On the path back to the dojo.
Zoro and Kuina walked on either side of Lucas Moore, each carrying a jar of sake.
Unable to hold back his curiosity, Zoro asked, "Lucas Moore, that move you used just now it was so fast I couldn't even see it. What technique did you use to defeat that mountain bandit leader?"
Lucas Moore replied casually, "Ittoryu: Iai."
"That name sounds awesome!" Zoro's eyes lit up with excitement.
Kuina stayed silent for a moment before asking, "And how did you knock out all those mountain bandits afterward?"
"Haki," Lucas Moore said.
"Haki?" Zoro and Kuina echoed in unison.
Zoro looked puzzled. "What's Haki?"
Lucas Moore didn't answer.
He wasn't the type to explain everything. Whether or not he responded depended entirely on his mood.
Seeing that Lucas Moore had no intention of elaborating, Zoro sensibly stopped pressing the issue.
The three continued walking in silence. As they neared Isshin Dojo, Zoro suddenly made a decision.
"After what happened today almost getting cut down by those bandits I've made up my mind. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to train in Santoryu!"
In the future, Zoro would become a formidable swordsman known for his Three-Sword Style.
Lucas Moore wasn't the least bit surprised.
But Kuina frowned, clearly confused. "You already struggle with two real swords, and now you want to use three? Are you insane? How would you even hold the third one?"
"With my mouth!" Zoro declared with conviction. "I don't want to feel that helpless ever again. Even if I don't stand a chance, I'll fight with everything I've got. I won't just stand around waiting for someone to save me."
In truth, over the past year, Zoro had been training his jaw strength but he'd never fully committed to the idea of learning Santoryu.
Kuina stared at him for a long moment.
"You're such an idiot. Aren't you afraid you'll break your teeth...?" She added, "Using three swords takes way more stamina than two. Since you've made up your mind, you'll need to increase your training load to keep up with the strain."
"I know," Zoro said, grinning. "I'm ready to pour every last drop of energy into training. I'm going to push myself to the limit every single day."
Lucas Moore offered no comment.
There wasn't much to say.
As the three passed the back garden of the dojo, they walked past the corridor of the teahouse, where a warm light glowed from within.
From inside, Koshiro called out with a gentle smile, "Good work today, Lucas Moore."
"Mm." Lucas Moore responded indifferently and kept walking.
After delivering their sake jars to Lucas Moore's room, Zoro and Kuina immediately circled back to Koshiro's teahouse, eyes filled with expectation.
"What is it?" Koshiro asked, smiling. "You two seem to have something on your minds."
Kuina wasted no time. "Father, what is Haki?"
"Oh? Where did you hear that term?" Koshiro paused, then asked, "Did Lucas Moore use Haki to deal with those bandits?"
"He did!" Zoro nodded eagerly. "Sensei, you weren't there, but Lucas Moore was amazing! He took out the bandit boss in a single strike!"
"Oh? That's quite impressive," Koshiro said, taking a sip of tea.
"Super impressive!" Zoro gushed. "That move it's called Ittoryu: Iai. Even the name is cool!"
"Hmm?" Koshiro paused for a beat. "So he's already mastered Iai... truly gifted."
Zoro's eyes lit up. "Sensei, you know it too? Can you teach me? I really want to learn!"
Koshiro smiled. "I can teach you, but not yet. Master the fundamentals first, then we'll talk."
Kuina crossed her arms in frustration. "Father, you still haven't told us what Haki is!"
Still smiling, Koshiro began explaining, "Haki... is a latent power that lies within all of us. There are three types: Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and Conqueror's Haki..."
He went on to give a brief explanation of Haki, and the more Zoro and Kuina listened, the more excited they became.
In the days that followed, Lucas Moore's routine remained unchanged an unbroken loop of hunting, drinking at the tavern, and returning to the dojo for more drinking.
Before he realized it, nearly twenty days had passed since he arrived in Shimotsuki Village.
He had tasted every type of alcohol in the tavern and hunted almost every beast in the surrounding mountains.
It was time to finish that last 20% of his mission progress and leave.
Back in Windmill Village, he had relied on Shanks to complete two missions.
Here in Shimotsuki Village, he had also completed two thanks to Dragon.
But Koshiro and Zoro had only contributed one mission each so far.
Which meant-
The final task would most likely involve either Koshiro or Zoro.
Maybe sparring with Koshiro would do the trick.
With that thought in mind, Lucas Moore, having finished his hunting for the day, turned back toward the dojo.
He hadn't gone far when someone came running up the path swords clanking at his waist.
It was Zoro.
Since the defeat of Higuma and his gang, neither Zoro nor Kuina had bothered him again.
Life had been pleasantly peaceful for Lucas Moore.
But now, seeing Zoro appear like this...
What did the brat want?
Lucas Moore continued walking, his expression blank.
"Lucas Moore, spar with me!" Zoro shouted enthusiastically, coming to a stop in front of him.
As before, Lucas Moore walked around him without breaking stride.
Zoro quickly caught up, speaking as he walked. "I'm not the same as before, I swear! I've been training every day. I can fight Kuina to a draw now using Santoryu!"
Lucas Moore gave a half-hearted "Oh."
Zoro went on, "And I've decided I won't ambush you anymore. From now on, I'll challenge you head-on, fair and square!"
Lucas Moore: "..."
Zoro sprinted ahead and stopped about fifty meters in front of him. Turning to face Lucas Moore, he bit down on one sword, gripping the other two in his hands, and took his stance.
As Lucas Moore approached within ten meters, Zoro crossed his arms, raising his two swords parallel above the one clenched in his mouth.
"Lucas Moore, accept my challenge!" Zoro said, the words muffled by the blade between his teeth.
A faint but distinct sword aura radiated from him.
That stance...
That pressure...
Lucas Moore's gaze sharpened.
Was this... Oni Giri?
He remembered that Zoro only developed this move during the two-year timeskip, long after parting ways with Luffy and the others.
Though the technique was still in its infancy and Zoro's form was far from polished-
Lucas Moore hadn't expected the kid to have progressed this far in just a few short weeks.
He had even begun to grasp the essence of sword aura.
This boy... really was destined to become a great swordsman.
Lucas Moore had always respected those who put in the effort.
"I've always wanted to have a real match with you, Lucas Moore," Zoro said, eyes burning with sincerity. "Please just this once accept my challenge."
Lucas Moore stopped in his tracks, silently studying him.
Then, the corner of his mouth lifted.
He drew Wado Ichimonji from its sheath.
"Fine," he said. "Before I leave, I'll give you this one chance."
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