---
After some interrogation, shouting, monologuing, and light emotional manipulation, Kaito finally pieced together enough details to get a vague idea of his location.
"Order! Full speed towards Shimotsuki Village!" he declared, standing proudly at the bow of the ship, wind dramatically blowing his platinum-silver hair. "And prepare food for me! If any of you dare to have second thoughts, this young master shall cut you into a thousand pieces and offer you all as a blood sacrifice to the great, great god Pangu!"
The pirates all shuddered.
Who the hell is this God Pangu? they all thought collectively. Why does he sound like he eats people?
---
Three Days Later…
"S-Sir, we're at the periphery of the island," a shivering pirate reported. "But we can't go any further. There's... something terrible there. Any ship that ventures too close... the entire crew just falls asleep. Like, full-on drooling, snoring, pants-down kinda sleep. We're telling the truth, boss! No cap!"
Kaito blinked. "Hah. So it begins."
He sniffed, cracked his neck, and squinted into the wind like a discount protagonist. "It should be you, huh… That adult from the village… No, wait. Let me rephrase that—Ahem. It must be that venerable sword saint Koshiro whose presence exudes such dominance that even nature bends before him. This aura… is truly the hallmark of a master."
A second passed.
"…Goddammit, another damn wuxia glitch. I sound like a budget sect heir again."
He looked to the crew, their heads low in fear. "Anyway. Sad for me, I came late. If only I had arrived earlier, I could have saved little Kuina. Sigh. It seems fate wasn't generous to us. Her cause and effect didn't align with mine."
He dramatically looked off into the distance.
"It's okay… it's okay… I know. Don't look at me like that. You don't have to sound so desperate."
The pirates looked at each other in confusion. No one had said anything.
"I'll go alone from here," Kaito declared suddenly. "You people can leave. And listen—work diligently. Go back, be good boys, take care of your old and sickly parents, stop pretending to be villains. Did you get that? If I ever see any of you acting tough on the sea again, we'll be reunited—and not in a good way."
The pirates nodded so quickly they looked like bobbleheads.
---
Shimotsuki Village Perimeter
Using Moonwalk, Kaito launched himself into the air, sailing toward the island like a white-haired cannonball with too much flair.
"I can sense several strong auras with my haki," he murmured as he soared. "They noticed me… but didn't respond. Safe."
Touchdown.
He landed near a modest dojo surrounded by trees. A simple wooden gate stood half-open, and within its walls were adults and children practicing their sword swings with intense focus.
Kaito stood tall, puffed out his chest, and yelled:
"Cough cough! Hey you! Buzz-cut monkey! Go call your teacher! Tell him the jade young master is here with a request!"
Heads turned instantly. Some students choked trying to suppress laughter. A few looked shocked. One, however—a guy with a thick bronze buzz cut and muscles for days—looked like his brain short-circuited.
"You little gigolo bastard! Who are you calling a monkey? Come here, I'll rearrange your facial structure for free!"
Kaito casually flipped his non-existent hair. "Tch. Please. Just you? My sword-wielding cat could deal with you while half-asleep and the other half dreaming of fish. And who the hell are you calling a gigolo, you knuckle-headed background character?"
Gasps echoed through the courtyard.
The buzz-cut bruiser stepped forward like an angry bull, fists clenched. But then—
"Enough," a calm, grounded voice said.
Kaito turned.
There stood a middle-aged man with glasses and a traditional kimono. His hair was tied in a modest bun, and he exuded an aura of calm serenity, like a monk who moonlights as a sword god. The legendary Koshiro.
"You've come to meet me, haven't you?" Koshiro asked softly. "Follow me."
Kaito gave one last mocking glance to the bronze monkey.
"You wait here, Bronze Monk. I'll deal with you later," he said, sticking out his tongue. "Don't faint from anticipation!"
The buzz-cut disciple trembled so hard, he blacked out on the spot.
---
Inside the Dojo
Koshiro sat in seiza in a traditional Japanese room, calm as ever. Kaito knelt across from him in a very undignified posture.
"So," Koshiro began, "what brings you here, kid?"
"Hmph! I'm not some kid, you stuffy robe man! This young master's name is Kaito Aishen!" he huffed. "I came here to… to…" He fidgeted. "...learn swordsmanship from you. Hmph."
Koshiro raised a brow. "From me?"
"Yes! But don't think I'm desperate or anything, got it?! It's just convenient! You happened to be here and you might be strong. That's all!"
"You have… an interesting way with words," Koshiro noted. "Very well. I can teach you, but no fighting with my disciples. If you must, challenge them properly in duels. No random brawling."
"You mongr—Ahem. I mean, fine. If they don't provoke me, I won't provoke them. But if they do…" He cracked his knuckles dramatically. "I make no promises."
Koshiro chuckled. "Where are you from?"
"Uh... well…" Kaito coughed. "Does it matter? You take money, I learn. Simple transaction. No need to ask unimportant questions."
"And what if you turn out to be a criminal?"
"Hah! Don't worry. If I were, you'd already be missing your wallet."
"…Good to know."
Koshiro tossed him a stack of papers. "Take these notes. Show me what you already know."
Kaito stood and walked to the training yard. He picked up a practice sword. What followed was… chaos. His movements were erratic but powerful, like someone who learned by copying anime and accidentally unlocking talent through sheer desperation and repeated near-death experiences.
He had zero finesse but overwhelming physical strength. It looked like a monkey doing tai chi on steroids.
"Huh," Koshiro mused. "Your basics are all over the place, but your raw potential is impressive. You've self-learned a lot through… unconventional methods. Fine. I'll help you fix your foundation. From there, you must find your own path."
He handed Kaito a manual. "These are some sword styles I've collected over the years. Study them. But don't blindly follow. A sword must become an extension of you."
Kaito took it and nodded.
"Fine. I'll do it. But I won't become some orthodox swordsman. I'll create my own style… the Jade Phantom Style! Cool, right?"
Koshiro sighed.
"…You are a strange one."
"Strange? No, no—legendary."
---
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