The next day, Koushiro taught Noah the second form:
One large step with the long sword… the second strike with a twist…
Basic Swordsmanship Introduction 41%
After teaching, he went back to instruct others.
Noah now had a new sword stance to practice.
Now, Noah split his time, training his body in the mornings and practicing swordsmanship in the afternoons.
He even built a training area deep in the forest.
Combining his knowledge of exercise from his past life, he ran along the island’s beach every morning, swam in the shallow sea with weights, and carried logs through the forest.
The medicinal herbs from the Shimotsuki Secret Medicine were carefully separated.
Although Koushiro hadn’t emphasized it, being a wanted fugitive for so long had taught Noah the importance of caution.
He bought quite a bit of the herbs through different channels.
They were indeed very expensive, even straining Noah’s current finances.
He bought double portions of the herbs, as Robin would also need them.
Noah believed that even Devil Fruit users could better activate their powers with a strong body.
Just staying home and reading books wouldn’t do; exercise was crucial too.
Despite Robin’s reluctant expression, Noah dragged her out of the house every morning for physical training.
Later, at the Shimotsuki Dojo, Noah learned one sword form per month, breaking the dojo’s record for the slowest learner.
Many young people finished their training and moved on, while he was still practicing simple sword forms.
The attention from those around him, their whispers, couldn’t distract him from his training.
Time had now reached the year 1504.
This year, nothing major happened at sea.
Noah focused entirely on his training, continuing to lie low in this corner of the East Blue.
Over a full nine months, Noah finally completed learning the basic nine stances and thirteen cuts.
In those nine months, his body had fully recovered from past deficiencies, becoming stronger and more coordinated.
Constitution: 20 (10)
Strength: 18 (10)
Speed: 21 (10)
Skills:
Soru: Introduction 10% (Body condition is average, not recommended for use)
Haoshoku Haki: 11% ~ 13%
Basic Sword Form Mastery 1%
Yes, Noah’s basic sword form had reached mastery.
After achieving mastery, he could feel his sword strokes becoming smoother and his swings carrying more power.
His physical condition had also caught up.
While he was still a bit short of being able to use techniques like Soru, he estimated he’d reach the required condition in a few months.
Shimotsuki was truly one of the five great families of Wano Country; the secret medicine was incredibly effective.
After reaching mastery, Koushiro spent longer and watched Noah practice sword fighting more intently.
He was conflicted.
Why would such a talented swordsman approach swordsmanship so half-heartedly?
In Koushiro’s eyes, Noah’s swordsmanship was incredibly solid.
If he were to learn a profound sword school and gain practical combat experience, he could quickly become a swordsman known throughout the four seas.
Indeed, if he continued to practice with this foundation, he even had a good chance of becoming a Swordmaster.
Finally, one day, Koushiro informed Noah to come to the inner room’s quiet chamber for a detailed talk the next day.
The next day.
“Noah, can you answer my second question now?
Why isn’t your heart in swordsmanship as sincere?”
“Master, before going to Ohara, I was originally from the East Blue.
I lived in an ordinary village.
I was kidnapped by a pirate ship and forced to work as a laborer, living day to day.
After narrowly escaping death, I was captured by a slave ship and became a slave.
Master, have you ever seen people kept in cages?
Dignity, life, everything, belonged to no one.”
As he spoke, Noah revealed the slave mark on his arm.
“Ah, so you crave power?
Swordsmanship is also a form of power, and the more devout you are, the stronger you become.”
“No, after experiencing the Ohara incident, I realized that power is merely a tool to help me achieve my goals, not my ultimate pursuit.
Therefore, I neither reject nor rely on any of them, be it body techniques, swordsmanship, or Haki.”
Koushiro was deeply puzzled.
What kind of goal could make a young man utter such ambitious words?
Noah pulled out a thin book from his pocket.
It had no title.
He solemnly handed it to Koushiro; it was the culmination of his nine months of effort.
“Master, my thoughts and goals are all written in this book.”
Koushiro opened the first page, the table of contents:
1.
Highly developed social productivity and great abundance of material wealth;
2.
The abolition of classes and the self-elimination of the state;
3.
A greatly elevated spiritual realm;
4.
The free and all-around development of individuals;
5.
