"What? Kuina actually lost to an outsider?"
"You're joking, right? That can't be true. Kuina's really strong! I remember she's beaten every challenger who's come knocking in the past few years. How could she possibly lose?"
"Well, I guess it's not that strange. She's only eleven, after all. There are plenty of adults stronger than her."
"Yeah, that's true. Losing once isn't the end of the world. She's still a kid. Whoever beat her must've been a pretty impressive adult."
Though the villagers were shocked to hear that the undefeated Kuina had lost, the moment they remembered how young she still was, their surprise gave way to understanding.
But the one delivering the news shook his finger and head with a serious expression.
"No, no. The one who beat her wasn't an adult. It was some kid with a wooden sword. Word is, he's even younger than Kuina."
The moment those words left his mouth, the lively tavern fell into dead silence.
A few seconds passed. Then came the collective outcry.
"What? A kid younger than Kuina beat her? Are you serious?"
"That's impossible! There's no way Kuina could lose to some random brat. That little punk must've cheated!"
"Hey now, we're not that gullible. If you're spreading fake news, we'll make you pay for it!"
Seeing that no one believed him, the messenger sighed in frustration.
"I'm telling the truth. Kuina really lost to that kid. She even gave him her cherished sword."
"Liar! Kuina treasures that sword like her life. There's no way she'd hand it over to some outsider!"
"Exactly! There must be some mistake. You think we'll fall for a story like that?"
As the tavern crowd erupted in heated debate, a boy jumped down from his stool and calmly walked toward the exit, a wine gourd hanging at his waist.
Just as he stepped outside and pushed open the tavern doors, someone shouted
"Look at the sword on that kid's hip!"
Every pair of eyes snapped to the boy at the door.
There, clearly visible at his waist, hung both a wooden sword and a real one. And the real sword was unmistakably familiar to the villagers.
One by one, their eyes widened, and their faces twisted in stunned disbelief.
"Huh? Isn't that Kuina's sword?"
"No way... She really did lose to a kid younger than her?"
"Who is that guy? How could he defeat Kuina the girl who's never lost a single match?"
"Oh man... I was just laughing at him a minute ago. He's not going to hold a grudge, is he?"
Ignoring the shocked whispers behind him, Lin Mo walked away from the tavern without looking back.
And within just a few hours, the news had spread like wildfire across Shimotsuki Village: the pride of Isshin Dojo, Kuina, had been defeated by a mysterious young outsider.
Lin Mo had originally intended to complete his sign-in task quietly and leave without attracting attention.
Now? He had become the center of the village's attention overnight.
To avoid any further trouble, he decided it was best to lay low for a while.
He returned directly to Isshin Dojo.
As soon as he stepped into the back courtyard, a boy came sprinting toward him, eyes shining with excitement.
"Lin Mo!" Zoro called out. "I heard you went hunting in the mountains this morning. Was that part of your training? Next time, take me with you!"
Lin Mo didn't reply.
Here we go again.
This annoying brat...
He walked past Zoro without a word.
But Zoro wasn't the least bit discouraged. Like a piece of stubborn gum, he kept sticking to Lin Mo, pestering him eagerly.
"I already finished all my basic training for today. Why don't we go to the mountains and train together now?"
Lin Mo's only response to Zoro's "enthusiasm" was complete silence.
Still undeterred, Zoro kept trailing him.
"Didn't you say real swordsmanship comes from countering techniques as they come? Just thinking about it won't help. You've got to fight stronger opponents to improve, right? So I've decided! From now on, I'll challenge Kuina and you every single day!"
Lin Mo suddenly stopped walking.
His entire being bristled with rejection.
"Don't bother me."
Zoro blinked. "Why not?"
"I don't have time," Lin Mo said bluntly.
"Huh?" Zoro blinked again, confused. "So... is it because I'm too weak, and you don't want to fight me?"
"Exactly."
Without waiting for a response, Lin Mo continued walking.
Zoro stared at his back for a moment, then gripped his bamboo sword tightly.
After a short pause, he suddenly shouted and charged after Lin Mo.
"If you won't fight me, I'll just keep attacking you until you draw your sword! Ha-take this!"
Sensing the fast-approaching intent behind him, Lin Mo didn't even bother to turn around. He shifted left, then right, effortlessly dodging every strike.
Then, just as Zoro lunged at him from the front, Lin Mo raised a fist and punched him squarely, sending him flying across the yard.
He watched as the boy crashed into the dirt a dozen meters away, struggling to get up but utterly failing.
Let's see you follow me now.
Lin Mo let out a quiet chuckle and walked on.
As he passed the tearoom, Koshiro's voice called out from within.
"Lin Mo, come in and have a drink. There's someone I'd like you to meet."
Lin Mo paused and turned his head.
Sitting across from Koshiro was none other than the guest from the night before Dragon.
Given his identity, Dragon's sudden appearance in Shimotsuki Village wasn't likely a coincidence. There might even be a task tied to this encounter.
After a moment's thought, Lin Mo stepped into the room and sat beside Koshiro.
Koshiro smiled. "Would you like some tea?"
"No need. I've got wine," Lin Mo replied, raising his gourd and taking a sip.
Koshiro chuckled and gestured toward the man beside him.
"Lin Mo, this is my friend, Dragon."
Lin Mo nodded politely. "Nice to meet you."
Dragon studied him with interest. "How old are you?"
"Ten," Lin Mo answered casually.
"Pretty impressive drinker," Dragon said with a faint smile. "Koshiro tells me your swordsmanship is exceptional."
"It's alright," Lin Mo replied.
"How modest." Dragon continued to observe him intently. "Just now, you revealed a glimpse of it you used Observation Haki to dodge that boy's attacks, didn't you?"
Lin Mo looked up and answered plainly, "That's right."
It wasn't a secret worth hiding anyway.
"As I thought," Dragon said, lips curling into a smirk. "You're more interesting than I expected. But something's still missing."
His expression shifted, and suddenly, his gaze flared with a flash of golden light.
An overwhelming pressure radiated outward from him, quickly filling the small tearoom like a crashing wave.