For the past ten or so days, Zoro had been training right at the edge of human limits every single day, scaring all the other kids practicing swordsmanship around him.
Koushirou, worried he might damage his body, even spoke to him, hoping he'd ease up on the training.
But Zoro refused.
Koushirou then turned to Kuina, hoping she could persuade Zoro.
Unexpectedly, Kuina's attitude was the same as Zoro's.
In fact, her training intensity had also increased several times over.
The reason these two kids suddenly started training like madmen was due to what happened the day after Lin Mo instantly defeated the mountain bandit Higuma and his gang.
Koushirou felt helpless—frustrated, but unable to stop them.
In a valley,
Lin Mo had accepted Zoro's challenge.
The two stood facing each other, both ready to fight at any moment.
Zoro's eyes gleamed with determination as he rushed toward Lin Mo.
As he closed the distance, he skillfully slashed with the two swords in his hands, forming crossing arcs, while the sword in his mouth struck in coordination—three blades coming down with fierce force.
Compared to the first time he had rashly tried to fight Lin Mo with nothing but brute strength, he was now on a completely different level.
Improving this much in such a short time couldn't be achieved with talent and comprehension alone—it took massive amounts of training to create muscle memory.
From Zoro's swordplay and control of three swords, it was clear how hard he had been working.
But to Lin Mo, the current Zoro was still far too weak.
Lin Mo narrowed his eyes slightly. In a single glance, he found a flaw.
Just as Zoro got close, Lin Mo struck once—and sent Zoro flying.
He sheathed Wado Ichimonji and looked at Zoro lying on the ground not far away.
Zoro clenched his teeth, staring up at the sky in a daze. After a moment, he got up, dusted himself off, and smiled wryly.
"Just as I thought… I'm still no match for you. Looks like I need to work even harder."
Lin Mo looked at him.
A subtle feeling stirred within him.
"Zoro," Lin Mo said, "At the start of your move just now, raise your shoulders a bit more, focus your attention more, and lower your stance."
Zoro blinked, then quickly picked up his sword and followed Lin Mo's advice to re-assume the move.
"Like this?" he asked, biting down on the hilt.
Lin Mo nodded. "Try slashing with that form."
"Got it."
Zoro fixed his eyes on the nearest tree and charged forward.
Lin Mo could feel Zoro's sword aura was slightly stronger than before.
With one strike, Zoro left three sword marks about ten centimeters deep on the tree trunk.
"Huh?" Zoro's eyes lit up as he stared at the marks. "Before I could only cut five centimeters deep! Lin Mo, you're amazing—just one tip from you helped me break through!"
"Keep experimenting," Lin Mo said. "This move can become even stronger. Keep working on it."
"I will!" Zoro nodded firmly.
Just as he finished saying that—crack! One of his swords suddenly broke, the blade snapping in half and falling to the ground.
Zoro stared wide-eyed at the broken sword. His expression changed dramatically as he cried out, "No! Why now?! I saved up so long to buy this… now I'm short a sword—how am I supposed to train?"
All three of his swords were real. Ordinary swords couldn't withstand the intensity of his training. The one in his right hand had already taken a lot of damage—it breaking was only a matter of time.
Lin Mo looked at the broken blade.
How convenient, he thought. And only one sword broke. Isn't the timing a little too perfect?
After a moment of silence, he drew Wado Ichimonji—scabbard and all—from his waist.
"Zoro," Lin Mo called.
Zoro, still teary-eyed over his broken sword, turned to him.
Lin Mo tossed Wado Ichimonji over.
Zoro caught it instinctively, looking at the blade, then at Lin Mo in confusion. "What's this?"
"I'm giving it to you," Lin Mo said calmly.
"What? But… I lost, didn't I?"
"This sword suits you."
Lin Mo didn't explain further. He turned and walked toward Isshin Dojo.
After a few steps, a familiar system prompt sounded in his head:
"Ding! Wado Ichimonji gifted to Zoro. Sign-in progress +20%."
"Ding! Shimotsuki Village sign-in task complete. Congratulations, host: Six Powers unlocked, swordsmanship level +1. Current swordsmanship: Lv6."
Hearing this, Lin Mo stopped in his tracks.
An overwhelming aura surged from him.
Just like before, it quickly faded.
Looks like there's no need to spar with Koushirou...
Still, he hadn't expected that the final progress would come from giving Zoro the sword.
Lin Mo smiled and opened his stat panel.
Name: Lin Mo
Age: 10
Sign-in Location: Baratie (0%)
Haki: Armament Haki Lv2, Conqueror's Haki Lv3, Observation Haki Lv2
Skills: Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Technique (Beginner), Swordsmanship Lv6
Rokushiki (Six Powers): Finger Gun Lv1, Iron Body Lv1, Shave (locked), Moonwalk (locked), Tempest Kick (locked), Paper Art (locked)
Weapon: Cursed Blade Star Smasher (Toyako)
System Space: 10x10x10 cubic meters
The Six Powers are six body techniques in the One Piece world that exceed human limits.
If all six are mastered, it's a huge leap in combat power.
Unfortunately, only Finger Gun and Iron Body had been unlocked so far.
Finger Gun: Gathers the body's strength into one finger and thrusts with bullet-like power—capable of piercing steel.
Iron Body: A defensive technique that hardens the body to iron-like durability—resisting bullets and blades alike.
As for the remaining techniques—they'd be explained once unlocked.
Lin Mo closed the panel and kept walking back toward Isshin Dojo.
The task was complete. It was time to leave.
He'd stayed long enough—at the very least, he owed Koushirou a proper farewell.
Zoro clutched Wado Ichimonji, staring blankly at Lin Mo's back.
Just now, a terrifying power had suddenly surged forth—so intense it made his knees give out.
He collapsed on the ground, trembling as he looked at Lin Mo's distant figure.
That aura just now... it had to be Lin Mo, right?
"W-what was that…?" Zoro swallowed hard. "That was terrifying…"
At Isshin Dojo
Koushirou was observing students practice their basics.
Sensing Lin Mo's presence, he looked toward the dojo entrance and smiled. "You're back early today."
"Yeah." Lin Mo answered plainly. "I'm leaving."
Koushirou paused, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Then he nodded with understanding. "I see. You did say you wanted to travel the world. So you're going now?"
Lin Mo nodded. "Mm."
Kuina, leading the basics practice, immediately rushed to the entrance when she heard this. Her face showed disbelief, but her heart burned with frustration.
"You're leaving? Why? Zoro and I haven't beaten you yet! I don't want you to go!"