Clang. Thunk. Swish.
After several days at sea, their small vessel finally approached their first destination: Shimotsuki Village, home to the renowned Isshin Dojo.
The boat slipped quietly into the harbor, its hull cutting a soft wake as Ritter dispersed the surrounding mist. He stretched lazily and waved the three children over.
"We're here, brats."
Ace, Sabo, and Anne instantly crowded the railing, eyes sparkling with curiosity as they scanned the unfamiliar island.
Ace leaned forward, practically hanging over the edge. "So this is where the Isshin Dojo is? Looks totally ordinary!"
Sabo adjusted his top hat, studying the village with a more thoughtful expression. "Calm, quiet, peaceful. Definitely a good place for training."
Anne strapped the greatsword to her back and whispered, "Swordfighters. A lot of them."
She was right. Even from the harbor, they could faintly hear the rhythmic clack of wooden swords and the energetic shouts of young trainees echoing from somewhere deeper in the village.
Rouge smoothed the wrinkles from her dress and smiled at Ritter. "So this Koushirou you mentioned… he is really that skilled?"
Ritter grinned. "You'll see soon enough."
At the entrance of the Isshin Dojo, Ritter knocked politely on the sliding wooden door.
"Excuse me. Is Sensei Koushirou available?"
The door opened with a soft creak. Standing there was a gentle-looking man with round glasses, dressed in traditional robes. His gaze swept across the visitors, lingering momentarily on the three children.
"I am Koushirou. And you are…?"
Ritter bowed respectfully. "An honor to meet you, Sensei. My name is Ritter. These three brats are my niece and nephews. I've heard that your swordsmanship is exceptional, so I brought them to learn. We hope to stay for about a month. If possible, I would like you to correct some improper habits in their sword work."
Koushirou adjusted his glasses with a calm smile. "You flatter me. Of course they may learn here. I accept any child who wishes to train. Correcting fundamentals usually takes about a month, so that timing works well."
Ritter nodded with satisfaction.
He had expected no less. Anyone who could remain completely composed in front of him someone nearly all veteran sailors recognized was not ordinary. Ritter believed firmly in the original story's implications: Koushirou was a hidden master. He was a man who could restrain his blade so deeply that even paper would not be cut unless he willed it. And by the time Wano appeared in the world's spotlight, that philosophy revealed an even greater depth.
Which was why Ritter had absolutely no intention of challenging him.
The man had sealed his sword for years. Charging in like an idiot to demand a duel would be the height of stupidity.
Imagine knocking on someone's door and saying, "Hey, I don't believe you're strong. Let's fight."
That was the kind of thing only a true fool would do.
As the adults exchanged pleasantries, Ace suddenly shot forward like a firecracker. "Are we fighting? I wanna fight someone!"
Sabo grabbed him by the collar. "Idiot. Be polite."
Anne silently drew her greatsword and planted the tip into the ground with a heavy thud. "Please teach us," she said earnestly.
Sabo nearly panicked. "Anne, not you too." He hurriedly bowed toward Koushirou. "Sensei, please forgive us if we were rude. We came to learn and will behave."
Koushirou's eyes lingered on Anne's massive sword, a spark of interest flashing behind his glasses. "Quite intriguing."
Ritter chuckled. "These three little monsters may be young, but their foundation is decent. They also have talent."
Koushirou thought for a moment, then smiled. "If that is the case, why not let me see their abilities?"
He stepped aside and gestured toward the courtyard. "The training grounds are in the back. Please follow me."
In the rear courtyard, dozens of disciples practiced their basic sword forms. When Koushirou appeared with visitors, the students immediately paused and gathered into neat lines.
One little girl tilted her head curiously. "Sensei, who are they?"
(This was the time before Zoro ever wandered into the dojo. Poor future Zoro would live forever in the shadow of three senior disciples he had never even met. Go chase them, Zoro. Chase the older brothers and sister you never knew existed.)
"They are guests here to exchange swordsmanship," Koushirou said warmly.
He turned to Ritter. "Would you mind if some of my students spar against yours?"
Ritter shrugged. "Fine with me."
Ace could barely restrain himself. He jumped to the center of the yard with a wide grin. "Alright! Who's first?!"
Kuina stepped forward, her wooden sword resting confidently at her side. "I will."
Ritter nodded toward her. "Kuina, these kids are going to study under Sensei Koushirou. Tradition says the strongest goes first, so maybe think about being senior sister or second senior sister."
Sabo blinked. "Why senior sister and second senior sister?"
Kuina crossed her arms. "I am strong. Don't look down on me."
Ritter smirked slightly. I'm about to play my trump card, little sister.
Ace planted his feet in the center of the ring, spinning his wooden sword casually. "Bring it on, little girl. Don't cry later."
Kuina's expression hardened. "Arrogant boy." She lifted her wooden sword into position.
Koushirou clapped once. "Begin."
Kuina moved first.
Her wooden blade sliced through the air, sharp and precise, aimed directly at Ace's wrist. Her technique was clean, efficient, and full of discipline. Ritter could immediately see the strict training behind it.
Ace barely blocked in time. The impact sent a sting up his arm, forcing him to hop backward.
"So fast!" he muttered, rattled.
Kuina pressed forward, footwork light and fluid, her next strikes falling like rain. Ace stumbled back again and again, trying to keep up.
Sabo whispered, "Ace is going to lose."
Anne nodded calmly. "Her swordsmanship is far better."
Ritter, however, chuckled. "Just wait."
Ace suddenly grinned. With a quick roll to the side, he dodged Kuina's next thrust and swung wildly. His movements had no structure, no grace, no discipline at all.
Kuina blocked, but her eyes widened when she felt the raw power behind the strike. Her feet nearly slipped on the dirt. Ace seized the opening, bringing his wooden sword up in a sharp arc.
The tip tapped the hollow of her throat.
The courtyard fell silent.
Kuina's eyes trembled. "That was… unfair. I lost."
She clutched her sword tightly. It was clear that what defeated her was not swordsmanship, but pure overwhelming strength.
Ace blew on the tip of his wooden sword proudly. "A win is a win."
Koushirou pushed up his glasses. "Kuina. The match is decided."
Ace strutted back toward his friends, waiting for praise. He waited. And waited.
Nothing.
"Hey. I just won. Aren't you two going to say something?"
Ritter picked his nose lazily. "All I saw was a dummy swinging a stick like a madman. Swordsmanship looked fine until the test started. What a disappointment."
Sabo patted Ace's shoulder. "Sorry, Ace. I can't compliment that. If you'd won with technique, maybe."
Two arrows straight through Ace's tiny heart.
Anne calmly delivered the finishing blow. "Ace strong like flying brick. Boom."
Ace fell to his knees, devastated. "You traitors."