"So strong. Senior really is an incredible swordsman."
El, whose Flying Slash had just been cut off mid-formation, looked at Koushirou—still calmly holding his sword in one hand—and couldn't help letting a small grin tug at the corner of his mouth.
"At your age, I was just a kid who could barely swing a bamboo sword," Koushirou said with a wry shake of his head.
His tone made it clear: aside from age, he had nothing to boast about in front of this boy.
Koushirou had no doubt.
If he were as young as El now…Or if El were as old as he was…
With El's absurd swordsmanship talent and his monstrous physique, he, Koushirou, would likely not be El's match.
But this world didn't deal in "ifs."
El might have three major talents favored by the world, but swordsmanship was still a growth-type gift.
His Observation Haki and Life Return were also support and growth abilities—they needed time, training, and experience to blossom.
Just like those "super athletes" in the basketball league in El's previous life—many had world-class talent, but they still needed years of development before becoming true superstars.
El, too, needed to fully develop his talents before he could stand at the very top of this world.
Right now, he was still a climber.
And the man in front of him…
Was someone already standing very, very close to the summit.
With his current strength, no matter how hard he tried, El couldn't defeat Koushirou.
Clang. Clang. Clang…
Even though his Observation Haki had already told him he couldn't win, El didn't back down.
He gripped his sword with both hands and kept attacking.
Every slash tore the air.
Every strike was a blow that could easily cut through steel.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say:
Unless they were a Devil Fruit user, even a Fishman—whose physical strength was ten times that of a normal human—would be sliced clean in half if they just stood in front of El and took one of those blows.
Just like before, if Koushirou hadn't blocked his attacks, the torn airflow would twist into Flying Slashes that would travel who knew how far.
Unfortunately for Kuina and Zoro, they still weren't blessed with the chance to clearly witness a true, unleashed Flying Slash.
Every one of El's blows was casually parried by Koushirou.
But then—
Koushirou, who had deliberately suppressed his strength to match El's level, suddenly began to feel a bit of pressure.
El's slashes were getting faster.
It was as if he already knew how Koushirou's blade would intercept each attack.
The moment his first strike was blocked, El was already following Koushirou's defense, unloading the power from his blade and instantly swinging a second strike.
And—if it wasn't his imagination—That second attack just happened to land at a tiny opening that appeared naturally in Koushirou's one-handed guard.
Koushirou's eyes flashed again.
This time, he wasn't shocked that El could find his openings.
He was shocked that El was predicting every defense before it even happened.
That kind of prediction…
Didn't it mean—
To confirm his guess, Koushirou finally grew serious.
A subtle, invisible force spread out from his body.
At that moment, he clearly perceived how El's next move would unfold.
And in the same instant…
El, who had just begun to find a small "edge" in the exchanges, felt that crushing pressure return—like a mountain dropped on his shoulders.
His predicted lines of attack were suddenly off.
Openings he thought he saw vanished as if they'd never been there.
His face showed a flicker of honest surprise.
Seeing that expression, Koushirou confirmed his suspicion.
"I didn't expect that at your age, you've already mastered the power of Observation Haki," he said quietly, his voice carrying a slight tremor.
"...Observation Haki? What's that?"
El stopped his assault right on cue, tilting his head with an innocent look.
Before the fight, El had wanted nothing more than to challenge a Master Swordsman and feel the gap with his own body.
After that first exchange, however…
His fighting spirit had largely faded.
Because there was no need.
Unless Koushirou dropped his limiting restraints and fought him with everything he had, El wouldn't gain much more from continuing.
But—
They weren't related. And El was the one who came to challenge the dojo.
There was no reason for Koushirou to pour his heart and soul into guiding him like a true disciple.
So from the beginning, El had never expected to learn Koushirou's swordsmanship.
What he wanted…
Was Haki.
More specifically: Armament Haki.
Revealing his Observation Haki had been deliberate.
The goal was simple—
Use it to unlock information about Armament Haki.
"…Observation Haki is the same predictive ability you were using just now."
Koushirou's "heartache" only deepened as he looked at El, this child who truly seemed like the world's darling.
But the more regret he felt…
The greater his appreciation became.
For now, this boy was confined within the "small pond" known as the East Blue—
But one day, he would leap over the dragon gate and become one of the greatest swordsmen in the world.
Koushirou at least wanted to give him knowledge he would normally only encounter deep in the Grand Line.
"In this world, there are a few people who can turn things like presence, killing intent, and fighting spirit into actual power—to strengthen themselves or attack others."
"That kind of power is called Haki, and it's divided into three main types."
He pointed the sword lightly toward El.
"The predictive strike you used just now, which I countered… that ability is called Observation Haki."
"I see… I thought that ability only existed in me," El said, eyes widening just enough to look sincerely surprised. "So other people can use it too."
"Under three types, huh? What about the other two?"
"The other two are Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki…"
If El hadn't already awakened Observation Haki, then no matter how gifted he was, Koushirou would never have shared this knowledge.
There was a reason East Blue was called the weakest sea.
With the rare exception of a few Devil Fruit users, most people here were just regular humans with decent physical ability or some skill in a particular field.
Letting ordinary people learn about the extraordinary side of the world too soon did more harm than good.
Not everyone was like El, a transmigrator who already knew the shape of the world.
Born in the East Blue, their vision was limited to the East Blue.
If they learned too early about the power that awaited outside, their spirits might be crushed. That could actually stop them from ever awakening Haki.
If someone had already awakened, or partially grasped, one type of Haki, it was different.
Awakening Haki meant they had already brushed against something unseen and untouchable.
Mastering one type meant they could now grab hold of that feeling.
Aside from Conqueror's Haki, which required "fate," once someone awakened either Observation or Armament Haki, the other type became much easier to unlock.
In truth, El didn't need Koushirou's explanation to get there.
Born with exceptionally strong Observation Haki, his Armament Haki would awaken naturally as his body matured.
But having someone experienced to point the way was still a good thing.
It meant the road ahead would be a lot less rough.
If you Enjoyed Reading
Visit my p@treon for more chapters
Advance 80+ Chapters Available
patreon.com/Sagamaster789
If you really Enjoyed Reading. Give Power Stones and Reviews !