On the way back to the dojo.
Zoro and Kuina walked on either side of Lin Mo, each carrying a sake barrel.
Zoro couldn't hold back and asked, "Lin Mo, that move you used just now was so fast, I couldn't even see it clearly. What technique was that, the one you used to beat the bandit leader?"
Lin Mo replied casually, "Ittoryu Iai." (One-Sword Style: Quick Draw)
"That's such a cool name!" Zoro's eyes sparkled.
Kuina was quiet for a while, then asked, "And what did you use to knock out all those bandits at once?"
"Haki."
"Haki?" Zoro and Kuina asked in unison.
Zoro tilted his head. "What's Haki?"
Lin Mo didn't respond.
He wasn't someone who answered every question—what he answered or didn't depended entirely on his mood.
Seeing Lin Mo didn't want to talk, Zoro wisely chose not to press further.
The three continued on in silence. Just as they were nearing Isshin Dojo, Zoro suddenly made a declaration. "After almost getting cut by that bandit, I've decided—from tomorrow on, I'm going to train in Three-Sword Style!"
The Zoro of the future would indeed become a powerful master of the Three-Sword Style.
Lin Mo wasn't surprised at all.
Kuina, however, didn't quite get it. "You're already exhausted handling two real swords, and you want to use three? Are you crazy? How are you even going to hold the third?"
"With my mouth!" Zoro declared firmly. "I won't let myself be that helpless again. Even if I don't stand a chance, I'll still fight with my swords, instead of standing around waiting to be saved."
Truthfully, over the past year, Zoro had been training his jaw strength. He just hadn't yet made the decision to truly commit to Three-Sword Style.
Kuina stared at him silently for a long time.
"What an idiot... Aren't you afraid of breaking your teeth?" she muttered. "Three swords will wear you out more than two. If you're serious about this, then you'll have to increase your training or you won't last."
"I know." Zoro grinned. "I'm ready to train until I've got nothing left every day. I'll give it everything I've got."
Lin Mo didn't comment.
There wasn't much to say.
As they passed by the lit veranda of the tea room behind the dojo, Koshiro greeted them with a smile. "Good work today, Lin Mo."
"Mm." Lin Mo responded lightly, not stopping as he kept walking.
After Zoro and Kuina dropped off the sake in Lin Mo's room, they rushed back to Koshiro's tea room.
Both stared at him eagerly.
"What's the matter? You have something to ask?" Koshiro asked with a smile.
Kuina jumped in. "Father, what exactly is Haki?"
"Oh? How do you know about Haki?" Koshiro thought for a moment, then asked, "Did Lin Mo use Haki to deal with those bandits?"
"He did!" Zoro nodded excitedly. "Sensei, you weren't there, but Lin Mo was so cool! He took down the whole bandit crew's boss in just one move!"
"Oh, that is impressive." Koshiro took a sip of his tea.
"Yeah, super impressive!" Zoro gushed. "That move was called... Ittoryu Iai, right? Even the name is awesome!"
"Hm?" Koshiro paused briefly. "So he's even mastered Iai... he really is gifted."
Zoro's eyes lit up. "Sensei, you know it too? Teach me! I want to learn it too!"
Koshiro smiled. "I'll teach you both. But not yet—master the fundamentals first."
Kuina huffed. "You still haven't told us what Haki is!"
Koshiro continued with a gentle smile, "Haki... is made up of Observation, Armament, and Conqueror's types. It's a latent power that exists within everyone..."
He then gave them a simple explanation of Haki. As he went on, Zoro and Kuina got more and more excited.
In the days that followed...
Lin Mo's routine remained the same: hunting, drinking at the tavern, then returning to the Isshin Dojo to drink more.
Before he knew it, he'd already spent nearly twenty days in Shimotsuki Village.
He'd tried all the sake types at the tavern, and hunted nearly every beast in the surrounding valleys.
It was about time to complete the final 20% of his mission progress and move on.
Back in Windmill Village, he'd completed two mission milestones thanks to Shanks.
Here in Shimotsuki Village, he'd completed two with Dragon.
But both Koshiro and Zoro had only triggered one each.
Which meant—
This final task was likely tied to either Koshiro or Zoro.
Maybe... sparring with Koshiro would do it?
With that thought, Lin Mo, having finished his training for the day, began heading back to the dojo to find Koshiro.
He hadn't walked far when—
He saw someone running toward him, swords on their hip—three real ones.
It was Zoro.
Since the day they beat Higuma and his bandits, Zoro and Kuina hadn't bothered him much.
Lin Mo had been enjoying a peaceful life.
But now Zoro was charging over.
What did this guy want now...
Lin Mo walked forward, expressionless.
"Lin Mo! Spar with me!" Zoro rushed up, eager.
Just like always, Lin Mo stepped around him, showing no intention of fighting.
Zoro quickly caught up, talking as he walked. "I'm not the same as before. I've been training like crazy every day. Now I can fight Kuina to a draw using Three-Sword Style."
Lin Mo answered flatly, "Oh."
Zoro kept pushing. "Also, I've made up my mind. I won't ambush you anymore. From now on, I'll challenge you fair and square."
Lin Mo: "..."
Zoro suddenly ran 50 meters ahead, turned to face him, and bit one sword in his mouth while gripping the other two.
As Lin Mo got within 10 meters, Zoro crossed his two swords above the one in his mouth, readying himself.
"Lin Mo, accept my challenge!" Zoro said around the sword in his teeth, his words muffled.
A faint sword aura radiated from him.
That stance...
That pressure...
Lin Mo's eyes narrowed slightly.
Could it be... Rengoku Oni Giri? (Demon Slash from Hell)
He remembered this move wasn't learned until ten years later—during Zoro's training in the time-skip.
Though Zoro's form wasn't quite right yet, and the aura was faint...
Still—Lin Mo hadn't expected him to improve so much in just a few dozen days.
He'd even begun to grasp a hint of sword aura.
As expected of the man who would one day become a great swordsman.
Lin Mo never disliked those who worked hard.
"I've always wanted to fight you seriously, Lin Mo. Please, accept my challenge this time!"
Zoro stared at him intently.
Lin Mo stopped walking and looked him in the eye.
Then, a small smirk formed at the corner of his mouth. He drew Wado Ichimonji from its sheath.
"Fine. Before I leave, I'll grant you this one fight."