The First Principle (Write out the students , on who is who )
The thud of wooden swords echoed through the dojo as Zoro stepped back, breathing hard but grinning. His opponent — a taller, older boy with shoulders like a sumo and pink hair — lay on the floor clutching his ribs, groaning.His name was Urashima . The sparring match had ended quickly, with Zoro dodging a wild swing and countering with a clumsy but decisive strike.
The other students murmured in surprise. Some were impressed. Others, less so.
"Wow , Zoro is amazing being able to beat someone big like Urashima while being so small , even kuina had problems when facing Urashima"
From the far end of the dojo, Koushirou had been watching quietly, arms folded. His expression was unreadable as he approached.
"You won," Koushiro said simply.
Zoro wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, still breathing hard. "Of course I did. He was slow and i could move much faster because of my small body"
Koushirou studied him for a moment before speaking again. "Yes… but you also nearly tripped twice, your stance collapsed on your last step, and if he had been just a little faster, your balance would have betrayed you."
Zoro frowned. "I still beat him."
"And that is the most dangerous thought for a swordsman," Koushirou replied, his tone still calm but carrying weight. "Winning does not mean you fought well. It only means you fought better than your opponent — this time."
The dojo went silent. Even Urashima on the floor stopped groaning.
Koushirou stepped to the center and gestured for Zoro to come closer. "Before you can call yourself a swordsman, before strength, speed, or technique… there is posture and footwork. Without these, every swing is a gamble."
Zoro stood before him, wooden sword in hand, eyes narrowed but listening.
"Watch closely," Koushirou said. He took a stance, his feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent just enough to absorb movement. His weight was perfectly centered — not leaning forward or backward — and his shoulders were relaxed.
"Balance is the root of offense and defense. A firm stance allows you to meet the force of larger, stronger enemies without being pushed back. Without it, a single blow will send you to the ground, no matter how strong you think you are."
He stepped forward smoothly, almost gliding, then shifted back just as easily. "Footwork is the sword's silent partner. Every step you take changes your reach, your angle, and your timing. Good footwork keeps you in range when attacking… and out of range when defending."
Zoro tried to imitate the movement, planting his feet wide.
"Too stiff," Koushirou corrected, tapping Zoro's knee lightly with his bokken. "Flex your legs. Let them carry your weight without locking up. You must be ready to move at any moment — forward, back, left, right. If you cannot move, you cannot fight."
Zoro adjusted, trying again. This time, his movement was more fluid.
"Better," Koushirou said. "With proper posture and footwork, you can control the battle's pace. Without them… you're just swinging a sword and hoping it works."
Zoro scowled, but his eyes burned with determination. "Alright… show me again."
Koushirou smiled faintly. "We will not move to the second principle until the first becomes part of your body. This is the foundation, Zoro. A swordsman who cannot stand cannot win — no matter how strong his swing."
Later that week
He challenged one if the older and larger students .
"Ushimaru lets have a deul ."Zoro challenged
"I refuse, my specialty is not swordsmanship and when wielding a sword im terrible at it "Ushimaru said as he picked his ear.
" Unlike my brother Ashura , I excel in sumo and not swordsmanship. I came to this dojo to see whether I could be as strong as my bother but I learned that I can be as strong as him by being a sumo wrestler " Ashura said . Zoro just looked at him as if not understanding what the problem was
"So use your hands then ... (-_-)" Zoro said . Urashima and the other students nearby paused and looked at Zoro as if he's lost his mind .
"ARE YOU CRAZY , DO YOU WANT HIM TO LOSE HIS HANDS "They all yelled in unison .
"Fine fine , then you come up here and lets have a deul "Zoro said having given up on challenging Ashura . He pointed at another student randomly. Before the said student could answer Zoro
"Wait , I have a better idea why dont you all come at me all at once "Zoro said with a smirk
"Okay now you're just being arrogant "One student said
"Yeah x4" the other students agreed
"Let's teach him a lesson!" All the students charged at Zoro wooden bokkens in hand , Zoro smiled like a predator as he held his two wooden bokkens and faced all the incoming students with vigor and excitement.
Outside, the wind whispered through the dojo walls as the boy began to drill the most basic movement — over and over — unaware that this was the first step toward becoming the swordsman he dreamed of being