"Is the benefactor really teaching Sister Tashigi how to practice swordsmanship?" Vivi asked curiously, her eyes wide with confusion as she watched the scene before her. The image of Finn "teaching" didn't seem to align with the idea of sword practice.
Robin chuckled softly, shaking her head. "That brother of mine... this doesn't look much like sword training to me."
"Young Master, you're bordering on harassment," Kalifa commented sternly, adjusting her glasses with a serious expression.
"I'm so jealous of Sister Tashigi!" Nami pouted, her eyes sparkling with playful admiration.
"???" The other three turned to Nami, blinking in confusion.
Tashigi, overhearing their chatter, immediately felt the need to defend Finn. "No, no! It's not what you think! Young Master Finn is truly teaching me swordsmanship. I can feel myself improving rapidly!" she insisted earnestly.
Robin covered her mouth with a hand, stifling a laugh. "Oh, Tashigi, you don't need to make excuses for him. Knowing my mischievous brother, I doubt he's focused on sword lessons right now."
Finn, overhearing the conversation, smirked. "Hey, Sister Robin, you're selling me short! How about a little wager? Let's bet on whether Tashigi's swordsmanship will show major improvement after this. What do you say?"
Robin raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "A bet, huh? You do love your bets. Last time, you won all our money. I don't have anything left to wager with you."
Unfazed, Finn grinned. "It's not about money this time. If I win, you wear the bunny-eared maid outfit for a month. Deal?"
Robin sighed, already regretting her curiosity. "Bunny ears, really?" she muttered to herself before finally agreeing. "Alright, but if you lose, you'll be the one in that bunny-eared maid outfit for a month."
"Deal!" Finn exclaimed, excitement bubbling over. He couldn't help but imagine Robin in the outfit, much to his amusement.
Releasing Tashigi's hands, Finn stepped back and said, "Go ahead, Tashigi. Show them your progress."
Tashigi nodded confidently. Gripping her sword tightly, she took a deep breath and, in a fluid motion, began executing a series of elegant, precise sword techniques. The shift in her demeanor was immediate. The clumsy, uncertain swordswoman from earlier had transformed into a skilled practitioner, her movements sharp, graceful, and filled with intent.
Even those who weren't experts in swordsmanship could feel the change. Robin, Kalifa, and Vivi watched in amazement, their earlier doubts fading as they observed the newfound confidence and precision in Tashigi's form.
"Wow, Tashigi-san really has become strong," Vivi marveled, her innocent eyes wide in disbelief.
Nami, still surprised, added, "He really wasn't joking..."
With a satisfied smile, Finn strolled up to Robin, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Well, Sister Robin, who won?"
Robin, still processing the incredible display, sighed in resignation. "You won, Finn. I can't believe it... but you did."
"Perfect!" Finn grinned. "I guess that means it's time for you to honor our bet." With a dramatic flourish, he pulled out a bunny-eared maid outfit as if by magic.
Robin's jaw dropped. "You've been carrying that around this whole time?"
With a mischievous shrug, Finn explained, "I bought it during our trip to Alabasta, along with that butterfly mask. Figured it might come in handy."
A collective sigh escaped the group as they realized Finn had planned this all along.
A short while later, Robin, now dressed in the bunny-eared maid outfit, hesitated before stepping out. Finn lounged on a nearby chair, grinning from ear to ear. "Come on, my little maid. Time to serve your master!"
Robin shot him a dangerous glare but played along, approaching with crossed arms. "Alright, stinky brother, I'll give you the best 'service' you've ever had."
She cracked her knuckles ominously.
Finn chuckled nervously. "Hey, I meant a back massage, not—"
Before he could finish, Robin's "massage" had begun, with a series of not-so-gentle squeezes that left Finn yelping in protest.
"Haha! Sister Robin, let me help!" Nami chimed in, joining the fun.
"Me too, benefactor!" Vivi giggled as she joined the impromptu "massage."
Time passed in a whirlwind of laughter and playful banter. A week flew by, and soon, the day of the Marine Academy assessment arrived.
At the assessment grounds, the atmosphere was electric. Though it was supposed to be a closed evaluation, news that Bedoli, the much-praised nephew of Vice Admiral Stolo Berry, would be participating had drawn quite a crowd. Marines of all ranks gathered, eager to witness the spectacle.
Among the participants, ten elite Marine soldiers stood ready, all of them young but brimming with confidence. They had earned their spots after surviving a rigorous internal elimination process. Opposite them stood Bedoli, a towering figure whose reputation alone sent shivers down the spines of those who knew him. His presence was formidable, his experience in battle evident in his steely demeanor.
In the stands, Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals exchanged pleasantries, congratulating Stolo Berry on his nephew's promising career.
Stolo Berry, beaming with pride, chuckled. "You're too kind. Bedoli is talented, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. This assessment might be a bit... one-sided."
Marshal Sengoku, however, cast a suspicious glance around the area. He hadn't seen Finn or Tashigi yet. Could it be that Finn chickened out? he wondered.
Crane Vice Admiral leaned over, whispering, "Marshal, the participants are all present. Shall we begin?"
Sengoku hesitated but then nodded. "Very well, let the assessment commence."
The examiner stepped forward. "The assessment will now begin! As Bedoli is the sole recommended student, all challengers will face him. Prepare to draw lots for the order of your challenges!"
But Bedoli, exuding confidence, raised a hand to stop the examiner. "No need for that. Having each of you come at me one by one would be too easy. Let's make it more interesting—face me all at once."
A murmur of astonishment rippled through the crowd. Bedoli's challenge was bold, but could the ten elite soldiers together pose a real threat?
As the anticipation built, the true test was about to begin.