Roronoa Zoro and Isshin Dojo

Roronoa Zoro and the Isshin Dojo.

After donating two hundred million Belly to the Loguetown Navy, Bane received exceptional treatment from the local marines.

Over the next few days, whenever he saw that Smoker fellow was free, he would go to ask for guidance on the difficult aspects of practicing Haki and the Rokushiki.

You have to admit, while Smoker might have been a bit awkward in his later displays of strength, he was a disciple of a master, and his theoretical knowledge was quite solid; he resolved quite a few problems for Bane.

However, the Haki training notes Smoker gave to Bane only recorded the basics. As for subsequent elements like Ryuo or seeing the future, there was absolutely nothing on them.

Bane didn't ask Smoker about these things. Regardless of whether Smoker truly didn't know or had some other reason, the fact that he didn't provide them meant something, and there was no need to go out of his way to make things awkward.

Considering that Koushiro should have the follow-up information, Bane stayed in Loguetown for a few more days before finally boarding a merchant ship bound for Shimotsuki Village.

At the Loguetown port, Smoker bit down on his cigar, standing on the pier and watching the merchant ship Bane had boarded drift further and further away.

Tashigi, who had accompanied him to see the guest off, asked with some curiosity, "Mr. Smoker, what are you spacing out for?"

"Tashigi, do you think that guy will really join the Navy in the future?" Smoker asked softly.

"He probably will, right? I feel like he quite likes our Navy. Why do you ask?" Tashigi thought for a moment before replying.

"I was just thinking, if he joins the Navy, he will definitely have a more promising future than me," Smoker suddenly laughed and said.

"Why? Is it because he is stronger than you?" Tashigi asked curiously.

"No." Smoker opened his mouth, but eventually shook his head and said, "Figure it out yourself. Let's go, time to head back."

Half a month later, a merchant ship slowly docked in the small harbor of Shimotsuki Village.

Inside the cabin, a waitress who was supposed to be working in the dining hall was knocking on the door in front of her.

Her eyes held a mix of anticipation, regret, and reluctance.

Before long, Bane opened the door, panting slightly, with a white towel draped around his neck and his upper body bare.

It was clear that Bane had been training before opening the door; through the door frame, one could see some stone locks used for training lying on the floor of his room.

"Meia, good afternoon. Is it lunchtime again? It really is a bother for you to come and call me every day," Bane said with a chuckle, greeting the young waitress.

Looking at Bane's sturdy pectoral and abdominal muscles, as well as the sweat dripping down and the scent radiating into the air, Meia couldn't help but swallow hard. You have to know, to snatch the job of calling Bane for meals, she had almost gotten into a fight with the other waitresses in the dining hall!

It wasn't just because of Bane's sturdy physique, but also because Bane was generous, always giving large tips.

"Sorry, Mr. Bane, I'm not here to call you for a meal this time, but because your destination, Shimotsuki Village, has arrived," Meia said softly.

Bane was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "We've arrived so soon? Thinking about parting ways with you all, I really feel a bit reluctant."

Meia's eyes lit up at these words, and she couldn't help but say, "The captain admires you very much. If you are willing to join as a guard..."

"Sorry, I have other important matters to attend to and cannot continue to travel with you," Bane shook his head upon hearing this.

Soon, after bidding farewell to the ship, Bane stepped onto the port of Shimotsuki Village.

After asking around at the port, he easily learned the location of the Isshin Dojo; it was simply too famous in Shimotsuki Village.

It could be said that Koushiro's family was the largest landowner in the entire Shimotsuki Village, and ninety percent of the people in this village relied on them for their livelihood.

This could be seen from the name of the village itself: Shimotsuki Village. And Koushiro's family was none other than the Shimotsuki Clan.

It is said that before their clan came here to settle, the village was apparently called Shimotsuki Village.

The Isshin Dojo was not located within the town, but outside of it. It was also not very large, and one could not tell at all that the owner of this dojo was the wealthiest person in the area; it was very simple.

Just as Bane was about to knock on the gate to pay a visit to the master of the house, the gate of the Sword Arts dojo was opened from the inside. Immediately, a green-haired man with three swords at his waist and an empty wine gourd in his hand walked out.

Bane recognized this guy at a glance: Roronoa Zoro, the man who aspired to become the world's greatest swordsman!

Zoro also spotted the big guy, Bane, at a glance. He looked Bane up and down, a spark of interest appearing in his eyes, and he immediately asked, "Who are you? Are you here to challenge the dojo?"

He could feel that Bane was very strong, much stronger than his fellow disciples in the Sword Arts dojo. Perhaps he could be a good opponent. Ever since Kuina passed away unexpectedly back then, Zoro hadn't encountered an opponent he felt satisfied with for a long time.

His fellow disciples in the Sword Arts dojo couldn't beat him even if they all attacked together, and his master never made a move, so much so that Zoro had recently started considering leaving this place to find more interesting opponents on the sea.

In fact, Zoro did set sail a while before Luffy. By the time Luffy set sail, Roronoa Zoro was already a fairly famous bounty hunter in the East Blue.

"No, I am here to visit the master of this place, Mr. Koushiro," Bane said to Zoro with a smile.

Upon hearing that he wasn't here to pick a fight, Zoro wore an expression of boredom and said casually, "Are you a friend of my master? He's inside. I'll take you in."

He had originally intended to go out to buy some wine, but now that he saw Bane carrying some gifts, including a few bottles of wine that looked quite expensive, Zoro thought that if he brought him inside, he might be able to snag a few drinks for himself later.

After stepping into the Sword Arts dojo, it wasn't long before Bane saw many swordsmen training. Some were practicing sword swings, while others were sparring. When these people noticed Bane, a new face, they cast curious and puzzled looks, but after seeing Zoro leading the way, they quickly lost interest.

Passing through the courtyard, the two soon arrived in front of a guest room.

Bane sighed inwardly, surprised that this green-haired guy hadn't gotten lost!

He had actually been looking forward to it!

"This guest... uh..." Zoro turned back to look at Bane, looking like he wanted to say something.

Bane was understanding and said, "My name is Bane."

"Alright, Bane, please wait here for a moment. I'll go inform my master," Zoro instructed.

Bane didn't have to wait long; after only five or six minutes, he heard footsteps approaching from outside.

Soon, Koushiro, wearing a pair of glasses and exuding a gentle temperament, walked in alongside Zoro.

Koushiro observed Bane for a moment before asking with a hint of confusion, "Mr. Bane, have we met before?"

"No, this is our first meeting, Mr. Koushiro." Bane greeted him politely and then got straight to the point: "I have come here today because I wish to learn some techniques from you to increase my strength!"

Koushiro was taken aback for a moment, then realized, "So, you have come to seek apprenticeship?"

"You could say that." Bane nodded, then pushed the gift he had prepared toward him and said, "I hope you will not hesitate to instruct me."

Koushiro smiled and said, "There is no need to be so formal. As long as you are willing to learn, I can teach you."

Clearly, he assumed Bane was like the others who came to his dojo to learn Sword Arts.

After a brief pause, Koushiro continued, "Our Isshin Style of Sword Arts is subdivided into several different techniques. Zoro, for instance, is a practitioner of the Three Sword Style. Do you have any prior understanding of Sword Arts? Which techniques are you interested in learning?"

"Ahem, to be honest, Mr. Koushiro, my primary goal in coming here is to learn the power of Haki from you. As for Sword Arts, that is secondary." Bane cleared his throat and explained.

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