"Father!"
Hearing Koshiro say that, Kuina's temple throbbed with veins. "Why do you have to spill everything?"
"Oh?"
Koshiro squinted his eyes with a smile. "In front of your idol, you suddenly know how to be shy? But you're still hanging onto his arm, aren't you?"
"Huh?"
Kuina instinctively looked down. Her cheeks instantly turned crimson like fire, even to the tips of her ears. She quickly let go of Shanu's arm and bowed. "I'm terribly sorry! That was rude of me, Lord Shanu!"
"It's fine, really."
Shanu waved it off. Of course he wouldn't mind, and he certainly didn't take it as some kind of romantic admiration.
Kuina was only eleven, one year older than Zoro—same age as Nojiko.
At that age, right at the start of puberty, a girl's moods changed by the day. Becoming someone's fangirl one moment, then losing interest the next—it wasn't unusual at all.
"Lord Shanu," Kuina asked again as soon as she sat back down, "are you just passing through? You won't leave tomorrow, will you? Could you stay a few more days? This chance is rare—I'd really like to learn some swordsmanship from you."
Ah, the very thing he feared most.
"No rush."
Shanu gave a dry laugh, rubbing his empty stomach. He shot Koshiro a pleading look. "How about… we start dinner first?"
Dinner was held in a spacious side room on the west side of the dojo.
A long, low table stretched across the center, everyone seated on tatami along both sides.
Though Isshin Dojo wasn't tiny, a dozen people shared the meal: Koshiro, Kuina, two assistant instructors, the cook, and several children who lived and studied there.
Zoro was there too, dragged back by Kuina in the middle of his extra training, sulking the whole time.
The food was simple: rice, a few stir-fried vegetables, grilled eel, and miso soup.
Nothing fancy, but Shanu's stomach had been gnawing at itself for hours. At this point, anything tasted like a feast.
As they ate, Shanu quickly noticed a pair of eyes sneaking glances at him again and again.
When he looked up, Kuina instantly turned away, daintily nibbling rice like a proper young lady.
At first, Shanu tried to keep up appearances—eat neatly, chew slowly. But Kuina's constant staring wore on his nerves.
This kid… once or twice is fine, but must you stare endlessly?
So he gave up. He rolled up his sleeves and dug in with gusto, stacking empty dishes into a mountain taller than his head—conveniently blocking Kuina's view.
"This guy eats so much…" Zoro muttered from across the table, eyes wide. "And his table manners are even worse than mine…"
"Shut up!"
Kuina snapped, glaring at him. "Great swordsmen have big appetites—that's only natural! But you, who can't even beat a girl, how dare you go for a fifth bowl?"
"You—!"
Zoro was furious. What was with this hypocrite today?
He wanted to argue back, but couldn't find a comeback—especially after losing to her for the 1,950th time that very afternoon.
He sulked, shoveling rice into his mouth. But when he went to get a sixth bowl, he sneaked another glance at Shanu.
Junichi said this guy was strong. Kuina said so too. But where exactly was his strength?
Zoro squinted. Maybe… he should test him?
Dinner ended, night deepened, and a light drizzle began to fall.
In the gentle breeze of the courtyard, the bamboo shishi-odoshi tipped and clacked, startling fish in the pond below into scattering.
Shanu stood under the eaves, watching the rain. Junichi hurried in. "Boss, everyone at the clinic is settled."
"How are things?" Shanu asked.
"That kid Sanji's fine," Junichi replied. "After taking medicine, his color looks much better. One night's rest and he'll be bouncing around tomorrow. But that old man Zeff… his wounds are badly infected. It's tricky. Granny Shiran doesn't have the strength, so she called Master Koshiro over to help. The two of them together should be able to handle it by tonight."
"You've worked hard."
Shanu nodded. Just as he was about to say more, someone suddenly tapped his shoulder.
He turned around to see the green-haired brat on tiptoes, straining to meet his eyes—but the height difference left him still looking up.
"Hey! Lord Shanu!"
"What is it?"
"Let's have a spar! How about it?"
Zoro grinned wide, waving his two bamboo swords. "That sword on your back looks awesome. I want to see if you, as a swordsman, are worthy of it!"
Shanu glanced back at the Masamune sword on his back, raising a brow without replying.
"Zoro," Junichi frowned, "Brother Shanu is tired. He doesn't have time for your nonsense."
"But, Master, I've trained all day too! I'm tired as well—that makes it fair!"
Zoro's eyes never left Shanu. "What's the matter? Afraid?"
Shanu didn't feel like bickering with the brat. He shook his head and started to walk away. But then his gaze flicked over the bamboo swords in Zoro's hands, and he changed his mind.
Fine. Since dodging wasn't an option, better to settle it all at once.
"Alright. One spar."
He reached for a bamboo sword, but Zoro shoved him aside.
"What are you doing! Think I'm giving you one? I'm a two-sword style swordsman—both of these are mine!"
Ah, right. Shanu chuckled and signaled Junichi to fetch him one. Then suddenly, he turned his head toward the far end of the corridor.
"Miss Kuina, why don't you join us too?"
"Eh?"
In the dim light, Kuina froze behind a pillar, clutching her sleeves nervously. When did he notice I was hiding there watching?
The dojo's back courtyard.
The open space had a thatched awning to shield it from rain—used whenever the weather was bad.
"Hey! Are you kidding me?"
Zoro bristled, pointing his bamboo sword at Shanu. "A spar is supposed to be one-on-one! How did it turn into the two of us against you?"
"Zoro!"
Kuina scolded. "Mind your manners! Lord Shanu is a renowned swordsman of the East Blue. Just being willing to spar with us is a rare honor. We should both give it our all, not whine like children!"
"What's gotten into you? Why are you always siding with an outsider?"
Zoro was even more annoyed. "Fine! Then I'll just fight my own way—treat it like a duel! Don't expect me to team up with you!"
"Who wants to team up with you?"
Kuina snorted, gripping her bamboo sword. She bowed deeply toward Shanu. "Lord Shanu, we'll be attacking together. Please be on your guard!"
Moments ago, she was shy and flustered before her idol. Now, focused and determined, her posture was straight as bamboo, her aura sharp and commanding.
"Come on then."
Shanu smiled, testing the weight of his bamboo sword.
Under the eaves, Junichi pressed his palm to his forehead and sighed.
The scene was all too familiar—he could guess exactly how this would play out, even with his eyes closed.