The moment Lin Mo saw Dragon and his group in town, he knew exactly who they were looking for Kōshirō.
Dragon was the leader of the Revolutionary Army.
The purpose of the Revolutionary Army was to overthrow the Celestial Dragons' tyrannical rule over the world government. In fact, they were considered the greatest threat to world stability by the very regime they opposed.
At this point in time, the Revolutionary Army was still in its preparatory phase. Their large-scale operations hadn't begun yet.
As for Dragon's reason for coming to Shimotsuki Village to find Kōshirō whatever it was, Lin Mo couldn't care less. It had nothing to do with him.
The only issue was that the guest room Kōshirō had prepared for him was beyond the teahouse, and he had to pass through it to get there.
Kōshirō was the first to greet him. "Lin Mo, went out for a walk?"
Lin Mo turned to glance at him, nodding calmly. "Yeah."
Dragon studied him with interest.
Ivankov, on the other hand, couldn't hold back. He burst out of the teahouse and practically plastered himself to Lin Mo's face, inspecting him from top to bottom.
"So you're the brat Dragon and Kōshirō were talking about? Doesn't look like much to me. Hey, hey, are you two sure you're not mistaken? You're telling me this little brat actually beat Kuina?"
Lin Mo shoved him aside with a look of distaste. "Back off."
"Huh?" Ivankov staggered back a few steps, clutching his chest dramatically, body trembling as he hunched over. "Ah! My heart... my heart... it's failing... I'm dying... I'm gonna die...!"
A few seconds later, he suddenly sprang back to life, hands raised, roaring with laughter. "Hee-haw! I'm not dead yet!"
Kōshirō added with a gentle smile, "Ivankov, Lin Mo's already gone."
"Huh?!" Ivankov froze and looked in the direction Lin Mo had walked off. Sure enough, the boy was already far away.
Struck as if by lightning, Ivankov slumped against the wall, hugging his knees. A dark shadow seemed to envelop him as he muttered dejectedly, "That damn brat... he really just left…"
"Heh." Kōshirō chuckled. "Ivankov is still the same full of energy."
Dragon set down his teacup and said thoughtfully, "That kid, Lin Mo... is he really just a child?"
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"His eyes and demeanor… He doesn't seem like someone his age. It's like he's experienced far more than a child should have."
"I sensed it too," Kōshirō replied with a slight smile. "But he is, without a doubt, still a child. A genius, with incredible talent."
His expression shifted slightly, eyes glinting. "Dragon, do you believe in miracles?"
Dragon hesitated. "Miracles? What kind of miracles?"
"If you'd arrived just a few hours earlier, you'd understand."
Kōshirō took another sip of tea, and the scene from earlier that day flashed through his mind Lin Mo's sudden surge of power had been so strong, it even made Kōshirō feel a hint of pressure.
The next morning.
The sky was just beginning to lighten.
Lin Mo rose early, stepping outside.
Almost immediately, a figure surged toward him, killing intent in every movement.
Unfazed, Lin Mo sidestepped the attack. He had already sensed the ambush waiting for him.
With a single chop of his hand, he floored the overconfident assailant.
"Ugh!" Zoro hit the ground face-first.
Lin Mo didn't even spare him a glance as he walked past.
Zoro quickly got up, clutching two bamboo swords as he followed behind. Rather than being frustrated at his defeat, he seemed more fired up.
"Lin Mo! I've remembered everything you told me yesterday! I spent all night thinking about it. I haven't figured it all out yet, but I'm not giving up! One day, I'll fully understand your words, surpass you, and defeat you!"
Lin Mo replied with a lazy, "Oh."
"I'm serious!" Zoro pressed on. "You might not see me as anything now, but that's fine. I'll show you. I'll prove myself through action, through hard work. I can do it!"
Lin Mo didn't respond.
So damn annoying...
He kept walking in silence.
As they passed the teahouse, Kōshirō's voice called out, "Zoro, it's time for morning practice."
Zoro halted instantly. He turned and bowed respectfully. "Yes, Sensei!"
Then, with renewed determination, he dashed off toward the dojo.
Lin Mo glanced at Kōshirō, who was seated inside sipping tea, and nodded. "Thanks."
Kōshirō smiled. "No problem. Heading out?"
"Yeah."
Without saying more, Lin Mo left Isshin Dōjō and headed into the hills surrounding Shimotsuki Village to begin his usual morning hunt.
It was a daily ritual fighting beasts in the wild. It honed his combat skills, built his strength, improved his Haki proficiency, and the game he brought back could be traded for Berries to buy food and sake.
Two hours later.
Lin Mo returned fully loaded with game.
As usual, he gave a portion of the meat to Isshin Dōjō.
Then, with practiced ease, he made his way to the village tavern.
It was much like the first time he had walked into Makino's tavern in Windmill Village.
The moment he stepped inside, the entire place burst into laughter.
"Did I see that right? A kid just walked into a tavern."
"Hey, brat, this is a bar. You want juice, go buy it somewhere else! Hahaha!"
"Look, he's even got two swords. Must be one of Isshin Dōjō's students. Skipping practice to perform sword tricks for us, huh? Ahahaha!"
"This isn't a place for little kids. Run along and go practice your slashes, hee-haw!"
Ignoring the jeers, Lin Mo walked calmly to the bar counter.
He hopped onto a tall stool with practiced ease.
Tossed a few Berries onto the counter.
"One glass of your best sake," he said casually.
"Coming right up." The tavern keeper was polishing a glass when he turned around and immediately recognized him. "Hey, it's the kid from last night! So you really did come. Your folks aren't with you?"
Lin Mo wasn't in the mood to chat.
He tapped the counter lightly.
The barkeep glanced down at the Berries and chuckled, scooping them up. "Already drinking at your age, huh? Pretty impressive."
He poured him a glass of the house's special kaoliang liquor.
Lin Mo took a sip.
A rich, fragrant burn spread through his mouth.
It wasn't quite as good as the sake Kōshirō had given him, but it was decent.
Satisfied, Lin Mo unhooked the wine gourd from his waist and placed it on the counter, along with more Berries.
"Fill it."
The barkeep nodded, took the gourd, and poured it full before handing it back.
In the short time it took, Lin Mo had already finished the glass of liquor.
The barkeep was surprised to see the kid's calm expression no flushed face, no short breath, not even a blink.
He couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up. "Didn't think you could hold your liquor that well at your age."
Just then, the tavern door burst open.
A man hurried in and dropped himself into the busiest table like he had breaking news.
"Did you guys hear?! That unbeatable Kuina from Isshin Dōjō lost to an outsider yesterday!"