Genzo's strength was not weak, but he couldn't be called top-tier.
In the first half of the Grand Line, he would definitely be a dominant force, but at most, he was at the level of a Marine elite or an Emperor's crew executive, still some distance from an Emperor's First Mate.
If it weren't for Kuina to witness Mandy's strength with her own eyes, Blake would not have bothered to organize this fight.
Kuina's belief in becoming stronger surpassed everyone present, especially her extraordinary obsession with the question of whether 'a woman can become a Great Swordsman.'
Letting her personally witness Genzo being defeated by a young woman, Kuina would have no resistance to leaving with Blake.
Not to mention resistance, with her personality, even if Blake didn't plan to take her, the little girl might even sneak onto the ship herself.
So, next, Blake only needed to deal with Genzo.
Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't be this troublesome.
However, Kuina would become the most talented under Blake's command apart from Hancock.
How many ability cards would that save?
So Blake decided to put in a little more effort to make Kuina willingly follow him.
On the other side, the battle between Mandy and Genzo had already ended.
Mandy, with a clear advantage in raw strength, seized a tiny gap when Genzo was recovering his breath, and broke through his defense with a precise thrust.
The tip of the sword stopped steadily before his throat.
"Thank you for the fight!"
Mandy withdrew her sword and bowed, saying nothing more, and returned directly behind Blake.
Genzo, on the other hand, seemed somewhat unable to accept it, standing still for a while before slowly sheathing his sword and letting out a long sigh.
When he looked up again, he had recovered his original gentle smile, a sincere admiration on his face:
"It really is... the younger generation is formidable. I admit defeat."
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
Blake clapped his hands and applauded, saying:
"I never expected Mr. Genzo's strength to be so great; it's truly a pity to be cooped up in a small place like the East Blue."
"Why haven't you thought about going out to sea and seeing the world?"
Genzo shook his head slightly:
"People like me are not suited for life at sea, and besides..."
He looked down at the nearby village:
"Besides, the children in the village need me too."
Blake only mentioned this casually and had no intention of recruiting him.
Everyone returned to the tea room. Blake didn't touch the slightly cooled teacup but went straight to the point:
"Mr. Genzo, the girl who poured the tea just now, is she your daughter?"
Genzo nodded in response:
"Yes, her name is Kuina."
"A good name."
Blake praised her first, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what made it good:
"I really like her eyes—firm, unyielding..."
"I think her swordsmanship talent is excellent, and I hope to take her with me and nurture her."
As he spoke, he seemingly inadvertently glanced towards the door.
Outside the door, Kuina clenched her fists tightly, thinking to herself:
"That older sister actually defeated Father..."
"She's also a girl. If I can leave with them..."
"Maybe I can train with her and find a way for girls to become stronger!"
Kuina's eyes had become incredibly firm at this moment, but she didn't act impulsively; instead, she quietly waited for Genzo's answer.
Facing Blake's proposal, the smile on Genzo's face somewhat froze.
He was silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Blake's calm face, and finally thought of a tactful way to put it:
"Saint Blake, thank you very much for your kindness."
"But Kuina is still young and needs to continue building her foundation at the dojo..."
"Are you kidding? How could I let Kuina go with you?"
On one hand, Genzo truly didn't want his daughter to leave him.
On the other hand, he was well aware of the Celestial Dragons' reputation; if Blake took Kuina away, there was no telling what might happen.
But before he could finish his sentence—
"I want to go!"
The paper door was suddenly pulled open, and Kuina, who had been eavesdropping outside, rushed in:
"Father! Please let me go with them!"
Genzo's expression was complex, with both shock and helplessness:
"Kuina, you..."
He couldn't think of a suitable response for a while.
Genzo, of course, knew Kuina's dreams, and for a moment, he didn't know how to stop her.
Kuina bowed deeply to her father:
"Father, that older sister's strength is so great, which means they have even stronger swordsmanship!"
"I want to become the World's Number One Great Swordsman! This is my only path!"
Her voice was resolute and firm, carrying an undeniable determination.
Blake watched the scene before him with interest, a barely perceptible curve at the corner of his mouth.
Things were progressing even more smoothly than he had expected; it seemed Kuina was determined to go.
Just as Genzo was about to continue objecting, Blake cleared his throat:
"Mr. Genzo, do you know what happened in Mary Geoise last year?"
His sudden change of topic made everyone present stunned.
Out of politeness, Genzo still replied:
"Is Saint Blake referring to... the incident where Fish-Man Tiger attacked the Holy Land?"
Blake nodded:
"Not just Fisher Tiger, but also a group of people calling themselves the Revolutionary Army."
"Except for a few executives who were imprisoned in Impel Down, all the other rioters were dealt with."
"But before people make a decision, they should have already thought about the price they need to pay, and I believe they are the same."
These words made Kuina and the women behind Blake look at each other, wondering why he was bringing up the Revolutionary Army at this moment.
Genzo's glasses glinted as his gaze seemingly casually swept over Ginny and Belo Betty.
Threat! This was absolutely a threat!
Genzo already understood that this Celestial Dragon in front of him definitely knew about his past with the Revolutionary Army.
The meaning of saying these words now was probably—
I can pretend not to know, but I want to take Kuina.
If you don't let me take her, then I will report to the World Government about the remnants of the Revolutionary Army.
Genzo's hands, placed under the coffee table, clenched into tight fists.
He really wanted to strike directly and leave everyone in front of him behind.
But the recent battle made him realize that the other party was prepared.
Even if he called upon the old man who was in seclusion, they might not be a match for this group of people.
With super strength sealed, super wisdom naturally couldn't be put to use.
He looked at Blake's smiling face, and then at Kuina's determined eyes.
Genzo finally slowly unclasped his tightly clenched hands, his body deflating as his shoulders slumped.
He sighed silently, as if he had aged many years in an instant.
"Kuina."
Genzo's voice carried a subtle tremor:
"Since this is your own choice..."
He paused for a moment, as if needing to gather all his strength to say the next words:
"I respect your choice."
Then, he looked up, his gaze complex as he looked at Blake, saying word by word:
"Please... ensure her safety."
Blake's smile remained unchanged:
"Of course!"
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