章 2: Shimotsuki Village
The two men conversed during their walk, discussing everyday matters as the shepherd guided Ethel toward the small village. It didn't take long for them to arrive at a cluster of traditional houses, built from wood with dark-tiled roofs that reflected the sun. The atmosphere was peaceful and welcoming, with an air of serenity that enveloped everything.
As they entered the village, Ethel noticed several children training in the courtyard of a dojo that stood at the center. The shouts of the young practitioners filled the air, accompanied by the sound of wooden swords clashing in intense duels.
"This must be the village where Zoro grew up!" Ethel thought, barely containing his excitement as he observed the dojo intently.
The shepherd stopped and turned to Ethel.
"Wait here for a moment. I'm going to speak with the dojo master to introduce you," the shepherd said before heading towards the main building.
Ethel nodded, staying in the shade of a nearby tree as he waited. His thoughts raced, reflecting on the incredible nature of his situation. He was standing at the dojo where Zoro, one of the world's future greatest swordsmen, had trained. It was hard not to feel thrilled.
After a few minutes, the shepherd returned, accompanied by a middle-aged man with a serene expression and dignified bearing. His dark hair was tied back in a ponytail, and he wore a simple yet elegant kimono.
"You must be the newcomer," the man said in a calm but firm voice. "I've been told you've had a difficult experience. We have no problem with you staying here as long as you need, though you'll need to help with the dojo's chores. My name is Koushirou."
Ethel felt a mix of awe and respect upon hearing the name. Koushirou, the legendary master of Zoro and father of Kuina, was standing right in front of him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Koushirou. My name is Ethel. I'll help with whatever you need; I don't think I'll stay long, just long enough to recover," Ethel responded, striving to maintain his composure.
"As long as you need," Koushirou repeated with a slight nod. "Follow me, and I'll show you your room and the tasks you can assist with."
As they moved inside the dojo, the students greeted their sensei with respect. Ethel observed the environment with interest; students came from all over the island, drawn by the dojo's reputation and the legendary master who led it.
"Zoro must have already left to make a name for himself as a bounty hunter. I doubt he's still here," Ethel thought as he followed Koushirou through the dojo's corridors.
"Children, this is Ethel. He'll be staying at the dojo for a while. If you need anything, you can ask him," Koushirou explained to his students, who nodded respectfully.
"Nice to meet you, everyone," Ethel said, greeting the children with a smile, trying to blend into his new surroundings.
Koushirou led Ethel to a simple but clean room, where he handed him clothing with the dojo's emblem.
"Here is some clean clothing. Change into this, and then I'll assign you your first task."
Ethel quickly changed, donning the black tunic with a cloth belt. The outfit suited him well, giving him a more integrated appearance within the dojo's environment.
When he returned to the dojo, Koushirou assigned him his first task: collecting potable water from a small waterfall outside the village. The water came directly from the mountain, pure and crystal-clear.
On his way to the waterfall, Ethel reflected on everything that had happened in such a short time—from his death to his reincarnation in this world.
"I can't stop thinking about how lucky I am. It's incredible that this is my new reality. And the place where I've arrived is perfect for this new journey. In the dojo, I'll be able to learn how to become a swordsman and defend myself with a sword," he thought, feeling that his decision to come to the world of One Piece had been the right one.
Carrying the buckets full of clear water, Ethel returned to the dojo with a sense of satisfaction. In the distance, he heard the rhythmic sounds of training and headed toward the main hall, where Koushirou had gathered all his students. Inside, the young ones were engaged in one-on-one duels, the energy in the room intense yet controlled.
Ethel set the buckets aside and approached the group, observing the development of the matches with interest.
"These kids are really good; they must have been practicing for a long time," Ethel thought, impressed by the skill and focus of the young swordsmen.
One of the children in the duel executed a quick and precise move, striking the hilt of his opponent's wooden sword from above, disarming him with a sharp and decisive sound.
"Wow, that was impressive!" Ethel exclaimed, unable to contain his enthusiasm at seeing the young one's skill.
Koushirou, who had been observing from the front of the room, also praised both combatants.
"You've both improved a lot. Keep training to get even better. Next pair, begin," he said in a calm yet authoritative voice.
As the next two children prepared for their duel, Ethel approached Koushirou with a mix of determination and respect.
"Master Koushirou, may I ask if you could teach me how to use a sword as well? I feel I have much to learn in the art of the sword. Just by seeing your students' talent, I'm inspired to learn here," Ethel said, bowing slightly as a sign of respect.
Koushirou observed him carefully, assessing the young man's seriousness and determination.
"Aren't you a bit old to start now? How old are you?" the master asked, his eyes narrowing in thought.
"I'm eighteen, Master. Though it might take me longer to learn than the children, I still want you to teach me. I want to be able to defend myself," Ethel replied, with a sincerity that resonated in every word.
Koushirou nodded slowly, considering the request.
"Defend yourself..." he repeated, as if savoring the word. "As long as that's what you seek, I see no reason to turn you away. But how far you go with the sword will depend entirely on your talent and the training you commit to. At your age, it's difficult to form the habit of hard training, and even more so to eliminate the bad habits you've acquired throughout your life. As I said, it will depend entirely on you. I will only teach you the methods of training."
Ethel felt a wave of joy and relief, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He was about to begin his journey as a swordsman, and doing so in the dojo where Zoro had learned was an unimaginable honor.
"Thank you so much, Master Koushirou. I will give it my all," Ethel said, with a smile that reflected his renewed determination.
Koushirou nodded with a faint smile.
"We'll start tomorrow at dawn. Rest well tonight; the path of the swordsman is arduous and demands everything from you. But if you're willing to walk it, I'll guide you on your journey."
Ethel bowed deeply, thanking the master before retreating to his room. As he prepared to rest, he couldn't stop thinking about how fortunate he was. He had been transported to this world with the opportunity to learn in one of the most legendary dojos, and he was determined to make the most of every moment.
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