บท 35: Entering Isshin Dojo

After resting for a few hours plus a couple of delicious meals from Shadd, Alvin felt his body was quite rejuvenated. Sitting on his bed, he began to plan on what path to take.

In the One Piece world, there are quite a few paths to take if one wants to make it to the top. The first is to join the Navy. As the World government's law enforcement agency in this world, the Navy would be the best for anyone who aspires structured and systematic development.

They have various training camps all over the world with qualified instructors that will help tap potentials of talented recruits.

The best of these training camps is the Elite Training Camp at Marineford, the navy's command center. They have very famous and powerful instructors like Black Arm" Zephyr who has a proven track record of unearthing talents.

But for Alvin, this wasn't a path he was willing to take, because in addition to maintaining Law and order in the world, they are also famous for being the corrupt World Government's watchdog. The restrictions that come with joining the Navy isn't something that he wants to undertake.

Anyone who aspires freedom would be too shackled in the Navy. It is also noteworthy that in the Navy, he has never heard of anyone who has Conqueror's Haki.

In Alvin's opinion, nobody in the Navy has the potential to become a True King and conquer the seas even though they have very strong characters. In contrast to this, there are several figures that have potential to do so in the pirates. Even a crazy person like Big Mom and a medium figure like Don Chinjao all have Conqueror's Haki. This showed clearly that there is surely something wrong with the marines.

It is rumored that Monkey D. Luffy's grandfather, Garp has Conqueror's Haki. But if this is true, Alvin wondered how he came to be a Navy officer. It might be that it was pure coincidence he chose to be in the marines while he easily could've chosen to be a pirate!

Also there is the Will of D! If you think about it, it seems weird that a person that has the Will of D would be serving the marines and the World Government who thinks of these D Peeps has a bad omen on their Holy land of Mariejois.

As someone who had awoken Conqueror's Haki, of course he wouldn't allow himself to be shackled by joining the Navy. Anyways, the Navy was out of the question for him. The Second path for him is to be a pirate but his current strength is definitely not enough to go out to sea.

So for the next period of time, he would still have to strengthen himself. For weapons, since his sword talent was so amazing, of course he would chose to be a swordsman. Even though his progress in the [Basic Sword Skill] has been progressing well recently, Alvin has noticed something.

His foundations are really terrible. Before a few days ago, he hadn't even touched a sword before. In his previous world, what he was proficient in were firearms so coming to a world where firearms does not have that great of an effect, he had to change weapons.

This is the reason why he is so desperate to join the Isshin Dojo. As someone who had trained Roronoa Zoro, he believed Master Koshiro could help him solidify his foundations.

After coming up with a plan, Alvin descended downstairs with Byakko, greeted Shadd, and exited to town. He first needed to understand the general situation in Shimotsuki Village, as well as the player distribution here and then make his next plan from there.

In an instant an entire afternoon almost passed. Alvin's left hand was holding barbeque made from the meat of an unidentifiable monster and his right was holding a strange fruit while slowly eating. Byakko had its eyes closed sleeping in his cloths.

"It is really delicious. Although this barbeque is from one of the common roadside stalls, it is much better than my own cooking. This fruit is also quite good"

Searching around for a while, he finally realized he had arrived at the edge of the village. After walking a few blocks he finally saw a medium sized sword dojo by the roadside. It had a quite moderate sized courtyard, an ordinary signboard with the very bold characters [Isshin Sword Dojo] written in italics.

Entering the sword dojo, in the small courtyard, he saw about 10 children seriously practicing sword basics whilst sweating profusely with several young men by their sides guiding them. The moment he stepped into the courtyard, he was noticed by a young man who looked about 20 years old. He turned towards Alvin with a smile and said: "Kid, did you come here to learn swordsmanship? I'll be your guide."

Before the young man got too close, Alvin used his [Investigate] skill and surprisingly, he couldn't detect any information from him. This would mean this 20 year old young man should be at least Level 11. He was shocked!

Alvin immediately reoriented himself, nodded and said: "Yes, I want to register in this sword dojo. Can I know the specific requirements?"

The young man's smile got broader as he continued to explain: "Our [Isshin Sword Dojo] can be considered outstanding in Shimotsuki Village having even produced a Navy Commander! I am called Aaron. If you sign up here you can call me Senior Brother. Let's go meet teacher for specific requirements to sign up. That's right can I ask little brothers name?"

As Aaron had enthusiastically upgraded Alvin from kid to little brother, Alvin was also examining the atmosphere had sword basics that was being practiced by the children. His initial assessment of this doo was good but he decided to meet this teacher and then decide after that.

Alvin nodded and answered: "My name is Arnold. I work at Shadd's Hull Components Shop."

Aaron was very surprised and commended: "Really? You are even so young yet already working. That's great!"

"Well, I lost all you family so it will be very difficult to survive if I don't work. Luckily I learnt a little craftsmanship from my uncle which is enough to support me." Alvin's face looked solemn as he answered.

As Aaron heard this he apologetically said: "oh, is that so? I'm really sorry. The seas are now very chaotic since the Navy's control of the four seas is not that big. This is still Shimotsuki Village where the control is better. In other places, the streets are full of pirates."

Alvin nodded and followed Aaron through the yard as they arrived in front of a Japanese-styled building. Aaron gently knocked on the sliding door made of paper and wood and respectfully said: "Master please a new apprentice has arrived for registration."

A voice shortly broadcasted from inside: "Oh, it's Aaron, come in."

Taking off his shoes, Aaron went inside and Alvin also followed. The room was very spacious with about 20 rush cushions. One cushion was placed at the forefront whilst the rest the neatly arranged behind it. On the forefront cushion, sat a very tall man with black hair tied back in a long ponytail. his eyes closed. He was wearing a gray yukata with a beige haori over it and two cross swords symbol on the left breast. His posture looked cheerful and looked much younger than most of the other doo masters that Alvin had visited today. But despite that, just staring at him Alvin felt he was staring at a sleeping beast ready to pounce.

"Interesting..." the middle aged man thought when he saw Byakko who was now resting in Alvin's arms.

The middle-aged man looked at Alvin, then said: "Child, do you want to come my sword dojo study the way of the sword?"

Alvin nodded: "Yes, I want to study the sword."

The old man did not even ask Alvin why he wanted to study the sword or state any requirements. He just nodded his head and continued to say: "Good, tuition fees are 1500 Belly per month excluding clothing and accommodation."

Alvin was slightly surprised at the attitude and thought to himself: "Really? This isn't how the script is supposed to go. He's supposed to ask me why I want to study the sword or why I want to become stronger and listening to my well prepared warm hearted words and noticing my outstanding sword constitution, he would nod his head and take me as his personal disciple. Yes, this is how it usually goes. This old man does not follow the script at all."

Although he was thinking this, it this did not show on his face as he respectfully replied: "Good. Master, my name is Arnold. When can I begin to study the way of the sword."

The old man smiled and replied: "Go with your brother Aaron to finish the procedures for registration and report here two days later in the morning for the 7:00 am class. By the way my name is Koshiro. You can call me Master Koshiro or just Master directly."

[Ding! Congratulations to player for getting admitted to Isshin Sword Dojo, a major vertex in the plot. Reward: 100 Experience Points.]

Alvin ignored the massage and then nodded his head, bid farewell to his new master and left with Aaron to complete his registration. In the next room, he paid 1800 belly and he received a piece of clothing, a wooden sword and a wooden sword representing status as an apprentice probably something similar to a receipt in his previous world.