One Piece: The World King Who Emerged from the White Town

That's a gap that can't be bridged by mechanically swinging a sword thousands or tens of thousands of times.

All he wants to know right now is where his problem lies.

Koushirou thought for a moment and said, "Actually, your foundation is already very solid, but you lack an understanding of swordsmanship."

"The art of swordsmanship is profound and extensive."

"When a swordsman forges his own path in swordsmanship, he can create extraordinary phenomena with each move."

"The three sword moves you created have already shown signs of extraordinary power."

"But what's strange is that even though you've already managed to do that, you still seem to know nothing about it."

"It's as if you were born with this power, so you automatically skipped the previous exploration process."

Upon hearing this, Abel nodded in agreement, realizing that it was indeed the case.

If he didn't have a cheat code, he would still be at the very beginning stage of swordsmanship, unable to even unleash a flying slash.

However, the emergence of this skill allowed him to write down the 'answer' that would normally require many steps, skipping the process altogether.

Although the answer is undoubtedly correct, he cannot understand other people's solutions because he does not know the steps and process.

This is the biggest drawback!

He could understand the so-called unusual sword techniques.

For example, in the original work, Zoro created the "Demon Aura: Nine-Sword Style: Ashura" technique. When using it, Zoro would suddenly transform into a three-headed, six-armed figure. That is a kind of sword technique anomaly, not that he actually grew two more heads and four more arms.

For example, Vista, the 5th Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, always creates a large number of red rose petals around him when he uses his sword techniques.

These are all unusual phenomena related to his swordsmanship, not the actual act of him scattering flower petals into the air while slashing people during a fight.

Therefore, this also points out the direction that Abel should take for the next derivative sword moves of Dark Breath.

"I have another question I'd like to know: what is the highest level of swordsmanship?"

Abel asked again, and he would decide his next choice based on this answer.

Koushirou replied with a serious expression, "In this world, there is a power that can cut through steel, and there is a sword that cannot cut through anything."

"In my opinion, the highest level of swordsmanship is: when the heart cuts, nothing is cut. When the heart has no desire, even paper cannot be cut."

The translation is:

What you want to cut off in your heart, you can definitely cut off. If you don't want to cut it off, you can't even cut paper.

"Isn't this a bit too idealistic..."

Abel felt this was not the answer he wanted to hear.

Seeing that he didn't believe him, Koushirou said with a smile, "How about it, do you want to experience it for yourself? I can make an exception for today."

"Okay, what do I need to do?"

Abel agreed without hesitation.

He also wanted to see what the other party considered the highest level of swordsmanship.

As for his own safety, he wasn't worried.

He couldn't figure out what reason the other party would have to kill him.

However, just to be on the safe side, he still held the [Perfect Blood of the Progenitor of Demons] in his hand, so that he could save himself even if any accident occurred.

"You don't need to do anything, just feel the impact of this cut."

Swish!

Before he could finish speaking, Koushirou drew his sword like lightning, slicing it straight across Abel's neck.

With a thud, his head hit the ground.

However, it wasn't Abel's head, but the head of the wooden figure behind him.

Abel, still in shock, reached out and touched his neck. There wasn't a single bloody mark, not even a hair had been cut.

But just at that very moment, he clearly felt the sharp blade in the other person's hand slash across his neck.

If it weren't for the fact that he still had the [Perfect Blood of the Progenitor of Demons] in his hand, he would have doubted whether the wound there had already healed.

"Where the heart is cut, nothing can be cut. Where the heart has no desire, even paper cannot be cut."

Abel silently recited these sixteen words, lost in thought.

Chapter 226 The World's Greatest Swordsman!

"They've been inside for so long, why haven't they come out yet?"

"What's the rush? The teacher is so strong, nothing will happen."

"I really want to go in and take a look. It's been so long since I've seen the teacher personally take action."

"Who says otherwise? Maybe we should do it secretly..."

"Ahem! If you want to 'die,' don't drag everyone down with you."

"Ugh, this is so boring!"

