That afternoon, Vic checked in with Kozaburo and brought him some zebra donkey meat, so the old man could have a taste too.
In the days that followed, Vic's life settled into a routine again. He rarely asked Koshiro for advice, only needing him to explain the major realms. Once Vic had the key, he could open the door and advance on his own. He didn't need to ask about minor matters, and he didn't want to keep doing reading comprehension exercises.
Vic had already figured out the next realm through reading comprehension. After all those words, it came down to gathering Sword Qi and releasing it: a swordsman who could use a Flying Slash.
Flying Slash? That name's a little low. It was an upgraded version of Sword Qi, so Vic called it "Sword Gang." It was formed by condensing Sword Qi and released from the sword under the command of a powerful conviction.
Progress in this realm depended on the amount of Sword Qi, how tightly it was condensed, the range of the resulting Sword Gang, the strength of the conviction needed to release it, and the number of Sword Gangs, among other things. A small Sword Gang could chop down trees, while a large one, like Hawk-Eye's, could slice straight through icebergs and shatter meteorites. The difference was enormous.
Vic knew this realm mainly involved extending Sword Qi, with no real bottleneck, so he only needed to advance step by step. He couldn't neglect training his body, since that was the foundation of strength. Observation Haki and swordsmanship were his current combination for attack and evasion, and he couldn't neglect them either.
In his spare time, Vic worked at the forge and spent time with Kuina. He also made her some food rich in Primal Spirit that he had brought back from the mysterious island, improving her health and urging her to run.
Vic ran with her, though he carried a small mountain of rocks on his back. He had also begun imitating Issho, going about his life with his eyes covered. Vic found it beneficial: the things he sensed with Observation Haki had become more detailed.
Three months passed quickly. Kozaburo had little left to teach Vic. Vic had learned all his swordsmithing skills, as well as how to identify metals. After all, he had the superpower of never forgetting anything he saw.
After learning the craft, Vic used the best materials on the small island to forge a narrow-bladed longsword. He added exquisite patterns and fittings, then took the sword back to Laipe Island. Limited by the materials, he could only make it a Grade Sword.
This time, Vic didn't take a ship. He traveled using Geppo, stopping to rest whenever he came across a ship or island along the way. When he encountered pirates, he killed them before resting.
Vic still hadn't come across a Devil Fruit. He had kept an eye out, but found nothing. Devil Fruits were pitifully scarce in the East Blue.
There were few Devil Fruit Users in the East Blue in the original story, and their fruits hadn't necessarily been found there. King Luffy's Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika had been brought by Red-Hair, and Buggy had eaten the Chop-Chop Fruit aboard Roger's ship. It was unclear where Smoker's fruit came from. Only the Smooth-Smooth Fruit and Flame-Flame Fruit were confirmed to have been found in the East Blue, along with the Zoan Devil Fruit belonging to the user who killed Vic's parents. There really were too few. The scarcity of Devil Fruits had a great deal to do with the East Blue's peace.
After returning to Laipe Island, Vic gave the sword to Rebecca. She was delighted by it. Its blade was the same length as the one she had bought before, but its hilt, guard, decorations, and color were all much more exquisite. Rebecca absolutely loved it.
Vic told her to get used to the sword as soon as possible. Until she obtained better materials, it would be staying by her side.
Vic didn't stay long in town before returning to Shimotsuki Village to continue his great pursuit of the sword.
After returning to the dojo, Vic went to Koshiro's quiet room. Koshiro was just as he always was, as though glued to the floor. Whenever Vic came by, he was sitting there.
Vic didn't know what realm he was in. He had asked once and been told it was the Realm of Nature. That was another reading comprehension exercise, but Vic couldn't solve it yet.
Vic sat down across from Koshiro and said, "Teacher, can I learn Armament Haki now?"
After a moment, Koshiro seemed to come back to his senses. "With your physical condition, there's no problem at all."
"Then can you teach me, teacher?" Vic asked.
"Of course I can. It's just that my method is rather difficult and takes a long time. When I awakened Armament Haki through my training, what I awakened was its advanced application-the flow of Haki."
"Awakening and flow are learned together. Before you awaken the flow of Armament Haki, you can't use it to attack or defend, so it doesn't count as awakening Armament Haki. Instead, it requires a long period of accumulation and study."
"This is the way Armament Haki is cultivated in my homeland. It takes a very long time. Even talented people need several years. This method isn't systematic and places great demands on talent. Those without enough talent may never awaken it in their entire lives. Do you still want to learn?" Koshiro said slowly. After learning the flow of Armament Haki himself, Koshiro had never looked into other ways of awakening it.
This was Wano Country's method, awakening Ryuo directly, but only samurai of a considerable age knew how to use it. The requirements were high, and it took a long time. But if someone had a foundation and knew basic Armament Haki, learning Ryuo through this method would be quick.
Vic thought it over. What Koshiro meant was that it was like learning mathematics: one was ordinary math, and the other was Olympiad math. Skipping ordinary math to study Olympiad math directly would leave anyone without great talent scratching their scalp raw. A talented person could learn math directly through Olympiad math, and once they mastered it, they would have learned advanced applications of mathematics, so it would also take more time.
That wasn't what Vic wanted. He wasn't the type to shut himself away and train painstakingly. He wanted to join the Navy and become part of this great era.
In this world, it was very unsafe to lack Armament Haki for self-defense. If he encountered a Logia, he would be at a loss. He certainly believed he had great talent, but no matter how talented he was, he would still need a long period to comprehend it.
Outside Wano Country, the flow of Armament Haki was learned in two stages. First, one awakened Armament Haki. Second, one set the Armament Haki inside one's body flowing.
In Wano Country, however, both were done at the same time, which was more difficult. I haven't even awakened it yet. What am I supposed to make flow? Comprehending flow directly was a very abstract method of training, so it would take more time. Vic wasn't stupid enough to pass up proper instruction from the Navy and study mysticism with Koshiro instead.
There was no saving time on the learning process, and accumulating Haki came after awakening it. Neither method could avoid that, so why not use it while improving it? That would be both safer and more time-efficient. He only needed to remember the method for reaching the advanced level; he could use it when he advanced later.
Once he joined the Navy, he could receive the most systematic instruction in Armament Haki, then rely on his physical talent to improve quickly. That was the best deal.
With that thought, Vic said to Koshiro, "Teacher, please tell me the method. I'd like to hear it."
"All right. I wouldn't really recommend following this method, but you can use it as a reference," Koshiro said calmly.
"Haki is a power latent in everyone. You must ask your heart where that power lies hidden. Once your heart tells you and you find it, you can use it. Stir it into activity, and you will be capable of anything."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"That's what my father told me back then, and that's how I trained. Take your time and comprehend it."
Vic was stunned. Haki had so many techniques and applications, and he had covered it all in two sentences? Was reading comprehension a family tradition? Vic had a few choice words he wasn't sure he should say. He mourned for Zoro once again. No wonder Zoro had later sought out Hawk-Eye to learn from him. Zoro's talent was probably decent enough; his reading comprehension was just a little lacking.
Vic got up and took his leave. He was still gloomy after leaving the quiet room. I really have to put my hopes on the Navy. This teacher isn't reliable!
With no clue how to learn Armament Haki, Vic stopped thinking about it. Improving what he already possessed would be enough, and his regular routine resumed.