PIRATE:SEEING MY PROFICIENCY I BECAME A LEGEND

As the first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, Dongze emerged from the shadows of the bandits' hideout, his steps light but deliberate. The cool morning air carried a hint of dew, contrasting with the smoldering remains of the previous night's battle. His grip on the sword tightened as he approached the familiar dojo.

"Master, I will return the sword!"

"Nah!"

"I'm back!"

Koshiro barely glanced up from his seated position, the faintest trace of amusement flickering in his eyes. "I forgot to mention before you left—there's a Devil Fruit user from the West Blue lurking around these waters."

Dongze's brows furrowed. The casual way Koshiro dropped that bit of information made his fists clench. If you forgot, don't say it now! The man in front of him might have the demeanor of a humble swordsman, but in moments like this, he was nothing short of infuriating.

Dongze quickly assessed their relative strengths. Despite the irritation bubbling within, he pushed down the urge to challenge Koshiro outright. Even if he couldn't best the old master, he had another target—someone who had unknowingly become a rival. Today, Kuina would pay for his bruised pride.

Of course, Dongze knew better than to voice these thoughts. Instead, he masked them with practiced humility. "Fortunately, thanks to Master's teachings, I returned unscathed."

Koshiro's fingers paused mid-air as he stroked his beard. The words, though respectful, felt oddly misplaced. He had hardly taught Dongze anything beyond the fundamentals. The real strength the boy displayed wasn't something that could be credited to his own instruction. Koshiro dismissed the uneasy thought and changed the topic.

"So, what did you think of your little excursion to the mountain bandits?"

Dongze chuckled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Not bad."

Koshiro's gaze sharpened. "He saw through me." He had tested the boy, but to what extent was he aware? His sharpness was unnatural, far beyond his years.

"Where! Just fulfilling my duty," Koshiro deflected with a practiced smile.

"By the way, Master," Dongze said, tilting his head slightly. "May I ask for your guidance in a few days?"

Koshiro was slightly taken aback. "Dongze, as a swordsman, you should know the gap between us. That's not something bridged by a few extra training sessions."

Dongze shrugged. "Not for swordplay—for forging."

Koshiro's pupils contracted slightly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. This young man was perceptive, unnervingly so. How much did he know? Koshiro hailed from the Shimotsuki lineage, an ancient family tied to Wano. His father, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, had been a legendary swordsmith, crafting the likes of Wado Ichimonji before fleeing Wano. This knowledge wasn't common, and yet, Dongze had pieced it together.

Koshiro leaned forward, his voice quiet but firm. "Who exactly are you?"

Dongze met his master's gaze without flinching. He knew that revealing too much could be dangerous, yet concealing everything could lose him this rare opportunity.

"Me? Just another student of Isshin Dojo," Dongze replied smoothly. "An ant caught in the storm, pursuing the pinnacle of swordsmanship."

A moment of silence stretched between them before Koshiro let out a dry chuckle. "A lofty ambition."

Then, after a pause, he added, "Three days. Come find me then. I don't forge swords myself, but my father left behind books, and there is a workshop. I'll lend it to you for now."

Dongze bowed slightly. "Thank you, Master."

Koshiro smirked. "Out of everything you've said today, that's the only thing that sounded sincere."

Laughter echoed between them, momentarily breaking the tension.

"By the way," Koshiro added, "I have an important guest arriving soon. He has an eye for talent. Care to meet him?"

Dongze narrowed his eyes. There was only one person Koshiro would treat with such gravity at this time. But now was not the moment. In this world, power dictated everything, and without it, even the sharpest mind meant little.

So, he waved his hand and turned away.

Koshiro watched him leave, amusement playing at the corner of his lips. "What an interesting kid."

As the sun climbed higher, the dojo filled with students eager to begin their daily training. Koshiro, however, had other concerns. He glanced around but didn't see two familiar figures.

"Where are Kuina and Zoro?" he asked one of the students.

"Kuina was called by you, Master," the student replied. "Zoro… he never came back last night."

Koshiro sighed. That boy's relentless determination would either make him a great swordsman or get him killed before he could prove himself.

Dongze, meanwhile, had his own suspicions. He leaped onto a thick tree branch, his body moving with fluid precision. His heartbeat slowed as he expanded his Kenbunshoku Haki, carefully avoiding the main hall where Koshiro entertained his guest. Sometimes, the more you knew, the faster you met your demise.

And then, his heart lurched.

In a deserted warehouse, hidden from the usual bustle of the dojo, he sensed her.

Kuina.