Boom!!!
A visible shockwave burst outward, sweeping up a cloud of dust across the ground.
In an instant—
Zoro and Lafitte crossed paths.
Drip.
A drop of blood slid down the slender cane sword and splashed onto the earth.
The next moment, Zoro, who had appeared behind Lafitte, suddenly dropped to one knee.
A long horizontal wound stretched across his chest.
"That was a beautiful attack."
Lafitte turned around and looked at Zoro, who was kneeling on the ground.
Then, without hesitation, he praised him.
"Welcome to the War Pirates."
With that, he sheathed his cane sword and extended his right hand.
Zoro staggered to his feet.
Ignoring the pain coursing through his body, he put away his swords and looked at Lafitte.
"You're really strong."
"Please take care of me from now on."
He grinned.
Then he reached out and firmly shook Lafitte's hand.
"Medical team!"
"Bring the medicine kits over and treat the wounded!"
Seeing the two shake hands, Law immediately understood that the recruitment had succeeded.
Without waiting for Kaito to say anything, he shouted toward the No. 1 flagship docked at the harbor.
A few moments later, several members of the ship's medical team hurried over carrying medicine kits.
Under Law's direction, they immediately began treating Zoro's injuries.
Koshiro, who had originally intended to take Zoro back to the village for treatment, quietly stopped in place.
"Koshiro."
Suddenly, Kaito looked at him.
"Are you interested in fighting me too?"
The words stunned everyone.
Not only Koshiro—
Even the disciples of Isshin Dojo looked at Kaito in surprise.
"Your disciple is about to go to sea."
Kaito smiled.
"And after this, our pirate crew will head into the Grand Line."
"There are countless masters there."
"Don't you think..."
"You should broaden his horizons before he leaves?"
Koshiro, who had just opened his mouth to refuse, slowly closed it again.
He lowered his head and pondered.
His gaze swept over Kaito, Robin, Law, Lafitte, and the others one by one.
Finally, he nodded.
"Very well."
"Then allow me to experience Mr. Kaito's strength."
It was true.
Zoro had never left East Blue.
His horizons were terribly narrow.
That wasn't much of a problem while staying in East Blue.
But once he entered the Grand Line—
That lack of experience could easily become fatal.
Especially now that Zoro had joined the War Pirates.
Koshiro knew from the newspapers that this wasn't a peaceful pirate crew.
They were aggressive.
They challenged powerful enemies.
They expanded constantly.
Such an environment could temper Zoro rapidly.
But it would also expose him to tremendous danger.
Not only danger from outsiders—
But perhaps even from within the crew.
Therefore—
Displaying some of his own strength would also serve as a warning.
At the very least, it would tell the War Pirates one thing:
Zoro had someone standing behind him.
Seeing Koshiro agree, Kaito's smile widened.
He genuinely wanted to fight this man.
After all—
Judging from the hints scattered throughout his previous life's memories—
Koshiro's swordsmanship was anything but ordinary.
Battling someone like him would not only increase Kaito's combat experience—
But also allow him to use the "Natural Sword Heart" granted by his concentrated Weapon Talent to observe and comprehend the opponent's swordsmanship.
Unlike Lafitte and Zoro's duel—
A match between Kaito and Koshiro obviously required a more spacious battlefield.
After Zoro's wounds had been treated—
Everyone moved to the coast outside Shimotsuki Village.
"It's okay, Master will definitely win."
"That's right! Brother Zoro said that pirate captain should be stronger than the previous guy, but Master isn't weak either!"
"Master has defeated many pirates before."
"Zoro!"
"Who do you think will win?"
Whether it was Robin and the others or the disciples of Isshin Dojo—
Everyone gathered along the shore.
Although Kaito and Koshiro had deliberately kept everyone at a distance—
The people from Isshin Dojo still discussed the upcoming battle excitedly.
One of them looked toward Zoro, who was wrapping fresh bandages around his wounds.
"Zoro."
"Who do you think will win?"
"I don't know."
Zoro answered honestly.
His eyes never left the two figures in the distance.
Just like everyone else—
He was also extremely curious.
He had never seen Kaito fight.
As for Koshiro—
His teacher had rarely shown his true strength.
"Zoro."
Lafitte suddenly walked over and patted him on the shoulder.
"Watch the captain's battle carefully."
"Huh?"
Zoro looked at him.
Lafitte smiled faintly.
"The captain's swordsmanship..."
"It's far above mine."
Zoro's pupils shrank.
The battle earlier had made him completely acknowledge Lafitte's strength.
Not only his skill—
But his speed.
His elegance.
His overwhelming mastery.
Yet someone like Lafitte—
Was speaking so seriously about Kaito.
Zoro immediately looked back toward the shore.
His eyes became even more focused.
How strong is this man...?
Far away—
Waves crashed against the coast.
Every now and then, shrimps and crabs were washed ashore before scrambling back into the sea.
"Please enlighten me."
Koshiro slowly drew the Wado Ichimonji from his waist.
The gentle and scholarly aura he usually carried vanished.
In its place—
Was the sharp and imposing presence of a true swordsman.
Holding the sword in both hands—
He fixed his gaze firmly on Kaito.
Shing!
Kaito also raised his hands to his waist.
Slowly—
He drew his twin golden sabers.
"Then..."
A smile appeared on his lips.
"I won't hold back."
Seeing that Koshiro wasn't attacking first and was instead yielding the initiative—
Kaito moved instantly.
His right hand blurred.
Zheng!!!
With a speed beyond the naked eye—
Kaito completed the entire motion of drawing and slashing in an instant.
A gigantic golden flying slash erupted violently.
The coast beneath it split apart.
Sand and rocks exploded into the air.
Wrapped in a deafening howl—
The slash tore through the battlefield and surged straight toward Koshiro.
Koshiro's pupils contracted sharply.
So fast!
He had never expected Kaito's sword to be this terrifying.
Not only was the speed unbelievable—
But even the power contained within the slash was astonishing.
His expression changed.
There was no time to dodge.
Without hesitation—
Koshiro raised the Wado Ichimonji before him like a shield.
At the same time—
Dark, powerful Armament Haki surged from his hands.
In an instant—
The black Haki completely enveloped the blade of the Wado Ichimonji.
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