Hiroto calmly answered Koushirou's question, "Because he lost. He challenged me to a one-on-one fight and was defeated. I didn't take his life, I only made a deal with him."
"With Wado Ichimonji as the stake: within a month, if he satisfies me, he becomes my crewmate and the sword is returned. If he can't, then his life and the blade will both be reclaimed."
"Of course, if he ever manages to beat me, he may leave this ship whenever he wishes."
"…"
Koushirou stayed silent, but the look he gave Hiroto now carried a measure of seriousness.
A 40-million bounty meant nothing to him. In the New World, he'd met monsters far more terrifying, and they'd still died on his blade.
Yet this young man, barely twenty, had crushed Zoro?
He knew exactly how outstanding his disciple was. Otherwise, he would never have entrusted Kuina's Wado Ichimonji to Zoro at the boy's earnest plea.
He'd assumed no opponent in the East Blue could threaten Zoro. Clearly, he had underestimated these seas.
Thinking this, Koushirou said evenly, "To defeat Zoro and claim Wado Ichimonji, you're impressive."
"Thank you for the compliment." Hiroto accepted the praise without arrogance or humility.
Before long, Zoro appeared, yawning.
"What's going on... sensei!?"
Zoro rubbed his eyes, disbelieving. But that gentle smile, that warm aura, the familiar face from memory—none of it lied.
"It's been a while, Zoro." Koushirou looked at his pupil warmly.
His dojo had many students, all taught and guided by him, but not every one earned a place deep in his memory.
"I'll leave you to talk."
Hiroto shrugged and made space for the master and disciple. He also needed to sort his thoughts, Koushirou's arrival had been unexpected.
So… could he obtain Armament Haki training from this man, and the Ryuo techniques of Wano Country?
"So… you've been wandering because you couldn't find the way back to the village?"
The misunderstanding cleared, Koushirou's expression turned odd after hearing his student's explanation.
He'd thought Zoro left to train abroad, turns out the boy had simply been lost. Yet, recalling Zoro's notorious habit of getting lost even within the village, it wasn't that surprising.
Zoro frowned. "I wasn't lost. Just bad luck, always picking the wrong direction."
"…"
Koushirou stayed silent, choosing not to correct his disciple's oblivious lack of direction.
He said, "I understand the gist. Your Captain is an interesting man. Since you haven't given up, fulfil your agreement. About a week remains."
"Master…"
Zoro was startled.
"Let me see your progress, perhaps these old bones can still offer you something."
Koushirou spoke gently, then turned to the curious Hiroto. "Your opinion, sir?"
Zoro challenged, "Captain, don't back down now."
Hiroto shrugged, "Of course not."
Zoro looked sceptical—not because he doubted Hiroto's talent, beating him once was proof enough.
It was the time: less than a week was simply too short.
"Then it's settled. I'll inform my employer, I'm sure he'll be delighted to avoid conflict with a notorious pirate."
Koushirou rose unhurriedly, nodded to the two, and left.
"That's Zoro's teacher?" Nami asked, peeking curiously.
"Seems like a gentle soul." Carina judged.
"Master has always been gentle." Zoro reminisced, smiling.
Hiroto didn't join in. Though Koushirou appeared mild, a swordmaster who dealt with the Revolutionary Army had likely soaked his youth in blood.
Soon, Koushirou returned to the single-masted sloop, accompanied by Binmock, who couldn't restrain his curiosity and hoped to make a connection.
He behaved, saying nothing, merely standing behind Koushirou.
"Let's begin."
Carina positioned herself between the two, raised a hand, slashed it downward, then slipped away.
"A Devil Fruit User?"
Koushirou glanced over, then turned to the duel space.
The mid-deck of the sloop wasn't large, yet ample for two swordsmen.
Hiroto gripped a hilt—not Wado Ichimonji, but an ordinary longsword.
Wado Ichimonji stood planted at the edge of the arena.
A famous blade grants too great an edge, he meant to beat Zoro in pure swordsmanship.
Though the sword was new, within seconds, Hiroto infused it with his will, feeling it respond like an extension of his arm, and slipped into the Breath of All Things.
The 'aura' of his surroundings manifested as distinct 'breaths'—the breath of iron especially vivid.
Koushirou sensed something, his eyes narrowing at Hiroto.
To his knowledge, this man had been self-taught, relying on raw talent and odd powers to beat Zoro. Though not a pure swordsman, he'd been formidable. Then, according to Zoro, he forged his swordsmanship's core only after their fight.
To touch the Breath of All Things in under a week was astonishingly swift.
Yet now, Koushirou felt in Hiroto the presence of a fellow swordmaster.
A true sword-hardened warrior.
'Astounding talent. If he doesn't fall along the way, he may become a great swordsman.'
Koushirou said nothing, glancing at Zoro. 'This boy is heading for a crushing defeat. Still, a setback will do him good. Arrogance needs tempering.'
Compared with the seasoned Koushirou, Zoro failed to notice Hiroto's shift. He focused wholly on his Three Sword Style.
Clenching the blade in his teeth, he spun the twin swords, whipping up gusts.
Since losing to Hiroto, he'd honed new insights, and with his master watching, he wanted to prove his growth.
'Hiroto's trump card is that extendable blade, fast and powerful. Even my Three Thousand Worlds can't block it head-on. The only way is to parry, take a hit, and counter.'
'As for pure swordsmanship, nothing to fear. If Breath of All Things were easy, I'd have grasped it long ago.'
Thoughts flashed and Zoro's eyes sharpened, resolve flashing as he shot forward.
Wind screamed across the deck as three blades became streaks of light.
Three Sword Style: Three Thousand Worlds!
(End of Chapter)
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