Sword Intent Hall

The next morning, after sleeping through the afternoon and night, Werther felt much more energetic. The few small meals he had eaten in between had also restored his body to normal.

Sitting on the bed, he slowly began to think. How should he become stronger? In his previous world, Werther had always liked the swordsmen of the One Piece world. So he would start by learning the sword, with physical training as support.

The most important thing was Haki. Once he was older, he had to get his hands on methods for training Haki, especially Armament Haki. In Werther's opinion, Observation Haki and Conqueror's Haki were nothing—only strong Armament Haki meant true strength. The most typical examples were Zephyr and Garp. One became an admiral, while the other chased Roger all over the world, all because of their powerful Armament Haki.

So Armament Haki was essential, Observation Haki came second, and Conqueror's Haki depended entirely on fate. It was not something one could deliberately pursue.

But with the body of a nine-year-old and stamina that was utter trash, learning Armament Haki was nothing but a dream. Swordsmanship was more reliable, and it could improve his stamina too.

He should take a look around first and see what Sword Halls Loguetown had. Finding a famous master was completely unrealistic, so he would start with the basics.

Although there were no miraculous arts like qi, vital energy, or chakra, as a modern person who had watched more than half of One Piece's story, he still knew how to work toward strength and what true strength was.

After going downstairs and greeting Red, he headed out. Well, he should first get a general understanding of Loguetown.

Before he knew it, an entire morning had passed. Werther walked along, eating a large skewer of meat from some unknown animal in his left hand and a fruit he had never seen before in his right.

It was truly delicious. Though the meat skewer had come from a roadside stall, it tasted countless times better than meat on Earth. The fruit was sweet and sour as well.

When he looked up, he realized that he had somehow reached the edge of Loguetown. Just as he was about to head back, he spotted a modest-sized Sword Hall by the roadside.

It had a small courtyard and an ordinary plaque, bearing three boldly written characters: Sword Intent Hall.

Werther had already visited several Sword Halls, but none had met his requirements. Two of them even taught performance swordplay. It was utterly ridiculous. He might as well take a look here.

The moment he entered, he found a small courtyard where several older children were practicing swordsmanship in a sweat, while a few older youths stood nearby giving instruction.

Before he had taken two steps, a burly man in his twenties approached him and warmly said, "Friend, are you here to enroll and learn swordsmanship? Let me show you around."

Werther nodded. "Yes, I want to enroll. What are the specific requirements?"

The young, burly man smiled even more happily. "Our Sword Intent Hall is pretty good in Loguetown. We've even produced a Marine lieutenant. My name is Kahn. If you enroll, call me Senior Brother. I'll take you to meet the teacher. By the way, what should I call you, brother?"

While Kahn had already upgraded his form of address from friend to brother, Werther continued observing his surroundings. This place seemed decent enough for a beginner, but he still wanted to see the hall master first.

Following behind Kahn, he answered, "My name is Werther. I work at Red's shop."

Kahn asked in surprise, "Oh? You started working at such a young age? That's impressive."

Werther answered with a smile, "My family has all passed away. What else could I do but work? Luckily, I learned a trade from an uncle when I was very young."

Kahn nodded. "Sigh, that's how things are these days. The sea is so chaotic, and the government doesn't keep much control over the Four Seas. This is still Loguetown—elsewhere, the streets are full of pirates."

Werther merely smiled without replying. He followed Kahn across the courtyard and arrived before a Japanese-style house.

Kahn gently knocked on the sliding door made of paper and wood, then respectfully said, "Master, a new apprentice has come to enroll."

A calm voice soon came from within. "Kahn? Come in."

After taking off their shoes, Werther and Kahn entered the room. It was spacious and mostly empty, with only several cushions in the middle. One lay at the very front, while several more were neatly arranged in rows behind it.

A sturdy old man sat on the front cushion with his eyes closed. He wore a black kimono, and his beard and hair were entirely white. Yet he lacked the air of decay one would expect from an old man. Instead, he felt like an aged leopard. Though no longer as fierce as in his youth, he was undoubtedly still a beast of prey.

The old man opened his eyes, looked at Werther, and said, "Young friend, you wish to learn swordsmanship at my hall?"

Werther nodded. "Yes, I want to learn the sword."

Without asking any nonsense like why he wanted to learn swordsmanship or become stronger, the old man simply said, "Good. Tuition is 1 Beli per month. Clothing, food, and lodging are charged separately."

Werther was a little stunned. This was not how it was supposed to go. In anime, shouldn't the old man ask why he wanted to learn the sword or become stronger? Then Werther would give some passionate answer, and the old man would see his extraordinary talent and accept him as a personal disciple for free?

Though all sorts of unreliable thoughts ran through his mind, Werther answered directly, "All right, Master. When can I begin learning swordsmanship? My name is Werther."

The old man smiled. "Go complete the registration with your Senior Brother Kahn. Come to class at seven tomorrow morning. My name is Yadu Nisse. You may call me Teacher Nisse, or simply Teacher."

Werther nodded. "Teacher, see you tomorrow." Then he left the room with Kahn.

In a room beside it, after paying 1 Beli, Werther received a set of clothes, a wooden sword, and a wooden token identifying him as an apprentice, something like an old-fashioned receipt. Then he turned and left the Sword Hall.

Not long after Werther left, Nisse opened his door and called out to Kahn.

In the room from earlier, Nisse stood with his back to Kahn and said, "Do you know anything about the new apprentice? Go ask around town later. We mustn't accept someone we shouldn't."

Kahn nodded respectfully. "Teacher, I asked him earlier. He said he works at Red's shop, though I don't know exactly what he does. He's also an orphan. There shouldn't be any problem, especially since he's just a child."

Nisse nodded and considered it for a moment. "Then find a chance to verify it with Red. If there's no problem, accept him. Let Bart handle his early instruction. Isn't he quite free lately?"

Kahn nodded and withdrew from the room.

Inside, the old man picked up the sword that had always rested behind him. Its sheath and hilt were entirely black, with a string of purple circles running from the bottom of the sheath to the top of the hilt. Each circle contained a Y-shaped black line.

Holding the sword, the old man sighed. As though murmuring, he looked at the blade before him and said, "Where are you? I searched for you all my life, yet never found you. Are you still in the hands of someone from my family?"