NOVEL NEXT Chapter 36: 36 Shimotsuki Village, Isshin Dojo
Lynch and Hina stayed in her hometown for a few more days.
A few days later, his father-in-law, newly promoted to an official position, was in high spirits. He called Lynch his good son-in-law and personally went to the port to see them off.
"Good son-in-law, come visit with Hina when you have time."
After a few days of getting along with each other, Hina Father discovered that this young man must have both strength and potential.
Most importantly, he was kind to his daughter, making him the perfect son-in-law.
"I understand, uncle. Please go back."
…
Next, the trip to East Blue, there is one last goal left.
It is also the most important destination.
Half a month later...
"Is this Shimotsuki Village?"
Lynch wondered, looking at the ordinary little village. It didn't seem like the kind of place to hide an expert.
"Yes, boss, the map shows this is the place," Joseph confirmed.
"Let's go to Isshin Dojo."
Dressed casually with two long swords at his waist, Lynch walked towards Isshin Dojo with Hina and Joseph.
Bang bang bang~
Before the door opened, the sound of bamboo swords clashing could be heard from inside.
This was where Zoro's path to swordsmanship had its solid foundation.
Creak~
As the wooden door opened, the sound of clashing swords abruptly stopped.
All the young men, the youngest no more than six or seven years old and the oldest no more than ten, turned to look curiously at the outsider from the village.
"It looks like they're from out of town. We don't see people like them in the nearby villages."
"Wow, their clothes are really nice."
"Hmph, who cares? Is the big sister pretty, though?"
The group of children chattered excitedly, and a little girl stepped forward from among them.
She approached Lynch and bowed, saying, "Hello, I'm Kuina, the daughter of the dojo's owner. Who are you looking for?"
"Could you please tell me where your father is?" Lynch asked. He reached out to touch the girl's head, but she dodged away.
He had always admired this girl's refusal to give up, but fate had played a cruel twist on her.
"Sure, please wait a moment."
"Jeff, bring tea for our guests."
Kuina acted like a little adult, making sure to greet the guests while giving instructions.
"Thank you." Lynch accepted the tea from the boy and took a sip.
Click, click.
The sound of wooden shoes on the floor echoed, and a smiling man with narrowed eyes appeared.
He first dismissed everyone, and then warned Lynch: "Your Excellency is very powerful, What brings you here?"
"To be honest, I want to learn swordsmanship from you, real swordsmanship." Lynch said seriously.
They say anyone with narrow, squinting eyes is a master.
Koshiro is like that.
Despite his harmless appearance, he's actually at Vice Admiral level strength, a low-ranking elite, and a swordsman nearing the level of Admiral.
Why do you dare to say that?
Because his name is Shimotsuki Koshiro!
The Shimotsuki family is well-known in Wanokuni.
Today, Wanokuni is ruled by Kaido and isolated from the world. It's as hard to leave as it is to reach the sky.
Yet, this man managed to journey across the New World and Grand Line to East Blue, carrying baby Kuina all the way.
Such strength is truly terrifying.
With Shimotsuki Koshiro's father and grandfather being exceptional individuals, it's no wonder he's extraordinary too.
His father, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, forgot the famous swords Wadou Ichimonji and the great sword Enma.
His great-grandfather rumoured to forget the supreme sharp sword.
Neither Garp nor Zephyr knows how to use a sword.
If Lynch wants to achieve rapid success in swordsmanship, he must learn from a good teacher. Otherwise, how can he compete with those who have trained in swordsmanship since childhood for decades?
Koshiro laughed dryly and replied, "You must be joking. I'm just a regular kendo master from East Blue. How could I teach you?"
He had come to East Blue to escape conflict.
Teaching Lynch would mean revealing his strength, something he wasn't willing to do.
"Sir, you wouldn't want the legacy of the Shimotsuki family's swordsmanship to fade away, would you?" Lynch asked.
Koshiro paused as he poured tea, surprised that Lynch had already investigated his identity.
Lynch's words struck a chord in Koshiro's heart.
He is the kind of extremely old-fashioned person who always believes that girls cannot inherit the family swordsmanship and that girls are always inferior to men.
Otherwise, the tragic events that followed wouldn't have happened.
"Haha, what's with this Shimotsuki nonsense? I don't get it," Koshiro laughed.
"Sir, why deceive yourself?"
As he spoke, Lynch pulled out Dragon Slayer, acting like a gangster.
Kuina, who had been hiding behind a pillar and eavesdropping, looked panicked. Was her father about to start a fight?
Seeing that Koshiro remained unmoved, Lynch swung his sword creating sword slash.
He thought Koshiro would reveal his strength and block it.
Who would have thought that Koshiro would watch helplessly as the house he had lived in for many years was split in half by a sword slash more than ten meters long.
Little Kuina was excited, "This! Is this also what kendo can do!"
Koshiro sighed, simply closed his eyes and stopped talking.
"Hey, hey, are you really a master? I find it hard to believe," Joseph blurted out.
If Koshiro really was a swordmaster, it would be too tolerable.
But he's more tolerable than the old turtle.
"I told you, I'm just an ordinary person. If you want to learn swordsmanship, you've got the wrong person"
As a last resort, Lynch had no choice but to use his ultimate move to drag out Kuina, who had been eavesdropping behind the pillar.
"I'm telling you, your name should be Shimotsuki Kuina, from the so-called Shimotsuki family..."
Koshiro's eyelids twitched. "Enough! I'll teach you."
"Will you teach me?"
Lynch asked eagerly, falling silent as Koshiro agreed. Little Kuina looked stunned.
He have to finish what he's talking about. Hey, it's very exciting to talk about.
"I can see you're not a villain. Just don't dishonor the Shimotsuki swordsmanship,"
Koshiro said, no longer hiding his decision to teach.
"Come to class tomorrow."
"Thank you. I'll have the house repaired for you," Lynch replied gratefully, achieving his goal as he left happily.
Kuina was left looking thoughtful, "Father, what is the Shimotsuki family?"
"Don't ask any more questions. I'll tell you when the time is right. Go practice your sword," Koshiro replied firmly.
Starting the next day, Lynch and Hina began learning swordsmanship from Koshiro.
From then on, Kuina often followed Lynch around, asking him about the Shimotsuki family.
Lynch had promised Koshiro not to speak further about it, which left Kuina feeling frustrated.
"Hey, since you can't talk about the Shimotsuki family, tell me something else."
"Are there any female great swordsmen in this world?"
"Where are you from? Are there many masters there?"
"Hey, bad guy, why won't you accept my challenge?"
"Ouch! Stop hitting me on the head all the time, you'll make me stupid!"
Days passed with Kuina's playful banter.
In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.
Girls grow up quickly. Kuina had grown half a head taller since six months ago.
That day, Lynch and Koshiro sat on the tatami, drinking tea together.
"You're very talented, and there's nothing more I can teach you," Koshiro said, pouring Lynch a cup of tea.
"Thank you for all your guidance these past six months," Lynch replied gratefully.
.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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