The steaming hot spring pool was filled with thick white mist.
Trained by Leno, Kuina's swordsmanship had improved immensely. Her steady and precise style wasn't without its killing moves. When she struck, it was swift and lethal, waiting only for the perfect moment to act.
The moment Gion subconsciously pulled her legs together, Kuina's bamboo sword pierced forward.
Not good!
Gion's eyes widened as she hastily parried. But her movements were deformed, leaving her defenses open. Kuina's bamboo sword sliced through, finding a path.
Then!
One stab. Another strike.
The sword, aimed for Gion's throat, rose upward, seeking to enlarge the wound and deal more damage. But…
Gion was too tall. The bamboo sword, meant to strike her neck, instead hit her head.
In the heat of battle, something else happened.
Crash!
Due to the fierce fight and Gion's quick movements, her bathrobe loosened, slipping off and falling backward.
The hot spring suddenly went quiet.
Kuina froze. Gion stood there, stunned. And Leno? He was speechless.
Silence settled over them, broken only by the soft bubbling of the hot spring.
Kuina, embarrassed, retracted her bamboo sword. Gion stood motionless, her face flushed bright red. Leno stared at the scene before him, completely taken aback.
Happiness came too suddenly.
He gave Kuina a thumbs up.
"Nice teamwork," he whispered.
Kuina blinked, considering his words. Wasn't she simply following Gion's orders? Weren't she and Leno a team? Gion, on the other hand, was alone.
No wonder she was losing!
Using Gion's own logic, Kuina thought, defeating her was perfectly fine.
She gave Leno a thumbs up in return.
"Well done," she said confidently.
Gion's glare could have burned a hole through the two. These shameless people! Kuina, however, remained completely unfazed.
Kuina, it seemed, had no concept of modesty or gender differences yet. Her focus was entirely on swordsmanship, not realizing the awkward situation she'd caused by not helping Gion with her bathrobe.
Instead of handing it back, Kuina saw an opportunity and thrust her sword forward once more.
"Do you want to continue?" Kuina asked, as if nothing had happened.
Gion gave her a blank look, exasperated.
At only 12 years old, Kuina had a very simple understanding of gender—she saw it as strength and weakness. She spent every day immersed in training, completely indifferent to the differences between men and women.
But what about Leno? Gion thought.
The breeze softly blew through the hot spring, cooling the air. Gion, still without her bathrobe, felt the chill against her skin.
For a moment, she hesitated. Should she just… continue?
Taking a deep breath, Gion turned, bending down to pick up her bathrobe.
Her eyes met Leno's.
Leno's gaze was clear, yet filled with admiration. He made no effort to hide his interest as he looked at her, his eyes reflecting her figure in the mist.
Gion's face reddened even more. This guy!
With a swift motion, she brought the bamboo sword down on Leno's head before wrapping herself back up in her robe.
Leno rubbed his head, watching as she stormed out of the hot spring.
"What's with her?" Kuina asked, puzzled.
Leno, already soaking back in the hot spring, shrugged. "Women. Sometimes they just have those days when their temper is unpredictable."
Kuina tilted her head in confusion. "Will I be like that?"
"Probably. It's just a natural part of growing up. Everyone goes through it," Leno explained, trying his best to give Kuina a basic physiology lesson.
However, he wondered to himself: Do the women of the One Piece world experience the same things as the ones back in my previous world?
If you don't know, just ask.
Later, when Gion returned in her full uniform, Leno took the opportunity to inquire.
"Eh?!" Gion was taken aback by his question, her gaze snapping to the two pairs of curious eyes staring at her.
She sighed, holding her breath to keep her calm. "It depends on the individual's body and race. Some experience it, some don't."
"That makes sense," Leno mused before casually asking, "Would you know?"
"Die!" Gion exploded, slashing at the hot spring wall, splitting it and half of the hotel along with it.
Leno narrowly dodged, though he wanted to ask more in-depth questions for Kuina's future education. But seeing Gion's rage, he decided against it. Best not to push her too far.
There were plenty of other women in the world of One Piece. No need to torment Gion. After all, she had been Kuzan's colleague. Leno could at least show her some respect.
Leno and Kuina left the hot spring, cleaned up, and headed back to their residence, leaving Gion to deal with the mess.
Though she was a Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, Gion couldn't simply destroy property without offering compensation. It would damage the reputation of the Marines.
Gion reluctantly discussed the damages with the hotel owner, but her mind was preoccupied. She didn't want Leno and Kuina slipping away while she handled this.
Once the discussion was settled, she hurried back to the residence, only to find Kuina sitting on the floor, deep in meditation.
Her heart skipped a beat. Where was Leno?
"Where's Leno?" she demanded, glancing around. She checked the bathroom and the closet, but found nothing.
