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CHAPTER 51
Kreegan disembarked and introduced Lex to the villagers, spent some time with them, and then set off for the dojo. The news must have reached the dojo that Zoro was running at full speed down the path of the dojo and was shouting from the top of his lungs.
"Kreegan, fight me!"
Zoro drew all three swords, put one in his mouth, and dashed towards Kreegan. Kreegan slightly unsheathed his sword and deflected Zoro's attack with one swift move. Then he moved behind him with a fluid motion and hammered him at the top of his head.
"Guaaa!"
"What did you call me, you little shit! It looks like you missed my fists of love."
When Zoro was punched on the top of his head, he dropped the sword in his mouth and began rubbing his head in pain. Hearing what Kreegan said, he began to scream, crawling on the floor in panic as he tried to get away from Kreegan.
"Wait, I was wrong. Aniki, I didn't mean to call you by name. Aniki, please forgive ME!!!"
Zoro had a few giant red bumps on his head when they reached the dojo. He tearfully turned to Kreegan and mustered up all his courage, and shouted.
"After beating Kuina, I am going to beat you too”
When he had finished his words, he remembered that he had forgotten to say something and added hastily.
“......Aniki"
After hearing what he had to say, Kreegan smiled at him and said,
"If you cannot strengthen your jaw like a steel trap, did I not tell you to stop this idiotic three-sword style? You couldn't even keep your trap shut against a weak punch. What are you going to do against a full-swing sword."
Zoro grits his teeth angrily but doesn't say anything yet.
"Kııı!"
"I know you can do better, but this is not enough. Either use dual-wield like a normal human being or become a monster capable of chewing steel. Even then, your third sword will always be a weak point for you."
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Zoro couldn't stand it and finally said
"Everyone has weaknesses!"
" This is not about having a weakness; this is about closing and hiding that weakness as much as possible. As long as you use three sword style, this is going to be your weakness.”
Kreegan teases Zoro as much as he can to make him even more impassionate about the sword, so he works harder. Even though Kreegan was giving him shit, Zoro was impressive already. Even if it was for a little bit, he made Kreegan pull his sword. Kreegan wouldn't be able to stop that strike without a sword or buffs. Zoro had already become a level 1, even though he was a gray level 1. He had become a level one nonetheless.
This world was clearly a bit different, especially since the age of the characters were a bit different, but when Kreegan was in the Goa Kingdom, he had seen Ace and Luffy. There should still be around five to seven years until Luffy sets sail. Zoro most likely set sail in 3-4 years.
Koushirou and Old Man Kozaburo were sitting in the dojo's engawa when Kreegan and Lex entered the dojo's garden. Kreegan first bowed respectfully before them, then, while smiling, said,
"Old man, you didn't croak yet."
Kozaburo turned red and angrily said,
"Are you cursing me? You, snot-faced brat; I will live long enough to bury you!"
"Good, you should live long."
"Give me your swords."
Kreegan took off both of his swords from his belt and gave them off to Kozaburo. He started to study them. He picked up Yubashiri and said,
"So, you picked up a Skillful Grade sword. If I remember right, this should be Yubashiri."
"You are right."
"Of course, I am. I was being modest. I am a master swordsmith."
The corner of Kreegan's mouth had twitched; because of Kozaburo’s arrogance, Kreegan was a bit annoyed, and then he smirked at Kreegan and said,
"You couldn't even make a Great Grade sword yet."
This old fart was doing the same thing Kreegan did to Zoro. He was giving him shit so he would work harder. Kreegan acted like he was frustrated. Kozaburo picked up Ichinami, and he was surprised. He took the sword from its sheath, swung it a little, and then held it straight and examined its edge.
"Something is different with this sword. What did you do? It feels like my swings have more weight behind them."
"I had an inspiration and reforged it."
Kozaburo was trying not to be obvious, but he was amazed because this sword had intent in it. It wasn't like his magnum opus Enma, it was more primitive, but there was definitely an intent in it. The only thing this sword was missing was a character, a personality. Even if he didn't see him forge this, it was apparent to a master swordsmith this was an inspirational piece. The swordsmith made this without any thought and with only instincts.
He evaluated this blade as one of the top 5 Skillful Grades, but he was never going to say that out loud. He couldn't allow Kreegan to be satisfied with what he had made. Kozaburo needed him to be hungrier for success.
"Brat, did you even make another Skillful Grade?"
Kreegan mumbled and said with a whispering voice,
"I made ...a ... Gr... one."
"Speak up, boy. I might be a MASTER swordsmith but still an old man. I can't hear you."
"I made a Graded one."
"Are you not ashamed of yourself while saying that."
"The garden hoe I made would be a Graded one, and as my disciple, you are proud to make a Graded one."
Kreegan annoyedly scratched his head and said,
"No, I am not. I just didn't have time when I tried to make one in the sea. It is too hard because of all the shaking and swaying."
Meanwhile, Lex interrupted,
"I have a solution for that; I forgot to tell you. As a thank you, I made a suspended room inside the ship. It will not shake and sway as long as we are not in a storm. It will be like you are on the land."
"Why didn't you tell me before, and how did you make it?"
"If I told you the scientific explanation, would you understand it."
"Maybe."
This guy's genius amazed Kreegan every time. On Earth, he had heard that people could create boats like those with modern tech, but he made it himself, even if it was one room.