"After the pirate attack on the village, I'm sure you've realized your own shortcomings," Leno said lazily, lying in a beach chair as he spoke to the two sisters.
"Our physical strength and attack power are lacking!" Nojiko replied, her expression solemn.
"As for your physical strength, just continue with your normal training. As you two mature, you'll naturally get stronger. That's especially true for you, Nojiko; as you continue to develop your Devil Fruit, your physique will become even more powerful," Leno explained.
"What you both lack right now is a means of offense. For Nami, developing the thunderclouds is a great way to attack, but don't neglect your martial arts, either. Once the custom-made weapon I ordered for you arrives, you can see if it's a good fit. As for you, Nojiko, I plan to have you learn swordsmanship as well. I'll find a teacher for you; she'll also be a companion on our future ship. This is the perfect opportunity for you all to get to know each other," Leno said, laying out the training plan for the two girls.
---
They arrived at Shimotsuki Island, and as soon as they entered the dojo, they saw more than a dozen kids swinging wooden swords, trying their best to hold their stances. Standing in front of them was Kuina, the senior student, demonstrating the moves. When she saw Leno at the back, her face lit up with delight. She told everyone to "keep practicing" before jogging over to him.
"Leno, you're here!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah, I came to see you and to ask for a favor," Leno said with a smile, patting her on the head.
Kuina narrowed her eyes and rubbed her face against his hand.
He met with Koushirou and explained the situation, inviting Kuina to come to his home as a guest to teach his two sisters swordsmanship.
After bidding farewell to Koushirou, the two went to the back of the mountain and saw Zoro practicing his Three-Sword Style.
'He actually became a Three-Sword Style swordsman,' Leno thought.
"Yeah, he says fighting with three swords is more powerful," Kuina said with a laugh.
"Leno, what're you doing here?" Zoro was happy to see him but tried to act as if he didn't care.
"Oh, I came to see how a certain someone's Three-Sword Style training is coming along."
"You bastard, are you looking down on me?!" Zoro's forehead was bulging with veins.
Leno ignored him and turned to Kuina. "Wanna spar?"
"Sure," Kuina said with a smile.
"Come on, Kuina, show me the mettle of the world's greatest swordsman," Leno said, drawing Wind Rift to face her.
Kuina held Sakura Veil at the ready.
*"Buzz!"*
Conqueror's Haki surged toward Kuina, who widened her eyes and released her own Conqueror's Haki in response. The pinkish-gold Haki clashed with Leno's blue-gold Haki, intertwining and holding firm for a moment before the pinkish-gold Haki shattered and dissipated, causing Kuina's face to turn pale.
"What was that?" Zoro asked, looking confused. 'It seems I still have a lot to learn.'
'But I'll definitely surpass them,' Zoro thought, his eyes filled with determination as he continued watching the battle.
The two figures instantly vanished.
*"Clang! Clang! Clang!"*
The two figures weaved around each other, clashing faster and faster. As they dodged and weaved, the affected area grew larger and larger.
*"Swoosh!"*
A slash flew out, and soon after, another one quickly flew out, hitting the opponent's attack.
"Not bad, Kuina. You've taken another step in your journey to become a sword master."
"Of course! I'll never stop getting stronger," she replied.
The two then rushed at each other again.
*"Zzzzzap! Zzzzzap!"*
Sparks flew as they clashed. Leno swung his sword, pushing Kuina back.
'Her physical strength has increased, too,' he thought.
The corners of Kuina's mouth curled into a smile.
*"Swoosh!"*
A pink slash flew straight toward Leno.
*"Clang!"*
Leno swung his sword to block it, and Kuina took a few steps back to get into position.
Leno raised an eyebrow. 'Is that…?'
"Falling Sakura Slash!" she shouted.
*"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"*
Innumerable slashes instantly flew toward Leno. The slashes intertwined, and cherry blossoms began to fall in the air. Petals made of sword energy floated toward Leno.
'How beautiful,' he thought. 'Is it rude if I don't shout out my move? Normal Slash!' he thought, and Wind Rift became a blur in his hand.
*"Clang! Clang! Clang!"*
The clashing was incessant.
*"Clang!"*
Another slash was knocked away by Leno. A huge rock nearby shattered, and he looked around at the trees that were severed at the waist and the shattered mountain rocks.
"And now, for the last one, Kuina," Leno said with a laugh.
"Okay," Kuina replied, her Sakura Veil slowly turning gold, her body in a crouched position.
"Extreme – Holy Starfall!" Kuina's figure suddenly disappeared. A sudden slash appeared in front of Leno, and the blade of light slashed down diagonally.
"Mighty Slash!" Leno yelled, swinging his long-prepared slash.
*"Clang! Zzzzzap!"*
A powerful shockwave spread out, kicking up dust and sending dead leaves flying. After the two of them sheathed their swords, Zoro quickly ran up to them.
"Hey, what was that thing you did at the beginning?" he asked.
"Haki. Don't worry, you'll learn it too," Leno said with a smile.
"Really?! I knew it! I knew I could do it," Zoro replied, satisfied.
Afterward, Leno began explaining how to awaken and train the three types of Haki.
*"Grumble, grumble."*
As he was speaking, Leno's stomach growled.
"Let's go back and eat," Kuina said with a laugh.
---
After dinner, Kuina finished packing her things.
"Well then, we'll be going now, Teacher Koushirou," Leno said.
"Going? Going where?" Zoro asked, confused.
"To my home to visit. How about it, mosshead? Wanna come?"
"No, I still have to train," Zoro said after a moment of struggle.
"That's right. You're too weak. Be careful not to get beaten up and cry when you're out there."
"Leno, you bastard! Just you wait! I'll make you pay for that!" Zoro cursed at him from behind.
"Hahahaha…"
Kuina was a little excited as she boarded Leno's "little broken boat." This was her first time sailing out to sea. She gazed at the clear blue sky and the endless ocean, feeling the sea breeze on her face. She couldn't help but close her eyes and spread her arms, feeling a sense of freedom she had never experienced before.
*"Buzz!"*
Her Conqueror's Haki was released involuntarily, and it even seemed to have become stronger.
"That's great," Leno praised. "From now on, you'll have to focus on training your Haki."
"Okay, sounds good," she replied.