Shimotuski Village, East Blue
"Clang...Clang...Clang!" The rhythmic sound of metal clashing with metal echoed throughout the small workshop.
"No! No! Tend to the fire and follow the rhythm; don't just blindly keep bashing the metal!" Kozaburo roared as he saw me make a mistake. He was a man who had honed his craft to perfection and expected the same from those around him. Because I had expressed my intention to have Sandai Kitetsu reforged into a blade for my future disciple, Kozaburo confided that he might not be able to achieve exceptional results due to his advanced age and declining health.
Although he didn't say it outright, my recent sparring with him had worsened his condition. This sword, being made for his granddaughter, was to be his greatest work, so he decided to enlist my help. Initially, I thought it was a good idea.
Originally, I wanted to leave Shimotsuki Village and tour East Blue, but then little Robin showed interest in the Poneglyph hidden beneath the sea. Miyamoto also expressed his desire to learn swordsmithing from Kozaburo. A break seemed like a good idea for all of us, so I decided to settle down in Shimotsuki Village for a while.
It was also an opportunity to refine my swordsmanship, as Kozaburo had graciously agreed to teach me the techniques passed down by the Shimotsuki family. These were techniques I could pass down to Kuina in the future. Kozaburo was already aware that his son, Koushirou, still harbored doubts about Kuina's ability to achieve greatness with the sword. Though Koushirou outwardly expressed belief in his daughter, Kozaburo could sense a lack of sincerity in his tone.
"Kozaburo-san, you just said that I will have to just beat the metal while you take care of the rest," I chuckled sheepishly. I had practically zero aptitude for swordsmithing and had no idea if Kozaburo's idea would work, but this kind of metalwork was soothing. The constant killing and bloodshed sometimes overwhelmed even the most bloodthirsty of people.
One thing that weighed heavily on my heart was the senseless massacre I had caused on an island in the North Blue. I had done it out of rage, fueled by the newfound power coursing through me after consuming the lightning devil fruit. It was a darkness I tried to suppress, but in this tranquil village, surrounded by the clanging of metal and the wisdom of an old swordsmith, I found a semblance of peace.
As the metal clanged under the hammer's force, Kozaburo's eyes were sharp, watching every movement. "You need to understand the soul of the metal," he said. "It's not just about the force you apply; it's about how you apply it."
I nodded, trying to focus on his words. The fire roared, and sweat dripped down my face, mixing with the soot and grime of the forge. Kozaburo, despite his age and frailty, moved with a grace that spoke of decades of experience. His hands, though wrinkled and spotted with age, were steady as he tended to the blade.
"Feel the rhythm, the heartbeat of the steel," he continued. "Each strike must resonate with its essence. Only then can you create a weapon of true power."
I took a deep breath, trying to attune myself to the task. The rhythmic pounding of the hammer against metal became a meditation, a way to center myself amidst the chaos of my past actions. The flames of the forge mirrored the fire within me, a constant reminder of the power I wielded and the responsibility that came with it.
Kozaburo's teachings extended beyond the forge. In the evenings, after the day's work was done, we would sit by the river, and he would impart the ancient techniques of the Shimotsuki family. "A sword is an extension of your soul," he would say. "To master it, you must first master yourself."
These lessons were not just for my benefit. Kozaburo was laying the groundwork for Kuina's future, ensuring that she had the best possible start. He was determined to prove to Koushirou, and to the world, that his granddaughter could achieve greatness.
As I stood in the forge, hammer in hand, I realized that this was more than just a break. It was a crucible, a place where I could temper my spirit as well as the steel, preparing both for the trials to come. And with each strike, I forged not just a blade, but a future filled with hope and promise.
"Master Ross," just as I was about to start, little Lucci called out from the entrance while holding two newspapers and a few bounty posters.
It had been two days since the complete destruction of the Germa Kingdom, but the World Government had been conspicuously silent on the matter. However, the World Times shared the news with the entire world. The picture of Doffy carrying the severed head of a CP0 agent was plastered on the front page.
The involvement of the Revolutionaries and the Red-Haired Pirates was described in vivid detail. For us to truly control information, we needed to make the world believe that our newspaper was more reliable than any other source. I had also suggested some ideas from my previous world to make our newspaper more popular here.
I reached out for the new bounty posters, having ensured Mihawk's name stayed out of this due to his importance as a Shichibukai.
