So these are the people from the local sword dojo...
The captain said there's an exceptional talent here, someone with the potential to become a Great Swordsman. I wonder which one it is.
Those eyes... I never expected a place this remote to hide such a skilled master.
Behind Kaito, Robin and the others each had their own thoughts.
Some casually observed Shimotsuki Village.
Others studied the people standing opposite them, especially Koshiro, with great interest.
"Ahem."
Koshiro coughed softly, his left hand resting near the hilt of the Wado Ichimonji at his waist.
He looked at Kaito calmly and raised his voice.
"My name is Koshiro, and I am the master of Isshin Dojo here in Shimotsuki Village."
"I wonder what brings the esteemed members of the War Pirates here."
"If you're only seeking supplies, I'm willing to act as an intermediary and coordinate with the villagers to prepare whatever provisions you need."
Having recognized the War Pirates, Koshiro naturally knew they weren't easy opponents.
He had no intention of starting a fight recklessly.
Instead, he wanted to determine their purpose first.
Based on what he knew of the War Pirates, he didn't believe they would sail all the way here just to plunder a remote village like Shimotsuki.
The most likely explanation was that they were simply passing through and wanted supplies.
And if sacrificing a portion of the village's provisions could avoid a dangerous conflict—
Koshiro was willing to make that trade.
Tap.
Tap.
Kaito stepped forward.
His gaze settled on Koshiro as he walked toward him.
Robin and the others followed without hesitation.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Behind Koshiro—
Including Zoro—
The disciples of Isshin Dojo all became vigilant.
Several instinctively reached for the swords at their waists.
Kaito stopped a few meters away.
He looked at Koshiro.
Then—
Suddenly smiled.
And pointed directly at Zoro standing behind him.
"No need to be so nervous."
"I'm only here to recruit him."
Koshiro blinked in surprise.
Following Kaito's finger—
He turned and looked at Zoro, the disciple he regarded as his successor.
"Me?!"
Zoro pointed at himself, staring at Kaito in astonishment.
"That's right."
Kaito nodded.
"Roronoa Zoro."
"I learned about you through some special channels."
"I think you have extraordinary potential."
"So I came here specifically to invite you to join my pirate crew."
"Uh..."
Zoro was caught completely off guard.
He subconsciously looked toward his teacher.
Koshiro had also recovered from his surprise.
Naturally—
He had never imagined that Kaito's purpose in coming here was to recruit his disciple.
"Your Excellency..."
"You truly came all this way just to recruit my student?"
Koshiro couldn't help confirming again.
"Of course."
Kaito nodded.
Koshiro frowned slightly.
This answer was completely outside his expectations.
"Are you guys really that strong?"
Suddenly—
Zoro spoke.
He first glanced at Koshiro.
Then his eyes moved toward Kaito.
Toward Robin.
Toward Lafitte.
And finally—
Toward the massive fleet anchored offshore.
Even if he hadn't read many newspapers—
The sheer scale of the War Pirates was enough for him to understand.
These people were extraordinary.
"Zoro, right?"
Before Kaito could answer—
Lafitte stepped forward from behind him.
The white-haired man spun his cane leisurely in his hand.
Then, while lightly tapping his feet in a graceful dance step, he smiled at Zoro.
"If we only talk, you won't believe us."
"So..."
"How about I fight you?"
Lafitte had already understood Kaito's intentions.
The captain wanted Zoro.
And as someone skilled in observation and hypnosis—
Lafitte had already guessed what Zoro was thinking.
Zoro wanted to go to sea.
Therefore—
He decisively stepped forward to help his captain recruit this future swordsman.
"Fine!"
Zoro immediately grinned.
"If you—or your captain—can beat me..."
"Then I don't mind joining your crew."
In truth—
Zoro had wanted to go to sea for a long time.
Shimotsuki Village was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
His swordsmanship had reached a bottleneck.
Over the past year—
He had barely improved at all.
Originally—
He had wanted to set sail earlier.
But Koshiro had stopped him.
His teacher wanted him to wait until adulthood.
Until next year.
Because he respected Koshiro—
Zoro had endured.
But now—
The arrival of the War Pirates had reignited his desire to leave.
Of course—
If he was going to defy his teacher's wishes—
Then he needed to know first.
Were these people truly strong?
If they weren't—
There was nothing more to say.
But—
If they were truly powerful...
If they could defeat him...
Then joining them wasn't impossible.
After all—
Joining didn't mean staying forever.
If he later discovered this crew wasn't suitable—
He could always sneak away.
And—
There was another benefit.
At least...
He wouldn't get lost at sea the moment he set sail.
"That's a good idea."
Kaito laughed.
Then he looked at Lafitte.
"Lafitte."
"Have a match with Zoro."
"Let him see the strength of our crew."
"Understood, Captain."
Lafitte smiled elegantly.
Kaito then turned toward Koshiro.
"Koshiro."
"How about this?"
"Let Zoro compete against one of my officers."
"If we win, Zoro joins us."
"If we lose..."
"We leave immediately."
Koshiro fell silent.
He looked at Zoro.
The boy's eyes were blazing with excitement.
Then—
He looked back at Kaito.
After a brief hesitation—
Koshiro slowly nodded.
"Very well."
"I respect my disciple's decision."
Koshiro had high hopes for Zoro.
He even regarded him as the future heir of Isshin Dojo.
But—
He had never intended to control the boy's life.
And he also understood—
Zoro's swordsmanship had stagnated during the past year.
A swordsman who stayed sheltered forever—
Could never become truly strong.
Perhaps—
The appearance of the War Pirates...
Wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Thinking this—
Koshiro slowly stepped aside.
The disciples behind him also made way.
An open area quickly formed in front of the harbor.
Zoro stepped forward excitedly.
His hands instinctively rested on the hilts of his swords.
Opposite him—
Lafitte smiled faintly.
He lightly spun his cane sword once.
Then—
With a flick of his wrist—
The cane sheath slid away.
A slender blade gleaming with cold light appeared before everyone.
Robin folded her arms.
A smile appeared on her lips.
Nami and Nojiko watched nervously.
Even Kaito crossed his arms and observed with interest.
On one side—
Was the future Pirate Hunter.
The man destined to become one of the world's greatest swordsmen.
On the other—
Was Lafitte.
A Devil Fruit user whose abilities had grown tremendously under Kaito's guidance.
The sea breeze swept across the harbor.
Carrying with it the scent of salt and earth.
Zoro grinned.
His fighting spirit surged.
Lafitte smiled elegantly.
His sharp eyes narrowed slightly.
The next moment—
The contest—
Was about to begin.
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