"Gustave-san!" Zoro suddenly stood up, his eyes blazing with determination. "I want to test myself against the strength of people from the outside world! Please, would you spar with me?"
"Zoro!" Koshiro immediately scolded his student. "Gustave-san is our guest! Such behavior is incredibly rude!"
"You can't even defeat me consistently," Kuina added, shaking her head at Zoro's boldness. "How could you possibly match someone who's reduced pirate activity across these waters?"
"Actually, I appreciate Zoro's courage," Gustave interjected with a warm smile. "A swordsman who won't challenge stronger opponents will never grow beyond his current limits."
Zoro's face lit up with hope. "Then you'll accept my challenge?"
"Well," Gustave said thoughtfully, "the age gap between us makes a direct match somewhat inappropriate. However, I can recommend an excellent opponent—Ace here has exactly the kind of strength that will give you a proper challenge."
"Hey!" Luffy immediately protested, jumping to his feet. "What about me? I'm incredibly strong too! And I'm going to be the greatest hero ever!"
"Sit down, Luffy," Ace said with exasperation, delivering a swift educational knock to his brother's head. "Have you ever beaten me even once?"
"Damn it!" Luffy rubbed the fresh bump on his skull. "Just you wait, Ace! Someday I'll show you who's really stronger!"
"Then it's settled," Zoro declared, turning to face Ace. "I challenge you to a duel!"
"Gladly accepted," Ace replied, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I've been curious about your swordsmanship myself."
With both young warriors eager for combat, Koshiro graciously agreed to allow the match. The entire group relocated to the dojo's main training area, where other students quickly cleared space for the impromptu exhibition.
Ace and Zoro took positions facing each other in the center of the practice floor, their contrasting fighting styles immediately apparent.
"Aren't you going to draw a weapon?" Zoro asked, noticing Ace's empty hands.
"My body is my weapon," Ace replied confidently. "Gramps always taught me that iron fists never betray you. Gustave and Po reinforced that lesson during our training together."
Years of learning from Garp's powerful punches, combined with extensive practice alongside his current mentors, had shaped Ace into a formidable hand-to-hand combatant.
"In that case, I won't hold back!" Zoro declared, drawing both his training swords.
Without further warning, Zoro launched himself forward in a direct assault, both blades cutting through the air in coordinated strikes. His technique was solid, but his approach lacked subtlety.
Ace remained perfectly still as his opponent closed the distance, showing no sign of concern despite the approaching steel. Luffy fidgeted anxiously, wanting to shout warnings or advice.
At the last possible second, Ace moved. With minimal effort, he tilted his head to avoid Zoro's primary strike, then delivered a devastating Iron Body technique—slamming his shoulder into Zoro's midsection and sending the swordsman tumbling across the training floor.
"Impossible!" Zoro gasped from where he'd landed, struggling to catch his breath. The gap in their abilities was far larger than he'd anticipated.
Kuina watched in amazement. While she could defeat Zoro in their regular matches, such overwhelming dominance was beyond her current capabilities. Ace's practical experience showed in every movement.
The difference was clear: Zoro possessed natural talent and solid fundamentals, but Ace had been tested in real combat against genuine pirates. That experience translated into an instinctive understanding of timing, distance, and opportunity that formal training couldn't replicate.
"Please excuse Zoro's poor performance," Koshiro said to Gustave, though a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes. "I fear he's made quite a fool of himself."
"Not at all," Gustave replied encouragingly. "Zoro's technique is quite impressive for his age. His only weakness is lack of real-world experience. Once he gains that practical knowledge, he'll become a formidable swordman."
"Really?" Zoro asked eagerly, picking himself up from the floor. "You truly think so, Gustave-san?"
"Absolutely. You have genuine talent, Zoro. The difference between you and Ace is simply that he's faced life-or-death situations alongside us. Experience teaches lessons that no amount of practice can replicate."
Gustave's expression grew more serious. "However, I must warn you—don't try to gain that experience by hunting pirates alone. Such endeavors are incredibly dangerous without proper backup."
"I understand! Thank you, Gustave-san!" Zoro replied enthusiastically, though whether he'd truly absorbed the warning remained questionable.
