26. Kozaburo: Pay more!

After a few days, they finally arrived at the island where Shimotsuki Village is located.

Despair!

Stepping onto the beach, Rob held the straight sword he had bought in the small town of Keluoluo, with Robin by his side.

Looking at the island ahead, Rob turned to Robin:

"The destination is here! We might need to stay here for a while."

Hearing this, Robin nodded slightly:

"Okay, Oni-chan!"

After securing the small sailboat, Rob and Robin walked toward Shimotsuki Village. It didn't take long to reach the village, which was very different from the open and welcoming Foosha Village. Shimotsuki Village had a slightly exclusive atmosphere.

This was understandable, as this village was formed by people who had escaped from Wanokuni, which was known for its closed-off nature. It was natural for a small village formed by former Wanokuni residents to have a similar xenophobic atmosphere.

Rob didn't mind the villagers' xenophobia. He took Robin directly to the Isshin Dojo, which occupied a large area and had a distinct Wanokuni architectural style. There, they met Shimotsuki Koshiro, who was very young but had already begun to manage the dojo.

"Are you two here to learn kendo?" 

Shimotsuki Koshiro, with his squinting eyes and smiling face, looked at Rob, who was holding a long sword, and Robin, who was following him, and asked in surprise.

Looking at the squinting Shimotsuki Koshiro, Rob didn't use Observation Haki, but he could still sense something special about him—the unique sharpness of a skilled swordsman.

Obviously, Koshiro was a good swordsman, but it didn't intimidate Rob. In fact, Rob felt that Koshiro's strength might not be on par with his own.

"I'm here to become an apprentice!" 

Rob said bluntly:

"But I didn't come to learn kendo. I came to learn the art of sword forging! I heard from a senior that the legendary swordsmith, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, is here!"

Affirming that Shimotsuki Kozaburo was at the Isshin Dojo, Rob's eyes were firm and serious, making it clear that it would be useless to hide the information.

Of course, Shimotsuki Kozaburo wasn't a wanted criminal or a person with many enemies, so there was no need to conceal his location.

Upon hearing what Rob said, Koshiro froze for a moment but maintained his smile:

"Eh? You're here to find my father? Hahaha... kid, I don't know what your friend's name is. Is he an old friend of my father's?"

This was Koshiro's way of probing. He wanted to see if Rob and Robin had genuinely heard about his father by accident or if they were sent by someone else who had also left Wanokuni.

"Oda."

All the troubles in this world can be entrusted to this name!

Regarding Koshiro's probing, Rob had some guesses but didn't mind. He directly mentioned a name:

"Oda—whether it's his real name or not, I'm not sure. Can I meet Mr. Kozaburo? I've prepared an apprenticeship fee."

While speaking, Rob opened a secure box that Robin was carrying and pushed the piles of berries inside toward Koshiro.

"Ten million berries!"

Unlike Crocus, who lived a carefree life with no desires, Koshiro had a family to support. Additionally, he was connected with the Revolutionary Army in the plot, so there was no reason for him to refuse the money. The fact that he opened a dojo and accepted apprentices indicated he didn't mind sharing his skills.

"Eh!"

Seeing the ten million berries pushed by Rob, Koshiro was stunned.

"Are children nowadays so rich? This is ten million berries!"

Hearing Koshiro's words, Rob smiled.

"Not all children are rich, but my sister and I are well-off!"

Koshiro nodded, coming back to his senses. He took a deep look at Rob and then said:

"I understand your intentions. However, my father hasn't forged a sword in a long time. Whether you can gain his approval and learn the sword forging technique depends on your own ability."

Hearing this, Rob remained indifferent.

"I see."

Soon, under Koshiro's guidance, Rob and Robin went directly into the backyard of the large Isshin Dojo. In a well-arranged courtyard, they saw Shimotsuki Kozaburo, with his gray hair and wearing a bathrobe.

"Um?"

Seeing Koshiro approaching with the two children, Kozaburo showed some doubt in his eyes. After casually glancing at Robin, he focused his gaze on Rob, who was looking at him with intense eyes.

Squinting his eyes, Kozaburo didn't wait for his son Koshiro to introduce them. Instead, he puffed on a dry tobacco pipe and said:

"Boy, the way you look at this old man is like a suckling child seeing his mother!"

Hearing Kozaburo's words, Koshiro's face showed a bit of embarrassment, unsure of how to respond. On the contrary, Rob remained calm and stepped forward.

"For me, your forging technique is indeed as attractive as that! Mr. Kozaburo!"

Kozaburo smiled, looking directly at Rob.

"Are you here to learn the sword forging technique from this old man?"

Rob didn't deny it and admitted directly:

"That's right! I want to build myself a top-notch famous sword and then take it with me to conquer the sea and become the world's number one swordsman! I don't know if Mr. Kozaburo is willing to teach me the sword forging technique. I'm willing to pay ten million berries for tuition!"

Exhaling a smoke ring, Kozaburo looked at Rob.

"'World's Number One Swordsman'? Interesting goal! My sword forging technique is an ancestral skill that can forge renowned swords at the level of Great Grade Blades..."

Listening to Kozaburo's words, Rob didn't interrupt. Soon, Kozaburo looked at Rob seriously and spoke again:

"Ten million berries is too cheap! You need to pay more!"

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