```
[WANTED]
[DONQUIXOTE DOFLAMINGO]
[DEAD OR ALIVE]
[1,985,000,000 BELLY]
[WANTED]
[DEAD OR ALIVE]
[SHANKS]
[495,000,000 BELLY]
[WANTED]
[DEAD OR ALIVE]
[BUGGY]
[365,000,000 BELLY]
[WANTED]
[DEAD OR ALIVE]
[DIAMANTE]
[608,500,000 BELLY]
[WANTED]
[DEAD OR ALIVE]
[SENOR]
[615,900,000 BELLY]
```
I couldn't help but chuckle. Morgans was a cunning fellow; he had used our own news source and must have shared it with the World Government, reprinting the news in his newspaper. Otherwise, there was no way Morgans could have gotten such vivid details about the event using his own sources. But as long as he feared for his life, he wouldn't cross the line and betray us.
"That should be enough practice for today," Kozaburo said firmly, snatching both newspapers from me. "Go teach the students in the dojo, and remember to practice metalwork every day. Until I'm satisfied, I will not let you out of this village. You promised to help forge a blade for my granddaughter," he smirked.
He called it payment for helping me forge a blade for my future student, who also happened to be his granddaughter. It felt like a scam, but with nothing else to do on the island, I had agreed.
"Lucci, get to the dojo and have the kids warm up. I will meet you there after I freshen up," I said, setting aside the work tools and preparing to attend to the dojo. Lucci nodded and rushed in that direction.
---
The dojo was abuzz with activity as I entered, clad in a black Yukata with Shusui and Aktsuki strapped to my side. Kitetsu had been left in the workshop, where the old man was studying it in depth to make sure to use the best suitable materials for the reforging; the students had already engaged in their warm-up routines under Koushirou's supervision.
Lucci was demonstrating the core strengthening routine that I had taught him. In this world, except for the Marines and the World Government, there were no standardized training routines. Even in the dojo, most kids would resort to swinging practice swords to improve themselves, and I knew it was not as efficient as the methods I had developed from the knowledge of the old world and from my own training under Garp's tutelage.
Even Koushirou was questioning Lucci about the intricacies and what exactly each exercise did. For someone who had been trained in traditional ways, he was open-minded when it came to learning new methods. He had even allowed me to teach the kids in the dojo without showing any discomfort. From my initial estimate, I was sure Koushirou could challenge most Vice Admirals of the Marines without losing.
Koushirou noticed my arrival and gave me a nod with a welcoming smile, gesturing for me to take over so that he could observe from the side. He had already realized that the core exercises I had shared with them were really effective, so even he was eager to learn them to incorporate these techniques into his students' training in the future.
"Master Ross!" one of the younger students called out excitedly, "What will we be learning today?"
"Today, we'll be focusing on the fundamentals," I replied, my voice carrying authority and encouragement. "Remember, mastery of the basics is what sets apart the truly skilled from the mediocre."
"Alright, everyone, let's begin with stances," I instructed, demonstrating the proper form. "Your stance is the foundation of your swordsmanship. Without a strong foundation, even the mightiest sword will fall."
As the students mimicked my stance, I walked among them, offering corrections and encouragement. Kozaburo's words echoed in my mind: "Your heart must be as strong as the steel you forge." It was a lesson I intended to pass on to these young minds.
The dojo was filled with the sounds of shuffling feet and the focused grunts of effort as the students practiced their stances. Each one was determined; their faces were set with concentration.
Lucci moved among them, helping to correct postures and providing words of motivation. However, I could feel the disappointment in his eyes because he must be feeling that these kids were not taking the opportunity to be trained by me personally seriously enough.
Koushirou watched from the sidelines, his arms crossed and his eyes keenly observing each movement. His presence was reassuring to the dojo's children, a silent acknowledgment that what we were doing was right. Occasionally, he would nod in approval or quietly suggest a minor adjustment, showing his support and belief in the new training methods.
As the session progressed, I decided to introduce a new exercise. "Alright, everyone, gather around," I called out. The students quickly formed a semi-circle around me, eager to learn.
"Today, we're going to incorporate some agility drills. These will not only improve your speed but also your ability to dodge and maneuver in a fight. Watch closely."
I demonstrated a series of movements, weaving through an imaginary opponent's attacks, showing them how to remain light on their feet. The students watched intently, their eyes wide with fascination. "Now, pair up and practice. Remember, it's about fluidity and control, not just speed."
The dojo came alive with activity as the students paired up and began practicing the agility drills. Their initial clumsiness gave way to more confident movements as they adjusted to the new exercises. Lucci and I moved among them, offering guidance and encouragement.
