Chapter 181

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"Shimozuki is the meaning of Frost Moon, don't you even know that? That was a close call; I almost let you sidestep the topic altogether!"

"Ah? Was he trying to change the subject just now?"

"It's no wonder, coming from Aba's family, sharp minds run in the blood, I didn't even catch it."

"Exactly, slave traders are just too crafty, almost fooled me!"

"Hmph, trying to deceive Aba? They're a hundred years too early for that!"

...

"Um, excuse me, does this village have a dojo called Isshin?"

Abel asked uncertainly.

"So Koushirou Sensei is that famous already? Even a slave trader has heard of the renown of Isshin Dojo?!"

"."

Looks like I've found the right place!

Abel's gaze sharpened, and he suddenly made up his mind.

He really wanted to witness the sword skills of that Koushirou.

Before he crossed over to this world, many speculated that Koushirou's swordsmanship was extremely strong.

This speculation was somewhat confirmed after Koushirou's background was revealed.

Koushirou's real name should be Shimozuki Koushirou.

He is the son of the famous swordsmith Shimozuki Kozaburo of Wano Country!

Both Enma and Wado Ichimonji, among the twenty-one Great Grade swords, were crafted by Shimozuki Kozaburo!

About several decades ago, Shimozuki Kozaburo and a group of warriors from Wano set out to sea for an adventure and eventually arrived in the East Blue, where they subdued bandits and taught the villagers swordsmanship.

Afterward, Shimozuki Kozaburo fell in love with a local woman, decided to settle down, and thus established Shimozuki Village, which has continued to this day.

And it seems Koushirou didn't inherit his forebear's swordsmith role; rather, he devoted himself to mastering swordsmanship.

"Sword techniques from Wano Country... how could I not experience them firsthand? Otherwise, this trip to the East Blue would be in vain."

Having made up his mind, Abel was about to speak when a green-haired kid burst through the crowd, brandishing a wooden sword.

"Damn slave trader, take my strike!"

The green-haired kid charged impulsively, with faint shouts from behind trying to stop him.

But it was futile!

Facing the attack, Abel effortlessly blocked the incoming wooden sword with just one finger.

"Kid, that's not how you use a sword."

"A sword is meant to kill."

With a slight release of his killing intent, Abel made the kid in front of him let go of the sword and collapse on the ground, clutching his throat.

In that instant, the green-haired kid seemed to have seen his own head fall to the ground, which is why he subconsciously let go.

"Zoro, Zoro, are you okay?"

A short-haired girl squeezed out of the crowd at that moment and hurriedly ran to the green-haired kid's side.

Seeing that he was only scared, she immediately looked up and stared directly at Abel, fearlessly.

"The practice of swordsmanship is to protect the weak, not solely for the sake of killing."

"Compared to Zoro, who stood up against evil to protect everyone, the one who truly knows nothing is you!"

"Well said!"

"That's right, Kuina, give this guy a good lesson!"

"Let this outsider taste the prowess of Isshin Dojo!"

The surrounding villagers immediately began to cheer for the short-haired girl, seemingly not worried about her strength or safety at all.Because this place is called Shimotsuki Village.

"Zoro. Kuina. Those are indeed names that I've heard of."

"Turns out I'm the villain myself?"

Well then, I am the villain!

Abel curled his lip; he didn't deny Kuina's point, but he didn't fully agree either.

The essence of a sword is to kill, and this reality cannot be masked by any moral significance!

"Perhaps the person who taught you swordsmanship has always told you that, but it has nothing to do with me."

"My sword exists only to kill."

Abel suddenly revealed the scabbard hidden under his suit.

"I'm not some lost merchant, nor am I a slave trader."

"I'd just like to learn the swordsmanship of Isshin Dojo; may I enter now?"

Abel touched the back of his neck, clearly wishing to keep a low profile, so why had it turned out like this?

Do I really have the makings of a villain?

How could such a handsome face not make any difference?

"No, strangers with unclear origins like you are forbidden from entering the village."

Kuina also drew her wooden sword, blocking the way with a resolute expression.

Come to think of it, Kuina was about two years older than Zoro, only eight years old this year.

Even at such a young age and being a girl, she bore such responsibility, no wonder Zoro always viewed her as the target he aspired to surpass.

And yet, Abel, who was also only two or three years older than Kuina, had long surpassed her level of strength.

"My sword, you cannot block."

Not deigning to bully his opponent, Abel drew Onimaru and casually swung it behind him.

A powerful flying slash then darted into the dense forest, severing all trees in its path!

As one tree after another toppled, thudding noises echoed on the ground.

The villagers who had just been indignantly trying to stop Abel, the 'slave trader,' from entering the village were left speechless.

After all, they only knew that the master of Isshin Dojo, Koshiro, was very powerful.

For many years, no villain targeting the village had not been dealt with by Isshin Dojo.

But exactly how powerful they couldn't tell.

At least, they had never seen anything like the scene where Abel, with a casual wave of his hand, could send forth a sword energy strike several meters long.

"So strong!"

Zoro, having recovered from the shock, looked at the dense forest that had been ravaged by the sword energy, replaying that brilliant flying slash in his mind over and over!

No one tried to stop Abel from entering anymore.

Even as Abel walked past the motionless Kuina, her shocked expression could be seen on her face.

Clearly, the strike from earlier was not at a level she could contend with!

She could neither catch it nor block it.

And seeing Abel's effortlessly relaxed demeanor, she knew that this was simply him making a move without much effort, intent on making her give up.

Not even his true skills had been fully displayed.

It was as casual as dismissing a child who had just asked for candy.

A bitter smile appeared on Kuina's face as she realized how fragile her proud record in the dojo was at that moment.

"Kuina, let's go quickly and inform the teacher! I believe Teacher Koshiro will definitely not lose!"

Zoro shouted, then pulled Kuina to run ahead.

Hearing her father's name,

Kuina instantly regained some confidence. That's right, as long as her father was there, he would not lose to that guy from earlier!