The Grand Battle; Defending the Country of Harmony!

Swords clashed. Sparks illuminating the darkness that obscured a mountaintop covered in the snow of Wano Country. A pure porcelain rain which blanketed the country fell gracefully. But each drop sizzled against his darkened flesh. Howling wind obscured their roars and grunts, surrounding them in an invisible boundary-creating a different world meant only for hearts dedicated to the sword. Above the two swordsman, master and student, an abysmal darkness which grew as the hours passed.

"Are you not trying to hit me, Salazar?" Masamune teased. Salazar, wearing nothing but his leggings, went after his teacher aggressively.

But to no avail; for Masamune stepped into his student's flank and answered with his own weapon against Salazar. Who could only intercept the approaching foible with Colada's forte.

"Parry Neuvieme?" Masamune teased. "Didn't think you could integrate saber defense into rapier swordplay."

Salazar withdrew his arm, jumped into measure and extended her tip reactively. He saw walls of snow blast forward from behind Masamune, covering the entrance to the door entirely.

"You're going to clean that." Masamune joked from beneath Colada's pathway. The old man launched himself up, grabbing onto the darkened hand of Salazar-. "Maybe I can understand why a 16 year old got you so riled up. Can't hit an old man, can't hit a little girl-" He looked to Colada. "She's probably ashamed."

"Damn you-" Salazar growled. He felt his muscles growing and the burning sensation which spreads during battle.

"Oh?"

Salazar sighed, calming the riling sun seconds from explosion. His eyes became their normal shade of brown. He repelled Masamune and leapt back. He advanced once more, his arm working meticulously in search of an opening. Over and over. Extending and withdrawing. He prodded his teacher. Disengaging the blade. Switching lines as her tip approached warm flesh, only to pierce empty air.

Masamune shifted his weight. It seemed like every step was a second faster than his arm. Salazar fought the growl rumbling in his throat. But it grew with every miss. Soon becoming a series of ferocious grunts. His eyes sharpened, jaw sore from clenching it.

The old man grabbed Salazar's hand, their eyes meeting for the first time during their intense bout. It was them that the young swordsman remembered. Salazar stood there, gasping for air almost as if he had been drowned.

"You forgot to breath." Masamune's words knocked Salazar to his butt. "You were so focused on controlling your emotions, you forgot to control your breathing." The old man continued.

"You have to suppress your emotions," Salazar spoke. His words were accompanied by puffs of white smoke "or risk being read like a book."

"Control or suppress?" The old man, wearing nothing but a kimono, asked. His silver sword, nameless, exhibited the quality of a beautifully crafted blade. "Remember, I knew Vega when he was a nameless sword for hire. So believe me when I say that it looks like you have small inconvenience when compared to his anger." Masamune chuckled. "But the difference is, Inigo learned to control it and use it to increase his own power as opposed to his enemy's advantage." The old man inhaled his crop and exhaled a clean wisp of smoke. "There's a difference between controlling your emotions and suppressing them. To suppress is to deny. to possess them without acknowledgement. Now, don't get me wrong, there exist those who can eliminate their humanity and become emotionless killing machines. It takes a specially gifted individual to endure such a path."

Salazar's eyes wandered off slightly. Remembering the four eyed-

-"Luckily you're not one of them, Salazar." Masamune laughed. "You possess a different gift, a heart capable of forging friendships with everyone you encounter. One sensitive to the pain of others and surrounded by childlike naivety and innocence. But I wonder why're your swords so empty with such powerful emotions." Salazar's teacher rubbed his frizzy chin.

"My swords ain't empty dammit!"

"Do you know why I chose this sword against you?" Masamune held up his nameless piece. "I made this piece this morning from old materials-and yet you've failed to chip it even with such intricate pieces."

Salazar loosened his grip around Colada. His eyes lowered as he looked away. "I don't get it." He grumbled. "No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't cut through your defense."

"Of course not. My heart and memories are placed into every sword I wield." Masamune held up his weapon. "Which is why you couldn't cut through this nameless weapon with your own legendary blades."