Kuina opened her eyes, blinking at Gion's frantic behavior.
"Leno went to look for Buggy," Kuina explained calmly.
"Hmph!" Gion narrowed her eyes. "What are you two really up to in Sabaody?"
"Nothing!" Kuina replied earnestly. "We're just here to explore and learn. You don't believe me?"
Gion studied Kuina's innocent expression. She was simple, showing no signs of deceit.
Gion sighed. Kuina wasn't lying. She'd lost this round.
Gion scratched his head in annoyance, if it wasn't for the sword, he wouldn't have been entangled by the boss and let Leno slip away.
Kuina said: "Leno said, he will be back soon, don't worry, you can wait for him here.
"How cunning, he will come back? He must have lied to you!" Gion snorted coldly.
"I believe in him!"
Kuina closed her eyes and continued to practice.
Gion breathed a sigh of relief, picked up the Den Den Mushi, and planned to contact his subordinates, but he could think of Leno's strength displayed during the day.
she put it down.
Let those sailors go, just to die.
If Leno really wants to do something, there will be some movement soon, there is no need to spread his strength, just wait.
Gion sat on the floor, looked at Kuina, resting his chin on his hands.
After a while.
Gion suddenly said: "Kuina, are you interested in joining Marine?"
Kuina doesn't speak.
Gion said: "You actually need more battles with your peers to hone yourself.
"Following Leno all the time, it is true that you can increase your knowledge, but the opponents he meets are too strong for you."
"Naval Headquarters, there are many outstanding young people like you."
Kuina was unimpressed.
Gion approached Kuina and said, "You will never be able to help Leno like this!"
Kuina opened her eyes.
She looked at Gion, who was close at hand and almost stuck in front of her, and asked: "Then what should I do?"
"Oh?"
Gion smiled and said, "Your Hunter Guild, don't you want to have a goal? What is your goal?"
"The world's greatest swordsman!" Kuina said.
"What an amazing goal!"
"However, under the protection of Leno, you will only get further and further away from this goal. You need to grow yourself!"
Gion hit the nail on the head and said: "Kuina, he dotes on you too much, come with me, I will teach you to grow up!"
"If you don't want to go to the headquarters, I will work in Sabaody for four years."
"Every moment here, there are new pirates coming."
"I will arrange a battle for you every day."
"Let you take over."
"Four years later, do you want to stay or leave, it's up to you, how about it?"
Kuina was silent.
In fact, she herself also has feelings.
Her kendo fell into a bottleneck.
Leno must have noticed when he brought her out.
She needs to fight!
However, the opponents Leno met were either too weak or too strong, which was not suitable for her to hone herself.
"Why? You want to help me?" Kuina asked.
"why?"
Gion gritted his teeth and said, "Leno took Kuzan away, and I will take you away from him too!"
Kuina: "Leno's consent is required!"
"Eh? Can't you make up your own mind?" Gion was dissatisfied.
Kuina: "I'm twelve years old!"
"That's really young!"
Apart from Gion's own reasons, she actually values Kuina's talent more.
perhaps.
Kuina can outdo herself!
Gion thought to himself.
Shakky's Rip-off Bar
Shakky stood behind the bar, smoking a cigarette, and handed two glasses of wine to Rayleigh and Buggy across the way.
In the afternoon, Buggy came to the bar.
Back then, the Roger Pirates were repaired in Sabaody Archipelago.
Shakky met Shanks and Buggy.
Buggy's red nose is impressive.
Rayleigh came here after receiving a call from Shakky, and said with a smile: "Buggy, I didn't expect you to come to Sabaody too."
"what?"
"Shanks can come, can't I come?"
Buggy was dissatisfied with the protest, and said: "Hmph, next time we meet, I must beat Shanks hard!"
"Haha, you're still obsessed with that incident!" Rayleigh took a sip of his wine and was in a good mood.
It's great to meet old friends again!
"Of course, if it wasn't for Shanks, how could I eat that fruit and never go to sea again?"
When Buggy thought about it, he couldn't help but get angry.
His dream is to find all the treasures in the world, and many treasures are hidden deep in the sea.
Who knew that the person who most wanted to go to the sea would never be able to go to the sea again because of Devil Fruit.
Buggy heart, broken.
"However, Shanks is now launching an impact towards the position of Four Emperors, you may not be able to beat it!"
Shakky reminded with a smile.
"Huh? Four Emperors?"
Buggy proudly: "Didn't you see the clothes I'm wearing?"
Shakky, Rayleigh, naturally noticed..0
Rayleigh asked curiously: "Have you joined?"
Buggy pretended to be profound, and nodded: "I am the veteran of the Hunter Guild, a senior cadre!"
"Oh? Is it that powerful?" Shakky asked.
