With Ryu
After Ryu and Musashi departed from the Five Clan mansion, Ryu's frustration festered as he replayed his two battles again and again in his mind.
Musashi flicked a quick glance at Ryu, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Losing is quite frustrating, don't you think, Ryu-chan?"
Ryu glanced at Musashi for a moment, then lowered his head and nodded.
Musashi turned to Ryu, his expression serious as he spoke.
"Listen carefully, Ryu. Defeat is not something to be ashamed of. But if you lose and learn nothing from it, that is true shame."
Ryu's eyebrows rose as the words sank in. After a moment of deep thought, he turned to Musashi and asked.
"Grandfather have you ever lost before?"
Musashi chuckled after hearing the question and replied.
"Yes, I lost many times when I was a child and during my travels around the world. But if I'm being honest with you, I'm very grateful to those who defeated me. Because of them, I was able to further refine my swordsmanship, create my own unique sword style, and ultimately become one of the greatest samurai when I returned to Wano."
Ryu looked at Musashi with admiration after hearing this and he vowed in his heart.
'From this day on, I'll train harder than ever and keep getting stronger. I swear I'll never lose again, no matter the cost.'
He then looked at Musashi and said to him.
"Grandfather… I want to get stronger. Please… train me. I never want to lose again."
Musashi turned to face Ryu, their eyes locking. A faint, almost hidden smile curved his lips as he recognized the fire blazing in Ryu's gaze.
He then turned around and continued walking as he asked Ryu.
"Tell me, Ryu, what shortcoming in your swordsmanship did you discover after participating in that competition?"
Ryu answered immediately, without a moment's hesitation.
"My body is weak. I must train harder to strengthen it. My sword strikes lack power, and my stamina falters—I tire too quickly."
Musashi's lips curved into a wide smirk at Ryu's reply, and without a word, he resumed walking.
"I told you before the competition that I would teach you the Miyamoto clan sword style. We begin tomorrow morning, but first, I must explain the theory behind it so listen closely to me."
Ryu nodded his head and he paid close attention to Musashi.
"The Miyamoto clan sword style focuses on two elements. The first is having a body that surpasses human limitations—in other words, your body must be far stronger and faster than that of a normal human. You must become abnormal… a beast… a monster. Do you understand what I'm saying, Ryu?"
Ryu's mind raced after Musashi's explanation, but he gave a small, thoughtful nod as Musashi continued speaking.
"As for the second element is the swordsmanship techniques itself. The Miyamoto clan's style is built around ending a battle with a single, overwhelming strike. But before I teach you this style, your body must first be trained."
Ryu smiled and nodded his head in satisfaction he then said to Musashi.
"Grandfather I want to start training now."
Musashi stopped walking, he looked at Ryu.and asked.
"Aren't you tired from the competition? Take a rest, my boy. We will start training early tomorrow morning."
Ryu shook his head and fixed Musashi with a steady, serious gaze.
"I have to surpass my limits. I'm weak—and I never want to lose again, Grandfather."
At Ryu's reply, Musashi's lips curved in a small, subtle smile, and he nodded.
"Fine. If you insist on starting your training now, run twenty laps around the village. Don't come back home until you've finished them all."
"That all the training you will be doing today, tomorrow your real training will start."
"Let me be clear, Ryu-kun: the training is going to be really hard. It will be true torture, but if you persevere, I promise you will become strong."
Ryu gave a small smile in satisfaction and he nodded to Musashi.
"I promise grandfather I will never complain."
Musashi gave Ryu a proud smile and nod his head in approval.
"Good. Go start running your laps; I'll wait for you at home."
Without a single complaint, Ryu ran his laps around the village, his eyes burning with determination.
Musashi smiled as he saw Ryu start running his laps. He then turned and continued walking toward his house.
He entered his house, took hold of his sake bottle, sank into the lounge, and drank quietly.
'Ryu-kun's talent is incredible; I wonder how far he will go in the way of the sword.'
Musashi suddenly broke into a wide, maniacal grin and let out a low, unsettling chuckle.
"I haven't been this fired up in forever… the last time was when I fought that bastard."
He clenched his stomach and rubbed his old scar.
______
With Ryu
Ryu began running laps around Commy Village, his mind endlessly replaying his defeat in the Young Talent Swordsmanship Competition.
He gritted his teeth in frustration at the memory of his defeat and pushed himself harder, increasing his pace as he ran lap after lap around the village.
After running twenty laps around Commy Village, the sun began to set. Ryu was utterly exhausted, sweat streaming profusely down his body.
Ryu turned around and made his way back to his grandfather's house.
______
With Musashi
Musashi sat on the ground in front of his house, smoke curling from his pipe as he drank his sake in silence.
He watched the sun begin to set, and at that moment he saw Isshin walking toward him, holding a curved katana.
