Chapter 15: Shimotsuki Village - Unexpected Progress

For the past ten days, Zoro had been pushing himself to his physical limits in training, scaring the other kids who practiced alongside him.

Koushirou, worried that Zoro might overstrain himself, had even talked to him, advising him to ease up on the training.

But Zoro refused.

Koushirou then turned to Kuina, hoping she could convince Zoro.

To his surprise, Kuina's attitude was the same as Zoro's.

In fact, Kuina had also increased her training load several times over.

The reason these two kids had started training like mad was because of what happened ten days ago—after Takumi had effortlessly taken down Higuma and his gang.

Koushirou was troubled by it but couldn't stop them.

In the valley...

Takumi accepted Zoro's challenge.

The two stood facing each other, both ready to fight at any moment.

Zoro's eyes flashed with determination as he was the first to charge at Takumi.

As he neared Takumi, the swords in his hands carved out two intersecting arcs, while the sword in his mouth, perfectly controlled, slashed toward Takumi with overwhelming force.

Compared to the first time he recklessly fought Takumi using brute strength alone, Zoro was on a whole different level now.

To improve so much in such a short time, talent and insight alone weren't enough.

It required immense training to build muscle memory.

Just from Zoro's swordsmanship and his control over three swords now, it was clear that he had been working incredibly hard.

But despite all that effort, Zoro was still far too weak compared to Takumi.

Takumi narrowed his eyes, spotting the opening in Zoro's attack. As Zoro drew close, Takumi struck, sending Zoro flying.

Takumi sheathed the Wado Ichimonji and looked toward Zoro, who was lying on his back a short distance away.

Zoro clenched his teeth, staring up at the sky. After a moment, he got up, brushed the dust off, and grinned. "As expected, I'm still nowhere near your level. Looks like I'll need to work even harder."

Takumi watched him, feeling a sudden urge to help.

"Zoro," Takumi said, "for that move you just used, try raising your shoulders a bit more as you start, focus harder, and lower your stance a little."

Zoro blinked in surprise.

Without questioning it, he immediately picked up the sword that had fallen beside him and adjusted his stance as Takumi suggested.

"Like this?" Zoro asked, biting down on the sword hilt.

Takumi nodded. "Now, try that strike again."

"Alright."

Zoro turned his attention to the nearest tree.

Takumi could feel that Zoro's sword aura was slightly stronger than before.

Zoro charged at the tree, delivering a strike that left three sword marks almost ten centimeters deep on the trunk.

"Huh?" Zoro stared at the marks he had made, his eyes shining. "I could only cut five centimeters deep before. Takumi, you're amazing! Just a little guidance, and I've already improved."

"Keep practicing," Takumi said. "This move can be even stronger. Keep at it."

"I will!" Zoro nodded enthusiastically.

Just as he said that, there was a loud crack, and the sword in Zoro's right hand suddenly snapped in half, the blade clattering to the ground.

Zoro's eyes widened as he stared at the broken sword, his face paling. "What?! It broke?! I saved up for so long to buy that sword, and now it's ruined. How am I supposed to train with only two swords?"

For the past few days, Zoro had been training with real swords.

But ordinary swords couldn't withstand the intensity of his training, and all three of them had suffered damage, especially the one in his right hand. It was only a matter of time before it broke.

Takumi also stared at the broken blade on the ground.

He thought to himself, Could it really be just a coincidence that it broke right now, and only one sword too?

After a moment of silence, he unsheathed the Wado Ichimonji from his waist.

"Zoro," Takumi called out.

Zoro, still tearful over his broken sword, looked over at Takumi.

Takumi tossed the Wado Ichimonji to him.

Zoro instinctively caught it, looking from the sword to Takumi. "What's this?"

"I'm giving it to you," Takumi said calmly.

"Huh?" Zoro was shocked. "But... why? I lost the fight!"

"This sword suits you."

Without saying anything more, Takumi turned and started walking back toward the dojo.

He hadn't taken more than a few steps when...

A notification sound echoed in his mind.

[Ding! Gave the Wado Ichimonji to Zoro, progress +20%]

[Ding! Shimotsuki Village task complete. Congratulations, host, Six Powers unlocked, Swordsmanship level +1, current Swordsmanship level is now Lv6.]

Hearing this, Takumi suddenly stopped.

A powerful, overwhelming aura radiated from him, sending a shiver down anyone's spine.

But just as quickly as it appeared, the aura faded.

Looks like there's no need to challenge Koushirou now...

Still, the way this final progress happened really took him by surprise.

Takumi smiled, opening his status panel.

[Name: Takumi

Age: 10 years old

Next Task Location: Baratie, the Sea Restaurant (0%)

Haki: Armament Haki Lv2, Conqueror's Haki Lv3, Observation Haki Lv2

Skills: Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique (Beginner), Swordsmanship Lv6

Six Powers: Finger Pistol Lv1, Iron Body Lv1, Shave (Locked), Moonwalk (Locked), Tempest Kick (Locked), Paper Art (Locked)

Weapon: Demon Sword Shusui (Lake Toya)

System Space: 10x10x10 cubic meters ]

The Six Powers are six techniques that surpass the limits of the human body in the One Piece world.

Mastering all six would make someone incredibly strong.

Unfortunately, only Finger Pistol and Iron Body were unlocked right now.

Finger Pistol is a technique that focuses all your power into your index finger, allowing it to pierce through human bodies and even steel with a bullet-like force.

Iron Body is a defensive technique that hardens the body like iron, making it resistant to bullets and blades.

As for the other techniques that were still locked, Takumi would deal with those when the time came.

Closing the status panel, Takumi continued walking toward the dojo.

The task was complete, so it was time to leave. But since he had stayed at the dojo for so long, he figured he should at least say goodbye to Koushirou.

Zoro stood there, clutching the Wado Ichimonji Takumi had given him, watching Takumi's retreating back in a daze.

Just a moment ago, a terrifying force had suddenly appeared, causing Zoro's legs to give out as he collapsed to the ground.

Zoro trembled as he watched Takumi, who had paused for a moment before continuing on his way.

He had a pretty good idea of who had unleashed that frightening power.

Even though it was just for an instant, he didn't think it was his imagination.

"Was that... was that Takumi?" Zoro swallowed nervously. "That was terrifying... What the heck was that?"

At the dojo...

Koushirou was watching the students practice their basics.

Sensing Takumi's presence, Koushirou looked toward the entrance where Takumi had just arrived, smiling. "You're back earlier than usual today."

"Yeah," Takumi said directly. "I'm leaving."

Koushirou paused, a brief flicker of surprise crossing his eyes before he quickly accepted it. "I see. You mentioned wanting to be a traveler. So, are you planning to leave now?"

Takumi nodded. "Yes."

Hearing this, Kuina, who had been leading the basic practice, quickly walked over to the entrance, her face full of disbelief and anger bubbling up inside her. "You're leaving? Why? Zoro and I haven't beaten you yet. I don't want you to leave!"

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