Isshin Dojo.
The empty indoor training hall.
Koshiro stood holding a bamboo sword. His loose clothing made his figure seem somewhat thin.
Laino stood opposite him, holding a bamboo sword.
"Don't be nervous. I just want to see your level and aptitude," Koshiro kindly reminded him.
"Right!" Laino nodded.
"Watch out!" he suddenly shouted, gripping the sword with both hands, taking a step forward, and executing a direct thrust.
He had never practiced kendo, but he had practiced Sanda and had some foundation in footwork. Especially after experiencing life-and-death combat, he discovered that seemingly useless skills were not without their merits. It was his basic footwork that allowed him to flexibly dodge Sig's attacks and ultimately kill him.
However, in Koshiro's eyes, this footwork was rather immature. He easily deflected the thrust with his bamboo sword and, at the same time, the sword smacked Laino on the shoulder.
Strangely, although he was hit, Laino felt no pain.
"Relax your body; you're too tense."
"Yes!"
Koshiro took a step back, assumed the same stance as before, and gestured for Laino to come at him again.
Laino took a breath and gripped his sword once more.
"That move just now, that feeling..." he savored the memory of Koshiro's counter-attack.
Koshiro's speed and strength were nothing special, yet he had precisely intercepted his attack, leaving him no time to defend.
Compared to Koshiro's swordsmanship, bandits like Sig were just a bunch of brutes!
That's right! Laino was happy in his heart. He had made a wise choice and hadn't been lost in the power of the system.
To do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools.
Geniuses like Luffy, Zoro, Ace, and Sabo were able to soar after setting out to sea because of their decade of hard training. Only with a solid enough foundation could they achieve breakthroughs in battle and grow rapidly.
One might notice that every time Zoro grew stronger, it was accompanied by memories of Koshiro's teachings from his childhood training. These were all nutrients.
Robin, Usopp, Sanji, and the others were not lacking in talent and also grew during their adventures. But why did it feel like they couldn't reach the heights of Luffy and Zoro?
The most obvious comparison is between Sanji and Zoro. When they left the East Blue, the gap between them wasn't large. But after the Summit War, Sanji's progress was far inferior to Zoro's, forcing him to get a suit of armor on Whole Cake Island.
It cannot be denied. His foundation was far inferior to Zoro's and Luffy's, unable to accumulate strength for a massive burst.
Not only that, but which of the people who truly stand at the pinnacle of the pirate world hasn't undergone rigorous special training?
Clack!
Clack!
The bamboo swords collided. Laino launched a series of attacks, all of which were calmly neutralized by Koshiro. The moves he used against the bandits were, in Koshiro's eyes, worse than those of any random student in the dojo.
Clack!
Koshiro suddenly changed his move. The bamboo sword slanted downwards, power surged out, and as Laino lost his balance, his own bamboo sword was sent flying.
Laino staggered back two steps, barely managing to steady himself.
[Ding! Defeated by opponent. Scanning talent: Sword Heart (S-Rank)]
[Talent successfully copied.]
[Talent Description: A heart of the sword path. Your aptitude for the way of the sword is amplified a hundredfold.]
The system's notification sound was like a clap of thunder. Laino was instantly stunned.
S-Rank talent!
More awesome than Shanks's Conqueror's Haki?
He couldn't believe it. He looked at the system panel that only he could see.
[Host Name: Laino]
[Actual Age: 17]
[Existing Talents: Glib Tongue, Gluttony, Conqueror's Haki, Fearless Heart, Sword Heart]
[Power Evaluation: A fledgling, yet you possess a king's disposition and a heart of the sword. Your potential is explosive. Bide your time, young man, the future is yours.]
Not only did he have a new talent, but the system's evaluation had also changed.
Laino's heart was filled with ecstasy. Finally, he had obtained a talent that could rapidly increase his combat power.
"That's about enough!" Koshiro put down his bamboo sword. He glanced at the dazed Laino, thinking he was discouraged, and made an evaluation in his mind.
His physical strength, speed, and reaction were all average. His footwork was passable, but he didn't utilize it well. As for his swordsmanship, he would have to start from the very basics.
But, his age... If Laino were only seven or eight, there might be hope.
Koshiro shook his head and said tactfully, "Laino, at your age, it will be difficult to achieve much in the way of the sword." He believed Laino also realized that he had missed the best stage for building a foundation, and his aptitude was far from outstanding.
Laino came back to his senses, took a deep breath, and said, "I want to try!"
Koshiro frowned and advised, "Talent is more important than hard work. The path to seeking strength is not limited to the way of the sword!"
Laino said firmly, "I believe that sincerity can move mountains. Here is my tuition fee; please let me stay and practice." He turned and opened his suitcase. He took out an envelope containing 5 million Beri and handed it to Koshiro.
Koshiro stared at Laino. Faced with his determined gaze, he was suddenly reminded of the stubborn Kuina and sighed inwardly.
"Alright, stay. You can stay!" Koshiro accepted the Beri.
"I will keep the tuition fee for you for now. If you regret it within a month, I will return it all."
Laino flashed a brilliant smile. "I plan to stay for a year!"
Koshiro was not optimistic. "Let's see if you can last a week first. By the way, do you have a place to stay?"
"No!"
"There are empty rooms in the dojo. Would you like to stay?"
"I'll eat and live at the dojo. Money is not a problem. I can't wait to start training!" Laino said.
Koshiro saw a small pile of thick envelopes in Laino's suitcase, estimating it to be several tens of millions of Beri.
Laino was not the first person to come seeking to learn the sword. As long as there was money, everything was negotiable. Of course, Koshiro was not greedy for money. Most of the village children who learned the sword from him were taught for free. But the dojo needed money to survive, so he had to accept some children from wealthy families.
Koshiro said no more. He led Laino to the dojo's backyard, through a corridor, and soon they saw Zoro and Kuina practicing their swords in an open space.
"Zoro!"
Zoro stopped swinging his sword. "Master?"
Koshiro said, "From today on, Laino will be living with you!"
"Oh!" Zoro looked at Laino curiously.
"Kuina, you will be in charge of teaching Laino the basics of kendo."
"Yes, Father!" Kuina nodded.
"Zoro and Kuina are the most talented children in the dojo," Koshiro said with a smile in his eyes. He felt that he should show Laino the gap between him and a genius to make him give up the idea as soon as possible.
Laino was quite satisfied with this arrangement. He smiled at the two of them and said, "I'm Laino. Please take care of me from now on!"