Inside Isshin Dojo
The onlooking villagers had left the dojo. Kuina, having understood the situation, offered a solemn thank you to Aqua, her savior.
Realizing she had almost lost her life to a simple flight of stairs, Kuina, usually so strong, blushed in embarrassment. Dying in such a humiliating way was utterly unacceptable compared to falling in a duel against another swordsman.
“Honored guests from afar, if I’m not mistaken, you must be the East Blue heroes who defeated two notorious pirates—Mr. Icey, Ms. Aqua, and Mr. King, correct?”
Shimotsuki Koshiro, eyes reddened behind his round glasses, bowed deeply to the trio, expressing his highest respect.
“Thank you so much for saving Kuina!”
Despite not showing the same intense grief as Zoro, Koshiro’s internal pain and sorrow were no less profound.
Several days had passed since the news of the sea restaurant broke, so even though Shimotsuki Village was remote, Koshiro, who frequently read the East Blue newspapers, easily recognized their identities.
Putting aside Icey and Aqua, King’s imposing face alone was unmistakable.
“Heroes of the East Blue who defeated great pirates?”
This impressive title astonished Kuina and Zoro, who rarely followed the news.
Other than their master, Koshiro, there was no one in the dojo or the entire village who could be a proper match for them. The villagers of Shimotsuki were even less of a challenge.
Faced with these powerful outsiders, Kuina and Zoro gripped their wooden swords tightly, eager to test themselves against these formidable foes.
“You guys must be really strong then!”
The straightforward Zoro couldn’t hold back any longer, his eyes fixated on Icey.
He believed the man sitting in the center must be the strongest.
Just as he was about to issue a challenge, Kuina beat him to it.
“Excuse me if this sounds rude, but Mr. Icey, could you spar with me?”
Kuina’s eyes shone with determination as she stepped forward, pushing Zoro aside.
That foolish woman who almost fell to her death!
Little Zoro’s eyes widened in anger, and though still grieving, he refrained from shouting at her.
“Kuina!”
Koshiro gently scolded her and then apologized to Icey. “Please forgive her, Mr. Icey. My daughter has always been like this. I hope you don’t mind.”
In a good mood, Icey waved it off with a smile. “It’s fine. A love for battle is a necessary trait for a strong swordsman.”
He stood up slowly, looking at the serious Kuina.
Suddenly interested, he wanted to test this stubborn girl who had never lost in over two thousand matches against Zoro.
“Though I know a bit of swordsmanship, it’s not my forte,” Icey admitted.
“But if you’re eager to fight, Kuina, we can spar.”
This was the truth. Strictly speaking, his only real sword fight was against Kuro, where his physical strength, speed, and Haki played crucial roles.
“Thank you very much!”
A bright smile appeared on Kuina’s face but was quickly replaced by intense focus and determination.
Holding her wooden sword, she exuded an aura of a true swordsman, despite being a young girl.
Seeing this, Icey put away his smile.
He would take this seriously out of respect for her as a swordsman and not just a child.
Taking a wooden sword tossed by a dojo student, Icey held it horizontally, assuming a combat stance.
Seeing this, the eager Kuina shouted softly, rushing forward with her sword raised.
She moved swiftly, her footsteps echoing on the wooden floor as she closed the distance in a blink.
Her sword cut through the air, aimed directly at Icey, her movements clean and precise.
Icey stepped forward, swinging his sword at an opposite angle.
Clash!
The wooden swords collided with a heavy thud.
‘She’s strong…’
Icey felt the power through the handle.
In contrast, the experienced Kuina was purely focused. She twisted her grip, redirecting her sword for another attack.
Even without using Observation Haki, Icey’s natural reflexes were sharp, instantly blocking her sword again.
Kuina, expecting this, launched a rapid flurry of strikes with both hands.
“She’s suppressing him! Well done, Kuina!”
“Push him into a corner and finish him off!”
The dojo students cheered. Though often beaten by Kuina, they felt immense pride seeing her dominate an outsider.
After all, Kuina was their dojo’s pride.
From his seat, Koshiro, glasses reflecting the light, watched the fight.
Seeing the nuances, he sighed silently.
The young man wasn’t lying—he wasn’t skilled in swordsmanship. Yet, he effortlessly deflected Kuina’s attacks, revealing a lot.
‘His continuous, smooth strikes and precise control of strength are remarkable.’
Using his superior physique, Icey defended against Kuina’s assault while analyzing her technique.
Indeed, she was the strongest disciple of Isshin Dojo, her swordsmanship far more refined than his own amateur level.
However…
In other aspects, she had a long way to go!
Swish!
Just as Kuina cornered him, ready for a decisive strike, her movement halted.
Following her incredulous gaze, she saw the empty space where Icey had been.
“This should settle it, right?”
Icey’s calm voice came from behind, and Kuina felt a chill on her neck—a wooden sword rested on her head.
“How is this possible?!”
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