Salazar growled.

"Only when you learn to imbue your heart into your weapons will you understand the importance of reason and purpose; beyond stabbing at someone's wrist." The old man inhaled smoke. "And only then will they become heavy enough to cut anything." He exhaled and smiled. "Who do you think taught Inigo that?"

Salazar watched wide eyed, as Masamune cut a snowy path with a gentle swing. He commanded the wind, forcing a pathway and revealing a clear garden of Cyclamen. Masamune picked one and smelled the white petals. "Tell me Salazar. Why do your hands shake?"

"Masamune-sama-" Salazar halted. He was utterly embarrassed by the lack of control over his emotions-especially considering it only took a 16 year old broad to get under his skin. To break the wall which suppressed his inner self, undoing the progress of a decade of training. The memories of his pathetic behavior shook him with anger. "I'm cold..."

The old master's brow raised.

"Can I please put my shirt and cloak back on?" Salazar asked grudgingly.

"Your words are empty." It happened in a flash. Faster than Salazar could comprehend. One minute he sat in the snow, the next his back was pressed against the snowy porch. "Speak with your heart and announce who you are!" Masamune's foot was pressed against Salazar's bare chest. "Be true to yourself!" The old master roared. "Stop hiding your heart behind these walls. False names and titles mean nothing to those who dedicate themselves to the sword." His voice boomed. Suddenly the mountain rumbled. Salazar, who had flew a few feet back, jumped to his feet.

"Would you stop yelling, ya geezer!" Salazar barked. He coughed, with the master's sandals pressed hard against him.

"Get it off your chest child!"

"I"m freaking freezing dammit." Salazar looked away. Foolish. For Masamune sent him flying further into the side of his house with a fearsome kick.

"You weren't cold the last few weeks of training child. Why now? Stop hiding behind false persona's and intangible faces! Bring life to your eyes and light the fire of your spirit."

"Dammit old man, stop trying to analyze me. I'm not some deep person." Salazar growled. "I'm a simple swordsman who wants to climb the highest mountain."

"Well simpleton, run down to the village and get us some dinner." Masamune sheathed his sword and walked into his house. Leaving only his words in the air. "I'll have tea ready for your return."

"What do you mean?" An elder, clothed in the fabric of the wealthy, asked his younger companion. "That's impossible. The key to the poneglyphs were hidden behind hundreds of countermeasures. We'd receive an early warning even if one was triggered, Daisuke."

"I know, my lord." His voice wavered. "I suspect treason among the Daimyou ranks. After all, the World Government has pursued Wano Country for centuries. Now they have a reason to mobilize and launch a full scale invasion publicly. And I'm willing to bet whoever was the mole will receive a generous reward."

"That idiot." The elder sipped his tea. "As if they'd simply stop at an invasion. Those barbarians will destroy this country, especially considering how intricately connected we are to the void century. Something as big as that being released will only pose a threat to the power held by the World Government."

"Impossible!"

"Afraid not. Considering what happened to an island of readers, I can only imagine what they'd do to the source of the ancient tongue." He sighed.

"You're not saying-"

"We have to send word to Kozuki Masamune."

"Hey Daniyal!"

Daniyal turned. A young village boy was waving admiringly at the swordsman, who nodded with a cheerful smile.

"Come on Ichiro," A woman appeared suddenly, rushing her child into the house. "Stay inside or you'll get sick. And I don't want to have to tell you to stay away from the foreigners again, okay?"

''You're unknown here. The people of this country are kept in the dark regarding the outside world by the government of this country. But that doesn't mean you can introduce yourself freely. There have been rumors of moles and foreigners sneaking in. So use a name no one outside can connect to you.''

Daniyal wrapped his body in the white kimono given to him by the Old Man. He shuffled with it, searching for a comfortable position for Colada and Tizona beneath it. The ebony man stuck out against the white background of the snowy Country of Harmony. He felt their eyes follow him. Even the whispers managed to reach the swordsman.

