"I challenge you, Jin!"
Just as I was staring toward Isshin Dōjō in silent reflection, that familiar, stubborn voice rang out behind me.
I turned around slowly, my gaze landing on the green-haired brat—Zoro.
This damn kid. It had been a few months since he found out from Kuma that my swordsmanship was stronger than Kuina's. At first, he was just shocked. Then he got excited. The next day, he stormed over and challenged me. Naturally, I declined.
And he's been pestering me every single day since.
"Zoro, I already told you—our paths are different. You and Kuina walk the Way of the Sword. But I follow the Way of the Blade. We're not the same. If you want a rival, she's your match—not me," I sighed, trying to dissuade him again.
"I don't get it!" he replied bluntly, eyes burning with resolve.
...Goddammit.
I rubbed my forehead and looked at him like he was some kind of demon-possessed training dummy.
"I'm not gonna spar with you," I said, firm this time.
Then I vanished.
Literally.
A flash step and I was gone before he could even finish pulling out his bamboo swords.
"I'll keep challenging you until you accept! You hear me?! You can't run forever!" Zoro's voice echoed through the sky.
That kid's got lungs on him, I'll give him that.
Western Cliffside – Shimotsuki Village
Standing atop the wind-swept cliff, I looked down at the open ocean as waves crashed against jagged rock.
In the distance below, I could see Kuma churning through the surf like a one-bear battleship. He wasn't just swimming—he was charging through the water with raw, muscular momentum.
I smirked. "He's ready."
Over the past six months, that dumb bear had devoured every ounce of training I'd thrown at him. With a steady mix of high-impact physical drills, rare medicinal brews, and my personal concoctions, Kuma's body had transformed.
His hide was like iron. His limbs were no longer doughy—they were forged, sinewy trunks of pure power. Eight meters tall when standing upright, leaner and tighter than before, and he had even taken to wearing shorts now.
Why?
Because the idiot said he was starting to feel "shy."
I swear.
But now he was more than a beast. He was something else entirely—a proper war companion.
He finally noticed me and started waving from below like an overgrown puppy.
I chuckled, then leapt.
With light steps across thin air, I dropped toward the shore.
"You came to see me, boss?" Kuma asked as he lumbered out of the waves, dripping wet but full of vigor.
I nodded. "Yeah. It's time."
Kuma blinked, tilting his head. "Time for what?"
"For your test."
I met his gaze, my voice calm and serious. "If you're going to follow me into the world, you'll need to prove you're worthy. You're not just my pet—you're my comrade. That means you have to earn it. Show me your strength."
Kuma's eyes lit up with battle-lust.
"Yes!" he roared. "I won't let you down!"
He charged—no hesitation, no warmup.
I braced, shifting slightly as his giant paw swung toward my face with the force of a wrecking ball.
"Nice power," I muttered—and met his attack with a punch of my own.
BOOM.
The beach trembled. The shockwave kicked up a plume of sand as we clashed, fist to paw.
Without missing a beat, I spun midair, flipping above his head.
"Try this."
My heel dropped like an executioner's blade.
CRACK.
Kuma raised both arms in time, but the sheer force buried his feet in the sand. The earth cratered beneath him.
"Rrraaagh!" he roared, hurling me back with brute force and lunging forward again.
I smiled.
This bear had guts.
We exchanged blow after blow—shockwaves blasted through the shore as fists collided with fists, claws with elbows, roars with grunts.
BAM. BAM. BAM. BAM.
No haki. No killing intent. Just pure physical force.
Half an hour passed like this.
When the final clash sent us skidding back in opposite directions, I landed effortlessly.
Kuma staggered thirty meters away, chest heaving, fur soaked in sweat, limbs trembling.
I nodded. "That's enough."
"You pass, Kuma."
With a final shudder, he collapsed onto the sand with a happy grin.
"Heh... I did it..." he muttered—and blacked out.
I walked over and knelt beside him.
"Still conscious till the last second... You're more beast than most humans."
I placed a hand on his chest.
"I don't need you to be perfect. I just need you to hold the line. And with this kind of power—and that will—you'll make a fine guardian for the ship."
I stood up and glanced toward the horizon.
One more piece in place.
The crew was slowly forming.
And when it was ready... we'd take the seas by storm.
This story is inspired from various fanfics i have read from around the world so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you
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T/N :
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