C6 Frost Moon Village's Dragon's Visit

In the serene courtyard, the bright moonlight cast long shadows of two small figures standing still.

Lin Mo tossed the shinai back to Zoro, who caught it clumsily, his eyes wide with astonishment. "Could it be... did you actually cut the stone? But you didn't even swing at it. What just happened?"

Lin Mo glanced at Zoro, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Pay attention, Zoro. There are swordsmen in this world who can cut through anything, yet they can use the very same blade to sever all things. A truly powerful swordsman can protect whatever they wish to protect and likewise cut through anything they desire. You have a long road of learning ahead of you. Keep pushing yourself."

With those words, Lin Mo gave Zoro's shoulder a light pat before turning to leave the courtyard.

The evening breeze swept through, fluttering the departing figure's clothes and hair.

Zoro watched him go, lost in thought. A swordsman who could cut through nothing and yet everything?

In the past, he would have never believed such a person could exist.

But Lin Mo had just shown him, through his actions, that a truly powerful swordsman could indeed accomplish that feat.

Using just an ordinary shinai, he had achieved the impossible.

And they were about the same age...

That guy was definitely a freak of nature.

"Hey! What are you doing out here by yourself?" Guina's cool voice interrupted his reverie.

Snapping out of it, Zoro didn't look at Guina but instead focused on the shattered stones Lin Mo had sliced. With a grave expression and resolute eyes, he said, "Guina, Lin Mo is incredibly strong."

Guina's gaze followed Zoro's to the scattered stone fragments. She guessed immediately that Lin Mo was responsible, yet she showed no surprise. "Tsk! It's such a waste to use the Wado Ichimonji for cutting stones."

"That's not it!" Zoro exclaimed, picking up the shinai Lin Mo had used. "He did it with this sword."

"What?" Guina took a quick look at the shinai in Zoro's hands, a flicker of disbelief in her eyes. "A shinai? He cut the stone with a shinai? How could that be possible?"

"It's true!" Zoro insisted earnestly, "Guina, I think I'm starting to understand why our teacher said those things to you."

Elsewhere, after leaving Isshin Dojo, Lin Mo set out for the village tavern, eager to sample the local wines. Even though the wine Koshiro had given him was quite unique and would last him some time, it couldn't quench his thirst for discovering new flavors.

Upon reaching Frost Moon Village's sole tavern, Lin Mo witnessed the tavern keeper locking up for the night. The keeper, after securing the door and wiping his brow, was startled to turn around and find Lin Mo standing there. Realizing he was facing a child, he asked gruffly, "Hey, kid, why aren't you at home? What brings you here so late?"

Lin Mo, a bit taken aback, inquired, "You don't stay open in the evening?"

The tavern keeper paused before explaining, "You're not from around here, are you? My tavern only operates during daylight hours. If you're buying wine for the adults at home, come back after sunrise." With that, he walked away.

Lin Mo, without further comment, decided to head back to Isshin Dojo. On his way, he paused at a small stand selling wine gourds. After some thought, he picked one out, paid for it, and attached the new wine gourd to his waist.

A group of figures cloaked in deep green passed behind him, their presence emanating a distinct aura. Lin Mo turned to look at them, and as he did, the group's leader also glanced back. Their eyes met—Lin Mo's expression remained calm and unshaken, while a flicker of surprise crossed the other's face.

The lanterns from nearby stalls cast light on the faces hidden beneath the cloaks, revealing more details. Notably, the red tattoo on the left side of the man's face confirmed Lin Mo's suspicion of his identity. It was Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, son of the Navy hero Garp, and father of the future Pirate King, Luffy.

"Hey, Dragon, what are you doing? We can't linger here too long. It'll be trouble if we draw attention. Let's move quickly," urged the man with an exceptionally large face, walking beside Dragon, as he lowered his voice in caution.

One of his companions whispered from behind, "Ivankov, that ghastly mug of yours has already drawn attention..."

"Heh, what did you say? Say that again!" Ivankov retorted, turning around to deliver a headbutt.

The recipient of the blow teared up, seething with anger yet too intimidated to speak up.

The Dragon General shifted his focus away and continued on his way, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Interesting."

A few minutes later, inside the tea room at the back of Isshin Dojo.

Koshiro wasn't taken aback by the unexpected visitors.

"I had the impression you wouldn't arrive for another couple of days," Koshiro remarked, sipping his tea with a smile. "It appears the plan is unfolding smoothly."

"Not bad," the Dragon General acknowledged, eyeing the steaming cup before him and taking a sip. "This tea has a fine flavor."

"Come on, Koshiro! I want some sake!" Ivankov bellowed, "You used to have fine wine ready for us whenever we visited. Why the sudden stinginess?"

Shaking his head with a chuckle, Koshiro replied, "It's not that I'm unwilling to provide; it's just that I've given away all of my treasured stock."

"What? You're kidding! Given it all away?" Ivankov exclaimed in disbelief. "I pleaded with you before, and you wouldn't spare me an extra jar. Who's so important that they deserved all your wine?"

"It must be that kid," the Dragon General mused, sipping his tea nonchalantly.

"Huh? Kid? What kid? Which kid?" Ivankov pressed.

Surprised, Koshiro inquired, "You've met Lin Mo?"

"Lin Mo? Is that the kid you were just talking about?" Ivankov queried.

"I caught a glimpse of him on the street earlier," the Dragon General elaborated. "He was carrying a Wado Ichimonji and a wine gourd at his waist, and he didn't flinch at the sight of me. Plus, I could sense that the lad's strength is on par with Guina's. It seems you've taken on a promising apprentice."

"You saw him on the street just now? How come I didn't notice him?" Ivankov wondered.

"If only he truly were my disciple," Koshiro said with a wistful smile.

"What?" Long set down his teacup, looking at Koshiro with astonishment. "He's not your disciple?"

Koshiro nodded. "I wish he would stay at the dojo, but he refuses."

Ivankov interjected, "Hey, hey, you two, are you ignoring me? Don't just leave me out of the conversation!"

Long continued, disregarding Ivankov, his gaze fixed on Koshiro. "You gave him your treasured wine and the Wado Ichimonji, which you've held onto for so long. With such sincerity, and yet he still won't stay. He must have some pressing matters to attend to."

"Perhaps," Koshiro mused, taking another sip of tea. "In truth, the Wado Ichimonji and the wine were his winnings from the battle with Guina. They weren't exactly gifts from me."

"You anticipated his victory, offering the wine and the famed blade as prizes. That's practically the same as giving them away," Long pointed out.

As Long finished speaking, the sound of footsteps approached from down the corridor.

The group seated in the teahouse turned their attention to the open sliding door.

A diminutive figure with two swords and a wine gourd at his waist strolled by, seemingly indifferent to their presence.