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Child? Deliberately?
The dojo master's words enlightened the disciples.
That is to say, the blond man was defeated on purpose to take care of Zoro.
Damn, we couldn't see any signs of it! For a moment, everyone's gaze towards King was filled with more admiration.
"Acting? What a joke! Are you looking down on me?!"
Zoro, who also realized the "truth," shouted emotionally at the calmly standing King.
"Alright, Zoro, facing such a strong opponent now is too much of a strain for you," Koushirou intervened.
Since the opponent had gone to such lengths, it would be rude for them as hosts to continue the fuss.
Seeing Zoro still very unconvinced, Koushirou picked up a newspaper nearby and threw it at him.
"Take a look at the newspaper, Zoro. This is an official report from the Navy. The man you challenged is a monster who can make an entire beach disappear with a single strike."
"A single strike destroyed the beach…"
Looking at the shocking illustration on the newspaper, young Zoro murmured to himself, feeling as if his worldview was collapsing.
His current definition of a strong person was still limited to wielding and swinging a sword, where cutting through hard rock was considered very impressive.
But the man he challenged could erase a vast beach.
Doesn't that mean he could make the entire Shimotsuki Village sink into the sea with just one strike?! Faced with the harsh reality, despite his immense reluctance, Zoro had to grit his teeth and accept it.
Even though he won this battle, the frustration and gloom in his heart were even deeper than Kuina's.
Thus, King, who had demonstrated his hidden passive "My Strength is All Thanks to Your Imagination," silently returned to his seat, dusting off his clothes, keeping his accomplishments and name hidden.
This grand act of imagination left Zyhark speechless. After a long contemplation, he could only silently commend, "Sasuga!"
Tap tap tap.
The sound of long boots stepping on the wooden floor echoed, and Aqua in a blue dress slowly approached the gloomy Zoro, patting him on the shoulder.
"Don't be too sad, Green-Haired Boy. I understand this super annoying feeling. After all, King is such a hateful guy!"
Zoro's state reminded Aqua of playing games with King.
Back then, King was even more outrageous; to let her win a fighting game, he even took his hands off the controller.
For Aqua, who sees herself highly, this was a great insult!
Therefore, seeing her reflection in Zoro, Aqua set aside the opportunity to tease and offered rare comforting words.
Unfortunately, these words had the opposite effect on the strong-willed Zoro.
"If two swords aren't enough, then three. No matter what, I will become stronger, to the point where I can easily cut through steel!"
Zoro clenched his fists tightly and shouted towards King in the distance, "At that time, I will challenge you officially!!"
King, who was internally complaining about Koushirou, was shocked: Really? You can beat me now, and you want to find me after you become stronger?!
Zoro caught the change in his expression, and a smile of emerging dominance appeared on his lips: "Since you've accepted, let's make it a promise. This humiliation today, I will definitely return it to you in the future!"
What do you mean I've accepted? Where do I look like I've accepted?! King was completely flabbergasted.
"Also, I'm don't call me Green-Haired!" Zoro shouted fiercely at Aqua.
Aqua ignored him and turned to the other dojo members.
"What about me? Is there anyone else who wants to challenge? I, the Goddess, am open to all challengers!"
Perhaps influenced by the two battles, she was full of eagerness to showcase the Goddess of Water's formidable power in public.
Hearing this, all the dojo disciples lowered their heads with a dim look in their eyes.
They clearly remembered the state of the blue-haired beauty when she saved Kuina, her body bathed in dazzling light.
Even though she looked super cute and fragile, no one dared to treat her as a normal girl.
To rashly accept the challenge would mean being humiliated, which they wanted to avoid at all costs.
"Huh? No one else? Even if I only use one hand, it's still okay!"
Aqua felt disappointed.
Since no one wanted to challenge, then she would have to find someone herself. With that thought, Aqua's blue eyes began scanning the dojo disciples.
Anyone she looked at quickly lowered their heads further.
In the end, only Koushirou, sitting at the main seat and still maintaining a proud posture, was left.
It's decided then!
"Come on, Glasses with the Squinty Eyes, you don't want your dojo to be smashed, do you?"
Koushirou looked at the hands-on-hips Aqua, reined in his smile, and slowly stood up.
Having spent such a long time in the secluded Shimotsuki Village, he had longed to cross swords with strong opponents from the outer sea to refine his swordsmanship.
However, this girl was Kuina's lifesaver, and if possible, he did not want to fight her, even just for sparring.
But now, Aqua seemed unexpectedly eager.
Thus, he had no reason to refuse.
"Come on, let the Goddess see how you fly with one punch!" Aqua, waving her arms, was eager to try.
Sitting in front, Kuina sighed softly at the sight of the burden shaking on the opponent's chest.
She knew her father's strength well; how could a girl with no innate advantage like Aqua possibly win against him?
The belief that grown women are inferior to men was deeply ingrained in her mind, difficult to eradicate in the short term.
With Kuina's sigh as the backdrop, the battle between Aqua and Koushirou officially began.
"Gathering the power of the faithful's belief to annihilate all demons and evil spirits in the world, let this Goddess's holy strike represent and magnificently send you flying!"
Aqua clenched her right fist, and with a "buzz," sparks flew.
The fiery flames, elegant as flowing water, converged in a spiral shape at the tip of her fist, compressing into a high-density fire fist.
The dojo disciples had never seen such a technique of creating flames with hands and were dumbfounded.
"Summoning floods that drown towns, reviving the feigned dead, even creating fire..."
Even the composed Koushirou couldn't help but express admiration, "Indeed, a powerful Devil Fruit ability."
Naturally, he attributed Aqua's miraculous powers to a Devil Fruit, the only explanation for such feats.
"Take this, Fist of the Goddess!"
With her dazzling fire fist ready, Aqua charged straight at Koushirou.
Holding a bamboo sword, Koushirou's eyes sharpened, unwilling to sit idly by, he positioned himself to swing.
His long-suppressed battle instinct gradually resurfaced, flowing through his body.
In his eyes, Aqua's speed gradually slowed down.
When Aqua stepped into the range of the bamboo sword, Koushirou did not hesitate to swing, aiming a sweeping cut at her head!
The swiftly swung bamboo sword created a sound of breaking air, and Aqua's eyes flashed a faint red, her body suddenly sinking.
Whoosh!
The bamboo sword swished overhead, the wind pressure lifting Aqua's blue hair.
Observation Haki?
Koushirou was astonished.
"Haha, idiot, I win!"
(End of Chapter)