Outside the classroom at Marineford Military Academy, in the hallway.
"Ah! Go... go to your place?"
Hearing Sephiroth's straightforward invitation, Domino's cheeks instantly turned bright red, like ripe apples, making him want to take a bite.
"If you don't want to..."
"How about we go to the Sabaody Archipelago and find a restaurant for dinner?"
Sephiroth smiled and offered a new suggestion.
Domino immediately raised her right hand with a shy expression and scratched her flushed cheek with her index finger.
She hesitated. "No! No need... I really want to go to your place... and try your cooking."
"Okay! Then let's go! We'll go to my place now..."
Upon hearing this, Domino shook her head and waved her hands repeatedly, saying in a slightly nervous tone, "No! Wait, I need to go back to the faculty dormitory first to get something! Wait for me at the Marine Academy training ground first."
"Uh!? Alright!"
Sephiroth didn't quite understand why Domino didn't want him to go to the dormitory with her, but he thought, maybe the girl was preparing to dress up and put on some exquisite makeup?
Therefore, he didn't press the matter. After saying goodbye to Domino, he walked alone towards the Marine Academy training ground.
The training requirements at the Marine Academy are not only strict but also involve a very large amount of training.
Therefore, after class every day, there are basically very few Military School Students who would seek discomfort for their bodies by doing extra training.
But...
Sephiroth, who was waiting for Domino on the training ground, saw a blue-haired girl practicing dual-sword style techniques in the distance, holding two swords.
So, he walked leisurely over to the blue-haired girl with his hands in his pockets, and he said with a smile, "Ain, it's already after school hours! Tomorrow is a rest day, don't you want to have a good rest?"
Hearing this, Ain's eye twitched slightly, and she immediately said irritably, "So, you're saying...! Exactly which man was it just now who, when we were at our happiest, told us that there would be a punitive exam next week, kicking us into the abyss of despair!"
"Hahaha! Wasn't I just trying to tell you that even if you have a holiday, you shouldn't indulge yourselves too much and should study hard to prepare for the exam?"
Ain: "..."
A shameless smile appeared on Sephiroth's face. He absolutely wouldn't admit that he simply wanted to see the moving scene of those Military School Students experiencing the transition from hell to heaven, and then suddenly plummeting back to hell, the kind of crying from joy turning into sorrow from excessive happiness.
Sephiroth saw that the girl was still meticulously practicing dual-sword offensive and defensive techniques, and he couldn't help but say with interest, "I'm a bit bored right now... How about I test the quality of your dual-sword Swordsmanship!"
"Really!?"
Ain's eyes instantly lit up at those words, and a hint of joy appeared on her face.
Sephiroth taught them experience and techniques for facing enemies in their usual classes, of course, but it was in a group lecture format, and their opponents were just fellow Military School students.
Sephiroth personally giving her one-on-one guidance on swordsmanship was a very rare opportunity!
"Just bring it on!"
The young man waved his hand towards the girl, signaling her to attack quickly.
"Aren't you going to draw your sword?"
"I think I'll draw my sword when I need to..."
Hearing this, a hint of annoyance flashed in Ain's eyes. She vigorously swung two steel long swords with both hands and attacked Sephiroth.
To her, his words clearly showed contempt for her!
Therefore, she prepared to show off her strength properly, and let Sephiroth know that even if she wasn't a great swordsman like him, she wasn't someone to be underestimated!
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Streaks of dazzling sword light cut through the air, leaving behind continuous afterimages, directly attacking various vital points on the silver-haired young man's body.
There was no thought of holding back in Ain's attack.
No! It should be said that she had no room to hold back at all!
She remembered that day when Sephiroth was giving them, the Military School students, a swordsmanship class. With just one look, they felt as if their lives had been taken away, instantly losing consciousness...
This made Ain deeply feel the vast gap that existed between her and the top powerhouses on this sea!
"When fighting, don't have distracting thoughts. Focus on the changes in the battle situation.
Sometimes, victory is fleeting, and you must seize it tightly!"
Sephiroth, while effortlessly dodging Ain's attacks like a storm, as if strolling in a courtyard, also offered her guidance.
"Blindly attacking the enemy's vital points is not a good method. You must learn to draw the enemy into your own offensive rhythm!
Subtly influence the enemy's offensive and defensive rhythm, causing them to fall into the trap you've set..."
Hearing this, Ain's face showed understanding, and she quickly began to adjust her attack rhythm and techniques, setting up offensive and defensive routes for him.
However, these routines seemed too immature and clumsy in Sephiroth's eyes. They might work against swordsmanship novices or ordinary sword masters.
But...
Facing an existence at the Sword Master level, they would definitely be countered and defeated miserably!
So, in the gaps between dodging, Sephiroth raised his right hand, extended his index finger, and lightly flicked Ain's smooth forehead, which was covered by blue bangs, leaving a red mark on it.
The pain from her forehead caused the girl to frown.
"Overly formulaic attacks are like showing off a little axe before Lu Ban in front of a swordsmanship expert.
You should add your own variations to the original techniques."
"I understand!"
Ain pondered for a moment, then nodded, and launched another series of attacks.
Compared to the beginning, Sephiroth could clearly feel Ain's understanding of swordsmanship had improved. Her sword techniques had gained a bit more lightness and agility.
To become a Sword Master, or even a Great Swordsman, you need more than just physical fitness; you also need a deep understanding of swordsmanship.
In terms of comprehension, Ain's performance was quite satisfying.
Considering that in the original plot, when Zephyr withdrew from the Marines and established the NEO Marines, Ain was able to fight Shuzo for over five hours. She eventually used her Devil Fruit ability to barely defeat him and become the Vice Admiral of the NEO Marines, second-in-command of the entire force.
Her talent, combined with her physical fitness, gave her the potential to become a strong person.
Sephiroth's peripheral vision caught sight of a blonde figure appearing on the training ground in the distance. His dodging figure suddenly paused and stopped moving.
But...
Ain's movements didn't stop. She swung the sharp blade in her right hand, piercing the air with a whistling sound, and aimed directly for his throat.
Swish!
Just as the blade was about to reach him, Sephiroth still didn't draw his sword. He simply raised his right hand, extended an index finger, and blocked the tip of the short sword. It stopped her attack cold.
"How is this possible?"
Astonishment flashed in Ain's eyes, and she couldn't help but exclaim.
Although she hadn't reached the Iron Cutting realm of a Sword Master, the force she'd put into the short sword should have been enough to pierce through a person's body!
However...
Sephiroth had blocked the tip of her sword with just one finger.
This huge gap in strength was simply unbelievable to her!