"Huh? Don't you know? When Kuzan joins the Hunter's Guild, he has to call me accordingly!"
Buggy held his head high and said, "Leno always takes me with him every time he travels, which shows how important I am!"
"That guy, even Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, the strongest creature in the world, came to make an appointment to fight. He's quite powerful!"
"Shanks is nothing in front of him!"
Rayleigh laughed, Buggy's bragging personality hasn't changed at all!
but.
He didn't even break it. When Roger was on the boat, he and Shanks were the pistachios of everyone's summer happiness.
Hearing Buggy brag again, really, recalling the past is refreshing.
Shakky was also laughing, and said, "Is that Leno really that strong?"
"Why do I hear people say that Kuzan deliberately lost because he wanted to leave Marine, and Leno is just taking advantage?"
Buggy slapped the table, and said in a low voice, "Who said that?"
Buggy is not happy anymore.
Discredit Leno.
Isn't it just to discredit Hunter Guild?
It is equivalent to discrediting him Buggy!
Leno can bear it!
Buggy can't stand it!
Rayleigh laughed, comforted Buggy, and said, "Buggy, I heard that your president is here too?"
When Buggy heard this, his face suddenly became weird and mysterious, and he said quietly: "I'll tell you a secret!"
"Ok!"
"You must not tell the outside world!"
"Uh-huh!"
"Leno and Vice Admiral Momousag, are lovers!"
Buggy said seriously.
"what?"
Rayleigh and Shakky looked at each other.
No way!
how is this possible?
Buggy crossed his arms and said, "Surprised? Incredible? This is Buggy's exclusive news!"
jingle!
The bar doorbell rang.
"Hey, Buggy, what are you talking about me again?"
Come in with the sound.
Buggy, who was proud of himself, was taken aback.
Turned.
"Huh? Leno, why are you here?"
"Of course I came to look for you. I suddenly slipped away from under Marine's nose. I thought you were kidnapped!"
There were no other customers in the bar.
Leno and Rayleigh, Shakky, looked at each other.
He calmly walked to the bar and sat down, said: "Don't listen to Buggy's nonsense, rumors, they are all rumors.
"Eh? No? You're not dating that Marine Vice Admiral?"
Buggy was shocked.
Buggy is angry.
Damn it, the handle I finally caught is actually a fake?
"What's the date?"
Dating Gion?
That woman, that's great!
Leno shook his head and said, "Why, why don't you introduce your two acquaintances to me?"
Buggy was not very interested, and casually pointed: "Rayleigh, Shakky!"
"Leno!"
After Leno introduced himself, he looked at Rayleigh and said, "Eh? You are Roger's right hand, Silvers Rayleigh?"
Rayleigh in front of me is almost the same as the image ten years later.
He has long curly hair, a beard on his chin, and white beard and hair.
Wears glasses and has a straight scar over his right eye.
Rayleigh's temperament is exceptionally good, with a faint smile 2.0 on his face, and a bookish look between his eyebrows and eyes.
He didn't look vicious at all, he didn't look like a pirate at all, but a wise man next door.
He said slowly: "Roger? That was in the past. Now, I am just a shipwright and a coating mechanic." y
Leno said: "That's such a pity! I also want to ask you to join our Hunter's Guild!"
"No, no, I'm an old bone, but I can't stand it." Rayleigh declined with a laugh.
He has been with Roger, has seen too many storms, seen the peak, how can he commit himself to others?
if he wants.
Four Emperors group, just pick.
The chances of asking Rayleigh out of the mountain are zero, and Leno is not here for it.
He didn't intend to keep it a secret.
Straight to the point.
"Mr. Rayleigh, do you know that I have an appointment with Kaido?"
"Ok!"
"Before the battle with Kaido, I want to find a partner with rich combat experience!"
Rayleigh, as the best newcomer mentor in One Piece World, is the most suitable opponent for Leno.
Rayleigh smiled.
When Leno came in, he knew that Leno was after him and Buggy was just a cover.
Hearing his purpose, Rayleigh's heart moved slightly.
"Do you have the confidence to defeat Kaido?"
Leno said: "Yes!"
"Why?"
Leno stretched out his hand with a smile, and said, "Based on this!"
Rayleigh froze for a moment.
He reached out his hand too, and Leno took it.
The faces of the two faced each other with smiles.
The invisible Haki confronts.
Lighting dims.
click!
The bar is cracked.
"Hey, you two, don't fight here." Shakky was dissatisfied.
Rayleigh and Leno let go at the same time.
"How?" Leno asked.
Rayleigh was slightly surprised, and said: "Haki on you reminds me of Garp, you are much younger than him!"
"Fight against Kaido? I'll help you, you are responsible for the drink money, and help me pay off my gambling debt!"
"make a deal!".
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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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