Chapter 143: Koushirou

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East Blue. 

On an unremarkable small island.

A young man and woman were strolling leisurely. The girl wore simple and elegant attire, following closely behind the young man at a slight distance.

Tashigi was observing the island, her pure eyes filled with curiosity. She didn't know why Ian had specifically come to this small island in the East Blue

He had only said they were continuing an unfinished journey

It didn't seem like there was anything special about this place

As they walked, they soon arrived at a place that looked like a graveyard. In this open area, there was a person standing quietly in front of a tomb. When Tashigi saw him, her pupils suddenly contracted, revealing a trace of surprise.

"This person... is not weak"

Earlier, she had released her Observation Haki but hadn't detected this person's presence. Now, upon seeing him, she immediately felt that he was hiding very powerful aura

"Oh, we have visitors."

The man standing in front of the tombstone wore glasses and had a long braid hanging behind him. He seemed to have noticed Ian and Tashigi as well, so he spoke in a gentle tone, but his gaze rested on Tashigi

"This isn't a good place to entertain guests. Why don't you both come to my dojo?"

As he spoke, he slowly turned around. He was none other than Koushirou, Zoro's teacher, who bore a striking resemblance to Tashigi, and the father of Kuina

In his previous life, Ian had been very curious about Koushirou's identity. Just from his various pointers to Zoro, his understanding of swordsmanship was definitely not that of an ordinary swordsman. Moreover, his daughter wielded the Wado Ichimonji.

When Koushirou turned around, his expression was originally gentle, but when he discovered that there were two people behind him, he was immediately surprised

Because, in his earlier perception, there had only been one person behind him. Just like how Tashigi hadn't sensed his presence at all

Without a doubt, when he looked up, he confirmed that the powerful aura he had just sensed belonged to the young woman, while the young man beside her gave off no aura at all, as if he didn't exist, just a phantom

"You are..."

Seeing Ian's appearance, Koushirou was first taken aback, and then seemed to remember something, showing a trace of shock. how could he not know about the huge event where two of the Four Emperors were defeated?

"I didn't expect it to be you. Please forgive my rudeness"

Koushirou took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and bowed to Ian. In this world, people were already referring to Ian as a God

Even though he was a master swordsman standing at the top of swordsmanship, facing Ian, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe

"I wonder, what brings you here..."

Koushirou looked at Ian, his tone carrying a hint of unease.

Ian had suddenly come here, and Koushirou didn't know why. Although he wasn't afraid of anything, this was his dojo. Even if he didn't care about his own life, he was very concerned about the lives of his Students

Someone like Ian could, in a fit of anger, destroy an entire island or even a sea region. obviously, Koushirou felt a bit uneasy facing him

"No need to be nervous. I'm just here to see someone and to resolve some doubts."

Ian, who hadn't spoken all this time, finally opened his mouth. Although his tone was gentle, his expression was particularly cold, something that couldn't be changed.

"See someone?"

This sentence made Koushirou freeze. Who could be worth him coming in person, and what doubts would make Ian go to such lengths?

"Could it be?"

He suddenly thought of a message from his comrades in the Revolutionary Army not long ago, saying that someone would come and to entertain him well. Could it be this formidable figure before him?

"This is... Kuina, right?"

Ian didn't directly say who he wanted to see. He suddenly took a few steps forward and looked at the grave beside Koushirou. A faint light flashed in his eyes, making Koushirou somewhat surprised

His daughter Kuina had passed away a long time ago. Not many people knew her name. He didn't expect Ian to know it

"Yes, she was my daughter."

Koushirou also turned to look at the grave and tombstone, a trace of melancholy appearing on his face. After hearing Koushirou's response, Ian's gaze fell entirely on the grave, and the doubts in his heart were instantly resolved. As expected, Tashigi was not Kuina

In the grave lay the body of a child around seven or eight years old. How did he confirm it was Kuina? Because the residual soul traces told him that she was somewhat similar to Tashigi, but they were different

He had also checked Tashigi's information through the Marine's intelligence department and found no records, only that she came from the Red Line

Ian had also examined Tashigi's soul and found no damage. Thinking of the fact that one of the Five Elders resembled Koushirou, he wondered if that was his father or perhaps a clone created by Vegapunk. Tashigi and Kuina might have some connection with them, but this answer didn't matter much to him; he was just curious

Koushirou's gaze also lingered on Tashigi for a moment, confirming that no matter how much she resembled his daughter, she was not her, at most, she reminded him of her.

"Interested in a spar? Might as well pass the time while we wait for someone," Ian said.

Although it was only a brief moment, Ian sensed a strong sword intent from Koushirou. Although he couldn't determine exactly how strong Koushirou was, this man was definitely no weakling

"I haven't used a sword in a long time."

