"Although the Navy's intelligence system did not have such detailed information, a little careful analysis made it easy to notice.
First, the Shimotsuki surname was quite famous in Wano Country's history. The dragon-slaying feat of the swordsman Shimotsuki Ryoma had been passed down through generations among swordsmen across the seas.
Second, there was Kozuki Oden, the former captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division and the shogun of Wano Country. For some unknown reason, he later boarded Pirate King Roger's ship. He was a Great Swordsman who wielded two blades, Ame no Habakiri and Enma. It was said that Enma had been forged by the current head of the Shimotsuki family.
Third, this island had never suffered a pirate invasion, and the nearest Navy branch had never received a distress signal from it. Yet this place was called Shimotsuki Village, and you had opened a swordsmanship dojo here. Before I came, it might have been possible to dismiss it as a coincidence of surnames. But the moment I saw the dojo master, I was certain."
As the saying went, flattery never wore out its welcome. Hearing a powerful man praise his family and acknowledge his strength, Koshiro beamed with delight. He hurriedly poured tea for Mo Xingchen and William, then said:
"You flatter me, Mr. Mo! Since you wish for my father to forge a suitable blade for you, and considering the feats reported in the newspapers, you must also be a formidable swordsman. Would you be willing to spar and exchange pointers with me?"
Seeing the change in Koshiro's tone and attitude, Mo Xingchen guessed that he had lowered his guard somewhat. If they discussed swordsmanship a little further, this matter would probably be settled. He took a sip of hot tea and replied with a smile:
"Visiting for the first time only to brandish weapons before the host would make me an ill-mannered guest. Mr. Shimotsuki, why don't we drink tea and discuss the way instead?"
Although Mo Xingchen had not accepted the request for a spar, his courteous answer pleased Koshiro even more. Koshiro raised his teacup in salute and began to expound upon his swordsmanship.
"I cultivated my family's swordsmanship in Wano Country. I reached the realm of a swordsman in my youth, but later found myself trapped by a bottleneck. So I went out to sea in search of a breakthrough. After fighting pirates for years in the New World, I came here by chance, met my wife, and finally achieved a complete state of mind, allowing me to break through.
Mr. Mo, you have seen that my dojo is called Isshin Dojo. What I pursue is the power of the heart. A person's strength is limited, but the heart can be boundless. Do not be bound by any single stance or move. Temper the heart, body, and sword to their limits, then unite them as one. With a single slash filled with one's conviction, there is nothing one cannot cut. What do you think, sir?"
Mo Xingchen drained the hot tea in his cup, slowly rose to his feet, and swept his Justice Coat aside as he spoke at length.
"In my humble opinion, swordsmanship can be divided into five stages.
Sharp Sword Realm: At this stage, swordsmen pursued divine weapons and keen blades. Its characteristics were sharpness, ferocity, and unstoppable force. Their moves brimmed with vigor, and their swordsmanship was filled with confidence!
Soft Sword Realm: As swordsmen grew older and were tempered by life's experiences, their swordsmanship gradually matured. Soft swords were agile, though relatively lacking in offensive power. At this stage, one no longer focused on the sharpness of divine weapons, but instead devoted oneself to refining one's swordsmanship!
Heavy Sword Realm: Its defining quality was great skill appearing simple. One used one's own strength to drive the swordsmanship, achieving the state of wielding great weight as though it were light. At this stage, one no longer relied excessively on the sharpness of one's weapon, but let strength take the lead, displaying a new concept of swordsmanship!
Wooden Sword Realm: At this stage, swordsmanship became freer and more unfettered. Grass, wood, bamboo, and stone could all become swords. One thus broke through to the realm of wielding lightness as though it were heavy. By then, swordsmanship had transcended material constraints and attained a spiritual freedom and ease.
Swordless Realm: This meant elevating swordsmanship to an entirely new level—'the swordless surpasses the sword.' By comprehending the laws of nature and philosophical truths, one brought one's swordsmanship to a height that opponents could neither predict nor counter. At this stage, swordsmanship had already surpassed the bounds of conventional techniques and merged into a higher Dao!"
Koshiro and William listened, utterly captivated. Mo Xingchen had broken down the realms of swordsmanship in such detail. William's realm might have been a little lacking, so he did not fully understand, but Koshiro, as a Great Swordsman, was verifying his own path against these words.
He was currently probably in the Soft Sword Realm and could not yet wield great weight as though it were light. This did not mean that simply refusing to use a sword would let one attain the ultimate Swordless Realm. It was the pursuit of a Dao! Try sparring with Hawk Eyes without a sword and see whether you got chopped into an idiot.
"Sir, your talent is extraordinary! You have found a path beyond the Great Swordsman for swordsmen like us. Please accept my bow!"
Koshiro rose excitedly and bent at the waist in a deep ninety-degree bow. Mo Xingchen accepted it calmly. Swordsmanship in this world was simply that limited; the Great Swordsman was already the peak. To go further, one truly needed exceptional talent to make any more progress. Yet this theory pointed directly toward a higher level of swordsmanship. Perhaps Koshiro's talent was insufficient to reach the ultimate Swordless Realm, but at least he had found a path to continue improving his swordsmanship.
"May I ask what realm you are currently in, sir?"
"I should have only just reached the third level, the Heavy Sword Realm."
Just as Koshiro was about to say something more, a gentle and graceful woman carrying a baby pushed open the study door. Upon seeing that there were guests inside, she froze for a moment before apologetically saying:
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were entertaining guests, Koshiro. I came to call you to dinner."
Koshiro rose and made an inviting gesture.
"This is my wife and daughter. If you do not mind, sir, would you and your companion stay and have a simple meal with us?"
"Then we'll be imposing on you."
After having a simple dinner with Koshiro's family, the four returned to the study. Koshiro explained Mo Xingchen's theories of swordsmanship to his father, his words filled with admiration. After listening, Kozaburo too exclaimed in astonishment.
Mo Xingchen also explained his purpose and asked the old man to forge a sword for him.
"What kind of blade do you wish to forge? Do you have a design and specific measurements?"
Kozaburo asked enthusiastically. He had originally sealed his forge and stopped making swords, but after hearing his son's explanation, he believed Mo Xingchen's future was limitless. Who could refuse to forge a personal weapon for someone who might one day surpass a Great Swordsman?
Mo Xingchen took out the sword-forging blueprint he had pondered over for a long time during the voyage. Over the five thousand years of history in the land of flowers, there had been countless famous swords. To be honest, he had found it difficult to choose.
Thinking that some legendary swords might be difficult to recreate in this world, he had ultimately decided to forge himself an Eight-Sided Han Sword.
"Sir, this is the blueprint. I hope you can increase the sword's weight as much as possible while following these measurements."
"What a beautiful weapon! I will need time to consider the materials for forging it."
Kozaburo looked at the Han sword in the blueprint as if he were gazing upon an unrivaled beauty, muttering to himself.
"Sorry for the trouble, sir."
Before you continue