Chapter 129: The Pure Swordsman
"Father, are you going out?"
Eleven-year-old Kuina, who had started practising on her own in the courtyard instead of training in the dojo with Zoro, noticed her father, Koshiro, dressed in a formal suit with a samurai sword, walking towards the door with a serious expression. Curiously, she paused and asked.
"Yes, a distinguished guest has arrived," Koshiro replied without stopping.
This was the first time Kuina had seen her father with such an attitude. She put down the bamboo sword in her hand and quickly followed him.
When Kahn and Monet arrived at the Isshin Dojo, they found Koshiro and his daughter waiting for them at the entrance.
"Mr Kahn, welcome to Isshin Dojo."
Koshiro's eyes flashed with a mix of surprise and fear when he saw Kahn. He hadn't expected one of the top figures in the New World to appear in the weakest of seas and, more so, in Shimotsuki Village.
Was this really just a coincidence?
The fear stemmed from knowing that the man before him, the youngest of the New World's top forces, was powerful enough to destroy an island.
And this was his home.
If a battle broke out, his daughter, his disciples, and even all the villagers on the island might be caught in the crossfire.
Koshiro could only hope that Kahn was merely passing through and wasn't looking for either trouble or allies.
Kahn, who had used Observation Haki to sense Koshiro's thoughts, smirked inwardly but outwardly said with interest, "East Blue may be known as the weakest sea, but it's produced legends like the Pirate King and Marine heroes. It seems even remote places like this hide great strength."
"...You're too kind, Mr Kahn."
Koshiro didn't feel flattered by Kahn's words; instead, he felt troubled. The strong of the New World, especially those at the top, had a common trait—they liked recruiting other strong individuals to join their ranks.
Koshiro worried that Kahn might ask him to join his crew. If he refused, Kahn might take offence and force him into submission, leading to an inevitable battle.
So, after humbling himself, Koshiro gestured to the entrance and said, "Mr Kahn, please, come in."
"Thank you."
Kahn, who had once again read Koshiro's thoughts, was amused by the worries swirling in Koshiro's mind.
As Kahn walked into the dojo, he paused and passed by Kuina, who was already 1.5 meters tall. Smiling, he said, "Girl, I can sense your frustration."
"?"
Kuina, who had been curiously observing Kahn, tilted her head in confusion, a large question mark forming in her mind.
Koshiro, hearing this, felt a sense of foreboding.
His fears were soon realized.
"Kuina, step back," Koshiro said after leading Kahn and Monet to the living room in the courtyard. He wanted Kuina to leave since the upcoming conversation was for adults.
"No need; this young lady, Kuina, can stay," Kahn replied with a smile before Kuina could obey her father's order and leave.
"...In that case, Kuina, sit beside me," Koshiro said, feeling even more uneasy.
Kahn's words had clearly shaken Kuina, too. The normally strict father had backed down!
Who were these people?!
Kuina's curiosity towards Kahn only deepened.
"Yes, Father!"
Kuina nodded, fetched a futon, and knelt beside Koshiro on his right. She continued to study Kahn, who sat cross-legged on the tatami instead of kneeling.
Monet, dressed in a maid's short skirt, stood behind Kahn, reflecting her status and position.
"...Mr Kahn, may I ask what brings you to Shimotsuki Village?" Koshiro finally asked after preparing a cup of tea and following the basic formalities.
Kahn took a sip of tea before replying slowly, "I came to East Blue to visit a certain island in search of a legendary treasure. My visit here is purely by chance."
He continued, "While passing by an island, I sensed a powerful aura and decided to investigate out of curiosity. If I'm not mistaken, you practice Emission, don't you?"
Kahn was careful not to mention Wanokuni directly, respecting Koshiro's preference for secrecy.
"Yes, my name is Koshiro," Koshiro nodded in acknowledgement.
"Don't be so tense, Mr. Koshiro. I mean no harm," Kahn assured him. "I'm here simply because I wanted to meet the strong individuals who live in seclusion here."
"Though I don't know why someone as strong as you would choose to live quietly in such a remote part of the weakest sea, everyone has their reasons. Some chase fame and fortune, while others prefer a peaceful life. I won't disrupt your tranquillity."
"...Thank you for your understanding, Mr Kahn," Koshiro said with a sigh of relief, bowing slightly.
But then, Kahn's next words made Koshiro's heart skip a beat.
Kahn shifted his gaze from Koshiro to Kuina and asked with a smile, "Your name is Kuina, right? Would you like to be my maid?"
"Eh?"
Kuina was taken aback, then asked instinctively, "A maid? Like the big sister behind you?"
"Patriarch Kahn, my daughter is not worthy of such an honour, please..."
Koshiro began, attempting to politely decline on Kuina's behalf.
But before he could finish, Kahn raised his hand to interrupt. "Mr. Koshiro, don't worry. Hear me out first."
After calming Koshiro, Kahn continued patiently, "As I mentioned, everyone has their own path in life. You might prefer a quiet life, but that doesn't mean your daughter feels the same."
Kahn then turned to Kuina, his gaze softening. "Kuina, is your dream to become the world's greatest swordsman?"
"...Yes, it is!" Kuina responded, surprised that Kahn knew her dream.
"That's the right mindset," Kahn said approvingly, then added something that shocked her even more: "So, are you often frustrated because girls typically aren't as physically strong as boys?"
"How... how do you know that?"
Kuina was incredulous that a stranger could so accurately voice her deepest frustrations.
Koshiro's heart sank. What incredible Observation Haki, this must be! Whether Kahn overheard Kuina's worries or simply read her heart, it was clear that this man's Haki was exceptional.
Kahn didn't explain but instead offered another surprise: "Girls can overcome their physical limitations."
"Really?"
Kuina's eyes lit up with excitement. "How can a girl break through physical limitations?"
"Oh? Didn't your father tell you?" Kahn pretended to be surprised, glancing at Koshiro, who seemed lost in thought. Then, with a knowing smile, he continued, "I understand now—a pure swordsman, right?"
What is a pure swordsman? A pure swordsman is one who relies solely on their sword and their own Haki, without any external aids.
Legends like Roger, Rayleigh, Shanks, and Hawkeye, as well as Zoro, are examples of pure swordsmen. They became some of the world's strongest by mastering their swordsmanship and Haki alone.
The samurai of Wanokuni, including Sword God Ryuma, Kozuki Oden, and Koshiro himself, were also pure swordsmen. This is likely why Koshiro had told Kuina that girls' physical strength was a limiting factor in becoming the world's best swordsman—he never considered using a Devil Fruit to change her fate.
In Koshiro's view, eating a Devil Fruit would mean one was no longer a pure swordsman and perhaps not even a true swordsman.
Since Koshiro wasn't considering these options, Kahn decided to approach the matter differently.
"The way to break physical limitations is simple—through an operation."
Kahn pulled Monet forward, introducing her to Koshiro and Kuina. "This is Monet, one of my personal maids and the ship doctor of our 'Cross Family.' She's a Paramecia Op-Op Fruit user."
"An Op-Op Fruit user?!"
Koshiro, hailing from the traditional and isolated Wanokuni and living in the quiet Shimotsuki Village, was visibly startled. His reaction revealed that he knew of the Op-Op Fruit and hinted at a past filled with rich experiences and remarkable adventures.
It was likely during these adventures that he had learned about the Devil Fruits, including the legendary sea treasure.
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