Pirates: Seeing My Proficiency, I Became a Legend

When the sun rose on a new day, Dongze walked back from the bandit's nest on the first ray of sunlight before dawn.

"Master, I will return the sword!"

"Nah!"

"I'm back!"

"I forgot to tell you before I left, there is an ability user who came from the West Blue!"

Hearing Koshiro's words, Dongze couldn't help frowning. The gloating tone in his master's voice made him want to beat him up.

"If you forgot, then don't say it! And why bring it up now?" he thought. The man in front of him was truly a "swordsman."

Dongze assessed their difference in combat power and, with great effort, suppressed the thought of pinning Koshiro to the ground and rubbing him back and forth.

But even if he couldn't defeat his master, there were still others—like Kuina. She was an easier target. Today, he planned to teach her a lesson.

Of course, he wouldn't foolishly voice these thoughts aloud. Instead, he spoke calmly:

"Fortunately, thanks to the master's teachings, I was able to return unscathed."

Unexpectedly, Dongze's words made Koshiro pause. A hint of embarrassment flickered across his face. If his student had truly learned from him, he would have been relieved. But in reality, Koshiro had barely taught Dongze anything. The so-called "thirteen-style basic swordsmanship" was a common technique—booksellers in Loguetown and other major cities of the East Blue sold multiple versions of it.

As for Haki and advanced sword techniques, Koshiro had never taught those to his students.

Feigning ignorance of Dongze's remark, Koshiro quickly changed the subject.

"So, how was your visit to the bandit village?"

Dongze chuckled.

"It was… interesting."

Then, with a deeper meaning in his voice, he added:

"Though nothing happened, I must still say—thank you."

Koshiro narrowed his eyes, silently analyzing Dongze's words.

"He noticed me? What a terrifying perception!"

"Where! I was merely fulfilling my duty."

Then, as if remembering something, Dongze asked, "By the way, Master, may I ask you for guidance sometime?"

Koshiro was slightly surprised. Dongze's combat ability far exceeded the other students in the dojo, but it was still too early for him to challenge a true master swordsman. Even though Koshiro was not as renowned as Dracule Mihawk, he was no ordinary swordsman.

"Dongze, as a swordsman, you should know the gap between us. That kind of difference is not something you can overcome with a few sword swings."

Dongze shrugged.

"Oh, don't misunderstand. I wasn't referring to swordplay. I was talking about forging techniques. As for swordsmanship, it'll probably take me a few more years before I can challenge you."

Before Dongze's words fully settled, Koshiro's pupils trembled slightly, and an incredibly sharp Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror's Haki) pressure locked onto him. Koshiro's curiosity about the boy in front of him deepened.

"This matter is a closely guarded secret. How did he learn about it?"

Koshiro was a descendant of the Shimotsuki Clan from Wano Country. Due to certain events, his family had fled to the East Blue. He had only learned the truth about their lineage from his father, Shimotsuki Kozaburo.

His father was not only a swordsman but also a master swordsmith—the very man who forged Wado Ichimonji, Kuina's sword.

Koshiro's voice grew colder.

"Who are you, really?"

Dongze felt the crushing aura pressing down on him, but he stood firm. He knew he had made the right decision by being direct. In this world, he needed a weapon that suited him, but none of the legendary swords—whether they were among the 12 Supreme Grade Swords, the 21 Great Grade Swords, or the 50 Skillful Grade Swords—fit his needs.

He didn't want a katana. He wanted a sword.

To truly unleash his potential, he needed to forge his own weapon. But swordsmithing wasn't a skill one could simply pick up—it required knowledge, experience, and a proper guide.

Shimotsuki Kozaburo had been a world-class swordsmith. Even if Koshiro himself had not inherited those skills, the knowledge left behind in his father's writings would be enough for Dongze to start.

"Who am I?" Dongze finally responded, his voice unwavering.

"I am nothing more than an ant struggling in a turbulent world."

"A seeker of the strongest swordsmanship."

"And of course, a student of Isshin Dojo—Dongze."

A moment of silence passed. Then, Koshiro withdrew his Haki.

Dongze's gaze was steady, without a trace of hesitation. Facing a master swordsman, any flicker of doubt would have exposed his weakness.

For once, he had spoken the complete truth.

Koshiro smiled faintly.

"A great ambition indeed."

Then, after a pause, he said, "Three days from now, come find me. I do not know how to forge swords, but my father left behind books and a swordsmithing workshop. You may use them for the time being."

Dongze's gratitude was genuine.

"Thank you, Master."

Koshiro's mouth twitched.

"Out of everything you've said today, that's the only sentence I actually like."

Then, he let out a hearty laugh.

"By the way, an important guest is arriving soon. He has a keen interest in geniuses. Would you like to meet him?"

Dongze narrowed his eyes.

He could guess who this visitor was—the only person Koshiro would treat with such respect.

But now wasn't the time. In this world, power reigned supreme. If one lacked the strength to back up their ambitions, then even the sharpest mind would be useless.

So, without hesitation, Dongze waved his hand and left.

Meanwhile, at Isshin Dojo…

As the sun climbed higher, more students arrived at the dojo, beginning their daily training.

Koshiro rarely paid much attention to his students. If they had talent, they would grow stronger on their own. If they lacked talent, no amount of training would make a difference.

But as he glanced around, he noticed something.

"Where are Kuina and Zoro?"

Asking a few students nearby, he learned that Kuina had been summoned by Koshiro earlier that morning. However, Zoro had not returned all night.

Thinking about Zoro's relentless training, Dongze had a good guess about where he was.

"Probably still at the training grounds, practicing until exhaustion."

It was nearly lunchtime. Perhaps Zoro wouldn't show up for a while.

But Koshiro calling Kuina over at this time… That was strange.

Koshiro was usually strict with Kuina. He had even banned Dongze from persuading her to leave with the Revolutionary Army.

Something wasn't right.

Curious, Dongze quietly slipped behind a large tree, making sure no one noticed him. With practiced ease, he climbed up the trunk, testing his body's strength as he moved.

He couldn't help but marvel at the absurdity of this world.

"Only in this world can people develop such monstrous physical abilities. And that's without even considering Haki, Devil Fruits, or advanced martial arts."

Standing on a branch, Dongze closed his eyes and expanded his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki).

His senses swept over the entire dojo, carefully avoiding the living room where Koshiro's guest was.

"Sometimes, the more you know, the faster you die."

Just then, his heart clenched.

He had found Kuina.

She was inside a deserted warehouse.