Three hard months of training

Three long and intense months had passed since Ethel arrived in the small village. During this time, he had changed in ways he could never have imagined. Not only had he improved his sword skills under Koushirou's tutelage, but he had also transformed his body. What was once a lean and fit physique had become a strong and muscular build, with well-defined muscles and a stamina that surprised him every day.

The dojo had become his home, and the village his community. Ethel hadn't just trained; he had worked alongside the villagers, helping in any way he could, from repairing roofs to tilling the land. This spirit of cooperation and dedication had not gone unnoticed.

One evening, as the sun set behind the mountains, painting the sky a warm orange, Koushirou approached Ethel while he practiced with a wooden sword in the courtyard.

"In these three months, you've learned a lot," Koushirou said, observing Ethel with a mixture of pride and curiosity. "But what surprises me most is your physical change. Perhaps you're blessed with a special body. I've never seen anyone improve so much in such a short time."

Ethel nodded, lowering his sword and wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"I couldn't say, Master. Maybe I was born this way. This is the first time I've trained seriously, so I didn't know I could grow so much in such a short time. I'm also happy with my sword skills. The only thing is, when I can, I'd like to switch to a different sword. I prefer not to use a katana," Ethel said, thoughtfully.

Koushirou smiled slightly, understanding the young man's concern.

"That is your choice. What you've learned here will serve you with many types of swords. As long as you and your sword unite your wills and become one, there will be no problem," the sensei explained wisely.

Ethel remained silent for a moment, reflecting on his master's words.

"Unite wills, huh…" he murmured, feeling the weight of the responsibility that came with true mastery of the sword.

Finally, Ethel made a decision.

"In any case, I think it's time for me to leave. I've taken advantage of your kindness for too long," he said sincerely, bowing respectfully.

Koushirou, who had heard similar desires expressed by his students many times before, pondered for a moment before responding.

"I must say the opposite, Ethel. Your arrival has motivated the children to train harder. You've helped everyone in the village with their chores. You've earned the right to stay and learn here. But I understand your desire to depart."

Ethel smiled with gratitude, feeling a wave of emotion. He bowed his head in deep respect.

"Even so, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thanks to you, I'll now be able to defend myself in this world."

Koushirou approached and placed a hand on Ethel's shoulder, a paternal gesture that made Ethel look up.

"And now, where will you go?" the master asked, his tone gentle but full of curiosity.

Ethel paused to think for a moment, looking out toward the horizon beyond the mountains surrounding the village.

"I'd like to go to the Grand Line, but for that, I'll need more people. Though I don't know what fate has in store for me," Ethel replied, with a mix of uncertainty and determination.

Koushirou regarded him with interest, understanding the implications of his words.

"Gather more people to go to the Grand Line? Then, I take it you want to form a pirate crew," he said, though there was no judgment in his words, only curiosity.

Ethel gently shook his head, clarifying his stance.

"I simply want to go on adventures with people who want the same. How others perceive me is of little concern to me," he explained, with a calm smile.

Koushirou nodded, understanding the young man's free spirit.

"As long as you follow your own path with the sword, I'll have no regrets about having taught you," Koushirou said, his tone firm, but there was a note of affection in it.

Ethel nodded, feeling a mix of sadness and excitement as he prepared to say goodbye to the place that had been his home for these past months. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but he also knew he was ready to face it.

The next day, at dawn, Ethel was ready to leave the village. He said his goodbyes to everyone: his master, the children he had trained with, the shepherd, and the rest of the villagers. Before he set out on his journey, they gave him a backpack filled with provisions and a large canteen, which he strapped to the backpack with a rope.

Koushirou extended his hand, offering Ethel a katana sheathed in a simple but sturdy scabbard.

"Take this; it will serve to protect you," the master said seriously. "It's still a katana, but for now, it will serve you until you decide to change it."

Ethel took the sword with reverence, bowing his head in a sign of respect and gratitude.

"Thank you very much, Master," he responded, feeling the weight—both physical and symbolic—of the katana in his hands.

Koushirou nodded with a faint smile, knowing his student was ready to face whatever came next.

"Now go, let nothing stop your path," Koushirou said, bidding farewell to his disciple.

With those words echoing in his mind, Ethel set off on his journey. He had spent three months on the island, enough time to familiarize himself with the area. He knew where to head to reach the port of the main city, where he hoped to find a ship to take him beyond the island's borders.

The path to the city was picturesque, surrounded by lush green fields that stretched as far as the eye could see. Despite the serenity of the landscape, Ethel's heart beat with a mix of excitement and nervousness, knowing he was leaving behind the safety of the dojo and venturing into a world full of uncertainty.

When night fell, Ethel settled into the branches of a large tree, seeking refuge in its height. From there, he gazed at the stars shining in the clear sky, wondering what kind of adventures awaited him. After a light sleep, he woke with the first rays of the sun, ate a little of the food he had brought with him, and prepared to resume his journey.

By midday, he finally arrived at the city. The sight surprised him; unlike the quiet pace of life in the village, the city was a bustle of activity. People ran from one place to another, merchants haggled over prices, and the constant sound of voices filled the air. Everything seemed to move with a frantic energy that contrasted with the calm he had known in recent months.

Ethel made his way through the crowd, and upon seeing a tavern on the corner of the main street, he decided to enter. The interior was warm and lively, with tables full of men and women eating and drinking. The conversations blended into a constant murmur, but as Ethel crossed the door, he noticed several people turning their heads to look at him, curious about the presence of an outsider.

Calmly, Ethel approached the counter and ordered a plate of meat with baked potatoes. Koushirou had given him a few Berrys, just enough to survive while he figured out his next steps.

As he waited for his food, Ethel let his thoughts wander. This was just the first step in a long journey, and although he didn't have a concrete plan, he felt that his instincts would guide him. He knew he needed to find a ship and a crew, and the city, with its bustling port, was the perfect place to start looking.

When the innkeeper brought him his food, Ethel sat at a secluded table, observing the comings and goings of the patrons. He noticed that among the diners were sailors, merchants, and a few pirates, easily recognizable by their tattoos and worn-out clothing. Ethel knew that if he wanted to join a ship, he needed to start talking to people, making connections, and finding out who was willing to accept him into their crew.

As he chewed on a piece of meat, his mind returned to the skill shop he had requested from the divine being. Perhaps, after his meal, he could explore if there was something he could buy with the Berrys he had left, something that would give him an edge in future battles.