"Who's that?"

"He's the old man in the mountain's guest. A foreigner!"

"What?! They allowed a foreigner this far into the country?"

"Masamune, that crazy old bag needs to stop playing with swords and help us with crops."

"Oh, Daniyal, you're early today." An older woman appeared from behind the shop. She held a large basket filled with ingredients. "Please, give Masamune-san my kindest regards. I also gave you a few extra rabbits, I know they're your favorite."

"Thank you, Elder." Daniyal bowed. He took the basket and headed back up the path he walked.

"Hey weirdo, get the hell out of this country!" A man boomed. Before Daniyal could fully react, he felt a rock smash against his shaven head. He glared at the belligerent drunk. "I...I recognize you!" He stuttered. "When I go...when I go out...fishing..I encountered pirates. And one had a picture of you! Shiiiiichiiiiibu....Shiichi....Dog!" The drunk fell over, succumbing to the allure of a drink too many.

"And under no circumstances are you to cause any trouble in the village."

Daniyal unclenched his jaw and headed off. "Salazar, what do you think reason means in swordplay?" Masamune asked, stirring his massive pot. The aroma of vegetables mingled with the tingling scent of fruit. A masterful combination only found by those who understood the importance of balance.

"Purpose." Salazar laid back. HIs neck pressed against the warm wooden floors of his teacher's house. "It's an attack in the fourth to cut their wrist. A strike in the sixth to sever their tendon. Every move has a reason to either disarm and defeat their opponent."

"But why do you wield your sword?" Masamune tasted the broth. "Anyone can understand the concept of breaking the foundation. However, I'm asking the reason behind your attacks. None of your attacks are lethal so why do you embrace in battle"

"For myself." Salazar answered without hesitation. "Battle is the only time I feel alive. The joy of a successful parry or the elaborate plot coming to fruition. Deducing your opponent's weakness and strengths-It's impossible to describe."

"Beautifully said." Masamune chuckled.

"And for the spirit of benevolence which is within us all." Salazar interrupted. "If there's a chance to save those who cannot protect themselves...To support the hopeless. My sword, she will see the light of day."

"So why do you serve them, when they take away your reason."

Salazar sighed. His lips twitched before he shot up and indulged in the plates laid out before him. The food was delicious and practice drained him of his reserves. The howling wind against the building walls was overwhelmed by Salazar's loud munching.

"Eat up. Tomorrow we'll continue practice."

Two blobs of light danced around one another, growing and shrinking rapidly, changing from different hues of bright. He knew one rather personally. The realm of darkness was thick but the swordsman saw everything, even the small animals scurrying across the mountain top. Birds which soared through the quieted storm. The night was peaceful. Each light danced around one another, interacting with one another as they should.

The first light switched from light blue to an angered red. Salazar shot up, his eyes lowered tiredly. "Somethings wrong." He grabbed Tizona and snuck outside his room. He moved through the hall, avoiding areas of dim light from scattered candles; sticking to the darkness of the realm. He pressed the steps gently, descending into the kitchen where he heard a couple voices. He recognized one as the Old Man's but wasn't familiar with the second.

"Impossible Daisuke."

"There's a mole within the Kozuki family. Someone has alerted the World Government of the scroll. The others have began activating their contingency plans, even going as far as mobilizing their defense squadrons." Daisuke answered.

"Shit. How long do we have until the World Government arrives?"

"Two weeks."

"This town is on the edge of the island. We'll probably make contact with Marines before anywhere else, depending on how they decide to approach the situation. But the villagers aren't accustomed to battle, they're nothing more than fisherman and silk traders. Send word to..." Salazar leaned forward.

Masamune halted.

"Kozuki-sama?" Daisuke continued.

"Nothing. Tell the nearby regions to prepare for battle as quickly as possible. This will be the first war of Wano Country in centuries."

Daisuke nodded. He vanished into the darkness shortly after bowing.

"I should've known better to try and sneak around you. Just like Vega, your third eye can be quite annoying." Masamune laughed.

