The next morning—
A knock came from the door.
"Breakfast is ready."
A calm voice called from outside.
Yuta opened his eyes slowly.
"…Already morning…"
He sat up, stretching slightly before standing.
Since he paid to stay and learn here, food was naturally included. That part didn't need to be questioned.
After washing up, he stepped out and followed the direction toward the dining area.
Inside—
Koshiro was already seated.
Kuina was there as well.
Yuta took a seat without saying much.
"…Good morning."
Koshiro nodded.
"…Eat."
That was all.
The atmosphere at the table was quiet.
Very quiet.
No unnecessary conversation.
No noise.
Just the sound of eating.
For a moment—
Yuta paused slightly.
"…This…"
It felt familiar.
Like a traditional Japanese meal from his past life.
Calm.
Disciplined.
Respectful.
No one spoke unless needed.
He didn't say anything more and simply ate.
After finishing—
Yuta stood up.
"…I'll go train first."
Koshiro nodded once.
"…Go."
Yuta stepped outside and began his routine.
Push-ups.
Sit-ups.
Squats.
Then running.
This wasn't new to him.
He had been doing this every day since arriving in this world.
At this point—
It was natural.
His body moved smoothly.
No wasted effort.
No hesitation.
"…Done."
He stopped after finishing his run.
"…Under thirty minutes."
His breathing remained steady.
This level—
Was already far beyond what he started with.
After finishing his exercise—
Yuta returned to the dojo.
Koshiro was already there.
Waiting.
"…You're here."
"…Yes."
Yuta stood in front of him.
"…I want to begin learning."
Koshiro nodded slightly.
"…Then start with the basics."
A pause.
"…Pick up a wooden sword."
Yuta did as told.
"…And fight Kuina."
Yuta turned.
Kuina was already standing on the opposite side.
Wooden sword in hand.
Ready.
He walked to the rack and picked one up.
Then stepped into position.
The training ground was quiet.
Koshiro stood to the side.
Watching.
"…Begin."
Kuina moved first.
Fast.
Direct.
Yuta reacted—
But not perfectly.
Clack!
The wooden swords collided.
"…!"
He adjusted his stance quickly.
This was his first time fighting with a sword.
Different.
Completely different from hand-to-hand combat.
Kuina pressed forward.
Precise.
Clean movements.
No wasted motion.
Yuta blocked again.
Then again.
"…This is harder than I thought…"
He muttered under his breath.
But—
He didn't panic.
He adapted.
Slowly.
Step by step.
As time passed—
His movements improved.
His grip adjusted.
His stance stabilized.
He began to understand the flow.
"…I see…"
Block.
Counter.
Move.
Repeat.
Gradually—
He began matching her.
Kuina noticed it too.
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
Yuta continued.
Stronger.
More confident.
His physical strength gave him an advantage.
His reactions were fast.
His endurance steady.
As the exchange continued—
He started pushing forward.
Applying pressure.
Kuina stepped back slightly.
Then again.
Yuta moved in.
Overpowering her.
Then—
"…Stop."
Koshiro's voice cut in.
Both of them froze.
Their wooden swords stopping mid-air.
Silence.
Yuta lowered his sword.
Kuina did the same.
Koshiro stepped forward.
His expression calm.
"…You have potential."
He said directly.
Yuta listened.
"…Your body is strong."
"…Your reaction speed is good."
A pause.
"…But your technique is lacking."
Yuta nodded.
"…I understand."
Koshiro continued.
"…From today, you will learn properly."
The rest of the day—
Yuta trained under Koshiro.
Basics.
Grip.
Stance.
Movement.
How to hold the sword.
How to strike.
How to control force.
Everything was simple—
But strict.
No shortcuts.
No rushing.
Just repetition.
By the time training ended—
Yuta returned to his room briefly to rest.
After a short break—
He stepped outside again.
As he walked—
He heard the sound of wood clashing.
Clack! Clack!
He turned.
"…There."
Kuina and Zoro were sparring.
Fast.
Sharp.
Back and forth.
Yuta watched quietly.
Time passed.
Then—
Zoro fell.
Breathing heavily.
Kuina stood over him.
"…This is your 1785th loss."
She said calmly.
Yuta listened.
"…1785…"
He repeated quietly.
Then—
"…Still far."
He remembered.
The number.
That was when everything would change.
"…There's still time…"
He relaxed slightly.
Zoro got up, frustrated, and ran back toward the dojo.
"…Tch!"
Leaving Kuina alone.
Yuta walked over.
She was standing still.
Silent.
"…You won."
He said.
"…So why do you look sad?"
Kuina didn't answer immediately.
Then—
He saw it.
A small tear.
Barely visible.
"…Can a girl not become a swordsman?"
She asked quietly.
Yuta looked at her.
Then answered directly.
"…That's not true."
She looked up slightly.
"…There are women who became great swordsmen."
A pause.
"…Not many."
"…But they exist."
Kuina's eyes showed a hint of surprise.
"…Really?"
"…Who?"
Yuta answered calmly.
"…Vice Admiral Gion."
"…And Big Mom."
Kuina blinked slightly.
"…Vice Admiral…?"
Yuta nodded.
"…She was born a woman, just like you."
"…And she became strong."
Then—
"…Big Mom…"
He paused slightly.
"…She's different."
"…She's a monster by birth."
Kuina stayed silent.
Thinking.
Yuta didn't say anything more.
He simply stood there.
Letting her process it.
The sun slowly began to set.
The training ground became quiet again.
And for the first time—
Kuina's expression changed slightly.
Not fully.
But enough.
A small shift.
Because now—
There was proof.
Her path—
Was not impossible.