The Pirate's Journey Began with Turning Down Shanks's Invitation

A smile tugged at Lin Mo's lips. He drew Wado Ichimonji from its sheath. "All right. Before I leave, I'll grant you one more match."

Shimotsuki Village: Unexpected Progress

For the past ten days or so, Zoro had pushed himself to the limits of his body every day, frightening the other children training with him.

Worried Zoro would injure himself, Koshiro had even spoken to him and asked him to ease up.

Zoro had refused.

Koshiro had then asked Kuina to talk some sense into Zoro.

To his surprise, Kuina felt the same way Zoro did.

She had even increased her own training severalfold.

Both children had begun training like mad the day after Lin Mo had defeated Higuma and his bandits in an instant.

Koshiro was troubled, but he had no way to stop them.

In the valley.

Lin Mo accepted Zoro's challenge.

They stood facing each other.

Both were ready to fight at any moment.

A sharp glint flashed in Zoro's eyes as he charged first.

As he closed in, the swords gripped in his hands swept through two intersecting arcs. With practiced control, he brought the sword clenched between his teeth down as well, all three blades bearing down on Lin Mo at once.

He was on an entirely different level from the reckless boy who had relied on brute force when they first fought.

Talent and understanding alone weren't enough to improve so much in so little time.

It also took enough training to build muscle memory.

The way Zoro handled his three swords made it clear

just how hard he had worked lately.

But to Lin Mo, Zoro was still far too weak.

Lin Mo narrowed his eyes and spotted an opening at once. The moment Zoro came close, Lin Mo sent him flying with a single strike.

Wado Ichimonji slid back into its sheath.

Lin Mo looked toward Zoro, who lay on his back a short distance away.

Zoro clenched his teeth and stared blankly at the sky. After a long moment, he got up, dusted himself off, and grinned. "I'm still nowhere near a match for you. Guess I need to work even harder."

Lin Mo looked at him.

Something stirred in his heart.

"Zoro," Lin Mo said, "when you start that move, try raising your shoulders a little higher, focusing more, and lowering your stance."

Zoro paused.

Without another thought, he picked up the sword that had fallen beside him and took the stance Lin Mo had described.

"Like this?" Zoro asked, his words muffled by the sword hilt in his mouth.

Lin Mo nodded. "Now try that strike again."

"Okay."

Zoro turned toward the nearest tree.

Lin Mo could already sense that Zoro's swordsmanship had grown a little stronger.

Zoro sprinted at the tree and struck, leaving three gashes nearly ten centimeters deep in its trunk.

"Huh?" Zoro stared at the cuts he had made, his eyes shining. "I could only cut five centimeters deep before! Lin Mo, you're amazing! One little tip from you, and I've already improved."

"Keep experimenting," Lin Mo said. "That move can be stronger still. Keep at it."

"I will!" Zoro nodded firmly.

The instant he finished speaking, a crack rang out. The sword in his right hand split, and half its blade fell to the ground.

Zoro stared wide-eyed at the broken blade. His face fell, and he cried, "Aah! Why did it break? I saved up for ages to buy it! I'm done for! How am I supposed to train with one sword missing?"

He had been training with real swords lately.

Ordinary swords couldn't withstand the intensity of Zoro's training.

All three had suffered some damage. The one in his right hand was in particularly bad shape; it had only been a matter of time before it broke.

Lin Mo also stared at the half-blade on the ground.

Of all times for it to break—and only one sword, too. Wasn't that a little too convenient?

After a moment's silence,

he took Wado Ichimonji, sheath and all, from his waist.

"Zoro," Lin Mo called.

Still teary-eyed over his broken sword, Zoro turned to look at Lin Mo.

Lin Mo tossed Wado Ichimonji to him.

Zoro caught it on reflex. He looked at the sword, then at Lin Mo. "What's this?"

"It's yours," Lin Mo said calmly.

"Huh?" Zoro stared at him. "Why? I lost to you, didn't I?"

"This sword suits you."

Without another word, Lin Mo turned toward Isshin Dojo.

He had only taken a few steps

when a system notification sounded in his mind.

"Ding! Wado Ichimonji given to Zoro. Check-in progress +20%."

