"Jealousy?"
Kuina's gaze became even colder, as she once again swung her sword:
"With someone like you? What do you have that's worth my jealousy!"
Amidst the sharp whistle of the sword blade tearing through the air, the two fought their way from the deck to the ice surface. Smoothie chuckled lightly:
"What do you think? It's obviously because I can openly confess to your Lord Xiano, even propose to him..."
Kuina's sword momentum suddenly faltered.
"At the tea party, I saw it all clearly."
Smoothie's breath was like orchid at her ear, "Every time I approach Xiano, your eyes can't wait to tear me apart, you can't hide it. What's wrong, the proud 'Wind Erosion' Kuina, don't even have the courage to confess?"
"Shut up!"
Kuina roared, her sword momentum suddenly becoming several times sharper, a Steel Cutting Flash erupted, carving a groove dozens of meters long on the ice surface.
Smoothie couldn't fend it off, and was completely knocked away, crashing heavily into a distant iceberg.
"Your meaningless speculation, I only have respect for Lord Xiano, unlike you, whose mind is full of those sordid thoughts."
Despite the intense pain in her chest, Smoothie laughed even more brightly, flipping up to continue pouring oil on the fire:
"Hey, hey, getting angry because I hit a nerve? How pathetic, but it's no surprise. With someone as dazzling as Lord Xiano, anyone would be tempted."
"Too bad, too bad, he doesn't seem to be interested in you. You'll spend your life as just a silent guardian swordsman."
"You know nothing!"
Kuina finally exploded, the emotions she had repressed for years flooding forth like a broken dam, she clenched her teeth and shouted:
"You don't understand at all the heights of the dreams Lord Xiano pursues! I must be the sharpest sword to accompany him to the end! When the goal is achieved, as long as I confess, I'll naturally be able to..."
The words stopped suddenly at the lips.
Can it really be?
A hint of uncertainty flashed in Kuina's eyes.
Will her feelings really be accepted...
I've succeeded!
Seize the moment now!
Smoothie's eyes shone, seizing the opportunity to advance, her long sword aiming directly at the opponent's heart:
"Admit it, you're jealous that I can openly express my feelings, while you coward don't even have the courage to face your emotions!"
Clang!
At the critical moment, Kuina parried the fatal strike, their sword blades clashed, and they stared coldly at each other, so close they could see into each other's eyes.
"You're right."
Kuina took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, her eyes had already become calm:
"Maybe I'm still influenced by the atmosphere of my father and my hometown, my personality is indeed too reserved, always avoiding these feelings, unable to take the initiative to express them—"
"But now, thanks to your reminder and provocation!"
She suddenly exerted force and pushed Smoothie aside:
"Always using excuses to deceive myself, avoiding reality! That's precisely the most inept and weak behavior! Such a me can never become the sharpest sword in his hand!"
"And today, at this moment, I'm going to use these hands to personally cut away this weakness!"
A fierce light flashed in Kuina's eyes.
Buzz!
Wado Ichimonji, which had accompanied her for more than a decade, suddenly began to vibrate fiercely, and as it emitted a clear ringing sound, it unleashed an unstoppable and terrifying aura.
Smoothie was stunned to find her long sword unexpectedly pressed back to her chest, the blade bending almost to the point of breaking under the immense force.
This is...
This is????
Next moment!
Boom!
With Kuina at the center, a violent blast of Qi exploded, the pirates closest around her rolled their eyes back and fell unconscious in pieces.
Smoothie was similarly thrown dozens of meters by the shockwave, staggered as she lifted her head, her eyes bulging as her mouth dropped open:
"Hey, hey, you're kidding, right..."
She seemed to have completely backfired.
But, but...
This is way too strange.
Who awakens their abilities for a reason like this?!!!
Only the sight in mid-air—
The woman who always meticulously tied her hair into a high ponytail now had her hair tie snapped, her black hair wildly dancing like a waterfall behind her, yet she still held her sword firmly, heedless of everything else.
Crack!
Black and red lightning like living creatures overflowed from various parts of her body, unabashedly spreading toward all directions, scorching the air into warped patterns.
Under Smoothie's stupefied gaze.
Kuina finally opened her eyes.
Originally as tranquil as a cold pool, her eyes now burned with intense battle intent, as if molten lava was rushing in the depths of her pupils.
"Why so quiet? Go on, talk."
The cold voice rang out: "Why do I feel like you're regretting now?"
————
At the outer reaches of the Galaxy Sea Region.
On a lonely reef.
Jinbe sat cross-legged, with his hands resting on his knees, his eyes slightly closed, meditating and regulating his breathing.
The sound of waves echoed in his ears, and a gentle breeze brushed over his blue skin, bringing a refreshing coolness.
After an unknown amount of time.
Only then did he slowly open his eyes and let out a gentle breath.
"Lord Xiano, still hasn't returned?"
Jinbe gazed at the seven islands faintly visible in the distant mist.
He had departed from Fishman Island several days ago specifically to come here.
The purpose was simple.
To apologize for the past dealings with Ah Long, and to thank him for preventing a calamity for Fishman Island.
But unfortunately, his luck wasn't very good.
Xiano himself was nowhere to be found, a cadre who stayed behind informed him that Lord Xiano had taken the main fleet out, with no set return date, suggesting he return to Fishman Island and visit on another day.