Chapter 77: Great Swordsman! Inoshishi's Proposal!
"I knew it wouldn't be this easy..."
Inoshishi's feelings were complicated.
Right now, his dominant emotion was joy.
The reason was simple—he came to Shimotsuki Village not just to negotiate with the Revolutionary Army, but primarily for Enma.
He knew very well that although Enma was one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, not a Supreme Grade Sword, it was one of the most unique blades in the world.
Its uniqueness lay in its ability to autonomously draw out and unleash the user's Ryou.
Although this effect would kill most wielders, its power was undeniable.
And for Inoshishi... or rather, for Roy... it was immensely significant!
He also knew that the sword's creator, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, had come to Shimotsuki Village after leaving Wano.
That led to this meeting.
And the source of his joy—Koushirou had confirmed that Enma's power came from the special material Kozaburo forged: 'Enma Iron'.
"If I use the Munch-Munch Fruit to devour it... I can master Ryou!"
The Munch-Munch Fruit allowed him to consume anything and perfectly master its properties. In other words, the side effects of Enma Iron should be nullified for him.
This was his primary goal.
Zephyr's 'Black Body Style' required powerful Haki to reach its full potential, but mastering Haki took too long.
Enma Iron would be the 'accelerator' for his Haki training!
But before that...
"Mr. Koushirou... are you serious?"
He looked at Koushirou and asked earnestly.
"My ability is very dangerous. If we fight, I cannot hold back."
Hearing this, Koushirou smiled. "I am a swordsman."
There was no such thing as a swordsman who feared danger.
He seemed to guess Inoshishi's concern. "You need not worry about the other party's attitude. This is my personal matter, unrelated to them. It will not affect your transaction."
He was clearly referring to the Revolutionary Army.
"If I am heavily injured or killed in this battle—Zoro, you must tell the others my words today. Do not let them misunderstand."
"Teacher..."
Zoro clenched his fists.
He wanted to say something, but didn't know how.
Inoshishi sighed.
He had no ill will toward the master of Isshin Dojo, but he had to have the Enma Iron. Since Koushirou insisted...
"In that case... come."
He nodded slightly.
Koushirou smiled.
He lowered his stance, assuming a striking pose. "This blade is named 'Isshin'. It has no name on the seas."
He stroked his beloved blade. "But it is the best sword."
"Mr. Inoshishi, be careful."
As his words fell, he answered Inoshishi's question.
With a slash!
"Isshin Style: Snow Cut!"
Like the name suggested—at that moment, frost appeared in the bamboo grove.
Falling dead leaves seemed dyed white by snow.
But in this season, where would snow come from?
It was the glint of the blade!
VMMM!
Yes, Koushirou swung 'Isshin', and a massive white slash, like a flurry of snow, flew from the blade!
"That is..."
Seeing this, Zoro's eyes widened in disbelief.
There was a saying on the seas—a slash is a swordsman's calling card.
Zoro was a swordsman, so he knew exactly how strong Koushirou's slash was.
Where the slash passed, no dust rose, but a deep trench was carved into the ground.
The surrounding bamboo was severed cleanly, without even a gust of wind.
This was the manifestation of power focused to the extreme.
"Teacher's swordsmanship... is actually..."
Zoro was truly shocked.
Having learned swordsmanship at Isshin Dojo since childhood, he knew his teacher was strong.
But after years of training, he had thought his 'Three-Sword Style' might be inferior to his teacher's, but not that far off.
But now, he realized...
He had never seen his teacher swing his sword with full strength.
"A slash like that..."
Zoro gritted his teeth instinctively—he knew he couldn't block that strike.
If he were his teacher's opponent, facing that slash... he would die!
But...
"Impressive."
Zoro saw it. Facing the flying slash...
The man named 'Inoshishi' stood his ground, clapping his hands with interest.
"I didn't expect to meet a true 'Great Swordsman' in the East Blue."
He spoke.
Yes.
Shimotsuki Koushirou, the master of a small dojo in Shimotsuki Village, was clearly a 'Great Swordsman,' a grandmaster of the blade even by Grand Line standards!
Then, under Zoro's gaze...
Inoshishi gently extended a hand toward the slash.
And then...
VMMM!
The massive slash, which seemed capable of cleaving anything in two, vanished silently as it approached his hand.
Instead, Zoro thought he saw the man's throat move.
The next moment...
"Phew."
Zoro heard Inoshishi exhale.
But he couldn't care about details now.
"What is wrong with that guy?"
He couldn't understand what just happened. What did he do? Where did that terrifying slash go?
Koushirou raised an eyebrow in surprise. "As expected of 'Inoshishi'."
Clearly, while he guessed a Zodiac member would be strong, he hadn't expected his slash to be neutralized so easily.
"An ability?"
He looked at Inoshishi.
"Part of it," Inoshishi answered casually, then looked at Koushirou seriously. "Now, it's my turn."
As he spoke, he raised his hand slightly, preparing to strike.
But at that exact moment...
"Master Koushirou! Master Koushirou!"
"The pirates are back! They're approaching the south shore and will land soon!"
"The village elder sent us to get you! He said he saw their flag—it's the 'Rogerel Pirates', second only to the Overlord Krieg in the East Blue!"
Shouts and cries from the distant dojo interrupted the imminent battle.
Inoshishi paused.
Rogerel Pirates? Who? A knock-off Roger Pirates?
But realizing who 'Overlord Krieg' was, he immediately understood—Oh, just some small fry.
Then, a thought occurred to him. He turned to Koushirou, who was also frowning. "Mr. Koushirou... it seems we can't continue this duel."
"But if you don't mind, I think we can settle this another way."
"Hm?"
Koushirou looked at Inoshishi. "What do you mean?"
"I think those pirates..."
Inoshishi said softly.
"Arrived just in time."
☆☆☆
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