One Piece: Infinite Treasure Chest System.

Pomux had always wielded a light fencing sword, focusing on speed and technique.

Now, holding Elucidator—a monstrous, heavy black blade—he struggled to adjust.

"This sword is called Elucidator," Ben said, watching Pomux with amusement. "I expect you to live up to its name. This is a weapon that has slain gods. It rivals even the Great Grade Blades."

"Captain… you just found this lying around?" Pomux asked suspiciously.

He had seen way too many bizarre items appear out of nowhere, always followed by Ben claiming, "Oh, I just picked it up."

"...Yeah," Ben said with a deeply sorrowful expression.

Pomux frowned. "Captain, what's wrong?"

"You wouldn't feel anything if you were giving away your own daughter? If you weren't my first crewmember, I'd never give you Elucidator!"

Of course, Ben wasn't actually upset about losing Elucidator.

After all, he already had Senbonzakura. Unlike Zoro, he had no intention of using a three-sword style, and to him, Elucidator was just a pile of exchange points.

Now that it was gone… he was genuinely feeling the loss.

Especially because he had spent the past three months resisting the urge to spend his points on random loot boxes.

His exchange points were so close to reaching 5,000.

The self-control it took to not recklessly open treasure chests had nearly driven him insane.

And now?

He had just given away a weapon that could have been turned into a huge pile of points.

Pomux, however, was deeply moved.

Seeing his captain so heartbroken over the sword made him all the more determined—

"I swear, Captain! I'll make sure the entire New World remembers the name Elucidator!"

He lifted the massive blade with great effort, his eyes burning with newfound resolve.

Ben blinked.

...Did this idiot just completely misunderstand my intentions?

Arriving at Shimotsuki Village

As Pomux continued to swear his eternal loyalty, the two ventured further into the island.

It wasn't long before Ben realized something.

Wait a minute… why does this place look so familiar?

After thinking for a moment, it clicked—

This was Shimotsuki Village.

Which meant—Zoro was here.

Which also meant—Koushirou was here.

Perfect.

Wherever a protagonist was, there would definitely be treasure chests.

And Koushirou, as a hidden character, definitely had some treasure lying around.

Ben quickly activated his treasure-sense and started heading toward the location with the highest concentration of loot.

According to his system, there were only a few scattered chests across the island.

But the only three Bronze Chests were all in one place.

That probably meant they were tied to three people—

ZoroKuina (Zoro's childhood rival)Koushirou

He decided to open those first before dealing with any of the Black Iron Chests scattered around.

Not that he had high hopes—his system loved giving him utterly useless items.

At Koushirou's Dojo

Ben and Pomux approached the dojo entrance.

"Excuse me, we'd like to meet Koushirou-sensei," Ben said politely to the guard at the gate.

"State your name. I will inform the master." The guard replied in a flat tone.

"Ben," he answered without hesitation.

There was no need to hide his identity.

Koushirou was far too respectable to sell him out.

"Wait here," the guard said before heading inside.

A few minutes later, he returned.

"You may enter."

Meeting Koushirou

Inside, they found a calm, bespectacled man sitting cross-legged in a traditional-style room.

"Koushirou-sensei, it's an honor. I'm Ben," he introduced himself, sitting across from him.

"I know who you are," Koushirou replied evenly. "But tell me—why has someone like you come to my humble dojo?"

As he spoke, his gaze flickered to the Elucidator in Pomux's hands, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Ben didn't miss that reaction.

"Actually, I came here for a specific reason," Ben said, speaking with genuine respect.

After all, Koushirou wasn't just a simple dojo master.

He was a former daimyo of Wano—a man who had chosen to live in exile to protect Kuina.

"Go on," Koushirou prompted.

"This is my first mate, Pomux. I was hoping you could help train his swordsmanship."

Koushirou's gaze shifted to Ben's waist, where Senbonzakura rested.

"I've never seen either of your swords before," he remarked. "But judging from their presence, they are unquestionably masterwork blades. Tell me…"

He adjusted his glasses.

"Are you here because you are dissatisfied with your own swordsmanship? Or…"

His voice dropped slightly.

"Are you challenging my dojo?"

The pressure in the room shifted.

Ben's senses sharpened as Koushirou released his aura.

For a brief moment—he didn't see a man sitting in front of him.

He saw a sheathed sword.

The kind of sword that, once drawn, would never allow its opponent to survive.

Ben didn't move.

"Please don't misunderstand," he said. "I've never had formal sword training. As for my first mate? He's… well, he knows how to swing a sword. That's about it."

To emphasize his sincerity, Ben reached into his pocket and pulled out a fat pouch of Berries.

"This is our tuition fee."

Koushirou studied him for a long moment.

"...Very well," he finally said. "You may stay."

Then his expression darkened slightly.

"However, there will be a one-month observation period. If I detect any ill intent from either of you…"

His aura surged again.

"...Then I won't be so forgiving."

The pressure vanished as quickly as it came.

Ben couldn't help but admire him.

This guy is ridiculously strong… and yet, he chooses to stay in a tiny village, running a dojo.

What a waste of talent.

Still, he wouldn't complain.

Training under Koushirou? That's basically a free power-up.

