**Chapter 32 - Gion**
Gion tilted her head slightly, her expression calm as she spoke. "I have my own reasons for seeking out Jiger. Since he isn't here, I'll take my leave."
Without another word, she turned on her heel, walking past Ginny with effortless grace. She didn't glance back, nor did she offer any further explanation, as if the matter was of little consequence.
Ginny frowned, her unease growing. There was something about Gion's attitude that didn't sit well with her. Then, in a swift blur, she moved—her body flashing forward and blocking Gion's path before she could leave.
"Brother Jiger and I have known each other since childhood," Ginny declared, her voice firm but measured. "If you have anything to say to him, you can tell me first. I'll make sure he gets the message when he returns."
Gion raised an eyebrow, momentarily startled by Ginny's speed. She hadn't expected such agility from the seemingly unassuming girl. But what truly piqued her interest was Ginny's choice of words—*childhood friends, huh?*
A knowing smile played at Gion's lips as she studied Ginny more closely. "Oh? So you're childhood sweethearts?" she mused. "Why do you look so nervous, little sister? Or… could it be that you're Jiger's girlfriend?"
Ginny's face instantly turned crimson. "Hey! What are you talking about?! My relationship with Brother Jiger isn't like that!"
Flustered, she gripped the hem of her clothes, her fingers twisting the fabric as she struggled to find the right words. Jessica, standing just behind her, let out a sigh and smacked her forehead. *This girl is hopeless...*
Gion chuckled, clearly enjoying Ginny's reaction. Then, in a sudden and teasing gesture, she reached out and lightly poked Ginny's chest with a slender finger. "Ah, my mistake," she said playfully. "So it's just a one-sided crush, then?"
Ginny immediately stiffened, her whole body bristling like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on. Her pink hair almost seemed to stand on end as she snapped back, "You're the one with a one-sided crush! Brother Jiger must also—!"
She stopped mid-sentence, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to finish her thought. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't come up with a proper rebuttal.
After a long, awkward pause, she shook her head vigorously. "It has nothing to do with you! Just get to the point—what business do you have with Brother Jiger?!"
Gion let out a light laugh before shrugging. With a casual motion, she placed her left hand on the hilt of her sword, her fingers running along the smooth surface in a slow, thoughtful manner. "Simple," she said. "I came to see the strength of the student said to be the strongest in this class. Sister Tsuru has been praising him quite a lot lately."
The moment she said that, the surrounding students perked up. Before Ginny could respond, someone from behind her eagerly stepped forward.
"Then, Miss Gion," a voice said, confident yet calculated, "why not try a few moves with me first?"
All heads turned toward the speaker—Maris, one of the more ambitious students in the training grounds. He had a smooth and ever-smiling demeanor, often friendly but, in truth, opportunistic.
Momonga and the others exchanged knowing glances, unimpressed by his sudden offer.
"Typical Maris," one of them muttered. "Always looking for a chance to show off, especially in front of a pretty lady."
"Yeah," another whispered with a smirk. "Acts all humble and honest, but when a beautiful woman shows up, he's the first one to jump in."
Gion studied Maris for a moment before giving a slight nod. "That's fair," she said. "Challenging the strongest from the start would be bad manners."
With that, she slowly unsheathed her sword, the blade gleaming as it caught the sunlight. Holding it with practiced ease, she raised it slightly and performed a formal swordsman's salute. Her demeanor had shifted instantly—where she had been teasing just moments ago, she was now composed and deadly serious.
Maris quickly returned the salute before drawing his own katana.
Standing nearby, Momonga narrowed his eyes as he observed the weapon in Gion's hands. A familiar design... his mind raced for a moment before realization struck.
"Miss Gion," he called out, his tone intrigued. "If I'm not mistaken, the sword in your hand is the famous blade—*Konpira*?"
As a dedicated swordsman, Momonga had memorized the details of nearly every renowned blade. It was an odd habit of his—late at night, he would pore over illustrated collections of legendary swords, sometimes falling asleep with the books still open in his hands.
