Over the past ten days, Zoro had been training at the edge of human endurance every single day, to the point of terrifying the other children practicing swordsmanship with him.
Koshiro, concerned that he might hurt himself, had a serious talk with him, trying to convince him to ease up on the intensity.
But Zoro refused.
Koshiro then turned to Kuina, hoping she might persuade Zoro to take it easy.
To his surprise, Kuina's attitude was exactly the same as Zoro's. She, too, had increased the intensity of her training several times over.
What had sparked this sudden frenzy in both children was what happened just over ten days ago, when Lucas Moore effortlessly defeated the bandit Higuma and his crew in an instant.
Koshiro was frustrated, but there was nothing he could do to stop the two of them.
In the mountain valley, Lucas had accepted Zoro's challenge.
The two stood face-to-face, both prepared to strike at any moment.
A gleam flashed in Zoro's eyes as he lunged at Lucas.
As he closed the distance, the swords in his hands carved twin, intersecting arcs through the air. The blade clenched between his teeth moved in sync with practiced precision. All three blades bore down on Lucas with fierce momentum.
Compared to their first encounter, when he had charged in recklessly with brute force, Zoro was now on an entirely different level.
To achieve such rapid progress in such a short time, talent and instinct alone weren't enough.
It required immense training, repeated drills until the body remembered the motions.
Just from the way Zoro controlled his three blades now, it was clear he had been pushing himself to the limit.
But even so, to Lucas, Zoro was still far too weak.
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly. In an instant, he spotted the flaw in Zoro's form. As Zoro came close, Lucas struck. A single blow sent Zoro flying.
He sheathed the Wado Ichimonji.
Looking toward the boy now sprawled on the ground, Lucas observed quietly.
Zoro clenched his jaw, staring blankly at the sky for a long moment before pushing himself up and brushing the dust from his clothes. He grinned.
"I'm still nowhere near your level," he said. "Looks like I've got to work even harder."
Lucas watched him in silence. For a moment, something stirred within him.
"Zoro," Lucas said, "in that last move, lift your shoulder a little higher at the start. Focus more, and lower your center of gravity."
Zoro blinked, puzzled.
Without hesitation, he picked up his fallen swords and assumed his previous stance as instructed.
"Like this?" he asked, voice slightly muffled around the blade clenched in his mouth.
Lucas nodded. "Now try the strike again."
"Alright."
Zoro turned his gaze toward a tree nearby, his eyes sharpening. Lucas could already sense it the sword aura Zoro released now was stronger than just moments ago.
Zoro darted toward the tree and slashed.
Three deep gouges were carved into the bark, each nearly ten centimeters deep.
"Huh?" Zoro's eyes lit up as he stared at the marks. "Before, I could only cut five centimeters deep. Lucas, you're amazing! Just one piece of advice and I've already improved!"
"Keep experimenting," Lucas said. "That technique can still get stronger. Keep at it."
"I will!" Zoro nodded firmly.
Just as he finished speaking, there was a sharp crack. The sword in his right hand suddenly split, half of its blade snapping off and falling to the ground.
Zoro stared in horror at the broken weapon, his eyes wide with shock.
"Ahhh! It broke? I saved up for so long to buy this sword. I'm doomed. Without it, how am I going to keep training?"
He had been using real swords for training lately. Ordinary blades simply couldn't withstand the intensity of Zoro's regimen. All three of his swords had taken damage, especially the one he used in his right hand. The break had only been a matter of time.
Lucas also looked down at the fallen half-blade, frowning inwardly.
Of all times for it to break... and only one sword? The timing felt almost too convenient.
After a moment of silence, he drew the Wado Ichimonji sheath and all from his waist.
"Zoro," Lucas called out.
Still teary-eyed and caught up in mourning his broken sword, Zoro turned toward the sound of his name.
Lucas tossed the Wado Ichimonji to him.
Zoro caught it reflexively. He looked down at the blade, then back at Lucas.
"What's this?"
"I'm giving it to you," Lucas said flatly.
"What?" Zoro gasped. "But... I lost! Why would you...?"
"That blade suits you."
Lucas didn't say more. He turned and began walking back toward the Isshin Dojo.
He had only taken a few steps when a sound rang out in his mind.
Ding! You have gifted Wado Ichimonji to Zoro. Sign-in progress +20%.
Ding! Shimotsuki Village sign-in mission complete. Congratulations, host. Rokushiki unlocked. Swordsmanship level increased by 1. Current swordsmanship level: Lv6.
Lucas froze in place. A wave of overwhelming, awe-inspiring pressure radiated from his body.
Just like before, the force quickly dissipated.
Looks like there was no need to challenge Koshiro after all... Still, this final boost in progress had caught him completely off guard.
A small smile tugged at Lucas's lips as he opened his status panel.
Name: Lucas Moore
Age: 10
Next Sign-In Location: Baratie (0%)
Haki:
• Armament Haki Lv2
• Conqueror's Haki Lv3
• Observation Haki Lv2
Skills:
• Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique (Beginner)
• Swordsmanship: Lv6
Rokushiki Techniques:
• Finger Pistol (Shigan) Lv1
• Iron Body (Tekkai) Lv1
• Shave (Soru): Locked
• Moonwalk (Geppo): Locked
• Tempest Kick (Rankyaku): Locked
• Paper Art (Kami-e): Locked
Weapons:
• Cursed Blade: Starshatter (Tōyako)
System Storage: 10×10×10 meters
The Rokushiki were six forms of superhuman martial arts developed by the World Government. To master all six was to transcend the limits of the human body.
Unfortunately, for now, only two had been unlocked: Shigan and Tekkai.
Shigan focused all physical strength into a single fingertip, unleashing a lightning-fast strike that hit with the power of a bullet. It could easily pierce flesh even steel.
Tekkai was a defensive technique that hardened the muscles to the point of becoming as durable as iron. Ordinary bullets and blades couldn't penetrate it.
As for the remaining techniques, explanations could wait until they were unlocked.
Closing the panel, Lucas resumed his walk toward the Isshin Dojo. Now that the mission was complete, it was time to leave. He'd stayed at the dojo long enough. At the very least, he owed Koshiro a farewell.
Zoro held the Wado Ichimonji in his arms, still in a daze, staring at Lucas's back.
Just moments ago, he had felt a terrifying force so overwhelming it had made his legs buckle.
Trembling all over, he sat on the ground and watched Lucas's retreating figure.
He had a good idea now of who had unleashed that power.
Even if it had only lasted a second, he was certain it hadn't been his imagination.
"That... was Lucas?" Zoro swallowed hard. "That was terrifying. What was that just now?"
At the Isshin Dojo, Koshiro stood inside, watching the students practice their fundamentals.
Sensing Lucas's presence, he turned toward the entrance and smiled.
"You're back earlier than usual today."
Lucas nodded. "I'm leaving."
Koshiro paused, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes before he smiled again.
"I suppose it was only a matter of time. You did say you wanted to be a traveler. So, you're leaving now?"
"Yes," Lucas replied.
At that moment, Kuina, who had been leading the basic drills, hurried over to the entrance, disbelief written all over her face. Her heart was roiling with frustration.
"You're leaving? Why? Zoro and I haven't beaten you yet. I don't want you to go!"