Cultivation in Shimotsuki Village**
The next day, after an entire day of repeatedly adjusting their course, the outline of a small island finally came into Yang Ning's view.
It was difficult to judge the island's exact size, but from a distance, its vegetation appeared far lusher than that of Blood King's island. The entire landmass was cloaked in vibrant green.
However, that also meant the island had very few beaches—most of its coastline rose sharply above sea level.
After sailing along the shore for some time, Yang Ning and his group finally spotted a suitable landing spot just as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden afterglow over the water.
Suddenly, a red glint flickered in Old Johnny's eyes. He muttered under his breath, too softly for anyone else to hear:
"The locals are *really* hospitable."
Meanwhile, Yang Ning—standing eagerly at the bow, waiting to disembark—suddenly noticed a figure on the shore.
As they drew closer, he could make out a refined-looking middle-aged man: dressed in a plain robe embroidered with crossed swords, wearing black-rimmed round glasses, his straight hair neatly tied back.
Yang Ning rubbed his eyes in disbelief before breaking into a grin.
*This is Shimotsuki Koushirou—one of the key figures from the original story! We actually got to see him in person!*
He didn't need to guess why Koushirou was there. With a pirate ship so brazenly lingering offshore, Koushirou's Observation Haki must have detected them long ago. Did they really think Wano's swordsmen were pushovers?
Sure enough, before Yang Ning and the others could even set foot on land, Koushirou's cold voice cut through the air:
"Pirates. There's nothing here you need. Leave. Immediately."
Even as the words left his lips, a fierce slash followed—splitting the waves and cleaving the sea itself. The attack struck just ahead of the *Windbreaker*, carving a deep gash into the ocean. Seawater surged back violently, rocking the ship.
Instead of anger, Yang Ning felt pure exhilaration.
*As expected of a true swordsman—that's a flying slash for you!*
He'd come here to learn from a master. He wasn't afraid of Koushirou being strong—only of him being *too weak*.
On the bow deck, Esdeath's eyes widened like twin lightbulbs, her mouth slightly agape.
"How can there be such a powerful swordsman in the world?"
Only the Sylvester brothers remained oblivious, chuckling foolishly to themselves.
Yang Ning curled the corners of his mouth, quietly savoring the advantage of being a transmigrator.
*"Hmph. Look at your ignorant faces—bunch of mutts."*
Not daring to delay, he immediately shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Master Koushirou! We've come to become your disciples and learn your swordsmanship!"
Koushirou's sword hand hesitated mid-motion, the follow-up strike halted by those words.
After a brief pause, he replied firmly:
"I'm sorry. The Isshin Dojo only accepts children under fifteen. We do not take adults—or pirates."
Yang Ning had anticipated this. Unfazed, he waved to the Sylvester brothers, signaling them to bring out the treasure from the cabin.
"I'll pay extra—whatever someone else offers, I'll pay *ten times* that! Besides, we're not really pirates. We're just explorers using the pirate guise to avoid trouble. If you don't believe me, check with the Navy—there are no bounties on our heads."
Whether it was the offer, the logic, or simply the audacity, Koushirou's second slash never came.
He sheathed his sword and stood silently on the shore as Yang Ning and his group swam ashore.
*Clang!*
The moment they landed, they dropped two open treasure chests at Koushirou's feet—gold and silver glinting in the fading light.
Koushirou's eyes narrowed. He maintained a gentle smile, though a few veins pulsed on his forehead.
*What is this supposed to mean?*
Yang Ning brushed the seawater from his clothes and spoke casually:
"Tuition fees. Didn't I say I'd pay extra? This is for several of us. If it's not enough, I've got another chest back on the ship."
Whether moved by Yang Ning's wealth, his earnestness, or sheer persistence, Koushirou didn't refuse outright. Without a word, he turned and led them toward the dojo.
Upon arrival, Yang Ning couldn't help but look around in awe.
*So this is the legendary Isshin Dojo?*
Who would've thought such a humble, cramped kendo hall could house a top-tier swordsman—and even nurture the future world's greatest?
Koushirou truly was something special.
Ignoring the bewildered Sylvester brothers, Yang Ning gently but firmly guided Esdeath down to her knees before Koushirou—disciple-style—regardless of whether the master had agreed yet.
"Master," Yang Ning said earnestly, "please guide us in the days to come."
Koushirou stared blankly at the two kneeling figures, his expression a mix of bewilderment and weary resignation.
After a long silence, he sighed.
"I'm merely an unnamed swordsman from the East Blue. I only teach basic swordsmanship to village children. You…"
Hearing the softening in Koushirou's tone, Yang Ning quickly signaled the Sylvester brothers again—they heaved forward another chest with a thud.
"It's alright," Yang Ning said cheerfully. "We're *just* here to learn basic swordsmanship."
"…Fine," Koushirou relented.
And so, Yang Ning and his group officially settled into the Isshin Dojo in Shimotsuki Village.
Over the following days, Yang Ning gathered crucial intel.
It was now the twenty-first year since Gol D. Roger's execution. According to his memory, Luffy would set sail in just one year.
Zoro had only recently left the dojo—meaning this was likely the year he'd begin making a name for himself as a pirate hunter in the East Blue.
And Kuina… had long since passed. The grass on her grave stood nearly a meter tall.
After pouring a glass of juice onto Kuina's grave in quiet tribute, Yang Ning walked alone to the seaside cliff.
A year later, he sat on that same cliff, a grass stem dangling from his lips, gazing at the dark ocean split by silver moonlight.
*Time is running out.*
If his memory served, Luffy would sail in the first half of next year—and within three months of that, the world would be thrown into chaos by the Marineford War. To survive that storm, he'd need real power.
The thought of the Straw Hats' absurd growth rate left him exhausted—but he quickly reminded himself:
*"Luckily… I've got my own cheat."*
---
The tides rose and fell. The sun rose; the moon set.
In the blink of an eye, three months passed.
Yang Ning's intensive training yielded both good news and bad.
The bad? He was utterly hopeless at kendo.
The good? Esdeath was a sword prodigy.
By the second month, she'd already cleaved through solid steel with her greatsword—while Yang Ning's own blade shattered trying to cut a simple rock.
Still, he wasn't entirely without progress.
As Koushirou put it:
"Yang Ning, your swordsmanship has reached graduation level. It's impressive—you've mastered the basics in just three months."
That sounded encouraging… until you remembered that "graduation" here meant passing the beginner's test meant for *village children*.