After a moment of reminiscing, Kuina returned to the dojo and prepared to face Zoro. For her, this was not just an ordinary fight; it was a gamble for the honor of the Shimotsuki Dojo.
However, standing in front of a bamboo basket containing more than ten swords, Zoro asked Koshiro, "Can I use one of these?"
Koshiro nodded lightly, "Whatever."
Hearing that, Zoro immediately took a bamboo sword in his hand and mouth without hesitation. A moment later, all the bamboo swords in the basket were gone, leaving everyone around him dumbfounded.
Kuina: "..." Sephiroth: "..."
The only word that came to mind was... this child seemed to have no sense.
Kuina and Zoro, with Koshiro as a witness, bowed respectfully to each other. Seeing Zoro with dozens of bamboo swords in his hands and mouth, Kuina was immediately sure, "This kid is just playing around."
"Watch my move!" Zoro said unclearly, a bamboo sword still in his mouth. He immediately rushed at Kuina.
The girl just swung the bamboo sword in her hand lightly. With a slightly complicated angle, she struck.
Screech!
The bamboo sword lashed Zoro's left face, leaving a red mark, and sent him sprawling to the dojo floor. The bamboo swords he was holding scattered on the ground.
"Damn it! How could I lose to a girl like that!" Zoro exclaimed as he got up. He quickly picked up two bamboo swords and assumed the initial stance of Nitoryu (two-sword style).
Seeing Kuina who remained indifferent, Zoro attacked again, but he opened his defenses in the front.
Thwack!
Kuina's bamboo sword hit Zoro's forehead mercilessly, making the boy dizzy and fall to the ground again.
"You. Running like a wild boar. You don't know swordsmanship at all. You're ten years too early if you want to use Nitoryu," Kuina said in a contemptuous tone, leaning her bamboo sword on the floor.
Kuina actually once wanted to be a Nitoryu-style swordsman like Sephiroth, but she knew that a woman's innate weaknesses would be further amplified if she held two swords at once. Therefore, she was forced to give up.
"Hey, Kuina. You're going too far!" Koshiro frowned slightly and stopped his daughter who was about to continue her words.
"Damn it! What did you say?!" Zoro got up while holding his aching forehead, his eyes glaring at Kuina.
"What? Not admitting defeat? Want to fight again?"
"Hmph! Losing means losing," Zoro replied. He then turned around and knelt on the ground, bowing to Koshiro to become his student.
"How was it? Sephiroth, I was great, wasn't I?" Kuina laughed and walked up to the silver-haired youth.
Sephiroth just raised his right index finger and flicked the girl's forehead, making Kuina pout in dissatisfaction.
"Just defeating ordinary people, what's there to be proud of? If you keep being complacent, you won't be able to become stronger," Sephiroth warned.
"Oh~!" Kuina pursed her lips.
"Mr. Koshiro, there's something I want to discuss with you and Kuina," Sephiroth said with a smile.
"Alright! Kuina, you and Sephiroth go to the living room first! I'll follow after I take care of things in the dojo," Koshiro nodded.
Koshiro then gave the students their training tasks and assigned an assistant teacher to train the basic sword movements with Zoro.
In the living room, Sephiroth sat cross-legged and received a cup of hot tea from Kuina. After thanking her, he asked, "Where is Mr. Kozaburo?"
"Grandpa went fishing at the beach. He spends his days between fishing or forging swords," Kuina explained. She then showed off her ability. "Lately, it seems like I've awakened Observation Haki. If I focus, I can feel the existence of every plant and tree around me."
"That's great," Sephiroth smiled. "After you master it, you should try to use it in battle."
Sephiroth explained that Kuina's ability to "hear the breath of all things" was a sign of the awakening of Observation Haki. However, mastering it in battle was another matter. Observation Haki was an active skill. The user had to separate a part of their mind to predict movements, which meant they couldn't fight with full strength. Many Haki users could only choose one, Observation or Armament.
"That's why, those who can use both types of Haki skillfully in battle are true masters. This is also the standard for Marine Headquarters to judge whether a Rear Admiral is worthy of becoming an Admiral. If there are no obstacles, you are a future Admiral candidate," Sephiroth explained.
"Sorry! You've been waiting for a long time."
Koshiro came in and sat down in front of Sephiroth. "I don't know what you want to talk about?"
"I want to officially start teaching Kuina swordsmanship," Sephiroth replied.
Kuina immediately cheered, "Great!"
"Your Excellency, I am honored that you are willing to teach my little daughter swordsmanship!" Koshiro nodded with a smile. He knew, Sephiroth was much stronger than him. In addition, Sephiroth had forged a black sword, which made him feel even more ashamed.
"However, I want to take Kuina away, to leave East Blue," Sephiroth continued.
Koshiro frowned slightly. "Uh?! This... why?"
"Although I have the special ability to travel quickly from the Grand Line to East Blue, I am a Marine. My job requires a lot of time. If I don't take her, I won't be able to guide her regularly."
Koshiro pondered. Although it was good for his daughter to have a great teacher, he couldn't let her go.
Before Koshiro could make a decision, Kuina spoke up, "Dad, I want to learn swordsmanship from Sephiroth! I can also come back occasionally! Right, Sephiroth?"
Sephiroth nodded. "No problem!"
"Alright then!" Koshiro sighed resignedly. He felt that his daughter had been successfully kidnapped by Sephiroth.
Suddenly, a tall, bearded man in a green cloak appeared at the door. "Hahaha! What a coincidence! Sephiroth," Dragon said with a laugh.
Sephiroth glanced at Koshiro, who looked guilty and turned his face away.
"Damn it! Tell me! Dragon, what are you looking for?"
"Hey, hey, hey. The Malino Kingdom wants to build a hydroelectric power plant. The design drawings and labor are already there, but we are short of 100 million Berry."
Sephiroth could only remain silent. After haggling, Sephiroth finally provided a loan of 10 billion Berry for Dragon's project, on the condition that all Umbrella companies there would get policy priority.