……

The disciples of the Yixin Dojo were waiting outside, scratching their heads in frustration.

He wanted to peek, but dared not because of Koushirou's usual teacherly authority.

Zoro was quite bold, but Kuina grabbed him and he could only continue training with a bitter face.

Finally, the dojo doors reopened.

Koushirou and Abel, who was holding Baby-5, came out from inside. Their clothes and expressions revealed nothing about their relationship.

After all, this was just a swordsmanship exchange, and it was to stop when the point was reached.

Abel never used any of his talents or skills other than swordsmanship, not even the Asura Aurora Slash or the Infinite One-Slash Slash.

Koushirou didn't use any killer moves, and spent the whole time on defense and counter-attacks.

Therefore, it's natural that nothing can be discerned.

"There are still vacant rooms in the building."

"No need. I'll come again tomorrow to learn swordsmanship."

Abel shook his head, declined the offer, and left with Baby-5 in his arms.

Only after he left did the other disciples immediately ask, "Teacher, who really won?"

"Look at your question! Of course the teacher wins!"

"I think so too. Didn't you hear that guy say he'll come back tomorrow? He's clearly not willing to give up."

"What can I do if I'm not willing to accept it? Even if I try ten or a hundred times, the result won't change!"

Koushirou shook his head helplessly. "It's just a swordsmanship exchange; there's no question of victory or defeat. This boy's swordsmanship talent is exceptionally strong, a rarity in his life. You must not be rude and disrespectful again."

Upon hearing their teacher's words, the disciples exchanged bewildered glances, nodding in agreement while simultaneously feeling that their teacher was overestimating the other party.

What kind of talent is considered extremely rare?

The teacher has hardly ever left the village in his life, so how many people could he possibly see?

At most, they're just a little more talented than them.

After everyone dispersed, Guina hesitated for a moment, but still followed behind her father.

"What's the matter?"

After returning to his room, Koushirou carefully wiped the Wado Ichimonji while gently asking a question.

"Father, is that person really that talented?"

"Rarely seen in the world."

Koushirou recalled the various sword skills that Abel had previously displayed, and it was truly unimaginable that someone could master swordsmanship to such a degree at such a young age.

But there are also drawbacks here.

Perhaps the progress was too fast, or perhaps there was a lack of guidance from a master swordsman, resulting in the opponent's swordsmanship having the form but lacking the spirit.

"If that boy named Abel can make up for his shortcomings in swordsmanship and eventually forge his own path, he will be qualified to challenge the world's number one."

Unprecedented in the world...the first in the world...

Guina bit her lip. It was the first time she had ever heard her father praise someone like that, especially a stranger.

"But didn't Father say that a knife is a weapon to protect the weak, and that those who only know how to use it as a tool for killing will never understand the true meaning of swordsmanship?"

"That person kept insisting that his knife was for killing people. Does someone like that have the right to be the world's number one?"

Koushirou suddenly stopped wiping the blade, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

He recalled the words his father, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, had once said to him.

"A knife is an object used to take lives; it is a murder weapon that exists to kill!"

"Every knife has its own personality, and only by truly understanding the personality of a knife can you successfully master it."

"What's suitable is suitable, and what's not suitable is not suitable."

"Perhaps one day in the future, you will be able to grasp the true essence of your own swordsmanship, but the nature of the knife will never change."

Koushirou never expected that after so many years, he would suddenly encounter a boy here who shared the same will as his father.

"That is a path of no return that leads to becoming a demon or monster. Either you succumb to slaughter and become a machine that only knows how to kill, or you carve out a path never before heard of and dominate the world."

"And no one has ever walked this road before."

Kuina nodded as if she understood, then said with a determined look, "I will definitely surpass everyone and become the world's greatest swordsman in the future!"

Koushirou's expression was complicated. "I told you before that female swordsmen can never become the world's number one due to their physical limitations."

Kuina's eyes dimmed immediately, but then her father said, "However, I'm about to take back what I said."

"Father!"