12 Chapter 10 - The Dojo

It didn't take long for Raiden to reach the dojo. There were a couple of guys, who looked like they were students at the dojo, standing at the gate and talking.

They noticed Raiden approaching. They were about greet him when they noticed a sack on his shoulder.

Alarm bells started ringing as they realised what that sack was.

"Hey, who are you!? What happened to Zoro!?"

Zoro was rather famous at the dojo. Every student respected the tenacity the 7 year old showed. Seeing him knocked out, both the disciples were concerned.

Raiden raised his hands up in surrender and handed Zoro to one of the disciples.

"Please calm down. I was looking for the dojo, and this idiot attacked me some reason...saying something about being the strongest swordsman. I just knocked him out. He's fine. Will probably wake up with a headache, but fine overall."

Raiden told them some truth, and fabricated some things. They didn't have to know exactly how things happened.

Both disciples looked at Raiden with some distrust, but believed him as his explanation went on.

"Yeah that's something he would do." They glanced at the sleeping Zoro with a amused smile.

One of them took Zoro inside the dojo.

"Anyway are you here to learn swordsmanship?"

"Yeah."

"Alright follow me, let's go greet master."

Raiden followed the boy, in what he assumed was a traditional Japanese home. There was a big training ground in the middle where a bunch of kids were swinging their swords.

Interestingly their age was really varied. He guessed the students here were separated based on thier proficiency level.

He was making mental notes of small things, so he didn't realise when they reached the intended place. His guide stopped, but Raiden kept on going and bumped into him.

The student glared at Raiden who had an apologetic face.

"Stop daydreaming. We're here."

He knocked on the door a couple of times.

"Come in."

A calm and collected voice came from the room.

Raiden entered the room after his guide. The student bowed and glared at Raiden, who bowed a second later. Unlike what people may think he didn't have his head stuck up his ass, neither did he have that big of an ego.

This man was going to be his master and was someone many times more skilled than Raiden himself was. He deserved respect.

The middle aged man gently smiled at Raiden's antics.

"Master, this guy here wants to learn swordsmanship."

"I guessed as much. So should go and train Yuta. And stop wasting time like you doing a moment ago or I'll double your training."

The now named Yuta paled. He hurriedly nodded his head ran away.

Raiden just stifled a chuckle. He shook his head, recovered his composure and introduced himself.

"I'm Silvers D Raiden master. I'd be greatful to have your guidance as I move on the path of swordsmanship."

Raiden bowed and gave the most formal speech he could come up with on fly.

"Haha. You don't have to be so formal boy. We don't do that here. I'm Shimotsuki Koushirou and I'd be more than happy to teach you the way of sword."

The man sure knew how to make people comfortable. He got up and told Raiden to follow him.

'A member of D clan huh? What unbelievable vitality. I can't believe it is that of a kid. And Silvers? Don't tell me he's related to that man.'

Koushirou could use observation haki. He picked up subtle details about Raiden.

They reached a training ground. There were quite a few students who were practicing, but stopped to look at Koushirou and the silver haired boy.

Koushirou pulled two wooden swords a handed one to Raiden. Raiden initially demanded two swords but was rejected.

Koushirou wanted to see the level at which he stood. Learning two swords style can only be started once you have proper understanding of a sword.

As the audience increased, Raiden felt nervousness for the first time since he came to this world. He still had some habits of his past life. That was one reason he trained in the secluded part of Black Rock village.

Raiden took a deep breath and focused on Koushirou who was standing there patiently.

Raiden's leg muscles tensed and a moment later...he shot forward at break neck speed.

Koushirou was taken aback for a second. He knew the boy was strong but could have never guessed he had this level of speed.

His observation haki prevented him from getting caught off guard.

Raiden brought his sword down with a powerful downward slash. It was the most basic sword attack.

"Good strength. Strong core. Very nice let's continue."

Raiden didn't speak. He crouched down and went for a stab which Koushirou easily deflected.

Realising frontal assault won't work, Raiden decided to try and attack from his blind spot.

He did a diagonal slash and used soru to move past Koushirou. Raiden immediately turned his body around and executed another diagonal slash.

His eyes widened in shock when Koushirou blocked his attack without even turning back.

"A wound on back is the greatest shame for a warrior. Keep that in mind." Koushirou told him the same words Zoro once said to Mihwak.

"Well done. You don't really have a proper form but most of your attack are incredibly well coordinated and decisive. It's good enough, a practical sword style is more useful for someone like you anyway. And I can see why you wanted to use two swords. It's perfect for your attack style that is aimed to kill."

"Although you do have some bad habits, it's nothing major. I'll beat them out of you in no time." Koushirou said all that with a smile, but for some reason, Raiden felt really unsafe and he was second guessing if coming here was a good idea.

"Now go bask in your glory." Koushirou pointed towards the crowd, he laughed and walked back to his study.

Raiden hated too much attention. He just couldn't help it.

"No way!! Albino fucker, you're that strong!?"

Well, chibi Zoro broke the ice, something Raiden appreciated, but the nickname he used pissed him off.

He vanished from spot and out of nowhere a punch landed on Zoro's head.

"Ahhh!! Why are you hitting me!?"

"You foul mouthed brat, you need some other kind of training!"

"Ahhh!! Leave me alone you Albino fu..!"

"SHUT UP!!"

Everyone in the crowd laughed at their antics.

Well not everyone.

"So this is how strong boys can be huh? How can even compete with that..."

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AN - I know I haven't explained the devil fruit and Raiden isn't using it right now either. I didn't want to clutter too much and I'll write all the devil fruit ability in a later chapter when Raiden properly starts using it. Keep in mind he's way to strong for East Blue so he doesn't need his fruit much right now.