"Hello. I've heard much about you, the Nine Red Scabbards." Beside Leo, on his left, stood Koshiro, the revolutionary from the Shimotsuki Family.
He had once been Zoro's master, but Zoro had long surpassed him. Now, Zoro even had his sights set on Hawk Eyes, chasing after him for duels every time he returned.
Even so, he had rendered tremendous service to the Revolutionary Army's development. In the past, much of the Revolutionary Army's military provisions had to pass through Shimotsuki Village. It would not have been an exaggeration to call Koshiro the Revolutionary Army's savior.
Now that the Revolutionary Army had taken the world, Koshiro naturally no longer needed to remain in Shimotsuki Village. He was now an entry-level swordsmanship instructor for the Revolutionary Army.
The new recruits who heard that he had once taught Zoro all regarded the old man with solemn respect.
That was right. Koshiro was already an old man with a head full of white hair and wrinkled skin.
Yet his temperament was gentle and composed. Dressed in a kimono and leaning on a long sword, he looked every bit the great samurai master. His appearance drew the attention of the Nine Red Scabbards and Hiyori.
They stared at Koshiro uncertainly. What they did not know was that Koshiro's original name was Shimotsuki Koshiro, and he came from the Shimotsuki Family, one of Wano Country's four great families.
Aside from the royal Kozuki Family, the Tenyue Family that had married into the royal line, and the usurping Kurozumi Family, there was only Koshiro's Shimotsuki Family.
Leo held an absolute advantage. He had not summoned Koshiro to act as a mediator or build connections, but simply to persuade them, to make them understand their current situation and stop being so unwise.
"Please, sit." Leo spread his