"Hyaah!"
Facing Luffy's swift, spinning mid-air strike, Kuina let out a focused shout, her swordsmanship elevating to another level. As she retreated, she parried his relentless blows one after another.
Her shout, a technique known as kiai, was a form of vocal concentration—a sound to focus her mind, push her into an anaerobic state, intimidate her opponent, and bolster her confidence. Even in Luffy's previous world, this technique was common in martial arts, where warriors would let out fierce yells or animalistic roars. It was like a battle cry in games, a shout that amplified one's strength.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
Their bamboo swords clashed repeatedly, barely making contact before each withdrew for the next collision. Within a single second, they had clashed over thirty times, their intense strength pushing both bamboo swords to their limits. Yet neither showed mercy for their weapons.
Every technique was employed to close the distance and deliver a decisive strike. Luffy's attack was like a torrential storm—fierce, fast, and unrelenting. Kuina found herself struggling to keep up. She had never encountered an opponent like him; her mind barely registered one strike before the next descended upon her.
All she could do was defend, her brain blanking as she mechanically moved to block each strike. She forgot her usual combinations, realizing, for the first time, just how unrefined her swordsmanship felt in this moment—her once-polished skills now seemed clumsy and rudimentary, like a novice's attempts.
I am Kuina of the Shimotsuki! The daughter of a swordsman!
Kuina bit her lip, feeling an intense surge of frustration. The boy before her seemed able to dissipate every impact effortlessly, already prepared for the next strike. He was quicker, stronger, more skilled. But how? How could a mere child have such overwhelming battle experience?
She couldn't understand. In her village, she was peerless—no one dared to challenge her except for one green-haired boy who came back, day after day, no matter how many times she beat him. But even he was too weak, repeatedly defeated in a single strike.
But I have more stamina than him!
She steeled herself against the boy's crushing onslaught, still believing that her endurance would outlast his. If she could stay calm and find an opening, she would break his rhythm!
Everyone watching could see that Kuina was on the defensive. The dojo's students and the adults from the village were stunned, watching this duel with wide eyes. It was hard to believe that these two children could put on such an impressive display. Was Kuina's undefeated streak coming to an end?
In the crowd, a green-haired boy looked on, his gaze fixed on the boy fighting Kuina.
How? How is he, who's younger than me, able to hold his own against Kuina?
Just imagining himself in Luffy's place, he knew he would have been defeated in an instant.
I've trained so hard... how is he so far ahead?
His fists clenched tightly against his knees, the boy watched the clash of bamboo swords. If it were me… what would I do?
"Luffy's going to win," Uta, perched on Shanks' back, said in awe. Watching the two fighters, she murmured, "Is this what swordsmen's battles are like?"
"Luffy has so much experience… is this really all from training with Garp?"
"How is he doing this?" Shanks muttered, watching Luffy with a hint of bewilderment.
In the months he'd spent with Luffy on board, he had rarely seen the boy spar with the adults, nor did he face enemies often. Shanks couldn't fathom how a seven-year-old had accumulated so much combat experience. He felt a strange urge to measure his own mentorship skills against Garp's, though he knew he couldn't match him in sheer strength.
Uta, catching his puzzled look, gave a proud smile. "Luffy gets lots of practice because I beat him up all the time!"
"Huh?" Shanks looked at Uta's small arms and legs, bewildered.
"In my world, I can summon tons of soldiers with my music!" Uta explained.
"Ah, I see…" Shanks realized why Luffy's experience seemed so far beyond his years. Even though his body remained here, his mind could grow stronger in Uta's realm. "That's quite the remarkable power you have."
Without using any of his Haki, Luffy was able to challenge a girl with an esteemed background in swordsmanship. His mastery of switching between Tekkai (Iron Body) and Kami-e (Paper Art) was impressive—these techniques, part of the Rokushiki, demonstrated a high level of skill in adapting his body during combat.
Facing Luffy's constantly shifting attacks, Kuina, with her limited practical experience, was completely overwhelmed. It was only a matter of time before she lost.
The gap between us… it's so vast!
Kuina had to admit it, at least to herself. The thought of losing started to cloud her mind, and once it took root, it grew uncontrollably.
Initially, she had thought to wear him down, relying on her endurance. But somehow, even her stamina paled in comparison to this younger boy's.
Why… how can he be so much stronger?
Her focus wavered, her sword faltered, and her strength began to ebb. She was now swinging her bamboo sword mechanically, each block clumsier than the last.
Crack!
A loud, clear snap echoed through the dojo. Luffy's bamboo sword, pushed beyond its limit, finally gave way, breaking in two. The broken piece spun through the air before landing with a clatter on the floor.
Kuina's bamboo sword was covered in cracks as well. She gasped for breath, staring at the broken weapon, her sword hand trembling, her clothes soaked in sweat. She felt uncomfortable—her body, her clothes, and especially the budding discomfort in her growing chest.
Why must women have such troublesome things?
If I didn't have them, my speed could reach a whole new level…
Sweat dripped down Kuina's cheek. In that moment, a small part of her was relieved that Luffy's sword had broken, sparing her the shame of defeat.
Yet, as a swordsman, she despised herself for feeling that relief.
Lowering her head, she maintained a fierce expression, bracing for any move from Luffy.
"Not bad at all…" she heard him mutter, lifting his broken blade to examine the jagged edge.
"I think I'm starting to understand what makes a swordsman different," he said, spinning the broken blade in his hand, attempting a flourish. However, the fragmented sword flew out of his grip, sailing toward the crowd before Shanks caught it mid-air, startling the students watching nearby.
"Luffy, you've still got a long way to go," Shanks chuckled, casually spinning the broken bamboo sword.
Kuina looked at the pirates' lighthearted exchange in confusion.
These pirates…
"Your swordsmanship is impressive! Please, teach me," Luffy said, pointing at Shanks with a grin. "Put it on his tab."
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