After some time, Koushirou approached me. "You have a good way with them," he remarked, his tone approving. "These exercises, aren't just about physical improvement. They're teaching them to think differently, to adapt. That's invaluable."
He smiled, a rare but genuine expression. "You're doing good work here, Ross-Kun. And the students respect you. That's not easy to achieve, especially in such a short span."
"Ah, it's just because they witnessed my spar with Kozaburo-san. Kids are always attracted to feats of strength beyond their common understanding. Maybe if you showcased your true strength to the kids from time to time, they would start worshipping you, Koushirou-san," I teased, to which he smiled in response.
Just then, I watched Robin walk in, carrying Kuina. She was followed by Tera, Leo, and Mansherry. After leaving behind little Ace, they had been sulking about it, and now they had turned their attention to Kuina. I couldn't help but chuckle. It was good for them to help form an early bond with our future family.
**********
Room of Authority, Mary Geoise
The tension in the room was palpable as the elders faced a new threat to their absolute dominance and control.
"Have we received any information from Cipher Pol regarding the source of this 'World Times'?" Elder Nusjuro asked, his voice slicing through the silence that followed, confirming the lack of progress.
"I am sure it is being backed by those revolutionaries Dragon has started. His cursed group has already sparked rebellion in three kingdoms. We need to put a stop to them. And where exactly are they getting the funding for all these things? I am sure there are quite a few kingdoms affiliated with us who are helping them in secret," Elder Mars added, his frustration evident.
"We need to make an example out of them, and we need to get this so-called World Times under our control like we did with Morgans. They may seem harmless for now, but who knows when they will start sharing things we want to keep under wraps? From the looks of it, they have a very accurate information network," Elder Warcury vented his anger.
"They are a threat if we cannot control them, and they need to be eliminated. I have already assigned Cipher Pol to look into this matter; we will soon have results. I have also passed down orders to Sengoku to investigate at the earliest," Elder JuPeter assured, outlining the measures already in place.
Elder Nusjuro then picked up the newspaper again. "We lost one of our best CP0 squads. How did Donquixote know about the ambush? We were supposed to end him and bring the little brother under our control," his eyes then inadvertently moved to the side where the Marines Chief of Staff, Tsuru, stood. She was one of their greatest assets, hidden so deep within the Marines that only the five Elders knew about her true allegiance.
Originally, she was inducted into the Marines to take control of it in the future as its Fleet Admiral and weed out potential troublemakers. But they had never expected someone like Garp to join the Marines around the same time. Garp's rise within the Marines had been phenomenal.
Tsuru was then given the rare Paramecia fruit, Woshu Woshu no Mi. To the rest of the world, this fruit seemed lackluster, but it held a secret that only a select few within the World Government were aware of. Like the Ope Ope no Mi, which had a one-time ultimate technique like the 'Perennial Youth Operation,' Tsuru's devil fruit also had a technique that could unconditionally brainwash a person to the fruit user's will and liking.
They had kept Tsuru by Garp's side as he grew as insurance to make sure to use the technique on Garp in case he became a threat. But now they considered that Garp was no longer a threat, and with how strong he had grown, he might be able to easily break free before Tsuru could apply the technique.
So they had decided to take the risk of eliminating Doflamingo, use Tsuru's devil fruit ability to brainwash Rosinante to become loyal to Imu-sama, and then try using Rosinante as a power source to reawaken the ancient weapon. However, with the ambush a failure, they were now contemplating countermeasures.
The Elders had no worries about discussing such top-secret matters in the presence of Tsuru because she was from the Aigis team and one of their most loyal assets, having earned their absolute trust. If the Elders were to ask her to sacrifice herself right now, she would do it without blinking an eye.
Tsuru's presence in the room was as composed as ever, her face a mask of calm professionalism. But those who knew her true role understood the chilling depth of her loyalty and power. She was not merely the Chief of Staff; she was a Cipher Pol operative embedded deep within the Marines, a shadow moving with precision and purpose.
Elder Warcury turned to Tsuru, his eyes narrowing. "Tsuru, what is your assessment of the situation with Doflamingo?"
Tsuru stepped forward, her gaze steady and unwavering. "The failure of the ambush was unexpected, but not without precedent; maybe we should start entertaining the possibility that the core of the World Government has a traitor. Doflamingo's network of spies and informants is vast, and even our Aigis team has been unable to dismantle their network. He likely had contingencies in place. We must reconsider our approach, Elder Sama."
*****
A/N:
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