On the way back to the dojo, Zoro and Kuina walked on either side of Takumi, each carrying a jar of sake.
Zoro couldn't contain his curiosity and asked, "Takumi, that move you used earlier was so fast, I didn't even see it clearly. What did you do to take down that bandit leader?"
Takumi responded casually, "It was a One-Sword Style Iai technique."
"That sounds so cool!" Zoro's eyes lit up.
Kuina, who had been quiet for a while, asked, "And how did you knock out all those bandits at once?"
"Haki," Takumi answered.
"Haki?" Zoro and Kuina echoed in unison.
Zoro asked curiously, "What's Haki?"
Takumi didn't reply. He wasn't the kind of person to answer every question, only speaking when he felt like it.
Seeing that Takumi didn't want to explain further, Zoro wisely chose not to press the matter.
The three of them continued walking in silence. As they neared the dojo, Zoro suddenly made a decision. "After almost getting cut down by that bandit, I've decided: starting tomorrow, I'm going to train in Three-Sword Style!"
Takumi wasn't surprised at all, knowing that Zoro was destined to become a powerful swordsman using the Three-Sword Style.
However, Kuina was puzzled. "You already struggle with two real swords, and now you want to use three? Are you crazy? How are you going to hold the third sword?"
"I'll hold it in my mouth!" Zoro said with determination. "I won't let myself be so helpless again. Even if it seems impossible, I'll fight with my swords rather than stand there waiting to be saved."
In truth, over the past year, Zoro had been working on his biting strength, but he hadn't fully committed to learning the Three-Sword Style until now.
Kuina stared at him for a long time. "You're an idiot. Aren't you afraid you'll break your teeth? Handling three swords takes a lot more energy than just two. If you're serious about this, you'll have to train much harder to keep up with the demands of three swords."
"I know," Zoro replied with a grin. "I've already prepared myself to give everything I've got, every single day, pushing myself to the limit."
Takumi didn't say anything. There was nothing more to add.
As the three of them passed the lit hallway of the tea room behind the dojo, Koushirou, who was seated inside, smiled and said, "Good job today, Takumi."
"Yeah," Takumi replied casually, not stopping as he continued walking.
After delivering the sake jars to Takumi's room, Zoro and Kuina quickly returned to the tea room, eager to speak with Koushirou.
They both looked at him expectantly.
"What's on your mind? Do you want to ask me something?" Koushirou asked with a smile.
Kuina spoke up quickly, "Father, what is Haki?"
"Hmm? How did you hear about Haki?" Koushirou thought for a moment before asking, "Did Takumi use Haki to deal with those bandits?"
"Yes!" Zoro nodded enthusiastically. "Sensei, you weren't there, but Takumi was amazing! He took down the bandit leader with just one move!"
"Oh, that's very impressive," Koushirou said, taking a sip of tea.
"Yeah, super impressive!" Zoro said with admiration. "The move was called... One-Sword Style Iai, right? Such a cool name!"
"Hmm?" Koushirou paused for a moment. "As expected, he's naturally gifted. He's even mastered Iai."
Zoro's eyes sparkled. "Sensei, can you teach me too? I want to learn it!"
Koushirou smiled, "I can teach you, but not right now. First, you need to master the basics."
Kuina, not satisfied, pressed on, "Father, you still haven't explained what Haki is!"
Koushirou continued to smile, "Haki is the manifestation of one's willpower, and it comes in three types: Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and Conqueror's Haki. It's a power that everyone has the potential to awaken..."
Koushirou then gave Zoro and Kuina a simple explanation of Haki, and the two became increasingly excited and eager as they listened.
In the days that followed, Takumi continued with his usual routine, spending his days hunting, drinking at the tavern, and returning to the dojo to drink more. Almost without realizing it, he had already spent nearly twenty days in Shimotsuki Village.
He had tried every type of sake in the tavern and had hunted almost all the beasts in the surrounding valleys. It was time to complete the last 20% of his progress and leave.
Earlier in Windmill Village, he had completed two progress tasks with the help of Shanks. In Shimotsuki Village, he had completed two tasks with the help of Dragon. But he still had unfinished tasks with Koushirou and Zoro, each of whom only counted for one task so far.
It seemed likely that the final task would involve either Koushirou or Zoro.
Maybe a sparring match with Koushirou would do the trick.
With that in mind, Takumi, who had finished his hunting for the day, decided to head back to the dojo to find Koushirou.
He hadn't walked far when he saw someone running toward him with three real swords strapped to their waist.
It was Zoro.
Since the incident with Higuma, Zoro and Kuina hadn't bothered Takumi much. He had been enjoying a peaceful life, but now, Zoro was approaching him with purpose.
What does this guy want now? Takumi wondered, continuing to walk forward with his usual indifferent expression.
"Takumi, spar with me!" Zoro called out enthusiastically as he reached Takumi.
Just like before, Takumi moved to walk past him, not interested in fighting.
Seeing this, Zoro quickly followed, talking as he walked, "I'm not the same as before. I've been training hard every day, and now I can fight Kuina to a draw using Three-Sword Style."
Takumi responded with a disinterested "Oh."
Zoro continued, "And I've figured it out. I won't try to sneak attack you anymore. From now on, I'll challenge you head-on."
Takumi said nothing.
Zoro ran ahead and stopped about fifty meters in front of Takumi. Facing him, Zoro took a sword in his mouth and gripped the other two in his hands, ready to fight.
As Takumi got within ten meters of him, Zoro crossed his arms, holding the two swords parallel to the one in his mouth.
"Takumi, accept my challenge!" Zoro said through gritted teeth, his words slightly muffled by the sword in his mouth.
A faint but unmistakable aura of swordsmanship emanated from Zoro.
That stance...
That determination...
Takumi's eyes flickered with interest.
Could this be the beginning of the Purgatory Onigiri?
He remembered that this move was something Zoro would master only ten years later, after training during the two years he was separated from Luffy and the others.
Although Zoro's stance was still rough, and the technique was far from polished, Takumi was impressed that Zoro had progressed this much in just a few weeks.
He had even begun to grasp the concept of swordsmanship.
Not bad for a guy destined to become a master swordsman.
Takumi had always respected those who worked hard, so he didn't feel any annoyance.
"I've always wanted to have a real fight with you, Takumi. Please, accept my challenge!" Zoro said earnestly, his eyes locked onto Takumi.
Takumi stopped walking and stared back at him silently.
Then, with a faint smile, Takumi drew his Wado Ichimonji. "Alright, I'll give you this one match before I leave."
Support me on Ko-fi at ko-fi.com/gered to read up to chapter 40!