The Devil Fruits, also known as the Sea's Secret Treasures, are said to be incarnations of the ocean's demons. They taste indescribably awful, yet grant those who consume them powerful abilities. The price, however, is a curse from the sea itself: the inability to swim.
As such, seawater and seastone, a solidified form of ocean essence can restrain or capture Devil Fruit users.
But beyond their innate powers, Devil Fruits harbor a more profound state of potential: a force known as "Awakening."
This Awakening is not something that can be reached by simply training one's abilities over time. It requires a fortuitous moment a trigger born of chance or fate.
Very few ever reach that stage.
For Shanks, it was already astonishing that Lin Mo, a boy so young, had mastered all three types of Haki. But now, the kid seemed to possess a Devil Fruit ability too an elemental Logia no less, and an exceptionally potent one at that.
Not only did he wield it with ease, but with remarkable strength as well.
What a treasure.
If only he were willing to join the crew.
Shanks turned away with a flourish of his coat and called out, "Alright, lads! Let's get back to drinking!"
By the time the stunned villagers gathered their senses, the little boat carrying Lin Mo was already drifting away from the docks.
"W-what just happened? That kid… did he actually defeat the Lord of the Coast?"
"Oh my god, did I see that right? That boy's what, seven? Eight?"
"One blow! He took it down in a single blow! That's insane! Who is this kid? Anyone know?"
"No clue. He only arrived a few days ago. I thought he was just some ordinary kid. Guess he was hiding something incredible."
"Wait! I remember now! I saw him at the tavern! I even laughed at him for pretending to drink like an adult… Hope he didn't take that to heart."
Meanwhile, aboard the small boat.
Lin Mo sat quietly.
For an entry-level spell, the Flame Dragon Art had delivered results he found satisfactory.
As for the villagers' chatter echoing from the shore even several hundred meters away, he could still hear them clearly. But he paid no mind.
He opened the navigation feature embedded in his system.
His next destination: Shimotsuki Village.
As dusk approached, the island housing the village finally came into view.
He docked his boat along the shoreline.
The moment his feet touched land, a familiar chime rang out in his mind.
Ding! Congratulations, host, on arriving at a sign-in location: Shimotsuki Village. Sign-in progress +10%. Current total: 10%. Reward: Cursed Blade "Hoshikiri" unlocked. Skill unlocked: Swordsmanship Lv1.
Hoshikiri?
Now that was an interesting name.
Lin Mo had some knowledge of famous swords, but this one? He had never heard of it.
No matter. First, let's see what it can do.
With a single thought
A wooden sword materialized in his hand.
That's right. Wood.
He stared at the characters etched into the hilt: "Lake Toya."
Lin Mo fell silent.
He may not have known "Hoshikiri," but "Lake Toya"? That he recognized instantly. Wasn't that the wooden sword carried by Gintoki Sakata in Gintama?
Ding! System prompt: Cursed Blade "Hoshikiri," also known as "Lake Toya," is crafted from an ancient Diamondwood tree over ten thousand years old. It can cleave through rock, meteorites, even bullets, and possesses destructive power capable of splitting stars, severing moons, and shattering all things.
Split stars? Shatter moons?
…That sounded promising.
Lin Mo gave the sword a few experimental swings. Surprisingly well-balanced in the hand.
He secured it at his waist.
Then began walking toward the village.
When one thinks of Shimotsuki Village, the first names that come to mind are Zoro and the Isshin Dōjō.
Given Zoro's age at this point in the timeline, he would have already begun training under the dojo master, Koushirou.
And considering the rewards unlocked at this checkpoint swordsmanship and Lake Toya it was clear this visit had everything to do with the way of the sword.
In that case, the dojo would be a good place to start.
Guided by the friendly villagers, Lin Mo soon arrived outside the dojo gates.
Though the sky had dimmed, the dojo glowed warmly with light. The sound of children practicing sword strikes echoed from within.
Ding! Sign-in location: Isshin Dōjō reached. Sign-in progress +10%. Current total: 20%. Swordsmanship skill increased to Lv2.
A rush of warmth surged through Lin Mo's body. His meridians seemed to hum. Instinctively, he understood everything a Lv2 swordsman should.
Unlike the minor changes of Lv1, the boost from Lv2 was clear. He was stronger. Noticeably so.
A faint smile played at the corner of his lips.
Without hesitation, Lin Mo stepped inside.
At the center of the dojo, a blue-haired girl led a group of young children in training drills.
Lin Mo's gaze swept the room, immediately noticing two figures: a green-haired boy among the students, and a middle-aged man seated nearby, smiling behind round spectacles.
The green-haired boy, of course, was Zoro.
The man with the gentle expression was none other than Koushirou, the dojo's master and father of the blue-haired girl .
Koushirou was a true swordmaster. As far as Lin Mo knew, the man had never once revealed his full strength. Compared to him, Lin Mo's current Lv2 swordsmanship wasn't even close.
The subtle sound of footsteps drew Koushirou's attention. His gaze fell on the wooden sword at Lin Mo's hip.
His glasses gleamed.
That sword...
It gave off an unusual aura.
He stood up and approached.
The children had stopped their drills by now, all turning to see who had entered.
"You're not from around here, are you?" Koushirou asked gently. "Are you a swordsman as well?"
Lin Mo nodded lightly but didn't answer directly.
Truthfully, he had only come to exchange a few glances with Koushirou and Zoro. With that accomplished, it was time to leave.
Just as he turned to go
Koushirou frowned slightly, watching the boy's steady gait disappear into the distance.
There were things most people would miss, but not Koushirou. He had spent a lifetime reading people. From Lin Mo's composed steps and calm presence alone, he could tell: this child was far from ordinary.
And from the moment he laid eyes on him, Koushirou sensed something rare behind that tranquil gaze a spirit detached from worldly concerns.
Most who pursue the sword are impatient.
But those who can still the heart and quiet the soul, who remain unmoved by desire or emotion such people are few and far between.
Only with such calm can one truly comprehend the essence of the sword and become a master.
In Lin Mo, he saw a future.
"Wait," Koushirou called out.
Lin Mo paused, turning back with a neutral tone. "Yes?"
"What's your name?"
"Lin Mo."
"Do you enjoy tea?"
"…What?"
"If you're not in a rush, why not stay for a cup of tea? Maybe some snacks. We could have a chat."
"No, thank you," Lin Mo declined. "I prefer alcohol over tea."
Koushirou blinked. "Alcohol?"
"Mhm."
"Well then," he chuckled, "you're in luck. I've got a few bottles of aged brew that've been sitting for years. Would you like a taste?"
Aged brew?
Lin Mo was slightly intrigued.
"…Alright."
He had just uttered the word when
Kuina marched over with a scowl. "Father, what are you doing? He already said no. Why are you trying so hard to keep him?"
"You wouldn't understand, Kuina," Koushirou replied with a smile. "There's much you could learn from someone like Lin Mo."
"Learn from him? Are you kidding? He looks younger than me!"
"Age means nothing," Koushirou said softly. "His strength already far surpasses yours."
"What? Him?" Kuina pointed her bamboo sword at Lin Mo. "Then I challenge you to a duel!"