The complete liberation of all humankind.
“This!!!”
A wave of sword energy uncontrollably surged through the quiet room.
The calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls were torn, and crisscrossing sword marks appeared on the floor.
A sword master with a lineage should not behave like this, but in this moment, Koushiro’s mind was completely overwhelmed.
His composure, like a ship caught in a storm, was beyond his control.
After a long while, he calmed down.
He even hesitated to look at the rest of the content.
The more he understood, the more he realized how terrifying the ideas in this book were.
These were ideas that could destroy the world.
Even more frightening was the book’s magical quality; it made one both fearful and yet eager to imagine the world described within.
A hoarse voice sounded:
“Do you wish to destroy this world?”
“No, I want to break the old world and create a new one.”
“Even if it means rivers of blood and countless lives lost?”
“Yes, even if it means rivers of blood and countless lives lost!”
Koushiro looked at the unfamiliar disciple before him.
He saw the eyes that had reignited with fearlessness, and the open, honest gaze gave him a sense of helplessness for the first time.
After a long deliberation, he picked up the thin booklet again and began to read.
His expression shifted between confusion, sudden realization, deep frowns, smiles, cold sweats, and bursts of laughter.
A small booklet made Koushiro see the sun set.
“I understand.
But… you are too dangerous.”
“Master, if it is difficult for you, I can leave Shimotsuki Village in a few days.”
…
A long silence.
“No need.
Rest well.
Come to the dojo’s backyard directly tomorrow afternoon.
There are some things in swordsmanship that will be helpful for your path.
I’m not an expert in Haki, but I can lay a foundation for you.”
Noah looked up in surprise and joy.
“Yes, I take my leave.”
Picking up the book, Noah left the dojo with a light heart.
After Noah left, Koushiro sat in the messy quiet room, lost in thought.
After a while, he walked out and looked at the silver moon in the sky.
“Ancestors, an incredible person has appeared on this sea.
If he survives, he will achieve unprecedented accomplishments.
Perhaps this sea can no longer be calm.
I truly don’t know if I’m doing the right thing.”
Back home, Noah was also very happy.
If he could, he would have loved to continue training in Shimotsuki Village.
Although Master Koushiro hadn’t directly agreed, the fact that he was still willing to teach him made him happy.
Robin asked him why he was so happy, and Noah told her about Master Koushiro’s attitude that day.
Upon hearing this, Robin was even happier than Noah himself, because it meant they didn’t have to leave Shimotsuki Village and could continue living there with Noah in peace.
Seeing Robin’s smiling face, Noah felt a pang of guilt.
He knew why Robin was happy, and he also knew the danger his future path would bring to both of them.
But he had no choice.
Robin had no choice either, and the world that had pushed him to this point also had no choice.
The World Government’s CP departments were secretly searching for the survivors of Ohara.
He didn’t want to see Robin constantly hiding and being betrayed, or betraying others, like in the original story, only to be captured by CP9 and face a life-or-death crisis.
For a brighter future, he had no choice but to change this world, to let the fires of Ohara burn across the entire world, to revitalize this sick world.
He reviewed his recent goal completion status.
He had found the path for swordsmanship, and Haki as well.
The Ryou Haki from Wano Country was very well-known in the New World.
The framework for his ideological program was also in place, and at least the enlightened individuals of the Pirate World were somewhat approving (especially Master Koushiro).
As for “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” Part 1, Phantom Blood, it had finished serialization, and he was preparing for Part 2, Battle Tendency.
This adventure-themed illustrated novel had become popular all over the seas.
Both pirates and Marines loved its chuunibyou and cool designs, as well as its embarrassing lines.
Rumor had it that the great pirate Whitebeard in the New World was a loyal reader of this novel.
This piece of gossip came from the chief editor of the World Economic News Agency, who shared it in a letter.
As for the royalties, they naturally went up another notch.
He had also signed a contract for a collected edition of the first part.
Most of his goals were developing well.
However, the matter of contacting the Revolutionary Army had no clear path forward.
It was still the early stages for the Revolutionary Army, and they were very cautious.
Eiichiro Oda, the author, also described the Revolutionary Army very little, so he had to put it aside for now.
If all else fails, he could follow Koala to find Dragon later.