Luffy held the wooden sword in both hands, standing ready before Zoro.
Zoro, however, was serious, his sharp eyes analyzing Luffy's stance for weaknesses.
A long pause passed with neither moving.
Luffy stayed still to gauge Zoro's skills. At eight or nine years old, Zoro was not weak—he could easily handle a few ordinary pirates.
Zoro didn't move because, despite seeing Luffy's countless apparent openings, he didn't know where to strike.
Plus, his junior had told him Luffy was strong, making Zoro suspect that Luffy's "weaknesses" were just an act.
Finally, impatient, Luffy swung the wooden sword toward Zoro.
"So fast!"
Zoro barely dodged to the left, raising both wooden swords to intercept Luffy's airborne strike.
Luffy planted his foot and jumped, avoiding Zoro's attack. So far, it was a clash of attack and dodge.
Luffy thrust again, using the wooden sword like a spear.
Zoro brought all three swords together, blocking Luffy's strike. As he tried to push forward, he realized he was locked by an unseen force, unable to move.
Luffy saw the attack fail, spun his arm in a circular motion, and created distance.
Zoro, not missing a beat, sprinted forward, crossing his swords in a powerful X-shaped strike.
Luffy swung his sword forward in a desperate attempt to block.
The moment Zoro's attack touched Luffy's wooden sword, it shattered into three pieces, and Zoro's remaining weapon swung toward Luffy's neck.
Reacting quickly, Luffy raised his right arm, blocking the final strike.
"Guess I have to use my fists after all."
He shook his arm; no pain, but his life points had decreased, giving him a measure of Zoro's strength plus swordsmanship skill.
"What!"
Zoro's eyes widened—this blow alone could crush rocks! Yet Luffy emerged unscathed.
Seizing the moment, Luffy threw a punch to Zoro's nose.
Zoro flew backward, crashing into the wall, and finally fell unconscious.
Goshiro and the other students were stunned.
They could understand Luffy defeating a disciple, but Zoro was Goshiro's top prodigy—the greatest swordsman he had trained.
Zoro, not yet ten, could have taught swordsmanship and run his own dojo.
At first, Goshiro dismissed Luffy using a wooden sword, but seeing Zoro knocked out by a punch, he had to take Luffy seriously.
"What a terrifying child," Goshiro muttered, adjusting his glasses.
"Sorry, Senior Goshiro. My swordsmanship wasn't enough, so I used it to fight…"
Goshiro shook his head. "Strength is strength. Enemies won't fight using their weaknesses—they don't care about your advantages. You gave Zoro a proper lesson."
Luffy scratched his head, unsure how to respond.
Goshiro continued, "If you plan to stay here a while, I'll have my disciples take you to Zoro's room. It's big enough for both of you."
"Thank you, Senior," Luffy replied politely.
…
Night fell. The moon was full, its light stirring memories and thoughts of home.
Zoro slowly regained consciousness, seeing the ceiling of his room.
Thanks to Goshiro, the dojo maintained a traditional Japanese style throughout.
Recalling the moment of defeat, Zoro's memory slowly returned.
"You're awake?"
Following the voice, Zoro looked to see the boy who had bested him sitting casually on the steps, tilting his head curiously.
"You're strong," Zoro muttered.
"No, I'm still weak," Luffy shook his head.
Zoro didn't respond, unsure what to say next.
After a pause, Luffy asked, "Do you have a dream?"
Zoro squinted, recalling his ambition: "My dream… is to become the world's greatest swordsman! Whether good or evil, my name will reach the heavens, and my reputation will echo through eternity!"
"Wow… even as a little kid, Zoro is so cool," Luffy thought.
He glanced at Zoro, then at the moon, and said slowly, "That really is an amazing dream."
Zoro felt a sudden connection and, after a moment, asked Luffy: "What about you? You're so strong at your age—what's your dream?"
Luffy looked at the moon, eyes distant.
On Earth, Luffy had only dreamed of small things—money, toys, his parents. He had no great ambitions.
In this world, he had no hatred, no pressing mission. He only wanted to become stronger and freer.
Yet when asked about a dream… he thought of his parents.
He wanted to see them again. He hoped they would know he was doing well, even if he wasn't at home.
He wished they understood that he wasn't wasting time, and that he had quietly worked hard.
"I want… if possible, to see them again," Luffy whispered, tears slowly sliding down his cheeks.
Zoro, unsure who these people were or if they still existed, felt a strange resonance and his own eyes watered.
The two stood silently, gazing at the full moon.
A breeze rustled the leaves and rippled the pond in the courtyard.
Luffy turned to Zoro: "Do you want to get stronger?"
"I've been trying," Zoro replied calmly.
"No! Faster! Stronger!" Luffy spread his arms wide, small but earnest.
"You know… most of this world is ocean, divided into the Four Seas, the Grand Line…"
"New World!" Zoro interjected.
"Yes! In the Four Seas, ordinary people live, and strong figures appear occasionally. But their goal is the same: enter the Grand Line, even the New World."
Zoro, shocked, nodded slowly, trying to follow.
Luffy continued, "In the New World, many are as strong as Senior Goshiro—some could even defeat him easily."
Zoro's pupils constricted in disbelief.
Goshiro was strong, and Zoro had thought it would take years to surpass him. Yet Luffy claimed the New World was full of people on Goshiro's level, or stronger.
Zoro clenched his fists.
"What are you trying to say?" he asked Luffy.
Luffy laughed, extended his hand, then said seriously: "Zoro, become my companion! Let's grow stronger together and reach the very top of the world."
Zoro remained calm, eyes locked on Luffy. "Why should I?"
Luffy smiled. "Because I can make you stronger—faster than anyone. I'll help you become the strongest!"
Just then, the dojo door swung open.
Goshiro entered, walking slowly toward them.
He glanced at the full moon, then looked at Zoro. "Luffy is telling the truth. This world is vast, and this place is too small. You are talented, and I won't waste it, but our paths are different. I cannot teach you everything."
He placed a hand on Zoro's head. "I don't know why Luffy said this, but his confidence is real. If you truly want your name to echo through the heavens, perhaps Luffy is the right choice."
Although slightly embarrassed being assessed in front of someone else, Luffy extended his hand: "I promise."
"Of course, the decision is yours. Sorry for overhearing your conversation," Goshiro added.
Luffy smirked inwardly. Sure, you just "overheard" it… adults never change.
The three sat silently in the courtyard, gazing at the full moon, each thinking of those important to them.