Suddenly, Tom appeared in his formal dueling attire—the same outfit he'd worn when challenging Shanks. His theatrical flourish caught everyone's attention as he pointed his sword directly at Koshiro in an unmistakable challenge.
"Tom wants to duel with you, Koshiro-san?" Gustave asked, though he already knew the answer. Tom had developed an irrepressible urge to test his blade against every skilled swordsman they encountered.
Koshiro found himself in an awkward position. Being challenged so publicly made it difficult to decline without damaging his dojo's reputation. He had little choice but to accept.
"Very well, Tom-san," Koshiro said graciously. "I suggest we limit ourselves to pure swordsmanship—no other abilities. Would that be acceptable?"
Tom nodded enthusiastically. After all, swordsmanship was his primary focus anyway.
"Fair warning, Koshiro-san," Gustave called out. "Tom's fighting style is... rather unconventional."
"I appreciate the concern," Koshiro replied with a slight smile. "However, I've encountered many different sword schools over the years. Unusual techniques are not uncommon."
Gustave realized that Koshiro had completely misunderstood his warning, but decided against further explanation. Some things had to be experienced firsthand.
Koshiro slowly drew his katana, and his entire demeanor transformed. His perpetually squinting eyes opened fully, revealing a sharp, focused gaze. A powerful aura emanated from his stance—the presence of a true master swordsman.
Both Kuina and Zoro gasped in shock. They'd never seen this side of their gentle instructor before.
Koshiro initiated the combat with a precise thrust—ironically, the same technique Zoro had attempted against Ace. However, the execution was flawless where Zoro's had been flawed, displaying perfect form with no openings whatsoever.
He's demonstrating proper technique for Zoro's benefit, Gustave realized, appreciating the teaching moment.
Zoro watched intently, desperate to understand the gap between his own abilities and his master's perfection.
Koshiro's blade aimed directly for Tom's forehead—a strike that would challenge any conventional swordsman. But Tom was far from conventional.
In a move that defied anatomy, Tom simply retracted his head into his body like a turtle withdrawing into its shell. While his head disappeared entirely, his sword arm continued functioning, launching a blind counterattack that somehow targeted Koshiro's exact position.
The entire dojo fell silent, everyone staring in disbelief at Tom's impossible maneuver.
Koshiro, despite his shock, quickly adapted to avoid Tom's wild swing. However, his evasive movement destroyed his previously perfect form, leaving him momentarily vulnerable from multiple angles.
Under normal circumstances, such openings would prove fatal against a skilled opponent. But this was Tom, whose attacks seemed to follow their own bizarre logic rather than traditional sword principles.
Despite Koshiro's numerous exposed weak points, Tom's strikes somehow missed every single target, his blade cutting through empty air with mystifying consistency.
The duel devolved into an increasingly chaotic display as both fighters abandoned conventional technique. Koshiro found himself forced to fight at Tom's level—a bizarre realm where normal swordsmanship rules simply didn't apply.
"Master," Zoro whispered in confusion, "what's happening? I can see so many openings in his defense now..."
"I... I don't understand either," Kuina replied, equally baffled by her father's apparent regression.
Unlike the confused spectators, Gustave understood exactly what was occurring. Tom possessed an almost supernatural ability to reduce any opponent to his own chaotic fighting level, then leverage his extensive experience with cartoon combat physics to eventually claim victory.
The unusual duel continued for nearly twenty minutes, with neither fighter gaining a decisive advantage. Finally, Gustave stepped forward to intervene.
"Gentlemen, I think we should call this match a draw," he announced diplomatically. "If we continue much longer, we'll miss dinner entirely!"
Tom gratefully wiped cartoon sweat from his brow with an oversized handkerchief that appeared from nowhere. That had been an exhilarating battle!
Unlike his encounter with Shanks—who had eventually resorted to non-sword techniques—Koshiro had honored their agreement completely. Tom respected a swordman who kept his word.
As the unusual exhibition came to an end, Gustave reflected on the evening's events. Between Ace's demonstration of practical experience and Tom's reality-bending swordsmanship, their young hosts had certainly received an education in the diverse nature of combat skills.
"Well then," Gustave announced with a chef's enthusiasm, "I believe it's time I demonstrated why the Bamboo Staff Bistro has earned such a reputation for exceptional cuisine. Shall we see about preparing that feast?"