Ever since Redfield was captured, Mo Xingchen had heard soldiers discussing in their downtime how Fleet Admiral Kong was still vigorous in his old age and had once again captured a legendary pirate who had roamed the seas. He just wondered what would happen to their faith if they learned the truth—that their own fleet admiral had actually lost.
Kong was an old man who cared immensely about saving face. Roger's execution should have let him retire in glory, but then Golden Lion came and wreaked havoc at Marineford. Just when the Great Pirate Era had finally been suppressed and promising new Navy recruits were beginning to emerge, Count Red showed up. It would have been one thing if Kong had won, but he lost instead. Sengoku probably had to wait a while longer before taking over.
Of course, Mo Xingchen had not requested a year of leave because he truly wanted to find a master swordsmith. With the advantage of being a transmigrator, he knew that in Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue, Zoro's hometown, Zoro's master Koshiro's father was an exceptionally skilled swordsmith. It was said that he had forged Wado Ichimonji and Enma.
More importantly, the Taoist cultivation method emphasized drawing close to nature—entering the world while remaining detached from it. Only through cultivating both nature and life could one achieve completion. He genuinely intended to see heaven and earth, see all living beings, and thereby understand and experience heaven and earth.
Mo Xingchen had initially planned to set out alone, but after thinking it over, he realized it would be inconvenient. He could not rely on hitching rides on passing ships everywhere he went. Besides, the Navy had detailed maps. Why refuse convenience and make himself suffer instead?
So he first went to Vice Admiral Tsuru to requisition a small escort warship, then obtained a detailed map of the Four Seas. After that, he borrowed a few men from Vice Admiral Garp. Once he received permission, he went to find William. Thanks to his accomplishments at the Sabaody Archipelago, William had also been promoted and was now a headquarters major.
Mo Xingchen told William roughly where he planned to travel over the coming year and hoped he could find some soldiers willing to accompany him to sea. Just like last time, he did not need many people, but this time every position had to be properly staffed—maintenance personnel, cooks, and so on. They could not sail across the sea on empty stomachs!
A few days later, a Navy escort warship sailed across the East Blue.
"William, I didn't expect you to come with me."
Mo Xingchen was as relaxed as ever, lying in a beach chair on deck and drinking an iced beverage with a thoroughly content expression.
"You should know that this trip is really just a vacation for sightseeing. There won't be any military merits to pick up."
Hearing the question, William no longer carried the stern manner he had displayed when they first met. He had a general understanding of Mo Xingchen's personality by now, so he answered with a smile.
"Heh heh heh, Colonel, you jest. The main reason is that Vice Admiral Garp generally has no missions these days. And if he does have one, it definitely won't be ordinary. With strength like mine, I obviously wouldn't be much use on such missions. I might not even be able to protect myself.
Besides, your travel plans this time basically keep us within the Four Seas. With your strength, the safety of us soldiers will certainly be assured. If we run into pirates with low bounties, we can even take part and gain some practical combat experience."
"Heh, you're as clear-headed as ever! Don't worry. While we won't deliberately hunt pirates on this trip, we certainly won't turn a blind eye if we encounter any. I can't exactly make the brothers who came out with me live on nothing but air! By the way, go ask how much longer before we reach Shimotsuki Village."
"Based on today's progress, we should reach Shimotsuki Village in about two or three hours."
"Fine. I'll sleep for a while. Wake me when we arrive."
"Yes, Colonel." Watching Mo Xingchen close his eyes to rest, William turned and went to inspect the ship.
A faint tremor woke Mo Xingchen from his drowsiness.
"Colonel, we've arrived at Shimotsuki Village."
William's quiet reminder sounded beside his ear. Mo Xingchen rubbed his sore eyes, stood up, and stretched. Turning his head, he saw that the soldiers had already assembled on deck.
"Leave a few men to guard the warship. William, come with me. Everyone else is free to move about. Disembark!"
Mo Xingchen led William through the village, asking locals for the location of Shimotsuki Dojo while observing their way of life. He found that the islanders had quite a high sense of well-being. They did not resent the Navy, nor did they look at Navy soldiers with the urgent hope of being saved. Given Shimotsuki Koshiro's strength, he had likely protected this island well from pirate harassment, allowing its people to live so peacefully.
There had not been much description of Koshiro's strength in the manga or anime. However, considering he could be acquainted with Dragon, the future leader of the Revolutionary Army, his combat ability could not have been low. Since he could teach Zoro the realm of cutting steel, he was at least at the level of a swordsman.
And judging by his attitude toward his own daughter Kuina—believing that girls could not become Great Swordsmen because of their innate physical disadvantages—he might even have been a powerhouse at the Great Swordsman level. Even if he was not, he at least knew the standards of a Great Swordsman. For a swordsman to encounter a Great Swordsman without dying or being crippled, he would have to be infinitely close to that level. After all, not everyone held back like Hawk Eyes, okay!
Thinking about how their family had managed to leave Wano Country despite its Closed Country status and travel here from the New World, Mo Xingchen leaned even more toward the latter possibility. After all, by international convention, squinty-eyed people were all monsters!
After asking for directions, Mo Xingchen and William finally arrived at the Shimotsuki Swordsmanship Dojo. It was a courtyard with an unmistakable Wano Country style. Through the main gate, they could see more than ten straw dummies and wooden posts standing in the open yard, while two or three young men practiced slashing with real swords.
"Can I help you?"
A young man in dojo training clothes saw the two at the entrance, walked over, and took the initiative to ask.
"We're looking for your dojo master, Shimotsuki Koshiro." Mo Xingchen answered with a polite smile.
"Then follow me. Master should be in the dojo right now."
The young man first scrutinized the two of them. Their clothing indicated that they were Navy personnel, but their demeanor did not suggest they were here to cause trouble. So he spoke and turned to lead them inside.
"Sorry for the trouble."
Mo Xingchen and William followed the young man until they stopped outside the entrance to a large indoor training hall.
"Please wait here for a moment. I'll go in and inform Master."
Seeing Mo Xingchen nod slightly, the young man headed into the dojo. Before long, a bespectacled, squinty-eyed man walked out. Looking at Mo Xingchen and William with some wariness, he asked:
"May I ask what business these two Navy gentlemen have with me?"
"Mr. Koshiro, hello. We come with no ill intent. We merely wish to ask your father to forge a sword for me."
"This is not a suitable place to talk. Please follow me."
Koshiro bowed slightly and raised one arm in a welcoming gesture. He led Mo Xingchen to the study, where the two sat across from each other with a tea table between them. Koshiro began preparing tea and asked:
"I saw reports about you in the newspaper. I did not expect you to be a skilled swordsman as well. However, there is one matter I do not understand. How did you know about my father and me?"
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