One Piece: I Am The Greatest Swordsman

Koushirou shook his head and called over an older apprentice to lead the snot-nosed kid away. He had no intention of going back on his word. The boy, full of excitement, eagerly followed his senior.

At Koushirou's invitation, Weiss entered the dojo with him. Inside, there were many young apprentices—some as young as four or five, others already in their teens.

Each one of them was diligently practicing the most basic sword techniques, steadily building their foundation. Only now did Weiss truly understand how Zoro had grown so fast later in life.

While it was true that he'd trained under the world's greatest swordsman, Mihawk, much of Zoro's rapid growth was due to the rock-solid foundation he had built as a child—so deep it might as well have been ingrained in his blood.

Seated formally in front of a tea table, Koushirou poured a cup of tea. "Please."

Weiss, who never drank tea, found himself stirred by the rich aroma. He took a careful sip. Though he wanted to offer praise, his lack of eloquence failed him, and all he could say was, "Good... tea."

Koushirou smiled. "So, what brings you here, little brother?"

Weiss didn't let the man's ever-smiling eyes fool him. He knew that anyone deceived by this gentle façade would only end up regretting it.

A man capable of wielding one of the Great Grade Blades couldn't possibly be an ordinary swordsman. And his cryptic guidance to Zoro—about cutting everything and yet cutting nothing—was nothing short of profound.

In fact, Weiss had borrowed some of that philosophy himself when pushing past the limits of a Great Swordsman. There was no way someone like Koushirou lacked real strength in swordsmanship.

---

"I came here for two things," Weiss said seriously. "First, I'm looking for a top-tier blacksmith. Do you know any?"

"The second... I want a sparring match. A duel between swordsmen."

Koushirou fell silent for a while, as if deep in thought. Weiss didn't rush him and simply waited quietly.

After a moment, Koushirou glanced at the sword beside Weiss and spoke. "Forgive me for asking... but what made you think I'd know a blacksmith?"

"Well," Weiss began, feigning nonchalance, "I was born on a small island in the East Blue. There aren't any great blacksmiths there, and the craftsmen are all basic. But since you run a dojo, I figured you'd know some people with refined forging skills."

"After all, a place like this needs plenty of swords. Ordinary blacksmiths wouldn't cut it."

That was the excuse Weiss gave. Of course, he couldn't exactly say, I know your father was from Wano and that your swords are all self-forged Great Blades.

Even though Koushirou's father was dead, it was safe to assume his family still had connections to master blacksmiths. After all, birds of a feather flock together.

If he actually told the truth, what was meant to be a friendly spar would probably turn into a fight to the death. Not because the information was top secret, but because it would raise too many questions. Why do you know so much about me? What's your angle?

Anyone would get defensive, especially when it's your first meeting.

"I see," Koushirou nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation for now.

"But with your level of strength, wouldn't it be easier to just seek out a Great Blade directly? Finding one should be no trouble for someone like you."

It was swordsman's intuition—at a glance, he knew that Weiss was a true Great Swordsman. Yet for some reason, he had never heard of this young man before.

Weiss didn't explain. Instead, he drew his sword with a clear metallic clang. The blade already bore a few cracks, the result of his battle with Bogard. It had followed him for a long time, but couldn't keep up with his current intensity. If not for his Armament Haki, it would have snapped by now.

"A double-edged sword, huh? I see," Koushirou said immediately, understanding Weiss's dilemma. In this world, all of the Great Blades and Supreme Grade Blades were single-edged. They were more akin to sabers than swords—completely unsuited for someone who favored a double-edged blade.

He didn't ask the foolish question of why Weiss didn't just switch to a single-edged sword.

---

"As for your first request," Koushirou continued, "there's an island in the Grand Line known as Forge Star. It lies along the sea route near the South Blue."

"I don't know its exact coordinates, but the entire island is filled with blacksmiths. Even some Marine officers go there to have their weapons forged."

"So in terms of quality, it should meet your standards."

"If you go there, seek out a blacksmith named Fedray. He once forged a Great Blade. Whether he's still alive, I can't say."

With that, Koushirou stopped talking, his eyes narrowed as he watched Weiss.

"As for your second request—a spar—I must decline. In the past, I would never have refused. But now... I haven't drawn a sword in over ten years."

Weiss frowned. The original manga didn't say much about Koushirou beyond his role in Zoro's story. It wasn't until the Wano arc that we learned his family had fled from that land. Other details were scarce.

But over ten years without wielding a sword? That would be around the time Kuina died. Perhaps since then, he found no worthy opponents in Shimotsuki Village—or maybe the East Blue had simply grown too quiet for him. Or perhaps... he had truly let go of the path of the sword.

"Are you sure?" Weiss asked.

"I've found something more important than swordsmanship."

Weiss followed Koushirou's gaze to the dojo. A group of children were still sweating and training diligently. Even the snot-nosed kid who'd just received his first real sword was now practicing with renewed focus.

It became clear to Weiss—this match wasn't going to happen. But learning about Forge Star Island meant his trip wasn't wasted.

"My apologies. I was too forward."

"I've let you down."

"Thank you for your time. I'll be going now." Weiss stood and turned to leave.

---

"Wait a moment."

Weiss paused and looked back, confused. Koushirou beckoned an apprentice over and whispered something to him.

"I happen to have a double-edged sword here," he said. "It was a gift from a smith the last time I stocked up on training swords for the dojo. It's not quite at the level of a Grade Blade, but it's close."

"The sword you're carrying can't handle your power anymore. Take this one instead."

Soon after, the apprentice returned with a sword in his hands, presenting it to Weiss.

"But why?" Weiss asked, surprised. "We've only just met, and I've already imposed on you."

"You're a pure swordsman," Koushirou said, eyes still smiling. "And a pure swordsman deserves a proper blade. Leaving it here would be a waste. Please, take it."

"Thank you," Weiss said, accepting the sword. Without looking back, he turned and left.

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Currently at chapter 220 on Ko-Fi

https:// ko-fi.com/sami27