"Understood," Ben said with a smile.

And just like that, their training began.

If Ben could master this kind of sword intent and technique, his strength would skyrocket.

Of course, while thinking that, he casually stored away the Bronze Chest sitting next to Koushirou.

"Sensei Koushirou, do you mind if I observe your students' training?" Ben asked.

Sure, he knew exactly where Kuina and Zoro were, but just walking up to them would be way too weird.

Especially since Kuina's background was special.

If he approached her without reason, Koushirou would definitely kick him out.

After all, Koushirou's entire reason for being here was to protect Kuina.

Anyone who could be a potential threat to her safety? He wouldn't tolerate them.

"...Very well. This way."

The Training Grounds

The moment they stepped into the training area, Ben immediately spotted Zoro.

A green-haired brat who had been green since childhood.

Truly a seaweed head from birth.

"Koushirou-sensei, why is that student using two swords?" Ben asked, pointing at Zoro.

"His name is Zoro. He joined our dojo recently," Koushirou explained. "He has never once defeated Kuina in combat, so he believes that wielding two swords will help him close the gap."

"I see… sounds like this Kuina is incredibly strong. Can you point her out to me?" Ben finally got to the real reason he was here.

He had now seen Zoro.

Next was Kuina.

Once he got close to them, he could naturally insert himself into their world.

Otherwise, with Koushirou's ridiculously strong Observation Haki, if Ben tried anything sneaky, he'd definitely get caught.

And if that happened?

Best case scenario, he got kicked out.

Worst case scenario, he got cut down on the spot.

"...Kuina does not participate in group training," Koushirou replied flatly. "You won't be able to meet her right now."

A polite but firm denial.

"Damn."

Ben sighed dramatically. "That's a shame… Koushirou-sensei, may I call you teacher from now on?"

"Teacher?" Koushirou's eyes sharpened. "Titles do not concern me. However, do you understand what it means to call someone your teacher?"

"I do," Ben said without hesitation. "I want to improve my swordsmanship. And I also want to train my Observation Haki.

"So please, sensei, take me as your disciple."

He smoothly upgraded his wording.

"Very well. Follow me."

Koushirou turned and walked back toward the dojo.

The Trial Begins

"Train with the students," Ben said, looking at Pomux. "Practice your swings."

Pomux, who had now completely fallen into his role as Ben's first mate, simply nodded and joined the younger disciples.

Meanwhile, Ben followed Koushirou into his personal quarters.

Koushirou knelt before a small altar.

He lit three incense sticks and placed them into the burner.

"The 37th successor of Isshin-ryu, Koushirou, accepts a new disciple today," he declared.

"May the ancestors bear witness."

Ben's brain short-circuited.

"WHAT?!

How did I just become the next inheritor of Isshin-ryu?!

Wasn't this title supposed to go to Zoro or Kuina?!

Why was it being handed to him, a guy who had only been here for an hour?!

"Come forward. Pay respects to your predecessors."

Still confused as hell, Ben obediently picked up three incense sticks and bowed sincerely toward the altar before placing them inside the burner.

Koushirou nodded in approval.

"It is done," he said.

Then he sat down.

"Now, let me tell you about our style."

Isshin-ryu. "One-Heart Style."

"As the name implies, our style is about the heart. In other words, it is directly tied to what you call Observation Haki."

"The first step of your training is simple."

Koushirou pulled out a wooden training sword that matched the length of Senbonzakura.

"You will set aside your current sword and practice only with this wooden blade."

He extended the training sword to Ben.

"When you can cut stone with it, we will move forward."

Ben accepted the sword with both hands.

"Thank you, sensei. Then, I—"

"You may train at your own pace," Koushirou interrupted. "Or do as you please.

"However, you have one week to accomplish this task."

Ben understood immediately.

Koushirou wouldn't teach him anything else until he reached this milestone.

The conversation was over.

Trial By Stone

Ben walked into the dojo's courtyard, gripping his wooden sword.

Alright. First step.

"HYAAH!"

He swung.

CRACK!

The stone split in half.

Turning around, he saw Koushirou standing behind him.

Smirking, Ben rubbed his nose smugly.

Koushirou stared at him.

Then—

"No Haki. Do it again."

Koushirou turned and walked away.

Ben stood there, frozen.

Oh, crap.

He noticed.

Koushirou already knew.

Ben's Observation Haki made him perfectly suited for Isshin-ryu.

He had no bloodlust in his attacks.

He had the right temperament.

But if he wanted to truly inherit the style, he had to master it the proper way.

And that meant—

NO HAKI.

This is gonna suck.

Three Days Later

Ben's hands were covered in blisters.

Without Haki to reinforce his strikes, every impact against the stone sent vibrations through his entire body.

But for the first time in a while, he felt fulfilled.

Physically exhausted.

Mentally sharpened.

He collapsed onto the ground, panting.

That's when—

"You're strong?"

A young, slightly annoyed voice spoke.

Ben opened one eye.

Standing next to him— A tiny, serious-looking Zoro.

"Oh? Zoro, what brings you here?" Ben asked, propping himself up on one elbow.

"I wanna fight you," Zoro declared.