Chapter 71: The Path of the Sword

During a short break in training, Mikoto noticed Gin freeze mid-movement, a glint of urgency in his eyes.

"What's wrong? Who sent the message?" she asked curiously.

Kushina and Minato also turned their attention toward him.

"Nothing big," Gin smiled. "Kuro just finished mapping Shimotsuki Village. We can head there soon to study their swordsmanship. Interested?"

"Absolutely! It's time I saw this mountain-splitting sword style for myself," Mikoto replied with anticipation.

"I'm in too," Minato added quickly.

"If everyone's going, I guess I'm coming too!" Kushina huffed, folding her arms. "Not like I care much about swords though…"

"We'll need to tell my mom first," Gin suggested. "It'll go smoother if she takes us there. Fewer questions that way."

The group agreed and returned to the Ninja World, where they found Hikari preparing some documents.

"You're all back? Something happen?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Kuro mapped out Shimotsuki Island," Gin explained. "We want to go there to learn fencing. Are you free?"

"Lucky you! I'll leave a shadow clone for work and take you now," Hikari replied, splitting off a clone before teleporting them to the edge of the island.

They arrived just outside the coastal village nestled against the foothills. A quiet, traditional place with the scent of the sea and swordsmanship in the air.

"Let's scout the area first," Gin said. "We'll need a base here—we're going to be training for a while."

They headed into the village, their group drawing immediate attention. After some brief introductions and negotiations, Hikari purchased a sizable estate—over 300 square meters—from the local headman.

Then they made their way to the Isshin Dojo, where they were welcomed by its calm and soft-spoken master: Shimotsuki Koshiro.

Seated for tea in the dojo's simple but peaceful guest room, Hikari spoke directly:

"Mr. Koshiro, I'd like you to take these children as fencing students. What do you say?"

"I don't refuse children who wish to learn," Koshiro replied with a gentle smile. "But becoming my direct disciples… that takes time. They must prove themselves first."

"Of course," Hikari nodded. "They don't have a fencing foundation yet, but they're eager."

"Very well," Koshiro agreed. "Let them register and begin training with the basics."

His eyes lingered on Hikari, studying her with quiet intensity.

"You're… unusually strong for someone so unassuming. Dangerous, even. Why bring students to my humble dojo?"

"You noticed?" Hikari smiled, impressed. "Good eye. Most wouldn't sense that. I know your roots, your strength, and your skill as a teacher. My children are very interested in the sword."

"I'm not!" Kushina protested with a hand raised, only to feel the room's quiet gaze settle on her. "…I just came with them."

"I see," Koshiro said calmly. "You must be from Wano, then? Or at least connected to it. I haven't seen someone like you in years."

"No, actually," Hikari replied. "We're from the Hidden Leaf Village—Konoha. We have no connection to Wano. Our clothing might be misleading."

"Konoha?" Koshiro frowned. "I've never heard of it."

"It's a secluded ninja village. Few know of it, but I know of Wano—and the tragedy that befell Kozuki Oden."

She shared what they had learned: Kaido's betrayal, Orochi's usurpation, and the suffering of Wano. Koshiro closed his eyes, the calm on his face breaking.

"…I see. That… is painful to hear."

"I understand," Hikari said softly. "Oden was a good man."

After a long silence, Koshiro finally nodded.

"Thank you for telling me. I'll do my best to teach your children well."

"You have my gratitude," Hikari replied. "In fact… why not begin today? I'd love to watch their first lesson."

She bowed slightly, and Koshiro led them to the indoor training hall.

Inside, the students and instructors paused to greet the newcomers. Koshiro introduced Gin, Mikoto, Minato—and, with some hesitation, Kushina.

Then the lesson began.

From the first swing, it was clear: Gin was different.

He absorbed movements at a glance, adapting and refining techniques faster than anyone present had ever seen. Within thirty minutes, his form was nearly flawless—flowing, powerful, precise. Even Minato and Mikoto, both natural prodigies, were outshone.

"…Impossible," Koshiro muttered. "If I didn't know better, I'd think he was playing a trick on me."

Then, after a long pause, he said, "I'll take all three of them as my personal students."

He looked at Hikari with quiet conviction.

"They could help save Wano someday."

"Then I leave them in your care," she replied with a warm smile.

Gin, Mikoto, and Minato bowed formally before Koshiro, officially becoming his disciples.

Training soon shifted from Skypeia to Shimotsuki Island, adding several hours of sword practice to their daily regimen. Kushina, while not interested in the sword, still came along—she didn't want to be left out.

While the others trained, Kushina spotted a porcelain-faced girl peeking from behind a pillar.

"Hey there!" she called, kneeling down. "You're Kuina, right? I'm Uzumaki Kushina. Just call me Big Sis Kushina!"

The girl blinked, then smiled shyly. "Nice to meet you, Big Sis."

Koshiro watched quietly, his heart lightened by the scene. Kuina needed friends like this—brilliant, kind, safe.

Later, Hikari spoke briefly with Koshiro, then left behind a small fortune—hundreds of kilograms of gold.

"For the children's training, food, and medical baths," she said, and vanished.

Koshiro was stunned.

"This is far too generous," he said, shaking his head. "Even feeding them Sea King meat daily wouldn't cost this much."

He turned to Gin.

"Take it back. I can't accept this. A teacher must provide for his students."

Gin waved a hand dismissively. "Keep it, sensei. We're rich—it's nothing. Plus, we eat a lot."

"And I can handle the baths," he added. "I'm a trained doctor."

"You… practice medicine?" Koshiro blinked.

"Yes. I study under Dr. Kureha from Drum Island," Gin said, smiling. "I visit her every day."

"Drum Island?! That's halfway across the Grand Line! How—?"

"We can teleport," Gin said simply. Then he vanished for a split-second, appearing again beside Koshiro.

The swordsman stared, speechless.