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Koshiro picked up the day’s newspaper from the porch, frowning as he took in the headline. Things just became very interesting. Folding the paper under his arm, Koshiro made his way back into the dojo. Someone he knew was sure to have a few statements about this turn of events. “Take off that stupid tape this instant!” his father’s voice echoed through the hall.
“It’s not hurting anything old man Kozaburo.” Koshiro sighed, already sure what was happening. Stories about Zoro being a dangerous demon and bounty hunter had reached Shimotsuki Village almost immediately after he left. It wasn’t too shocking to learn Zoro became a bounty hunter. Chasing after a dream required funds after all and if Zoro was aiming to take the head of the worlds greatest swordsman than helping catch pirates wasn’t too strange. What shocked Koshiro was Zoro’s first wanted poster. Zoro never could do anything easy and becoming a pirate who previously hunted down pirates was asking for nearly the entire world to be his enemy. The real shock came after Zoro’s crew truly did declare war on the world. From then on things just got more complicated. Many of the children of the village saw Zoro as a hero, a man to admire and to one day follow the footsteps of. Koshiro’s student teachers, the kids who grew up with Zoro and Kuina thought it was hilarious but the children’s parents and Koshiro much less so. Especially after the kids started talking about taking to the sea and becoming pirates themselves.
Koshiro didn’t believe Zoro was dead for a moment over the two years of silence, and neither did anyone in the village. That didn’t stop everyone from having a mighty celebration when they heard the strawhat pirates reunited on Sabody. The kids were so excited to hear about their hero again, that many of them started to copy Zoro’s new appearance, taping one of their eyes closed to match him. Kozaburo was not pleased. After all he hated pirates and he tried to keep the kids from looking up to Zoro. Koshiro also tried to discourage it. If one of these kids picked up the sword and were killed looking for a fight with it, Koshiro would feel responsible. “Not hurting? It’s cutting their eyesight in half!” Kozaburo snapped. Koshiro stepped into the main room, seeing about five students circled around his father.
“Now, now everyone. I think we’ve had enough for one day.” Koshiro said. The kids all turned to him.
“Sensei, do you think you can teach us the three sword style?” one of the kids asked. Koshiro tried not to get irritated by the question that gets asked almost once a week.
“We’ve been over this. Zoro created that fighting style all on his own. I can’t teach you.” Koshiro said. A few boo’s sounded out of the kids. “Now it’s time to go home.” Koshiro said. There was a few more groans and protests but the kids filed out, leaving only Koshiro and Kozaburo.
“What’s that?” Kozaburo asked, noticing the paper. Koshiro looked down at it.
“It would appear that after leaving Big Mom’s territory, she has decided to pursue the Strawhat Pirates to Wano and team up with Kaido.” Koshiro said, handing the paper over to his father. Kozaburo took it, skimming the article.
“So young Zoro is arriving in Wano.” Kozaburo said after a moment. Koshiro nodded.
“He’ll learn about your history there.” Koshiro said. It wasn't like Kozaburo was hiding his history in Wano, but no one really talked about it either. A few of the older people knew about it, but Koshiro was sure Zoro's generation was in the dark. Kozaboro snorted.
“Of course he will. Wado Ichimonji still rests at his hip. Tenguyama Hitetsu and many others are bound to recognize it.” Kozaburo said. Koshiro had heard many tales about Hitetsu. Apparently him and Kozaburo had been the two greatest swordsmiths of their time in Wano.
“What do you think Wano is like today?” Koshiro asked. Kozaburo was silent for a while.
“When I left, Kozuki Suiyaki was still the shogun and his young son Oden was causing all kinds of mischief. Even thought Oden returned to Wano, I don’t see them making him the next shogun after the hell he helped unleash on the world. Kaido seemed to set up his home base in Wano as well. The shogun would never have allowed that and Oden-sama never seemed like the type to take orders. I think it’s safe to assume a puppet shogun in on the throne now.” Kozaburo said.
“The strawhat’s have a reputation of overthrowing every pirate government they come across.” Koshiro said. Kozaburo grunted.
“This isn’t some little upstart Koshiro. Kaido isn’t even thought to be a human, just a beast that cannot be killed. The government had attempted to execute him a number of times yet he lives. There are also the samurai. Your student is strong, but I don’t believe he’s ready to fight armies of samurai.” Kozaburo said. Koshiro hummed.
“I wonder about that. He has bested every enemy that he’s come across, with the exception of Mihawk if the rumors are to be believed.” Koshiro said. Kozaburo smirked.
“I wonder how the great Dracule Mihawk would fair against the samurai. He has yet to meet one to my knowledge. Is he really the greatest in the world?” Koshiro let out a small laugh.
“When Zoro survives Wano it won’t matter. Defeating the samurai of Wano then Mihawk will prove he is without a doubt the greatest swordsman in the world.” Koshiro said. Kozaburo raised an eyebrow at that.
“You seem awfully confident that he will do it.” Koshiro knew there was truth to that statement. There were many walls in front of Zoro to accomplish his goal. Zoro wasn’t the only one being testing right now. With the shichibachi system being dissolved, Mihawk was now facing the entirety of the marines and they also had a number of powerful fighters beyond swordsman. Sure Mihawk could stand against anyone with a sword, but the admirals wouldn’t fight with just a sword. Both Zoro and Mihawk would have to survive the trials ahead and be able to meet again so they can have a finale battle. Yet Koshiro had every bit of confidence that they could pull it off. Rather he had to believe that. Koshiro had never been able to back his daughters dreams, his father’s teaching too deep. However Zoro had a strange habit of never actually listening to anything Koshiro taught him, and that included Wano’s teachings on women’s swordsmanship potential. Zoro saw Kuina as his greatest rival and after her death he was fighting for now just his dream but hers as well. Koshiro couldn’t support Kuina’s dream but he could entrust it to Zoro. That was the entire point of Zoro’s three sword style after all, to allow both Zoro and Kuina to achieve their shared ambition.
“I suppose I am.” Koshiro said. Kozaburo didn’t comment any further. Instead, he handed Koshiro the newspaper back before turning and leaving. Koshiro wondered what Zoro would think when he learned where Kozaburo was from. Zoro probably wouldn’t care. Kozaburo didn’t teach Zoro and outside of being fellow villagers Zoro probably didn’t see them having much to do with each other. Some of the samurai might care though.
Koshiro turned to the alter where Kuina’s picture rested. For now he could leave the news of Zoro’s newest exploits there and tomorrow he could take it to her grave. She would like to keep up to date on them. Koshiro figured he would have to keep doing it in the future as well. Zoro didn’t seem like the type who would return, even after he accomplished his goal.