The spa was calm, its lights casting a warm glow through the windows. Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept through, causing Gion and Kuina to open their eyes simultaneously.
Leno stepped in through the window, raising an eyebrow when he saw them still awake.
"Haven't you slept yet?" he asked, his tone light but inquisitive.
Gion, standing tall in front of him, squinted and asked sharply, "Where have you been?"
Leno couldn't help but smirk.
"Vice Admiral Gion, are you getting a little too controlling?" he replied with a hint of sarcasm.
Gion, unphased, crossed her arms.
"I'm the Marine Vice Admiral stationed in Sabaody. It's my duty to keep a close eye on dangerous individuals like you."
"Oh?" Leno's eyes wandered to her chest, and he added playfully,
"Do you plan on following me to bed too?"
Gion clenched her fists, her frustration clear. Memories of their earlier confrontation near the hot springs flickered in her mind. She snorted, then looked towards Kuina.
"Kuina has something she wants to tell you," she said, her tone victorious, as if she'd just won a battle.
With that, Gion turned on her heels, her long legs carrying her out of the room, leaving Leno and Kuina alone.
Leno chuckled as he sat down. He pulled out a small bag of marshmallows he had bought on his way back and handed them to Kuina.
"So, what did she say to you?" he asked, curious.
Kuina took a couple of bites from the marshmallow, then hesitantly said, "Leno, I've decided... I want to stay here in Sabaody."
Leno blinked in surprise. "Oh? Really?"
He studied her face carefully. "Is this your decision?"
Kuina nodded firmly. "Yes. Back in East Blue, I felt like I couldn't contribute much. Kuro and Luwell have their paths, and Uta, well, she has her voice."
Kuina paused, then added, "I'm not skilled in anything other than swordsmanship, but the enemies you face... they're on another level. I think it's better for me to stay here in Sabaody and train, rather than being constantly protected by you."
Leno looked at her with a softened expression, realizing the seriousness in her voice.
"And what if I say no?" he asked, testing her resolve.
"If you say no... then I'll leave. I trust your judgment," Kuina answered, her voice trembling slightly, but her eyes filled with determination.
Leno reached out and patted her head affectionately. "It seems I've been overlooking your feelings," he admitted.
Kuina shook her head quickly. "No! It's not that. I know you care for me—maybe even more than my own father."
"But," she continued, summoning her courage, "I want to be able to help you one day. When you face difficulties, I want you to know that I'm behind you, and so are the others. You're not alone, Leno."
Leno was silent for a moment, letting her words sink in. He then broke into a smile, applauding softly.
"That's amazing, Kuina," he said with genuine pride.
Kuina blinked in confusion. "Eh?"
"You've grown," Leno said, his voice full of admiration.
"You're right—learning to speak your mind takes courage. And you've done just that."
A flicker of joy crossed Kuina's face.
"Really?" she asked, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Absolutely," Leno affirmed.
"Remember, true growth comes from within. It's about what you want, not what others want for you."
He paused, then added, "Of course, it's important to be needed too. You're right—I'm not alone. I have you and the others, and I need you all."
Leno's words filled Kuina with hope and confidence. Her resolve strengthened, she nodded eagerly. "Then, I'll keep working hard!" she declared.
Leno smiled, then took a deep breath.
"In that case, I formally appoint you as one of the thirteen members of the Hunter's Guild. You'll be in charge of the Sabaody Archipelago."
Kuina's eyes widened in disbelief. "M-me? Really?" she stammered.
Leno nodded. "Yes. You'll be our outpost here, but remember, your primary goal is your own growth. One day, you'll be our great swordsman."
Kuina nodded, her heart swelling with pride. "I won't let you down, Leno!"
Leno stood up and ruffled her hair once more. "I know you won't. Now, get some rest. I'm going to have a word with Gion."
Kuina laughed softly. "She did mention wanting me to join the Naval Headquarters, but I refused."
"Oh, did she now?" Leno smirked.
"Well, I guess I'll have to straighten that out with her."
As Leno left the room, he gritted his teeth. Gion, trying to steal my people? Let's see how she explains herself.
He found her waiting outside, a confident smirk on her face.
"I thought you'd refuse," she said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"You really think you can take Kuina?" Leno asked, narrowing his eyes.
"It's for her own good," Gion replied, unfazed.
Leno stepped closer, his gaze sharp.
"Let's talk somewhere private," he suggested, his tone low.
Gion's eyes flashed dangerously. "You want to settle this, do you?"
With a swift movement, she launched into the air, using Geppo to create distance.
Leno grinned and followed her effortlessly, his own Geppo propelling him into the sky. So, she wants to test me? Fine.
As Gion glanced back at him, she couldn't help but be impressed. He mastered Rokushiki this quickly? She clenched her sword tightly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Let's see what you've got, Leno," she muttered, preparing for their clash.
Leno's swift kick cut through the dark night, a Tempest Kick slicing the air with deadly precision.
"Rokushiki : Rankyaku!" he shouted.
