Pirates: Seeing My Proficiency, I Became a Legend

"Have you made up your mind?"

"Time waits for no one! You can't afford to waste it here!"

"The farewell is near, yet I still wish to seek my master's guidance!"

"Master, please teach me one last time!"

In the quiet backyard of the Isshin Dojo, Dongze and Koshiro sat opposite each other. Koshiro exhaled softly as he observed the unwavering determination in Dongze's eyes. He understood this persistence—it was the common trait of all true swordsmen.

"A swordsman walks a path of resolve. To seek what is true rather than what is easy—such is our way."

Koshiro sighed again. "Very well."

The next day, Koshiro dismissed the students from training and led Kuina and Zoro to a secluded area in the back mountain.

Kuina had already suspected the reason for this gathering. A flicker of reluctance crossed her eyes. Meanwhile, Zoro, ever impatient, scowled. To him, this seemed like a waste of time.

As they arrived, they found Dongze already waiting.

"Dongze!"

"You again, idiot?!"

"Oi, old man! What's the point of bringing us here? Let us fight him first!"

Koshiro shook his head. "Dongze is about to set sail. This is a farewell lesson. I hadn't planned to expose you to such things so soon, but it may be necessary."

Zoro, unbothered by the explanation, drew his sword. "If he's leaving, I'm fighting him first!"

Just as he was about to charge, Dongze's gaze sharpened.

A suffocating pressure crashed onto them.

In an instant, Zoro collapsed onto the ground, panting. His limbs felt heavy, his body frozen under the weight of an unseen force. Kuina, too, fell to her knees, trembling uncontrollably.

"W-What…?" Zoro gritted his teeth, barely able to move.

"The gap between us…" Kuina muttered, her pride stinging.

Zoro clenched his fists. "Impossible! I can't even stand before him?!"

Koshiro watched them quietly. "They've felt it now. The power of the Conqueror's Haki."

"This is Haoshoku Haki—the will of a king," Koshiro finally said. "A force possessed only by those born to stand above others. You two….watch closely. If you seek to become the world's greatest, Dongze is your first goal."

Zoro and Kuina stared at Dongze in disbelief.

Koshiro unsheathed Wado Ichimonji and stepped forward.

"Dongze. Let's begin."

"Thank you for your guidance, Master."

Dongze drew his sword Wangchen, bent his knees, and—

VANISHED.

Zoro and Kuina's eyes widened.

"He disappeared!"

"That's the Rokushiki – Soru!" Koshiro noted with slight surprise.

But Koshiro remained calm. His blade gleamed as it was wrapped in an invisible force.

A suffocating pressure radiated from him. The air trembled.

Zoro and Kuina, though still weakened, could feel it. This was Busoshoku Haki – Ryuo, a technique that allowed one's will to extend beyond their body, destroying their target from within.

"Father… this is…?"

"Advanced Armament Haki," Koshiro confirmed.

Suddenly, a slash tore through the air.

The earth shattered. The force of the blow carved a deep gash into the ground, extending over a kilometer into the distant sea.

Zoro and Kuina froze, utterly speechless.

One slash. One man. A force of nature.

Koshiro sighed. "Perhaps it was too soon for them to witness this."

Meanwhile, Dongze, who had barely dodged, sprinted mid-air toward Koshiro.

Zoro's jaw dropped. "He's—he's running in the air?!"

Koshiro nodded. "That is Geppo – Moonwalk. When one's physical strength reaches a certain level, they can momentarily use the air as a foothold."

Zoro and Kuina almost lost their minds.

"'Using the air'—what kind of explanation is that?! Air isn't solid, old man!!"

Dongze landed, gripping his sword tightly. His expression twitched. "Master, you nearly killed me back there! I thought this was a spar, not an execution!"

Koshiro chuckled. "A swordsman must always be prepared for death."

Dongze exhaled sharply and lifted Wangchen again. Slowly, black lightning crackled around its edge.

Zoro and Kuina gasped.

"That's… no way!"

Koshiro narrowed his eyes.

"Impossible. You've already awakened Busoshoku Haki?"

Dongze smirked. "I won't fall behind."

Koshiro, now genuinely impressed, exhaled. "Even at his age… to wield this much power."

But Dongze wasn't done. He activated:

• Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki)

• Rokushiki – Shigan (Finger Pistol)

• Rokushiki – Geppo (Moonwalk)

• Sword Draw – Iai Slash

• Hundred Step Flying Sword

• Taiji Sword Style

And finally—

A Flying Slash.

It wasn't as large as Koshiro's. Only about ten meters, and unstable. But it was a beginning.

Zoro gritted his teeth. His hands trembled.

"So this is the power of true swordsmen?"

He clenched his fists. "Just you wait! One day, I'll surpass you all!"

Kuina, shaken but resolute, whispered, "I won't fall behind either."

Koshiro smiled. "Their fire has been lit."

As the battle continued, Dongze lay exhausted on the ground, completely drained.

Koshiro sheathed his sword. "Dongze… chase the world's strongest throne. The greatest swordsman is the Warlord of the Sea, Dracule 'Hawkeye' Mihawk. If you truly seek strength—he is the one you must surpass."

Dongze looked at the sky. "Hawkeye, huh?"

He then glanced at his progress panel:

• Basic Swordsmanship – MAX

• Ittoryu (One-Sword Style) – MAX

• Busoshoku Haki (Armament) – 150/1,000,000

• Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation) – 1,200/1,000,000

• Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror's) – 500/1,000,000

• Flying Slash – 150/1,000,000

Despite his growth, the road ahead remained long.

But that was fine.

His journey had only just begun.