Cultivation in the Pirate's World

Dawn painted Shimotsuki Village in shades of gold as Xiao Yan made his way up the path to Kozaburo's forge. Xiaojin soared ahead, its flames matching the early morning light, while somewhere below he could hear the village coming to life.

"You're late!" Taro's voice called out. The boy emerged from behind a tree, looking far too energetic for this early hour. "Kozaburo-san always says dawn means before the sun shows its face!"

"And what does Kozaburo-san say about apprentices spying from trees?" Xiao Yan asked mildly.

"That my dedication would be more impressive if I showed the same enthusiasm for actually working," Taro admitted sheepishly. "But I'm not spying today! Mika-san sent breakfast for everyone. She says great works can't be forged on empty stomachs."

He held up a large package that smelled promisingly of fresh bread and something spiced. Xiaojin landed nearby, showing sudden interest in the human custom of breakfast.

"And father caught some really big fish yesterday," Taro continued as they walked. "Though speaking of fish, where's your dragon? The whole harbor's talking about it. Old Man Seki swears it's bigger than the sea king that ate his best fishing boat twenty years ago."

"Xiaolong is exploring the deeper waters," Xiao Yan replied. "And Xiao Gui is... presumably not eating any important village structures."

They found Kozaburo already at work, though not at the forge. Instead, he sat cross-legged before several pieces of unworked metal, eyes closed in meditation.

"Ah, the late arrival and my dedicated shadow," the old smith said without opening his eyes. "And breakfast, I smell. Mika never could resist feeding strays."

"I'm not a stray!" Taro protested. "I'm a future swordsmith!"

"You're a fisherman's son who can't tell the difference between tempering and temper," Kozaburo replied, finally opening his eyes. "Though your persistence might be worth something, if you ever learn to listen."

"Listen to what?" Taro asked, setting out the breakfast.

"That," Kozaburo nodded approvingly, "is finally a useful question."

As they ate (with Xiaojin sampling everything with royal dignity), Kozaburo began the first lesson. He held up different pieces of metal, each seemingly identical to untrained eyes.

"Steel is like people," he explained. "Each piece has its own nature, its own song. Force it against that nature, and you'll create something flawed. Work with it..." he trailed off, looking at Xiao Yan expectantly.

"And the metal shapes itself," Xiao Yan finished, recognizing a truth that transcended worlds.

"Exactly!" Taro exclaimed, then quickly added, "Though I don't actually hear any singing. Do you think the metal is shy?"

Kozaburo sighed, but Xiao Yan noticed the slight smile he tried to hide. "The boy has enthusiasm, if not understanding. But perhaps that's not entirely his fault. I've grown too used to working alone."

The morning progressed with basic lessons in metal properties, heat control, and proper forge maintenance. Xiaojin proved surprisingly helpful, its divine flames providing perfect demonstrations of how different heats affected various metals.

"Your phoenix understands fire better than most smiths," Kozaburo noted, watching Xiaojin create precisely controlled flames. "Though perhaps that's not surprising."

Throughout the lessons, Xiao Yan observed something interesting. The way Kozaburo handled metal, the subtle flow of power in his movements – it reminded him of how Haki flowed during Shanks' sword practice, but more refined, more focused.

Their work was interrupted by occasional visitors. Children came to gawk at Xiaojin, while adults brought weapons needing repair or adjustment. Each interaction revealed more about village life and its rhythms.

"Kozaburo-san!" a woman called out around midday. "The fishing fleet's back, and they've spotted something strange in the deep waters!"

"Probably just your dragon," Kozaburo said to Xiao Yan. "Though the way this village talks, it'll be a legendary sea monster by sunset."

"Actually," Taro piped up, "they say it's already a legendary sea monster. And it's apparently dancing with lightning, which is new."

Xiao Yan suppressed a smile. It seemed Xiaolong had found ways to entertain himself.

As afternoon approached, Kozaburo finally set aside their practice materials. "Tomorrow," he said, "we begin real work. Bring something of your own craft to share. It's only fair – I've shown you our methods, now let's see what principles you grasp."

Xiao Yan nodded, feeling the spiritual bead pulse gently in his dantian. Perhaps it was time to demonstrate some basic alchemy, though carefully adapted to this world's understanding.

"Can I come tomorrow too?" Taro asked hopefully.

"You'll be here regardless," Kozaburo snorted. "At least this way you might learn something besides how to fall out of trees."

As they left the forge, the village below was alive with activity. Someone was telling an elaborate tale about Xiaolong's supposed battle with sea monsters, while children attempted to replicate Xiaojin's flames with colored paper and much enthusiasm.

"Your arrival has certainly livened up our quiet village," Kozaburo observed. "Though perhaps that's not entirely a bad thing. Places need shaking up occasionally, lest they grow too set in their ways."

Xiao Yan glanced at the old smith, wondering if there was more meaning in those words than appeared. But then Taro launched into another excited question about metal singing, and the moment passed into the gentle rhythm of village life.