A strange light flashed in Koushirou's eyes. His gaze suddenly became sharp, and his right hand touched the sword at his waist. At the moment, Tashigi, who dreamed of collecting famous swords, saw this sword and recognized that it wasn't any renowned blade, it was very normal

When leaving the Marine Headquarters, Ian had used all his accumulated merits to exchange for a Supreme Grade Sword for Tashigi, which almost drove Sengoku mad. Even after leaving, he didn't forget to take advantage of the situation, not missing any opportunity to benefit

He had also thought about exchanging for Devil Fruits to enhance his fusion rate with the Ulquiorra Template System, but ultimately abandoned the idea.

"Let's go to the back mountain."

Koushirou still exuded an aura of harmlessness, with no special momentum. He appeared ordinary but was even more astonishing because he had restrained his aura

Ian and Koushirou went to the back mountain.

It was a verdant peak, densely covered with vegetation. On three sides of the mountain were villages, and behind it was another peak. The two arrived at the junction of the two peaks, a valley that was relatively open, with no trees or forests, only some shrubs and weeds.

Koushirou looked at the sword in his hand, a trace of sighing in his eyes, but his fighting spirit was particularly strong. Every master swordsman needed the spirit to move forward; otherwise, they wouldn't go far on this path

Koushirou also wanted to challenge a strong opponent, and since Ian had already replaced both Whitebeard and Mihawk as the world's strongest man and swordsman, naturally, he wouldn't miss this opportunity

"Be careful"

When the sword was unsheathed, Koushirou's entire aura suddenly changed. One moment, he was gentle and smiling, appearing harmless; the next, he seemed like a Devil emerging from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. But the person in front of him was a true black-winged Devil

Sensing Koushirou's sudden change in aura, Ian showed no fear in the face of this momentum, standing quietly.

It reminded him of the Bleach world, the captain who also wore glasses, deceiving everyone when not revealing his true face, but in the end, was more scary than anyone

Yes, those who act calm are often the most ruthless, because they suppress the Devils in their hearts, and when released, it's earth-shattering. He couldn't help but think.

So, who is the real Devil here?

Clang

The Zanpakutō was also unsheathed, held in Ian's hand. Koushirou's aura had become Demonic, and although his tone remained calm when he spoke.

Busoshoku Haki wrapped around the blade, and he suddenly charged toward Ian. Brilliant sword light flickered from the sword's edge. In such a place, the two naturally wouldn't go too far.

The powerful sword pressure was all hidden within the blade, forming a dazzling sword glow. When released, it became sword energy; when hidden on the blade, it was sword glow.

Sword energy was the swordsman's ranged attack, while sword glow was for close combat. Facing Ian's slash, Koushirou swung his sword single-handedly.

The two swords crossed suddenly in the air, emitting a crisp sword sound, silent and soundless

A blast wave erupted between them, carrying dust in all directions. The weeds on the ground were blown down, and in the next moment, their figures began to flicker and cross rapidly

Black and white sword glows intertwined, flashing continuously in the valley. Occasionally, a bit of sword glow burst out, turning into sword energy that instantly cut the ground into horrible ravines stretching nearly a hundred meters. Koushirou's swordsmanship was very violent

With each swing, scenes of mountains of corpses and seas of blood seemed to flash before one's eyes. His sword intent was pure killing intent. Ian didn't know whether Koushirou was a bloodthirsty character, but This sword intent and swordsmanship were evidently frightening, just as Ian had anticipated

Koushirou's strength might not match the world's strongest swordsman, Mihawk, nor the Four Emperors' Red-Haired Shanks, but he was still a very powerful existence

Clang

After another clash, Koushirou was forcefully pushed back by the white sword glow emanating from Ian's blade. When he landed in the distance, the ground beneath his feet cracked completely.

"Your sword skills are very impressive"

The sword glow tore through the void, like a brilliant star streaking across the distant sky and suddenly descending. shockwaves swept in all directions

Even the soil beneath their feet was lifted, with weeds carried off into the distance

The scene was chaotic. As the shockwave swept past, Ian stood steadily with his sword, while Koushirou was pushed back once again

"This is really..."

A hint of astonishment appeared in Koushirou's eyes. He hadn't expected Ian's strength to be so great, and he couldn't see through him at all

Clang Clang Clang

Sword lights kept flashing and crossing

The ground was swept by their blades, leaving crisscrossing, endless ravines. If villagers nearby wanted to farm here, they wouldn't need to plow the land anymore. After a few more exchanges

Koushirou felt particularly frustrated. Ian hadn't even moved much, just passively defending, yet he had been pushed back several times. So Koushirou's expression suddenly changed, and he simultaneously swung a blood-red sword glow

"One-Sword Style... Instant Slash"

Koushirou seemed to be enveloped in a path of blood light, suddenly charging at high speed. Ian didn't hesitate and met him with his sword

Clang

A clear sword sound echoed into the sky

The two stood still, silently. The ground behind and beneath them suddenly appeared with countless neat, crisscrossing cracks, as if a mountain of blades had rolled over it. Koushirou had displayed the master swordsman's domain to the fullest

However, Ian still blocked it...

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