[Iron Body] activated instantly as Lucius raised his wooden sword to block. The technique that had withstood Luffy's rubber-powered strikes should have been enough, but—
A sharp sting across his left cheek made his eyes widen. A thin line of red appeared where Zoro's wooden blade had somehow slipped past his defense.
"What the..." Lucius felt something wrong with his practice sword. Looking down, he watched in disbelief as the wooden blade split perfectly down its length, the cut surface smooth as glass. The friction from the separation had scorched the wood, leaving behind a burnt line that traced the perfect cut.
"AMAZING!" Luffy's jaw literally dropped to the floor, his rubber powers making the expression even more dramatic than usual. "ZORO COMBINED THE TECHNIQUES!"
"Not bad," Sanji's cigarette fell from his slack mouth. "The marimo actually did something intelligent for once."
"He didn't just use the Path of Severance," Nami observed, her tactical mind quickly analyzing what she'd seen. "He completely integrated it into his own style."
"The Great Captain Usopp has seen far more impressive—" Usopp began, but his knees were shaking. "Actually, no, that was genuinely terrifying!"
"QUACK!" Even Karoo seemed impressed, his wings spread in surprise.
Lucius touched the wound, feeling the precise depth of the cut. It wasn't deep – exactly as intended. Zoro had controlled the technique perfectly, demonstrating not just mastery but innovation in its application.
=================
[Student Progress Update: Zoro]
[Path of Severance: Advanced Application Achieved]
=================
"Well done," Lucius said, professional pride evident in his voice. "But don't celebrate just yet. Let's see you apply that understanding to real targets." He gestured toward the steel dummies that had given Zoro so much trouble before.
Zoro's eyes narrowed beneath his bandana. Without hesitation, he walked to where his actual swords rested. His hands moved with practiced care as he lifted Wado Ichimonji, the white-hilted katana that carried the weight of his oldest promise. Next came Sandai Kitetsu, the cursed blade that seemed to resonate with the dojo's energy. Finally, Yubashiri joined them, its lighter weight perfect for the precision this technique demanded.
"The white sword is special to him," Nami explained quietly to Lucius. "The others he got recently, but that one... he never lets anyone touch it."
Zoro stood before the steel dummies, three real swords replacing the wooden practice blades. His bandana cast shadows across his features as he closed his eyes once more. This time, understanding flowed instantly without needing to meditate.
The grid pattern he'd discovered filled his awareness immediately. Each dummy's steel form revealed its natural harmonics, the points where separation would require almost no force. What Lucius had taught him about finding the perfect cutting points merged seamlessly with his own Three Sword Style philosophy.
"Three Sword Style..." Zoro's voice carried clearly despite Wado Ichimonji being clenched in his teeth. The other two swords crossed before him, their edges catching the afternoon light streaming through the dojo's windows. "Path of Severance..."
"Everyone down!" Sanji grabbed Luffy and dove for cover. "When this idiot combines techniques—"
"DRAGON TWISTER!"
Lucius watched with professional interest as his student merged the cutting technique he'd taught with the unique aspects of Three Sword Style. Where a normal Path of Severance created clean, single cuts, Zoro had somehow maintained the perfect cutting angles while adding rotational force. The result was something entirely new.
The steel dummies didn't just fall – they separated into dozens of perfectly cut pieces. Each segment could have fit together like a three-dimensional puzzle, the cut surfaces mirror-smooth despite the material's hardness. The spiraling pattern of the cuts painted an almost artistic pattern across the dojo floor.
=======================
[Training Achievement Unlocked!]
[Student: Roronoa Zoro]
[Path of Severance: Advanced Variation Developed]
[Note: Student has created original combination technique]
=======================
[System Reward]
[Potential Bonus: 200 SP]
[Current SP Total: 675]
=======================
"AMAZING!" Luffy bounced excitedly. "That was even better than at the cactus place!"
"The building didn't become abstract art back then," Sanji commented dryly, though his visible eye showed genuine respect. "Though Moon Walk could probably achieve something similar."
"Care to test that theory?" Zoro challenged.
"Anytime, plant-life."
"Both of you, focus!" Nami intervened before another fight could break out. "This is serious!"
Lucius examined the perfectly cut pieces of steel scattered across the dojo floor. His student hadn't just mastered the technique – he'd transformed it into something uniquely his own.
"You've taken the basic principle I taught and evolved it," Lucius observed. "Adding rotation while maintaining perfect cutting angles shouldn't be possible, and yet..."
"Everything has its own way of moving," Zoro said quietly, removing Wado Ichimonji from his mouth. "You showed me how to find where things want to separate. I just added how they want to flow."
"Cut more stuff!" Luffy interrupted. "Make more steel puzzles!"
"FOCUS ON YOUR OWN TRAINING!" Nami's fist found its mark.
"Mister Bushido," Vivi asked thoughtfully, "could this variation be used defensively as well?"
The question made Lucius curious about what battles these young pirates had already faced before meeting him.
"Probably," Zoro nodded. "Instead of just cutting what's coming at me, I could create a spiral of separations that would—"
"FOOD TIME!" Luffy's shout interrupted the technical discussion. "I can smell Sanji cooking!"
"I haven't even started—" Sanji began, then sighed and headed toward the kitchen. "Fine. Watching moss-head actually accomplish something works up an appetite."
"Want me to demonstrate my new technique on you, swirly?"
"Try it, grass stain!"
Lucius watched their bickering with quiet satisfaction. Even as his students mastered incredible techniques, their core dynamics remained unchanged. It reminded him of his agriculture students back home – how they'd maintain their unique personalities even as they grew in knowledge and skill.
As Sanji began preparing what would undoubtedly be another impressive meal, Lucius reviewed his system notifications more thoroughly.
=======================
[Student Progress Summary:]
[All students advancing according to potential]
[Note: Team dynamics continue to enhance learning environment]
[Special note: First advanced technique variation achieved]
=======================
"Sensei," Zoro's voice drew his attention. The swordsman had removed his bandana but maintained that focused look in his eyes. "That dummy training... you knew it would lead to this, didn't you?"
Lucius smiled. As a teacher, there was nothing quite like seeing a student surpass expectations.
"I showed you the path," he said. "But how you walked it, that was entirely your own achievement."
"MEAT!" Luffy's expanding stomach interrupted any further discussion.
"IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN FIVE MINUTES!" Nami's disciplinary fist struck true once again.