"The World Government is coming?" Salazar asked worriedly

"It has nothing to do with you." He sipped his tea and looked to his student, who revealed himself in the candle's shine. "We...have a long history with this world. Our policy of isolation has allowed us to avoid the shifting tides. But even the sturdiest boats are bound to follow the waves. The only question is, will we seize control or succumb to a tsunami?" "I'll protect this town." Salazar offered. "I doubt they'll send a heavy force to deal with this. Marines are extremely arrogant in their powers." He turned away offering one final thought before heading back to bed. "Not a single drop of innocent blood will fall."

Masamune exploded at Salazar, his arms moving viciously and with mountainous anger. He swung the steel blade with the ferociousness of an angered dragon. Salazar was under pressure, his steps were seconds late.

"This is impossible." Salazar thought "I"m faster than this, why am I...why am I." He struggled with his thought. His chest burned. He held back the growling roar boiling in his stomach and kept both eyes focused on the silver blade. Every broke from the master's intense strikes. Salazar ordered. His words were ignored by the maddened sword master....

"You forgot to breath again, fool!" Masamune roared. Pain erupted from Salazar's chest, traversing his upper body. He felt the warm river of blood fall down his chest and drip from his stomach. The world darkened, it became harder to breath. His heart slowed, thickening from the wound. Salazar's hands rubbed the closed wound...nothing was there.

"What...the hell-" Salazar panted. He fell to the snow covered ground drenched in sweat. He realized Masamune hadn't moved a single step this entire time.-"did I see...."

"Did you honestly think you were the only person who could use killing intent?" Masamune chuckled. "Although, I'll admit that yours is probably the most potent I've seen in decades. Hence why it takes all of your concentration to suppress your emotions. But no more. Today's exercise is combat without crossing blades. Every time I kill you, is a day of cleaning you owe me." Masamune joked. "This is crucial, I want you to focus on both your breathing and emotions. Feel the raw power of your spirit coursing through you, and stop holding back

"Feel the raw power of my spirit." Salazar took a couple paces back and composed himself. He breathed deeply. "Allow it to course through my body and materialize in the real word." It felt like fire coursed through his veins. A feeling he hadn't felt in years.

Salazar jumped at Masamune, Tizona's ebony blade shining brilliantly yet contrasting their white surroundings. His attacks were lively, bestial roars accompanied the aggressive snaps of his arm. Each strike sent waves of snow soaring from across the mountain, commanding the very storm which had formed above him.

"What's the matter, Salazar?" Masamune asked. The old master moved gracefully, leaping from foot to foot and deflecting Tizona with gentle brushes. "You can't hit me?"

"I'll kill you!" Salazar's arm moved wildly, covering more space. But he failed to actually push Masamune, who hadn't lost his advantage over the ebony swordsman.

Salazar lunged. Masamune ducked. He tripped. His head fell to the snowy earth. Salazar watched his headless body hit the snow.

"You left yourself open, and worst, allowed your killing intent to become your actual intent. Separate your emotions from your mind. Set your heart on fire but keep your head cool."

Salazar flew at Masamune. Their swords clashed, forte to forte, circling around one another. He had the advantage. The old man took small steps back. He jumped into Salazar's flank. His arm fell, blood splurging from the open wound.

Salazar growled. "Keep my emotions separated." He repeated. His heart burned intensively but he kept his mind calmed. Their hearts crossed yet mind matched the quiet storm that surrounded them. Salazar attacked ferociously, falling after numerous strikes. But he engaged his master seconds after.

"Now strike me, Salazar!" Masamune yelled.

"Jingen Akukiryu!" Salazar roared. He leapt forward, drawing Tizona. In two tempo's, his extended into a deep lunge attempting to disembowel his master with a wide slash.

Masamune found himself unable to step back in time. Innards spilled onto the earth, drenching the snow in a darkened crimson.

He blinked.

Blood fell from a small cut on his shoulder, only centimeters deep. His stomach intact. "Excellent." Masamune smiled.