Luffy walked along the rural path, surrounded by houses with a distinctly Japanese architectural style. It gave him a feeling of being in a foreign landscape.
The villagers mostly wore rough, simple clothing, which made Uta disappointed; she had hoped for more elaborate attire. Still, the structure of the villagers' clothes had a certain charm.
Villagers carrying swords flanked the pirates, almost escorting them to ensure they arrived before the true master of this village.
Knowing they had come to learn the sword, the villagers' eyes softened a bit, though they still held a wary attitude toward the pirates. They cautiously led the way, taking them to the true heart of the village—a large dojo with a sign bearing the name Shimotsuki.
The main gate opened, revealing a stone-paved path leading inside. Seated across from them in the courtyard was a man in traditional garb, calmly kneeling, with a refined and scholarly look behind his glasses.
Several children, all about the same age as Luffy and Uta, sat on either side of him. They looked thin and weak by comparison.
The pirates' attention gravitated to the dojo master. He appeared slender and intellectual rather than a powerful warrior, with thin limbs and glasses, more like a scholar than a fighter. However, a pale-sheathed sword lay across his knees.
It was simple, almost plain, yet the pirates who knew weapons sensed something captivating about it. That pale scabbard held an extraordinary blade within.
There was no mistaking it: this was the legendary sword, Wado Ichimonji, one of the Great Grade swords!
"It's quite something to see such a famous sword out here in a remote village," Shanks commented, further confirming the sword's identity for his crew.
"It's about 88 cm long, 1.9 cm wide, with an edge roughly 0.9 mm thick," one of the pirates recited, listing off its legendary measurements.
"So, we have guests here, I see," the dojo master, Shimotsuki Koushirou, spoke warmly.
With no sounds of combat from outside, Koushirou understood that anyone escorted here must be a guest rather than an enemy.
"Sorry for the intrusion; we're pirates seeking to learn swordsmanship," Shanks said politely.
Luffy stepped up confidently, "I'm here to learn more about swordsmanship, so I'd like to see what you're all capable of."
He glanced at the students lined up, then noticed a rack filled with bamboo practice swords in the corner. Curious, he went over, picked up one, and swung it lightly in his hand.
This was clearly a practice sword—light, almost toy-like compared to the real blade he had already wielded. As he scanned the room, he spotted a head of green hair in a sea of black. It was hard to miss, and the owner was watching him intently, hands poised as if ready to jump into a fight at any moment.
The students, all dressed in simple black robes, sat silently but observed Luffy with interest. There was something familiar about his attitude—a certain cockiness reminiscent of Zoro when he was younger.
They watched with a sense of amusement. This foreigner was in for a rough time; they were certain Kuina would put him in his place.
Shanks' pirates and the villagers gathered around, eager to watch. Uta found a spot with the best view and looked around the dojo with curiosity.
Her gaze soon landed on a girl near the master. Dressed in a white shirt, this girl had a slight swell in her chest, hinting at early development. Uta instinctively looked down at herself and saw only her feet.
"…."
She couldn't explain why, but she felt a strange sense of frustration. She quickly shook it off and focused on Luffy's upcoming duel.
Luffy swung the bamboo sword experimentally, producing a whooshing sound, then positioned himself within the dojo's practice area. He seemed more polite than Zoro, but only slightly.
Kuina's fists clenched as she watched him, irritated by his casual manner. Another boy, strong but untrained.
The way he held the bamboo sword was enough to give him away. That grip wasn't a swordsman's—it was just a casual hold.
Kuina glanced at her father, expecting him to intervene, but to her surprise, he gave her a rare nod of approval after a moment's pause.
With her father's blessing, Kuina's eyes lit up with determination, and she stood up gracefully, her movements drawing everyone's gaze.
"She's the strongest swordsman in our village," one of the villagers said proudly to Shanks' crew, "Though she's a girl, Kuina can best adult swordsmen at this dojo."
The pirates cheered for the young swordswoman. "It's rare to see a girl who's so skilled with a sword out at sea!"
Kuina heard their praise but kept her focus, gripping a bamboo sword from the rack. She took up her stance, two hands firmly on the hilt, facing the slightly careless Luffy.
"Oh!" The pirates cheered as they saw her stance. She looked solid and composed, a rare sight for her age.
Uta admired the girl's aura. Her serious, graceful demeanor was captivating and sweet, inspiring Uta to want to write a song.
Luffy studied his opponent: the dojo master's daughter, Kuina, a young swordswoman with short hair and piercing eyes. Even in her plain clothes, she radiated beauty—like the cold elegance of moonlight.
She's beautiful.
"My name is Luffy, I'm seven. Nice to meet you," Luffy introduced himself with a casual smile, trying to mimic her stance. The pirates jeered playfully, and Luffy, a little embarrassed, settled back into his usual one-handed hold.
"Seven?" Kuina echoed, surprised that someone his age was so well-built. Kids like him were rare in Shimotsuki Village.
"Kuina, eleven. Nice to meet you," she replied formally, bowing according to the dojo's etiquette before resuming her stance.
Eleven? So she dies this year? Luffy had mentioned his age intentionally.
Zoro, observing nearby, was stunned. Seven? Wow, he's already so tall!
"All right… prepare!" Koushirou, acting as referee, observed Luffy carefully. The undefeated Kuina had finally met her match. Though Luffy was young, any adult who underestimated him would be in for a shock.
With the command given,Kuina stepped back with her left foot, taking a deep breath and focusing intently.
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