Child? Deliberate?
Koshiro’s words enlightened the disciples.
So, the blond man had intentionally lost to Zoro to take care of him.
Damn it, we couldn’t see any sign of it!
In an instant, everyone looked at King with newfound respect.
“Faking it? Are you kidding me?! Are you mocking me?!”
Realizing the “truth,” Zoro shouted at King, who had calmly risen to his feet.
“Alright, Zoro. You’re overextending yourself against someone this strong,” Koshiro said, stopping Zoro.
King had already gone to such lengths; causing a scene now would be disrespectful as hosts.
Seeing Zoro still dissatisfied, Koshiro picked up a nearby newspaper and tossed it over.
“Take a look at this, Zoro. It’s an official Marine report. The man you challenged is a monster who can wipe out an entire beach with a single strike.”
“One strike… wiped out a beach…”
Looking at the shocking illustration in the newspaper, little Zoro mumbled, feeling his world collapsing.
To him, the definition of a strong person was someone who could cut through hard rocks. Someone who could erase an entire beach with one blow was beyond his comprehension.
Could this man drown the entire Shimotsuki Village with just one strike?
Faced with this reality, Zoro could only grit his teeth and accept it.
Despite winning the fight, the frustration and disappointment in his heart were even deeper than Kuina’s.
Thus, King, who activated his hidden passive ability of “I rely on your overestimation,” silently sat back down, brushing off the dust on his clothes, and basking in silent glory.
The scene left Icey stunned. After a long moment of reflection, he could only silently acknowledge, “You never cease to amaze me.”
Clomp, clomp.
The sound of high boots on the wooden floor echoed as Aqua, dressed in a blue dress, walked up to the gloomy Zoro and patted his shoulder.
“Don’t be too sad, green-haired kid. I understand your frustration. King is such an annoying guy!”
Zoro’s look reminded Aqua of playing games with King.
Back then, King went even further, removing his hands from the controller just to let her win a fighting game.
To the proud goddess of water, this was a huge insult!
Seeing her own reflection in Zoro, Aqua put aside her usual taunts and offered rare words of comfort.
Unfortunately, to Zoro’s strong-willed nature, these words had the opposite effect.
“If two swords aren’t enough, then I’ll use three. No matter what, I will become stronger—strong enough to cut through steel easily!”
Zoro clenched his fists, shouting at King, “When that time comes, I’ll challenge you formally!”
King, who was silently cursing Koshiro in his mind, was suddenly jolted: Are you kidding me? You can’t beat me now, and you want to come back stronger?
Seeing Zoro’s determined face, King was utterly devastated.
“And also, I’m not a green-haired kid!” Zoro yelled fiercely at Aqua.
Aqua ignored him and turned to the others in the dojo.
“Who’s next? Anyone else want to challenge me? This goddess never refuses a fight!”
The disciples all lowered their heads, remembering the radiant light surrounding Aqua when she saved Kuina.
Despite her cute appearance and delicate figure, no one dared to treat her as an ordinary girl.
Randomly challenging her would only lead to getting thoroughly thrashed, and they didn’t want that shame.
“Huh? No one? I can fight with one hand tied behind my back!” Aqua said, disappointed.
Seeing no volunteers, she decided to pick someone herself.
With bright blue eyes, Aqua scanned the disciples.
Anyone she looked at immediately lowered their head.
Finally, only Koshiro remained, standing tall at the main seat.
You’ll do!
“Come on, glasses guy. You don’t want your dojo smashed, do you?”
Koshiro looked at the one-handedly posing Aqua, retracting his smile as he stood up slowly.
“I can’t refuse such a gracious offer. Please guide me, Miss Aqua.”
He had long wanted to duel with strong warriors from the outside to hone his swordsmanship.
But since Aqua had saved Kuina, he hadn’t wanted to fight her, even if it was just a spar.
However, seeing Aqua’s enthusiasm, he had no reason to refuse.
“Come on, I’ll punch you into next week!” Aqua swung her arms excitedly.
Sitting in front, Kuina sighed softly, seeing Aqua’s exuberance.
She knew her father’s strength. A girl like Aqua, without natural advantages like herself, couldn’t possibly win.
The idea that women couldn’t be as strong as men was deeply ingrained in her, and hard to shake.
As Kuina sighed, the battle between Aqua and Koshiro began.
“With the faith of my loyal followers, I will vanquish all evil! This sacred strike will send you flying!”
Aqua clenched her right fist, and with a buzz, a firelight flashed.
Fiery streams spiraled into a high-density fire punch.
The dojo students were stunned by the display of conjured flames.
“She can summon floods, revive the seemingly dead, and create fire… Truly a powerful Devil Fruit ability.”
Even the composed Koshiro was impressed, attributing Aqua’s powers to a Devil Fruit.
“Take this, God Blow!”
Aqua, fist blazing, charged at Koshiro.
Holding his wooden sword, Koshiro’s sharp eyes watched her approach.
His dormant battle instincts awakened, coursing through his body.
In his eyes, Aqua’s movements slowed.
As Aqua entered his attack range, Koshiro swung his sword towards her head without hesitation.
The wooden sword whistled through the air, but Aqua’s eyes flashed red, and she suddenly ducked.
Whoosh!
The sword sliced through the air above her, her blue hair fluttering in the wind.
Observation Haki?
Koshiro’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Haha, fool! I’ve won!”
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