One Piece: The True Codex

"Winner: Kuina!"

In Shimotsuki Village, at the Isshin Dojo, a student acting as the referee glanced at Zoro, who was half-lying on the ground clutching his forehead. "Give it up, Zoro. You can't beat Kuina. You've already lost over a thousand matches, and you haven't won a single one."

Gritting his teeth, Zoro picked up his bamboo sword and stubbornly declared, "I'm going to become the world's greatest swordsman. If I can't even defeat a girl from this dojo, what right do I have to go out to sea?"

Kuina, who had been about to leave, turned back deliberately upon hearing Zoro's words. She smirked and taunted, "People say you're like William, but how are you anything like him? You're so weak, yet you talk so big. Among swordsmen, there are only strong and weak; there's no such thing as male or female. You lost to me because I'm stronger, and you're weaker. It has nothing to do with me being a girl."

"And besides, you can't even hold one sword properly, yet you insist on wielding more. How ridiculous!"

Kuina's words made Zoro's face flush red, then pale. He shouted, "Don't get cocky! I'll definitely defeat you one day!"

"You won't get the chance. Among the students at this dojo, I've only ever lost to William, and I'll only ever lose to him." Kuina smiled mysteriously for some reason after hearing Zoro's retort. Then, she turned and walked away, while the other students at the dojo parted to make way for her.

Left behind, Zoro's expression was grim. His friends at the dojo tried to console him. After all, while Zoro couldn't yet defeat Kuina, his skills were already among the best in the dojo, even surpassing many adults.

The reason Koushirou valued Zoro so highly—going so far as to shield him from William's influence—was because Zoro was practically a born swordsman. Beyond his critical physical aptitude, Zoro's resilience, stubbornness, and refusal to admit defeat were qualities that Koushirou deeply admired.

These traits allowed Zoro to quickly turn his frustration over his loss into motivation. Instead of dwelling on Kuina's ridicule, he tightened his grip on his bamboo sword and prepared to resume his training. He didn't abandon his long-held dream of becoming the world's greatest swordsman, nor did he switch to a one-sword style.

"I will become the world's greatest swordsman, so I will defeat you. And I'll defeat someone even stronger than you—William," Zoro muttered to himself.

"Something terrible has happened!" Just as Zoro was trying to lift his spirits, a loud shout came from afar.

The boy, who was the same age as Zoro and had once run into the dojo screaming about intruders when William and his group had visited, now came rushing into the crowd again, waving his arms and shouting, "There's a monster at the dojo!"

The others frowned at the commotion, though a group of curious children eagerly asked, "What kind of monster? How could there be a monster in broad daylight?"

"There is!" The boy tugged at his face dramatically, trying to make it look bigger. "You'll see if you go look. His head is huge—he's definitely not human!"

The "monster" that the boy mistook for a supernatural being due to his oversized head was, of course, Emporio Ivankov, the Revolutionary Army officer known as the "Miracle Worker" or "Okama King." Ivankov, along with Dragon and other Revolutionary Army members, had come to Isshin Dojo seeking aid after their ship became overcrowded with refugees.

"I've already sent someone to prepare food. It'll be ready soon. But with so many people, where will they rest? They can't stay on the ship forever," Koushirou said as he served a cup of hot tea to Dragon and his companions in the dojo's rear courtyard.

"Can't they rest here at the dojo?" Ivankov suggested.

"I'm afraid that's not convenient. I have spies watching this place," Koushirou replied.

Dragon's movements froze for a moment. Then, recalling Koushirou's situation, he smiled faintly. "Your student, perhaps?"

Koushirou sighed. "I know you want to meet William, but I don't think it's a good idea."

Dragon's demeanor turned serious as he said, "His resettlement and immigration policies over the past year have made quite a splash. The slums of Kalmar City and the Gray Terminal in the Goa Kingdom are both infamous poverty-stricken areas in the East Blue. He's trying to address the survival issues of the lower class. While the results aren't evident yet, it's clear that he's different from the rulers of the Goa Kingdom. Perhaps he's one of us."

Koushirou adjusted his glasses, feeling that Dragon had greatly misunderstood William. As a teacher, Koushirou did admire William's talent and was pleased with his accomplishments. However, he firmly believed that Dragon's perspective on William was misguided and that meeting him would not benefit either party.

"As his teacher, I know my student's character better," Koushirou said. "I can tell you with certainty, Dragon, that William is not one of us. In fact, I worry about how he would react if he found out you were here."

"William is a man obsessed with power. He has his own plans for his life and career. And so far, he's been progressing steadily and successfully. With the World Government's inspection delegation already in the East Blue, including the Celestial Dragons, I can predict how he would feel if you met him…"

Koushirou glanced at Dragon, who frowned slightly at his words. "He wouldn't be delighted to meet a kindred spirit, nor would he welcome you. He would only feel angry, annoyed, or even resentful, because your sudden arrival might disrupt his plans."

At this point, Bartholomew Kuma, who had been silently sitting like a massive statue, finally spoke. His tone was calm and philosophical as he said, "Life is full of unexpected events. No one can completely control fate—not even their own."

"But I don't want that unexpected event to be because of me, or because of my connection to William as his teacher," Koushirou responded, uncharacteristically stern and even slightly severe. "He's my student. While I may not fully agree with everything he does, I won't force him into our affairs against his will. I still believe that meeting him right now isn't a good idea—for either side."

Dragon remained silent, staring down at his teacup. After a while, he finally said, "If you insist, I'll respect your decision. However, I still plan to visit the Navia Kingdom. I'm interested in his resettlement and immigration policies and want to see if they've had any real impact—and if so, to what extent."

After finishing the topic of William, Dragon asked, "What about Kuina? Have you given her situation any thought?"

This time, it was Koushirou's turn to fall silent. He turned to look out the window and, after a long pause, let out a deep sigh.

~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~

The story isn't over...🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters?

🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world?

✍ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?✨patreon.com/GoldenLong