"Ding! Shimotsuki Village check-in complete. Congratulations, host. Six Powers unlocked. Swordsmanship level +1. Current swordsmanship level: Lv6."

At that,

Lin Mo stopped short.

An overwhelming presence radiated from him, enough to make hearts tremble.

As before, it soon faded.

Looks like

there's no need to challenge Koshiro...

But that last bit of progress had truly caught him off guard.

Lin Mo smiled and opened his status panel.

Name: Lin Mo.

Age: 10.

Check-in location: Baratie (0%).

Haki: Armament Haki Lv2, Conqueror's Haki Lv3, Observation Haki Lv2.

Skills: Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique (beginner), swordsmanship Lv6.

Six Powers: Finger Pistol Lv1, Iron Body Lv1, Shave (locked), Geppo (locked), Tempest Kick (locked), Kami-e (locked).

Weapon: Cursed Blade Stardust (Toyako).

System Space: 10 × 10 × 10 cubic meters.

The Six Powers were six physical techniques in the pirate world that surpassed the limits of the human body.

Mastering all six would make someone formidable.

Unfortunately, only Finger Pistol and Iron Body were unlocked for now.

Finger Pistol was a technique said to hit with the force of a gunshot. It concentrated the body's strength into the index finger, delivering a lightning-fast strike with the hardened digit. The fingertip struck like a bullet and could easily pierce a human body or even steel.

Iron Body was a defensive technique among the Six Powers. By tensing a thoroughly trained body, the user could make it as hard as iron, impervious to ordinary bullets and blades.

As for the techniques that remained locked, they could be explained once they were unlocked.

Lin Mo closed the status panel.

He continued toward Isshin Dojo.

The task was complete, and it was time to leave. After staying at Isshin Dojo for so long, he owed Koshiro at least a goodbye.

Holding the Wado Ichimonji Lin Mo had given him, Zoro stared at his retreating back.

Just moments ago, a terrifying power had appeared out of nowhere, sending a chill through him.

It had made his legs give way, and he had fallen to the ground.

Trembling, Zoro watched Lin Mo pause in the distance, then continue walking.

He had a good idea who had unleashed that terrifying power.

It had lasted only an instant, but he knew he hadn't imagined it.

"Was that... Lin Mo?" Zoro swallowed uneasily. "That was terrifying. What was it?"

At Isshin Dojo,

Koshiro was watching his students practice the basics.

He sensed Lin Mo's presence.

Looking toward Lin Mo at the dojo entrance, Koshiro smiled. "You're back earlier than usual today."

"Yeah," Lin Mo said. "I'm leaving."

Koshiro paused, surprise flashing briefly in his eyes before he smiled in understanding. "I suppose that makes sense. You did say you wanted to travel. Are you leaving right now?"

Lin Mo nodded. "Yeah."

Kuina, who had been leading the basic drills, hurried to the entrance. Disbelief filled her face, and anger welled up inside her. "You're leaving? Why? Zoro and I haven't beaten you yet. I don't want you to go!"

A Promise Before Departure

Kuina couldn't accept it.

She didn't want Lin Mo to leave.

How unfair! I haven't beaten him yet. How can he just up and leave?

"Lin Mo." Kuina bit her lower lip, struggling to hold back her emotions. "Do you really have to go? If you leave, I'll never forgive you! Can't you stay?"

"No." Lin Mo shook his head. "I'm a traveler. I don't stay in one place for long."

"But I haven't beaten you yet..." Kuina said, hurt. "Does Zoro know you're leaving?"

Lin Mo had told Zoro before their match.

Given how things had gone, Zoro probably hadn't noticed.

But Lin Mo had said it all the same. He nodded. "I told him."

"That idiot!" Kuina clenched her fists. "He didn't even try to stop you? What was that idiot Zoro doing?"

"Kuina, that's enough," Koshiro said helplessly. "Parting is always painful. Besides, separating now doesn't mean you'll never meet again. Once you and Zoro have grown into fine swordsmen, I won't stop you from going to sea."

Lin Mo hadn't expected his departure to upset Kuina so much.

She really is still a child.

"Then at least fight me one more time before you go!" Kuina took a deep breath and pointed her bamboo sword at Lin Mo, just as she had the first time she challenged him. "I challenge you!"

The same words, but her heart was in a different place.