Night, bonfire.
The mountain bandit camp.
The one blocking Laino's path was none other than Sig the Mountain Bandit King, his face contorted with rage, staring at Laino with eyes that seemed to spit fire.
"Die, you little thief!"
Sig was furious, swinging his sword in a wild slash.
Laino's heart jumped. He had witnessed Sig's strength. Without proper training, his chances of winning a direct confrontation were slim.
He should have finished him off earlier.
Laino was懊惱. He had been too naive, underestimating the Mountain Bandit King.
Laino leaped backward, dodging Sig's sword. The attack was somewhat lacking, not up to Sig's usual standard.
"Don't run! I'll flay you alive!" Sig roared in fury.
Laino saw Sig's unsteady steps and immediately understood. He had drunk too much and was now running on sheer willpower.
What was there to be afraid of then?
Let's do this!
Laino dodged Sig's downward slash and countered with his own, forcing Sig to retreat. However, Sig couldn't avoid the kick that followed.
The lingering effects of Conqueror's Haki were still present. Combined with the influence of alcohol, Sig's strength, speed, and reaction time were all weakened.
He fell to the ground. The feeling of powerlessness sobered him up a little. He snarled, "Laino, are you betraying me?"
"Betrayal?"
"I was originally going to frame Shanks, but since you found out..."
A cold light shone in Laino's eyes. He dropped the treasure chest and charged at the fallen Sig with his sword.
A moment later, Laino was on top of Sig, unhesitatingly plunging his sword into his heart. He then rolled off, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
A cornered beast will still fight. Sig's dying counter-attack had slashed him, the wound gaping open. But Laino felt no fear. This kind of life-and-death struggle, the feeling of walking on thin ice, was too thrilling; he was becoming addicted to it.
[Ding! Killed opponent. Scanning talent: Fearless Heart (B-Rank)]
[Talent successfully copied.]
[Talent Description: With a fearless heart, you know no fear. Your courage will ensure you are never afraid again.]
Killing Sig and gaining a new talent, nice!
It was a pity it wasn't a combat talent.
Laino shook his head.
He pulled out the blood-stained sword and used the blood to draw the Red-Haired Pirates' symbol on the ground. He also left bloodstains on the watchtower. A simple setup to make it look like the Red-Haired Pirates had come for revenge, killed Sig, and abducted Laino.
As for what the awakened bandits would do—seek revenge for Sig or split up—Laino no longer cared.
He set the wooden house on fire. Then he took the treasure chest, mounted a horse, and left under the cover of night.
He didn't kill the other bandits. It wasn't that he couldn't. He was worried that some, like Sig, had strong wills and might wake up while he was in the act of killing. He had just acquired Conqueror's Haki and couldn't use it again. He was injured from his fight with Sig. His stamina and energy were not enough to support another fight. In this situation, leaving was the best option.
Laino's decisive choice saved his life. Not long after he left, Barry suddenly opened his eyes. He had woken up during the fight between Laino and Sig. Only, he hadn't intervened.
He sat up, a hint of fear in his eyes as he gazed in the direction Laino had fled. He then glanced at the dead Sig.
"Heh, now, I'm the boss!"
...
A month passed since he killed Sig the Mountain Bandit King and left the bandit group.
The sea was blue, the sky was clear, and the waves were calm.
A merchant ship slowly docked at the pier.
"Hey, Mr. Laino, we've arrived at Shimotsuki Village!" a sailor with a loud voice shouted, knocking on Laino's cabin door.
The sun was bright. Laino carried his leather suitcase and stepped onto the small pier. The villagers carrying cargo cast curious glances at him. He paid them no mind, happily looking out at the island.
From the pier, a paved road extended into the island's interior. In the distance were rolling hills and forests, with birds returning to their nests and the cries of tigers and monkeys. Wisps of smoke could be seen rising faintly.
That was Shimotsuki Village, his destination for this trip.
He had sold some of the jewelry in the Goa Kingdom and island-hopped through seven or eight islands to finally arrive here.
"Zoro, don't rely on strength alone. Feel with your heart!"
At the Isshin Dojo, Shimotsuki Koshiro was patiently instructing. He wore a light gray kimono and had his arms crossed. The glasses he wore gave him a scholarly air.
"Heart? What's that?"
The green-algae-headed Zoro was confused. He held a bamboo sword in each hand, looking comical. At this time, he wasn't yet carrying Kuina's dream and was using a two-sword style.
"When you grow up, you'll naturally understand."
"Ugh, it's 'when you grow up' again! Damn it, I want to grow up right now!"
A faint smile hung on Koshiro's face. He didn't explain further to Zoro. The path of the sword, like life, needed to be experienced and understood. Even if he explained it now, Zoro wouldn't get it.
"Father, there's a guy outside who wants to learn kendo," Kuina called out, standing on the veranda. Seeing Koshiro giving Zoro another private lesson, a trace of envy was hidden in her proud eyes.
Ever since that guy came to the dojo, her father's concern for her had lessened. Even though her skills were inferior to his! But his progress was just too fast.
Her father's words... that girls weren't suited for kendo, could it really be true?
No!
Kuina's eyes were firm. Zoro was working hard, but she had to work even harder. She would definitely prove that a girl could also become a great swordsman!
The Japanese-style courtyard was surrounded by high walls. Green bricks and white tiles gave it a serene atmosphere. The spacious main hall, usually a training area, was now empty.
Laino waited quietly.
With the [Talent Copy System], he didn't lack potential. What he lacked was the training to quickly convert that potential into combat power.
He hadn't taken over a body or been reborn; his body and soul were not of this world. Even though he had become younger and his physical fitness was gradually approaching that of an ordinary person in the One Piece world, it was far from enough. There were too many monsters in the world of One Piece.
How could he make up for his shortcomings?
Training!
Using his talents as a supplement, he would undergo systematic learning and training to gradually catch up to the geniuses.
In the entire East Blue, the Isshin Dojo was the most suitable place he could find.
The sound of footsteps approached. Laino turned his head. A scholarly man with glasses and a ponytail walked in.
"You want to learn kendo?" his tone was gentle, and his eyes held a scholarly air. Every move he made exuded a refined and gentle aura.
"Yes!"
Koshiro sized up Laino. He caught a faint scent of blood. This young man had killed before.
Koshiro had been to sea in his youth and knew that the eyes and smell of someone who had killed were completely different.
His eyes, hidden behind his glasses, narrowed. He looked like he was smiling as he kindly asked, "Have you had any experience with it before?"
"No!" Laino answered honestly.
Koshiro didn't ask about his past or his reasons for learning the sword. He nodded slightly and walked to the rack of bamboo swords. He took two, handed one to Laino, and said, "Let me see your aptitude, whether it's suitable or not."
"It's good that you're eager to learn, young man. I only worry you might choose the wrong path."
It was a warning with deep meaning.
Laino took the sword, unbuttoned his suit jacket, and loosened his shoulders. "Sometimes, you have to make a choice just to survive."
Koshiro was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, "That's true too!"
In the center of the room, he held his sword with both hands, took a lunge stance, and gestured for Laino to attack.