The new sword era

The salty air felt fresh as Kenshin D. Zuno stood on the deck of his small ship, staring out into the vast horizon. The water stretched endlessly, its surface sparkling in the golden light of the early morning sun. It was a new beginning, yet something inside Kenshin still felt like it wasn't enough. He was only 17 years old, but his dreams were as vast as the sea. Becoming the greatest swordsman was more than just a goal—it was his destiny.

The ship beneath his feet creaked as it bobbed on the waves. It wasn't a grand ship like the Going Merry or Thousand Sunny, nor was it built for long journeys, but it was enough for Kenshin to set sail. A small but reliable vessel, he'd called it. It was nothing special, but it was his first ship—one he'd paid for with money he'd earned from odd jobs in Foosha Village.

"Alright, let's see how well you sail," Kenshin muttered to himself, his three swords secured at his side, ready for whatever the sea would throw at him. He adjusted the sail and grabbed the rudder, steering the ship away from the shore. As he looked over his shoulder, the island slowly disappeared from view.

"Goodbye, Luffy... Goodbye, Garp." Kenshin whispered under his breath, the weight of leaving his family behind heavy on his heart.

---

Flashback: Garp's Words of Advice

Just before he left, Garp had pulled him aside, his gruff face stern but his eyes filled with pride.

"You're going out there alone, Kenshin. You have the strength to make it, but you'll have to face challenges no one can prepare you for. The world is dangerous. Pirates, Marines, bounty hunters... they'll all be after you." Garp's voice had softened. "But don't ever lose sight of who you are. You're part of this family, and nothing can change that."

"I won't forget, Garp," Kenshin had promised, his heart swelling with gratitude.

---

Present Day: A Pirate's First Battle

Kenshin's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a distant ship's horn. His eyes narrowed, and he reached for his swords, instinctively knowing that his first challenge would come sooner than expected. The ship was flying the Jolly Roger of a pirate crew—three skulls and crossbones, signifying a band of ruthless scoundrels.

"Guess I'm not alone out here," Kenshin muttered under his breath, preparing for what was to come.

The pirate ship drew closer, the creaking of their wooden planks echoing across the sea. A few rough-looking men stood on the deck, glaring at Kenshin with greedy eyes. Their leader—a bulky man with an eye patch and a scar running across his face—stepped forward, a sneer on his lips.

"A lone boy, huh? We're going to take that ship of yours, little fish. Hand it over and we'll spare your life!"

Kenshin's eyes narrowed. These pirates weren't strong, but they didn't have to be for him to get a taste of battle. He had been taught well—by Garp, by Shanks, and even by the very sea itself. His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword as he slowly unsheathed Seiryu, the sword Garp had given him.

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that." Kenshin's voice was calm, but there was a cold determination behind it. "I'm not going to let anyone take what's mine."

---

Battle: The Pirates vs. Kenshin

The pirates charged at him, drawn swords gleaming in the sun. Kenshin moved swiftly, his three swords dancing through the air in a perfect rhythm. Seiryu, Shinshin, and Ketsurin cut through the air with ease, their blades slicing through the pirate crew one by one.

The first pirate swung down at him from the right. Kenshin ducked and spun, bringing Seiryu up to block the strike. With a swift twist, he disarmed the pirate, sending his sword flying into the sea. Before the man could react, Shinshin flashed forward, cutting across his chest in a clean arc. The pirate crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain.

"Weak," Kenshin muttered, not even breaking a sweat. He had trained for years—this was just the beginning.

Another pirate lunged at him from the left. Kenshin anticipated the move, his body flowing like water as he sidestepped and slashed upward with Ketsurin. The pirate's legs gave way, and he fell backward, clutching his severed leg in agony.

"You've got no chance," Kenshin growled, his eyes narrowing in focus. He was fast, too fast for them to keep up.

The last pirate, the one with the eye patch, roared in fury. He drew a massive cutlass, clearly hoping to end the fight with one blow. He charged at Kenshin, but the young swordsman simply smirked.

"Is that the best you've got?"

Kenshin held all three of his swords, each ready for the perfect strike. He waited for the right moment—just as the pirate swung down with all his might, Kenshin stepped in close, his swords crossing in a fluid motion. With a quick, decisive flick of his wrist, he disarmed the pirate and left him standing there, swordless and trembling.

"You've lost," Kenshin said, his voice cold.

The pirate leader glared at him, realizing he had no hope. "Damn you!" he spat, retreating toward his ship. "This isn't over! We'll get you next time!"

Before the pirates could retreat fully, Kenshin made a decision. He quickly glanced over at the wrecked ship, spotting crates, barrels, and chests filled with valuables—the pirates had clearly been raiding other ships for months.

"You came at me for my ship. Now I'll take yours," Kenshin muttered, his eyes gleaming with a mix of annoyance and opportunity.

He leapt aboard the pirate ship with lightning speed, sending a few more weak pirates scrambling. His swords moved quickly, cutting through the ropes and shackles that held crates and chests. With a swift motion, he claimed the goods—the treasure chests, the supplies, and most importantly, a large crystal-encrusted sword hanging from the pirate captain's quarters.

The leader, in disbelief, could only watch helplessly as his hard-earned loot was seized by the very person he'd hoped to rob.

"I'll make sure to sell this. It's a good haul," Kenshin said with a smirk, holding up the sword before tossing it into his own ship's hold. He gave the pirates one last glance before turning and heading back to his ship, the stolen goods now his.

---

Later that Day: The First Taste of Freedom

As the sun began to set, the small pirate ship slowly drifted away, their Jolly Roger lowered in defeat. Kenshin stood alone on his ship, his mind racing. He had won, but he couldn't afford to be complacent. The real challenges lay ahead.

"I've got a long way to go," Kenshin said to no one in particular. "But this is just the beginning."

He turned back to the rudder, steering his ship into the unknown. The vast, open ocean stretched ahead of him, filled with adventures yet to be discovered, and dangers yet to be faced.

His swords gleamed in the fading light, and with each wave that rocked the ship, he felt the weight of his destiny settle upon him.

"I'll become the greatest swordsman. No one will stop me."

As the night fell, Kenshin D. Zuno sailed onward, ready for whatever awaited him in the unforgiving sea.