After leaving Glass Ball Island, Leno and Kuina returned smoothly to Shimotsuki Village.
"Oh, it's DOSKOIPANDA's clothes, I really like them!"
"Is this candy?"
"Whoa, what's this, a barbell? Gym equipment!"
Saka, Zoro, and the other children in the dojo all cheered when they saw the items on the boat. Many of these things were novelties that Shimotsuki Village didn't have. Who doesn't love something fresh?
"Don't rush, everyone has a gift! Kuina carefully selected them for you!" Leno laughed.
"Oh!"
"Thank you, Kuina!"
Everyone expressed their gratitude.
Zoro was quite satisfied with his barbell, twitching with excitement as he thanked Kuina. Though Kuina didn't speak, she couldn't hide her smile, feeling happy to be recognized by everyone. She glanced at Leno, thinking back to how they left Glass Ball Island in such a hurry. These gifts were actually bought on another island when Leno changed the route of the merchant ship, remembering to pick up gifts for everyone. This thoughtful gesture moved Kuina deeply.
Back at the dojo, Leno, Kuina, Kozaburo, and Koushirou sat down individually to discuss their experiences. Leno recounted their journey in detail, leaving nothing out.
"Dragon Gold?" Kozaburo's face turned serious. "That's something unknown, Kaze..."
He sighed, shaking his head. "Forget it, he will make his own choice."
Koushirou turned to Kuina to ask about her experience. He quickly noticed that after this training trip, Kuina's aura had changed significantly—her gaze had become a little more intense, with a touch of menace. Those who have killed or seen bloodshed are very different from ordinary people; they carry a wildness in their hearts, a disregard for the fragility of life.
Koushirou wasn't sure if this was good or bad for Kuina, but she had taken that step, and there was no turning back. He sighed inwardly. From a father's perspective, Koushirou wished Kuina could put down the sword, find someone she loved, get married, have children, and live an ordinary life. But the waters of the sea were too deep!
As they left the room, Zoro blocked their path outside, holding a bamboo sword in one hand. "Kuina, I want to challenge you!" he declared.
"OK!" Kuina agreed. Sparring with Zoro had always been fun, and watching him improve continuously was a good form of motivation for her.
Leno watched on.
"Kuina seems to be handling Zoro more easily than before!" Saka and his friends said in surprise.
"Zoro's movements are awkward," another commented.
"Really? Leno?"
"Yes," Leno nodded. Kuina's mindset was more relaxed now. After witnessing the "big scene," she dealt with Zoro with ease. No amount of training could compare to real-world experience. It's true that traveling thousands of miles is better than reading thousands of books.
Leno himself had also gained from this journey. He looked at the system.
The record of defeating Kuro came into view.
Ding! You defeated your opponent and scanned for talents: Photographic Memory (Level B), Fraud (Level B), Catwalk (Level C), Skillful Hands (Level C), Gambling Skills (Level D)
Kuro had five talents, but his strength was low. After some hesitation, Leno chose the B-level Photographic Memory.
Talent introduction: Your memory is amazing. Any book, trick, etc., just read it once, and you won't forget it for many years.
Enhanced memory had many benefits. Leno looked at the system panel again.
Host Name: Leno
Real Age: 17 years old
Existing Talents: King of Gluttony (S-level), Conqueror's Haki (S-level), Observation Haki (A-level), Armament Haki (D-level), Sword Heart (S-level), Sword Intent (A-level), Wind's Blessing (SS-level), Gambling (D-level), Photographic Memory (B-level)
Strength Evaluation: A worthy genius, capable of fighting the Commodore of Headquarter, possessing the appearance of a demon king, the heart of the sword, the unity of three elements, unlimited potential, and outstanding memory. But the real strong need to be sharpened by blood and fire. Evolve, boy, The Unruly Wind blesses you, the future is yours.
Leno's strength evaluation hadn't improved. This was normal, as although he had many talents now, he had not fully explored them and remained at the superficial level.
"It seems I need to make a trade-off—prioritize the talents of physique, Haki, and swordsmanship to improve real combat power!" Leno planned his training direction. Talent is potential, but realizing that potential is just as important.
"Damn it, I lost again! The 2002nd time! Next time, I will definitely beat you!" Zoro exclaimed, standing up after being defeated by Kuina once again.
Leno smiled. "Zoro, two swords aren't enough. How about adding a third?"
"Eh?" Zoro thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "Okay! Next time, I'll use the Three-Sword Style!"
Kuina chuckled. "Kendo isn't about how many swords you have."
"Hmph! Just wait! Leno, give me special training!" Zoro demanded.
"Alright!" Leno readily agreed. The Zoro of the Three-Sword Style is the real Zoro, and he can't disappear just because Kuina didn't have an accident.
The Next Day, Noon
Casting Sword Workshop
After the ritual, Kozaburo stretched, approached the forge, took a deep breath, and grabbed the hammer, pulling out the red-hot wrought iron.
Clang!
A hammer strike sent sparks flying. Leno stood among the onlookers, squinting slightly. Kozaburo's muscles trembled as he hammered the wrought iron with strength, speed, and precision perfectly controlled. A light flashed in Leno's mind as he thought about how Luffy trained at the Wanokuni quarry.
"Can I use the method of casting a sword to exercise my body and Haki?" Leno asked Kozaburo.
"Of course. To forge a famous sword, you must practice Observation Haki, Armament Haki—two kinds of Haki!" Kozaburo explained.
"Observation Haki listens to the notes of each mineral combination, each texture change, to strike a perfect rhythm. Armament Haki hammers minerals, infiltrating them to gradually change their properties, allowing them to better conduct Haki."
Leno suddenly asked, "What about Conqueror's Haki?"
Kozaburo was silent for a moment. "Give it a soul!"
"A soul?" Leno was surprised.
Kozaburo nodded. "Every famous sword integrated with Conqueror's Haki has its own will!"
Kozaburo opened a furnace for Leno alone. "Strength, Haki—bigger isn't better. Control it. Not less, not more, just right!"
A blacksmith needs the right materials, and Kozaburo demonstrated how to use Observation and Armament Haki to achieve a state of perfect control.
"You try!" Kozaburo urged.
"Alright!" Leno agreed.
After half a day, Leno was exhausted. He used up his Haki, then recovered it little by little. Though the process was uncomfortable, the progress was visible to the naked eye. Moreover, Leno's King of Gluttony talent allowed him to recover physical strength, energy, and Haki faster.
Leno threw himself into the painful yet satisfying practice of forging.
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