One Piece: Conquering Wanokuni at Start

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Shimotsuki Koshiro's eyes fixed on the silver medal, recognizing it as the same one in his father's collection. This confirmation dispelled any doubts he might have harbored about his visitors' origins, and he welcomed them into his dojo with respect.

Once they were seated, Koshiro personally poured tea for each guest, arranging the gathering with careful hospitality. His gaze then settled on Alex, the apparent leader, as he raised his question.

"Your Excellency claims to be the Shogun of Wanokuni, yet as I recall, the position of Shogun has always been held by a member of the Kozuki clan, hasn't it?"

 "A great incident occurred in Wanokuni. Pirates invaded the country, and with no Kozuki successors able to take up the mantle, I stepped forward. I saved Wanokuni and, following the people's wishes, became the new Shogun."

"When you return to Wanokuni, you'll come to understand everything in due time."

At Alex's words, Koshiro's expression softened with a glint of understanding, though hesitation lingered. Noticing this, Alex continued, "I may not know the full story behind your departure from Wanokuni to East Blue, but I know your lineage. Your father was a renowned swordsmith in Wanokuni, and you, too, carry that heritage. 

"After so many years… do you not wish to return to your homeland?" Alex paused, glancing around. "By the way, has the famous swordsmith made any recent works?"

Koshiro sighed, the weight of memory clouding his face. "No. My father passed away not long ago."

Surprised, Alex exclaimed, "Shimotsuki Kozaburo… has passed away?!"

In his recollection, Koshiro's father had appeared in Zoro's memories as a mentor figure. Considering Zoro was still very young, Kozaburo's death had happened earlier than Alex anticipated.

Koshiro confirmed, a hint of sadness in his voice. "Yes, my father passed three months ago. He had always longed to return to Wanokuni. Years ago, he faced a bottleneck in his swordsmithing—a barrier he couldn't break. Seeking inspiration, he left to pursue new ideas, hoping to craft a masterpiece beyond his own limits. But he never got the chance to return to Wanokuni…"

Alex nodded solemnly, recognizing this as a deviation from his own memory of events. He had hoped to bring Kozaburo back to help revitalize Wanokuni's swordsmithing. Now, however, it seemed a lost opportunity.

"Your father, Kozaburo, was truly a remarkable craftsman," Alex said with admiration. "He forged both Enma and Wado Ichimonji, two blades of the Great Grade. Achieving anything greater… he would have been chasing the dream of a Supreme Grade sword."

Koshiro nodded, gratitude flickering in his eyes as Alex continued, "It's truly a shame that he couldn't achieve his final wish. His loss is a great one for Wanokuni."

After a moment's silence, Alex glanced around the dojo and met Koshiro's gaze. "But there's something else holding you back, isn't there? It's because you don't want to part with this dojo, right?"

Koshiro's face softened as he acknowledged the truth. "Yes. The teachings of Isshin—this philosophy—were my father's legacy. I don't have his talent for forging swords, but I've honed my skills in swordsmanship. I want to keep Isshin's philosophy alive here, guiding others as he did."

Alex smiled reassuringly. "Why should that be an obstacle? I understand the importance of preserving your father's ideals. You can continue them in Wanokuni, where your impact would be even greater. As Shogun, I can guarantee that Isshin Dojo will have a place in Wanokuni, better than this one here."

With his acute Observation Haki, Alex could sense the true reason for Koshiro's hesitation—financial uncertainty. Life in this remote village had been difficult, and Koshiro worried that even if he returned to Wanokuni, he might lack the resources to re-establish a dojo. This quiet, but practical concern was the root of his reluctance.

Koshiro then voiced his thoughts, still puzzled. "I don't understand, Shogun Alex. Why insist on my return? As I mentioned, I lack my father's talent for forging blades."

Alex held up two fingers, speaking calmly. "Two reasons. First, you're the son of Shimotsuki Kozaburo. Even after years abroad, you're still a citizen of Wanokuni. And second," he paused, his gaze intense, "you said you only have 'small achievements' in swordsmanship. But from the moment we met, I could sense the strength of your skill. Your swordsmanship is remarkable."

He continued, "This isn't about your father's talents. I'm asking you to return for your own. If you were to pass on your swordsmanship in Wanokuni, you'd raise a new generation of powerful warriors. That's why I've promised you a dojo—not for your father's sake, but for yours."

Among skilled swordsmen, an aura often speaks volumes, a presence that fellow warriors can immediately detect.

And it was no secret that Koshiro's swordsmanship was on a high level; in Zoro's memory, Koshiro had shown him the principle that a true swordsman's intent could control the sharpness of his blade to the point that he "couldn't cut even a leaf" if he wished.

While Alex wasn't certain if Koshiro had reached that level now, he had an inexplicable feeling that a duel with him would help push his own skills forward.

Koshiro gave a resolute nod. "I see… but before that, may I ask two small requests of you, General Alex?"

"By all means," Alex replied.

"My first request," Koshiro said, "is that I be allowed to bring my family and disciples with me to Wanokuni."

"Of course," Alex agreed immediately. "So long as they're willing to go, they're welcome."

Koshiro smiled, relieved. "Thank you. The second request is this: I'd like to test my skill against you in a sword duel. Whether I win or lose, I will agree to return to Wanokuni."

Alex's eyes brightened at the suggestion. "I'd hoped you'd ask."

Both men knew that crossing blades was the purest way to deepen their understanding of swordsmanship at their advanced level. In silence, they moved from the dojo's corridor to the open area outside Shimotsuki Village, knowing that the small sparring courtyard would restrict the intensity of their clash.

There, under the open sky, they readied themselves, focusing their energy and intent. For true swordsmen, the aura they projected—the "sword force"—reflected their strength and character, a testament to their mastery. This "potential" took visible form, a phenomenon among the world's strongest warriors, and in samurai it was even more pronounced when wielding a blade.

In the clash that followed, both men kept their Devil Fruit abilities and Haki in check, focusing solely on pure swordsmanship. It became clear that Koshiro's blade radiated a force with a depth Alex hadn't fully anticipated. Though not yet at his peak, Koshiro displayed a subtlety and wisdom in his swordsmanship that placed him among the most formidable swordsmen of Wanokuni.