The explosion of energy sent a shockwave through the air, and as the kick volleyed, the force pierced through the darkness. In moments like this, Observation Haki became invaluable—reading the subtle movements in the void, Leno's instincts sharpened to their limit.
"Next!"
Shigan followed, his hand moving so fast it blurred into the shadows. With a flicker, Gion leaped to counter, both engaging in a heated exchange of Rokushiki.
"Soru!"
Their bodies zipped through the air at breakneck speed, clashing mid-flight as Kami-e softened Gion's defense, while Tekkai solidified Leno's. Each strike was calculated, each move deliberate. Gion found herself amazed at how Leno's mastery of the Rokushiki rivaled hers, pushing her to her limits.
"How is he this skilled? Could he have once been a Marine?" Gion thought as she parried another devastating strike.
The Rokushiki, a technique known to push human bodies beyond natural limits, laid the foundation for Haki development. For many, learning the Rokushiki was a stepping stone to mastering Armament Haki. But Gion realized that even her own mastery paled in comparison to Leno's precision. His sheer talent was overwhelming.
Gion's mind raced. "He's learned more than just the basics. He mastered all the techniques… Is that even possible?"
As the battle continued, Leno drove Gion towards the towering mangrove tree. Its massive trunk, wide enough to hold a small village, loomed above them. Gion slipped through a hollow opening, with Leno close behind.
The cavernous space within was illuminated by the faint glow of bubbles, casting an ethereal light over the battlefield. Gion wasted no time. Her leg snapped forward, her body glowing with the power of Armament Haki as she aimed a crushing kick at Leno.
But Leno was ready. His body was wrapped in invisible armor, reinforced with Haki, deflecting her kick before it could connect.
"What? Such strong Armament Haki?!" Gion gasped.
Only a few Marines, like Vice Admiral Garp or Admiral Zephyr, had ever displayed this kind of mastery. But Leno's Haki rivaled even theirs, a fact that shook her to the core.
With a single motion, Leno grabbed her ankle and swung Gion through the air, slamming her into the ground. No mercy. Even in the heat of battle, the thought of holding back never crossed his mind.
The familiar sound of a sword being drawn echoed through the tree as Gion's sword, the famous sword Konpira, flashed toward Leno's hand. Recognizing the danger, Leno dodged to the side, knowing all too well the lethal strength of a swordmaster's blade, even with the protection of Haki.
Gion pushed off the ground, flipping gracefully into the air. Her Marine coat fluttered down as she vanished with a powerful Soru, her sword ready to strike.
Gion descended like a deadly storm, her blade flashing in the light.
Leno responded in kind, his own blade slicing through the air. The freezing cold of his Ice Slash collided with Gion's attack, sending a wave of icy air crashing through the battlefield.
But before the clash could reach its peak, Leno disappeared, moving faster than the eye could track. Observation Haki warned Gion just in time—she swung her sword sideways, clashing with Leno's blade.
Sparks flew as their blades, hardened and entangled with Armament Haki, collided in a flurry of strikes. Gion's brow furrowed; she could feel it. Leno's strength was overwhelming.
"You're weaker than Kuzan!" Leno taunted as they fought, his strikes coming faster and harder with each passing second.
Gion grit her teeth.
"We'll see about that!" she countered, though she knew she was on the defensive. Leno's power was undeniable.
Each time their blades met, the force was enough to send sparks flying through the cavernous tree hollow. As the battle dragged on, Gion's sweat dripped down her face, her breath coming in shallow gasps. This man—Leno—was a monster.
"Enough of this," Gion said, her voice steady but firm. She threw her sword to the ground.
"No blades. No Haki. Let's settle this with our fists."
Leno smirked, lowering his blade. "You think you're stronger than Jack?"
With a crack of her knuckles, Gion smiled. "Strength isn't everything. I'm good at using finesse to overcome raw power."
Her body moved with serpentine grace, and Leno recognized her technique immediately. She combined her fighting style with Seimei Kikan, a technique that allows you to fully control your body.
But Leno wasn't deterred. He put down his sword Muramasa—and moved to meet her. Their bodies clashed, fists flying as Gion expertly avoided Leno's powerful strikes, her movements fluid and unpredictable.
She wrapped her long legs around Leno's waist, her hand moving to lock his throat. But before she could land her hold, Leno twisted his body, using his strength and mastery over his own body to counter her move.
He hugged her tight, his strength nearly crushing. Gion gasped for air, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth as she struggled to escape his grip.
Leno grinned down at her.
"Convinced yet?" he asked, his voice low and mocking.
But Gion wasn't one to surrender easily. She glared up at him, determination burning in her eyes. Despite the overwhelming odds, she refused to back down. Her pride wouldn't allow it.
Leno's grip tightened, and Gion responded by biting down hard on his shoulder, drawing blood. Taken aback, Leno stared at her, furious, and retaliated in kind.
The battle had become a test of wills—neither willing to yield, both pushing their bodies and their spirits to the limit.
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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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