A small smile crossed Musashi's face when he noticed the katana in Isshin's hands.
The katana rested in a black sheath, its round guard gleaming gold, the handle wrapped in black and red.
Isshin stopped in front of Musashi and gently tossed the katana to him.
Musashi effortlessly grabbed the katana and drew it from its sheath, a smirk forming as he examined the blade.
"I've fulfilled my part of our deal, Musashi. Remember, you owe me a favor in the future."
Musashi nodded his head in satisfaction towards Isshin and said.
"Don't worry. I'm a man of my word. Take my den-den-mushi number from Sanada or any of the other old fools—you can call me anytime to cash in that favor. I'll be leaving this village tomorrow with my grandson."
Isshin was surprised when he heard this and asked.
"Why are you leaving, and where do you plan to go?"
Musashi chuckled, his eyes glowing with excitement as he looked at Isshin.
"To the East Blue it is the best place for my grandson to train and grow stronger"
Isshin nodded in understanding, then turned around and waved to Musashi.
"Well, it's none of my business, Musashi. I'll see you around later. Just try not to torture the kid too hard—he's still far too young."
Musashi burst into laughter when he heard this.
"You old geezer, you underestimate the blood running through my grandson's veins."
Isshin stopped abruptly when he heard this and looked at Musashi with interest.
"What are you talking about, you old fool?"
Musashi chuckled, unconsciously rubbing one of the scars on his stomach. A wide, excited smirk spread across his face as he looked at Isshin.
"I don't want you to think that I'm insulting you, Isshin‑san, but I don't trust you. So I won't tell you who my grandson's biological father is. I will only say this: he was a fearsome pirate, and I nearly died by his hand. I survived that battle through sheer luck."
Isshin's eyes widened at the words, and he took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart.
'Musashi is considered one of the greatest samurai ever to have existed in Wano, so to hear that a mere pirate almost killed him is unbelievable.'
He sighed deeply, his eyes shining as he contemplated Ryu's potential, and then he asked.
"So… who do you plan to entrust with the forging of your grandson's first katana?"
Hearing Isshin's question, Musashi shook his head with a soft chuckle.
"I don't plan to seek anyone, Isshin. The sword chooses its wielder, and you, an elite swordsmith, know this better than anyone. It will be fascinating to see how fate guides Ryu-chan."
Isshin burst into laughter at Musashi's reply, then turned around and walked away.
"I'll wait patiently for your return, Musashi. I like your style."
Musashi chuckled softly, his eyes drifting once more to the training sword.
"Isshin-san deserved his reputation; this katana is of good quality, even though it's just a training sword."
With a sharp click, he sheathed the katana, then continued sipping his sake and smoking his pipe while waiting for Ryu to return.
_______
With Ryu
Ryu walked to his grandfather's house and saw him sitting outside, sipping sake and puffing on his pipe.
Though Musashi didn't glance at Ryu, he could sense his presence.
"Ryu-kun, have you finished running all your laps?"
Ryu gave a respectful nod before responding.
"Yes, Grandfather, I've completed all twenty laps around the village, just as you told me to."
Musashi nodded his head in satisfaction upon hearing Ryu's response and said.
"Good. Go take a shower and prepare dinner; we're leaving the village early tomorrow morning."
Ryu raised his eyebrows when he heard this and asked.
"Where are we going?"
Musashi smirked and replied.
"To the East Blue."
"The East Blue?"
Musashi nodded.
"Ryu-kun, you are weak right now. The East Blue is the ideal place for you to begin your training. Once you've grown stronger, we will return to the Grand Line."
Ryu clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white.
'Damn it! I refuse to be weak. I will be stronger—stronger than anyone!'
Ryu stepped into the house without uttering another word to Musashi and prepared to take a shower.
After finishing his bath, Ryu began preparing dinner for himself and his grandfather.
After preparing dinner, Ryu called his grandfather, and they ate together.
Musashi looked at Ryu after dinner and said to him.
"Ryu-kun, go wash up and get some sleep. We need to wake up early tomorrow before the merchant ship arrives, as we will board it to sail to the East Blue."
Ryu nodded, rose to his feet, and went to the bathroom to wash up.
Musashi grabbed the empty plates, washed them, and wiped down the dining table.
After finishing, he washed up, lay down on his bed, and closed his eyes.
'It's been a while since I last met that old geezer. I wonder if he's still alive. It would be a good experience for Ryu-chan to go to his dojo and challenge the kids he's training—but before that, I need to prepare him well so I can brag in front of him.'
Musashi chuckled after thinking of this and he went to sleep..
_____
Poll
A) Mc create his own crew (3)
B) Mc join Hawkeye crew (1)
C) Mc join red-haired pirates (4)
D) Mc join revolutionary army (1)
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