Apprenticing at One Heart Dojo

Shimotsuki Village was not very large, and One Heart Dojo was well known within it, so Wright did not spend much time finding the right location.

However, as a former "old One Piece fan"... Wright knew the village's background well. In the generally weak East Blue, Shimotsuki Village was practically a hidden den of dragons and tigers for pirates.

Quite a few pirates had probably met their downfall here, like that gang of thugs earlier...

"Maybe a few of the uncles and old men I asked for directions were Shimotsuki Family samurai? Any one of those people could probably dominate a corner of the East Blue."

Wright had noticed that many of the villagers were quite sturdy. At the very least, they looked as though they had trained diligently; perhaps it would be more accurate to say they had undergone "training."

One Heart Dojo stood ahead. He could already hear the shouts of children practicing swordsmanship.

The dojo's master, Koushirou, was watching his disciples train alongside his wife. The young Koushirou wore his black hair in a ponytail and a pair of round glasses. His eyes were always slightly narrowed, and a smile lingered at the corners of his mouth.

The children training diligently ranged from fifteen or sixteen years old to only seven or eight. Although they practiced seriously, they somehow did not look particularly bright...

Koushirou smiled faintly. They were all children from the village. His responsibility was merely to pass on swordsmanship and give them the strength to protect themselves. As for whether they could recreate the glory of their ancestors...

"Swordsman Wright requests an audience with the master of the dojo!"

A somewhat youthful but imposing voice rang out. Koushirou, his wife, and the disciples all turned toward the dojo gates.

A handsome boy of around twelve or thirteen stood at the entrance, holding a long sword far taller than himself. His blond hair was tied into a ponytail, and he wore a finely tailored training outfit. He seemed to come from a good family.

"..."

Koushirou could not help touching his own ponytail. What had that boy just called himself? A swordsman?

Well, his bearing certainly was extraordinary.

But... Koushirou had never seen him before. At that age, with that presence... if he were a child from the village, everyone would have known about him long ago.

"I am Koushirou, master of One Heart Dojo. There is no need to be so formal. Since you have come as a swordsman, young friend, please come in."

Wright raised his brows. Koushirou truly was as gentle as the rumors said, without any airs about him. He seemed quite easy to talk to.

When a swordsman came knocking, was it not usually for a challenge or revenge...? He had not asked a single question before inviting him inside? Could it be because of his age again...

There was nothing he could do about that.

After thanking Koushirou, Wright entered the dojo, immediately drawing murmurs from the disciples.

"His sword is so long!"

"He said he's a swordsman!"

"Wow, when will I graduate and become a swordsman?"

"Master said we've only just begun!"

"Maybe we'd look as cool as him if we carried real swords!"

In the reception room, Koushirou, dressed in casual clothes, met Wright alone. Once they had taken their respective seats, Koushirou smiled. Behind his round lenses, his perpetually narrowed eyes seemed to flash with a sharp gleam.

"You are not from around here, are you, Wright? To have achieved so much at such a young age and possess the potential to challenge a swordmaster... your future is limitless."

"May I ask what brings you all the way to my remote dojo?"

Wright was not surprised that Koushirou could accurately judge his current level. After all, those with narrowed eyes were all monsters.

The present Koushirou was different from the one over a decade later. He was in the prime of his youth. Though gentle by nature, his presence was not yet as rounded and seamless as it would become later, concealing not the slightest trace—if it were the Koushirou of that time, he probably would not have asked so directly.

It would have been strange if someone like Koushirou, a high-level swordmaster from a distinguished lineage, could not see through a self-taught amateur like him who had only practiced the basics—and Wright had never intended to hide it anyway.

"Yes, Master."

"My name is Wright. I am twelve years old and came from the Goa Kingdom... but I no longer have any connection to that place."

"Since childhood, I have had a dream—world peace."

"Cough, cough, cough..."

"..."

Several dark lines appeared on Wright's forehead.

I'm embarrassed saying it too, okay? I finally managed to say it, so at least give me some face!

"Ah, sorry. Um... please continue..." Koushirou adjusted his round glasses, the reflected white glare concealing his loss of composure.

"Ahem... I once heard a saying that I believe makes a great deal of sense."

"Peace is the noblest ideal. But to achieve your ideal, you must fight for it!"

Koushirou raised his brows. "What powerful spirit! Who said those words?"

"A great king gave them to his heir when he died resisting an invasion."

"I wholeheartedly agree. After giving it careful thought, I believe that strength is the foundation for realizing one's dreams."

"For that reason, I trained tirelessly in swordsmanship. Yet without a master's guidance, basic training can now only improve my physical condition, while my swordsmanship has failed to advance for several months."

"So I set sail to travel. Some days ago, I encountered a group of pirates and heard that they had nearly failed to escape after coming to this village. The people here also spoke highly of your dojo."

"Therefore, I hope to become your disciple and learn more profound swordsmanship from you!"

"Please grant my request, Master!"

What a joke. Could I say that I know your village is hiding a whole bunch of high-level samurai, that your father forged Grade Swords 21 like Enma and Wado Ichimonji, and that your Shimotsuki Family ancestor was Shimotsuki Ryuma, the "Sword God" revered as a hero of Wano Country?!

I'd definitely get cut down, wouldn't I? Your casual clothes are embroidered with the Shimotsuki Daimyo Crest—aren't you afraid someone will notice?

It was true that he had encountered pirates. As for the information about Shimotsuki Village... he had done plenty of asking around after coming ashore.

As for ideals... had he never heard that youth was wasted without a little chuunibyou?

"..."

Koushirou lifted the teacup before him and took a sip, then sighed softly. "It truly is a noble ideal. What is even rarer is that you, Wright, have already gained a thorough understanding of what that ideal demands."

"It is clear that reaching such heights at your age required astonishing effort."

"And with your resolve and maturity, one can almost overlook your age entirely."

"On these seas, there are countless strong people, and human ideals are as numerous as the stars."

"One Heart Dojo is merely an inconspicuous place in a remote village. We do not concern ourselves with why our disciples learn the sword."

"Some seek to strengthen their bodies. Some seek to protect their families. Some seek to rise above others. Some seek to pursue their ideals."

"To follow your own heart and devote yourself wholly to forging your own path of the sword—that is One Heart."

Wright had already noticed that Koushirou had changed how he addressed him, from "young friend" to his name. It meant he had gained the recognition of this high-level swordmaster.

Thinking of Koushirou's interpretation of "One Heart," and recalling how, more than twenty years later, Koushirou would still support Zoro in following his own path even after he became a pirate, Wright suddenly understood. He bowed deeply.

"Your disciple Wright greets Master!"

"I will certainly follow Master's teachings and never dishonor the name of One Heart!"