Gion turned her gaze to him, a flicker of admiration in her eyes. "You're quite knowledgeable," she said softly. "Yes, this *Konpira* was a birthday gift from Sister Tsuru. It's one of my most treasured possessions."
At the mention of Tsuru, Momonga's curiosity deepened. "Sister Tsuru... I've been meaning to ask—when you said Tsuru earlier, were you referring to Vice Admiral Tsuru?"
Gion gave a small, knowing smile. "That's right."
A sharp breath was collectively drawn from the gathered students.
Vice Admiral Tsuru was one of the most respected figures within the World Government. Her name carried immense weight, her influence ranking alongside legendary figures such as Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
With this background, Mamonga and others who are still students are already worthy of being part of a Marine rich family.
Jessica leaned in close to Ginny, lowering her voice. "So she's the younger sister of Vice Admiral Tsuru. If she gets entangled with Carl, this could be a bit of a headache!"
Ginny remained unfazed, her expression calm as ever. She merely nodded, unimpressed by Gion's supposed background.
To her, no matter how prestigious one's lineage was, it couldn't possibly compare to her Jiger.
Meanwhile, Maris discreetly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. His initial eagerness had faded into a nagging sense of regret.
Vice Admiral Tsuru's sister… If he accidentally injured her during their sparring match—though the Vice Admiral herself might not take offense—someone else certainly would.
Gion seemed to sense the thoughts running through everyone's minds. She let out a soft chuckle and said, "Don't worry. This is just a friendly competition. There won't be any unnecessary trouble. Besides..."
A cold light gleamed as she unsheathed **Konpira**, and in that instant, her entire demeanor shifted. The playful charm in her expression vanished, replaced by a sharp, unyielding intensity.
"I don't believe I'm any weaker than a man."
In the blink of an eye, she disappeared from view.
A split second later, she reappeared behind Maris, her sword thrusting toward his lower back.
Instinct kicked in. Maris reacted with startling speed, whirling around just in time to block her strike with his blade.
The force of the clash sent a shudder through his arms, making him realize that this fight required his full focus. With a guttural roar, he pushed Gion back with brute strength, his sword vibrating at an intense frequency.
As soon as she landed, Gion's keen eyes caught sight of the flickering flames dancing along Maris's blade. She narrowed her gaze. "That fire… is it created through high-speed friction with the air? Interesting technique."
Maris gripped his sword tightly, leaped into the air, and swung downward with a forceful slash.
Rather than meeting the attack head-on, Gion sidestepped with effortless agility, letting his blade carve into the ground where she had just stood. Taking advantage of the moment, she widened the distance between them.
Just as Maris prepared to chase after her, she did something unexpected—she sheathed her sword.
Then, with a slight tilt of her body, she assumed a stance to **draw**.
Unlike Maris's exaggerated movements, Gion remained eerily still. But the moment he closed in, she finally moved.
In a single fluid motion, **Konpira** flashed out of its scabbard, tracing a graceful arc through the air. A burst of pink-hued sword energy erupted from its edge, slamming directly into Maris's katana.
The sheer force sent a numbing vibration through his arms.
Without sparing him another glance, Gion smoothly twirled her sword before turning her back to him, walking toward Mamonga and the other spectators as if her victory was already decided.
Maris clenched his teeth, straining against the impact of her sword energy. But within seconds, he lost control. His grip failed, and he was sent flying backward, his sword slipping from his grasp before he landed in a heap on the ground.
The training yard fell into stunned silence.
Mamonga, watching Gion approach with a composed expression, murmured under his breath, "She actually launched sword energy… I suppose it's only natural for Vice Admiral Tsuru's sister."
Gion rested a hand on her hip, her bright smile returning as she scanned the faces of the gathered students.
"If this is the level of Marine training," she said lightly, "then maybe I don't need to wait for Jiger to return after all."