crashing to the ground with a thud, his sword flying from his hands.
Silence fell over the courtyard.
One of the capital students whispered, "Did… did he just one-shot him?"
Another gasped, "With wooden swords?!"
Zoro flicked his wrists, sliding both practice blades back into place. "Next."
"Impressive "
Even Hyogoro's brows lifted in surprise, and the corners of Koushirou's lips twitched in the faintest of smiles.
---
Several more matches played out after that. Inspired by Zoro's display, Koushirou's students fought with renewed energy, while the capital students answered with their own skill. Rivalries began to spark—some matches ended in handshakes, others in heated glares.
Then, Hyogoro's voice cut through the chatter. "Denjiro, step forward."
The boy who moved into the ring looked calm, his sharp eyes glinting beneath his messy dark hair. Denjiro's grip on his wooden katana was firm, his stance disciplined. He gave a small bow to Koushirou before turning to face Zoro.
Zoro cracked his neck, stepping into the ring without hesitation. "You look tougher than the rest. Don't disappoint me."
Denjiro's mouth curved into a thin smile. "I should be saying that to you."
The referee signaled, "Begin!"
Both boys launched forward at the same time, wooden swords clashing in a sharp crack that echoed across the dojo. Sparks of excitement spread through the watching students as the two locked eyes.
Zoro pushed with raw strength, he was only using two swords forcing Denjiro back. But Denjiro twisted his stance and retaliated, his blade slashing with sharp precision.
"Azure Flow Cut!" Denjiro shouted, his sword sweeping like a flowing current.
Zoro deflected it with his left sword and countered immediately.
"Tiger trap !" Zoro roared through the air, forcing Denjiro to leap back just in time, his sandals skidding across the floor.
Gasps rose from the crowd.
"He's so fast!" one of the capital students exclaimed.
"But Denjiro's reading his moves!" another replied.
The duel continued—Zoro's dual blades slicing in relentless arcs, Denjiro's single katana answering each strike with cunning precision. At times Zoro's brute force drove Denjiro into defense, but the capital boy's calm skill turned near-losses into narrow saves.
Their swords clashed again and again, the shockwaves echoing like thunder in the dojo courtyard. Sweat dripped from both boys' brows, yet neither yielded an inch.
Finally, Zoro grinned. "You're strong. But I'm stronger."
Denjiro's eyes narrowed. "We shall see"
Zoro spun into a wide stance, both swords poised. Denjiro braced, his katana steady. Their auras flared—one of raw, wild ambition, the other of refined, disciplined skill.
"Santoryu… Tatsu Maki!" Zoro roared, his blades whirling in a fierce dragon twister that sent the wind itself howling.
Denjiro met it head-on, slashing upward. "Clear Sky Strike!" His blade shone in a straight, perfect arc.
The collision sent dust swirling, and the audience shielded their eyes. When it cleared, both boys were panting, their swords crossed once more at the center.
And slowly, Denjiro's sword slipped downward under Zoro's relentless pressure but before it could slip Denjiro deflected Zoro's strike and stepped 3 steps back
"Let's end this in one move "Denjiro said
"You read my mind " Zoro said as he took out his 3rd wooden sword placing the handle in his mouth .
The students from the capital and Denjiro: (-_-)
"This is ridiculous , he must be clearly joking "One of the students from the capital exclaimed.
"Thats a peculiar way to wield a blade " Hyogoro said as he sweatdropped . Kyoshiro had black lines on his face . He'd thought Zoro down the line would opt for using 2 swords and discard the 3rd one but he was proven wrong . Not only did he wield three swords but he was actually good at it .
Zoro ignored all as he focused solely on Denjiro. He telegraph how the clash would end in his mind ,he saw through time . In his state of focus he was subtly leaking killing intent . The killing intent although it was not directed at them the other students felt it and it quieted them down .
"Already at that level , truly amazing " Hyogoro was indeed shocked by this showcase. This boy must have trained really hard , in fact most swordsmen never reach this level of focus , to focus only on a single thought . Koushirou said nothing but he had a smile on his face . The smile of a proud teacher
Denjiro felt was the only one who felt the full brunt of Zoro's killing intent . Sweat crawled down at the back of his hands and neck . It was as if he was looking at a beast . He steeled himself and remember the words of someone
Focus , if you lose a single second of focus that could be the end of you
'Thank you brother foe your words ' He stepped himself and focused on Zoro .
There was a moment of silence .
One sword style :Reverse tiger lotus
Three sword style:Oni giri
They both rushed at each other with great speeds and appeared behind each other . There was silence, the silence was broken by a falling wooden sword. Denjiro fell to the ground clutching at his chest .
Zoro had one and he had lost . Zoro looked back at Denjiro
"You were a great opponent, hope we can fight again somewhere time but with real swords "Zoro said
The courtyard erupted with shouts.
"He beat Denjiro!"
"That monster!"
"Three sword style is the best "
"I want to use three swords "
Hyogoro stroked his beard, visibly impressed. "So… this is the strongest boy of Shimotsuki Village."
Koushirou, ever calm, simply said, "He has much to learn still in order to archive his goal"
"What is his goal?"Hyogoro asked
"To be the greatest "
"The greatest huh..."Hyogoro said as he stretched goatee.
The clash of young prodigies had set the courtyard ablaze—and everyone knew this was only the beginning.
"So who's next "Zoro asked before anyone could say anything someone from the entrance of the dojo spoke out
"That'll be me , hahahaha"
Everyone looked at the entrance and saw a large figure in shock , who could this be . The figure walked through the crowd and stepped onto the ring . He took out his two wooden swords and got into a fighting stance facing Zoro
"I AM ODEN AND I WAS BORN TO BOIL!"