"I knew things wouldn't go this smoothly."
Inoshi's emotions were complex.
Naturally, his strongest emotion at that moment was joy.
The reason was simple: his primary objective in coming to Shimotsuki Village, beyond negotiating with the Revolutionary Army, had always been to acquire Enma.
He knew very well that while it was merely one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, not a Supreme Grade Sword, this blade was one of the most extraordinary in the entire Pirate world.
Its uniqueness lay in its ability to autonomously draw upon and release the wielder's Ryuo (Flowing Sakura).
Though this effect would prove fatal to most swordsmen, its inherent power was undeniable.
And for Inoshi, or rather, Roy, it held immense significance!
As it happened, he also knew that the swordsmith, Shimotsuki Kōzaburō, had come to Shimotsuki Village after leaving Wano Country.
This led to their meeting.
This was the source of his greatest joy at that moment, because Kōshirō had explicitly told him that Enma's uniqueness lay in the special forging material 'Enma Iron,' crafted by Shimotsuki Kōzaburō.
"If I devour it with the Munch-Munch Fruit, I can master Ryuo (Flowing Sakura)!"
The Munch-Munch Fruit's ability allowed him to devour any object and perfectly master its properties. In other words, the side effects of Enma Iron should be ineffective against him.
This was his original goal in coming here.
Zephyr's 'Black Body Style' required immense Haki to unleash its full power, but mastering and guiding Haki would take far too long.
The Enma Iron could serve as an "accelerator" for his Haki training!
But before that...
"Mr. Kōshirō, are you serious?" Inoshi asked earnestly, his gaze fixed on the man before him. "My abilities are extremely dangerous. If we fight, I won't be able to hold back."
Kōshirō chuckled. "I am a swordsman," he replied. "There is no swordsman in this world who fears danger."
Sensing Inoshi's concern, he added, "You need not worry about their reaction, this is my own affair, unrelated to them, and will not affect your transaction."
He was clearly referring to the Revolutionary Army.
"If I am gravely injured or killed in this battle, Zoro, you must tell the others what I've said today. Don't let them misunderstand."
"Sensei..." Zoro clenched his fists even tighter. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't find the words.
Inoshi sighed.
He harbored no ill will toward the Dojo Master of the Isshin Dojo, but he was determined to obtain the Enma Iron. Since Kōshirō insisted on this course of action, then...
"Very well. Come at me."
He nodded slightly.
Kōshirō smiled.
He lowered himself into a striking stance. "This blade is called 'One Heart,' unknown on the seas."
He stroked his beloved sword. "But it is the finest blade there is."
"Mr. Inoshi, please be careful."
With those words, he answered Inoshi's unspoken challenge.
With a slashing strike!
"One Heart Style - Snowfall Slash!"
As if summoned by the name of the technique, a frosty radiance erupted within the bamboo grove.
Fallen leaves appeared as if bleached white by snow.
But it wasn't winter. Where could snow be coming from?
It was Blade Light!
Buzz!!
Yes, Kōshirō's 'One Heart' flashed downward, releasing a colossal white slash like a snowstorm that tore from the blade!
"That's..."
Seeing this, Zoro's eyes widened in astonishment.
There's a saying on the seas: 'A swordsman's slash is their calling card.'
As a swordsman himself, Zoro naturally understood the immense power behind Kōshirō's strike.
The slash left no dust in its wake, yet carved a deep ravine beneath the ground.
All the surrounding bamboo stalks snapped cleanly, as if severed by an invisible force, without even a ripple of wind pressure.
This was the ultimate manifestation of concentrated cutting power.
"Sensei's swordsmanship... it's..."
Zoro was genuinely stunned.
Having trained at the Isshin Dojo since childhood, he knew his Sensei was strong. But after years of honing his own Three-Sword Style, he had begun to believe that while his skills might not surpass his Sensei's, the gap couldn't be too vast.
Now, however, he realized...
He had likely never witnessed his Sensei unleash his full strength.
"A slash like this..."
Zoro instinctively gritted his teeth. He knew he couldn't withstand such an attack in his current state.
If he were facing his Sensei as an opponent, this strike would surely kill him!
But...
"Impressive."
Zoro watched as Inoshi, facing the flying slash, remained rooted to the spot, clapping with genuine interest.
"I never expected to find a true 'Great Swordsman' in the East Blue," he remarked.
Indeed.
Shimotsuki Kōshirō, the Dojo Master of a humble Dojo in Shimotsuki Village, was clearly a 'Great Swordsman'... a swordsman of such mastery that he could be considered a Grandmaster across the Four Seas!
Then, under Zoro's watchful gaze, Inoshi casually extended his hand toward the slash.
And then...
Buzz!!
The massive slash, seemingly capable of cleaving all creation in two, vanished soundlessly into nothingness as it neared his hand.
Instead, Zoro thought he saw Inoshi's throat move slightly.
The next moment...
Huff.
Zoro heard Inoshi exhale softly.
But at that moment, he couldn't afford to focus on such details.
'What was that guy's deal?'
He couldn't comprehend what had just happened. 'What did he do? What about that terrifying slash?'
Meanwhile, Kōshirō raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "As expected of Lord Inoshi."
Clearly, while he had anticipated that the members of the Twelve Zodiac would be formidable, he hadn't expected his slash to be countered so effortlessly.
"A technique?" He asked, turning to Inoshi.
"Partly," Inoshi replied casually, before turning to Kōshirō with a serious expression. "Now it's my turn to strike."
As the words left his mouth, he slightly raised his hand, as if preparing to strike.
But at that very moment...
"Dōjō Master Kōshirō! Dōjō Master Kōshirō!"
"The pirates are back! They're approaching the south bank and will be landing soon!"
"Village Chief Grandpa sent us to fetch you. He recognized their flag, it's the Great Pirate 'Roger's Pirate Crew,' second only to Overlord Krieg in the East Blue!"
The shouts and cries from the distant temple interrupted the impending battle.
Inoshi couldn't help but freeze in surprise.
'Roger's Pirate Crew? Who are these guys? A Roger Pirates knockoff?'
But when he realized who 'Overlord Krieg' was, he immediately understood, 'Oh, right, just some small-time punks.'
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he turned to Kōshirō, whose brow was furrowed in concern. "Mr. Kōshirō, it seems we won't be able to finish our match after all."
"But if you don't mind, I propose we continue our battle in a different manner."
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Kōshirō turned to Inoshi. "What do you mean, Mr. Inoshi?"
"I think... those pirates," Inoshi murmured.
"...came at just the right time."
Regarding the Skypiea incident, we've discussed it before, but let's reiterate:
The Skypiea arc will deviate significantly from the original story. I won't let such a major plot hole go unaddressed.
As I mentioned earlier, I planned to explain the Skypiea situation several arcs later, specifically during the battle against Crocodile.
(End of Chapter)
You can read ahead up to 15 chapters on my Patreon: https://www.p*treon.com/darkshadow6395