Chapter 202: Tashigi's Challenge!
Loguetown · Marine Branch Training Ground
Sunlight poured over the open training ground. The sand was slightly warm, and the air was thick with the solemn atmosphere of an impending clash.
Hearing that Tashigi had taken the initiative to challenge "Marine Headquarters Swordswoman" Kuina, the Marines of the branch had gathered around early. Even the sentries by the window peeked out secretly to watch the excitement.
In the center of the field, Kuina and Tashigi faced each other from a distance.
One was calm and composed, long hair tied back, sword aura cold as frost;
The other had a determined gaze, glasses reflecting a sharp glint in the sunlight.
"Miss Tashigi is really going all out today..."
"Even though she's usually so gentle..."
"Women look pretty cool when they get serious."
On the sidelines, Sanji looked excited, hands cupping his cheeks, eyes sparkling. "They're both so beautiful! Their figures too... uh... why do they look so similar?! Are they twin sword sisters?!!!"
THUD! A muffled sound.
Sanji took a heavy punch to the head, smashing his skull instantly into the railing in front of him.
"Close your perverted eyes!" Zoro retracted his fist with a frown, his tone merciless.
"MOSS-HEAD!! WANNA FIGHT?!!" Sanji sprang up, roaring as he prepared to counterattack.
"BRING IT! WHO'S AFRAID OF WHO?!!" Zoro raised his voice, stepping up to meet him.
The two immediately scuffled into a ball, fists and feet flying, movements unrelenting, as if another street brawl had opened up next to the training ground.
Usopp held up his "Tactical Tool Bag" with a look of hopelessness, trying to mediate. "Oi, oi, oi! Stop fighting... isn't this the place for a sword duel?!"
But as soon as his skinny body leaned in, he was kicked back to where he started by stray fire, rolling three times on the sand and wailing, "I-I'm not here to join the fight!!!"
The watching Marines were already having a blast, some even starting to place bets. "I bet Moss-head breaks first!" "No, no, no, Curly-brows is definitely getting beaten up!"
Just as the training ground was about to turn into an "Asura Realm," a soft cough cut in abruptly:
"Ahem."
Roy stood on the sidelines, arms crossed. Though the cough wasn't loud, it silenced the atmosphere instantly like a heavy anchor stabilizing the sea.
The next second—
Sanji and Zoro stood straight as if electrocuted—BEEP-BEEP—movements uniform, expressions solemn, dust on their clothes not even patted off yet.
As if nothing had happened.
Usopp lay on the ground, silently raising a small wooden sign that read "Peace is Precious."
Roy glanced at them, the corner of his mouth lifting.
"If you don't want extra training on the spot, watch properly." His tone was casual, but his gaze carried oppressive force.
"YES SIR!!!"
The two answered in unison, instantly quiet as a classroom.
Dim light filtered over the high walls onto the sand. The air in the field seemed to solidify.
Tashigi gripped "Shigure," sinking into a standard orthodox swordsman stance, her bangs slightly lifted by the wind.
Her eyes were determined as she whispered, "Senior Kuina, I hope you go all out!"
Kuina smiled and nodded, slowly drawing "Wado Ichimonji." The blade reflected a cold glint like the surface of water, the wind trembling around it like a melody.
"Don't worry." Her tone was calm but sharp. "I don't like holding back."
—The next second!
"SWISH—!!!"
Almost the moment her words landed, two figures shot out simultaneously!
"CLANG—!!!"
The first sound of metal clashing cut through the air, crisp yet carrying a deafening boom that startled the watching Marines into taking a half-step back.
"It's starting!!"
Sanji and Usopp exclaimed, eyes wide as saucers.
"How... how are they moving?! I can't see their movements clearly at all!!!" Usopp's mouth trembled. "My eyes are practically sparking!"
"That's because you're nearsighted," Sanji added abruptly, his eyes fixed on the field.
Tashigi's swordsmanship was sharp and decisive, her footwork swift as the wind. Every slash brought a whistling sound, pressing toward Kuina like a violent storm.
She held nothing back, displaying her true strength as a Marine elite!
Kuina, on the other hand, was steady as a rock. Her moves were simple, but her blade work was precise to the extreme—
Every strike seemed effortless, yet blocked the opponent's offense perfectly;
Her blade moved fluidly like ripples on water, not chaotic in the slightest.
"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG—!!!"
The two crossed paths continuously. Sparks flew with every clash, shaking the ground tiles slightly.
Dozens of moves passed in a flash. The training ground seemed to have become the eye of a storm woven from sword energy!
Seizing a momentary opening, Tashigi slashed forward violently with a semi-circular sword energy, attempting to force Kuina back!
"HAAH—!!!"
Kuina's gaze sharpened. She shifted her feet, dodging sideways to neutralize the attack, then spun around, her blade sweeping down with the momentum!
"SWISH!"
A horizontal slash cut through the airflow!
"CLANG—!"
"Shigure" flew from Tashigi's hand, blasted away several meters, pinning into the fence at the edge of the training ground!
Amidst the flying dust, Kuina's "Wado Ichimonji" stopped steadily inches from Tashigi's throat. The blade didn't touch, but the intent reached, sharp as lightning!
Silence fell over the entire field.
Tashigi looked shocked, sweat sliding down her cheek. She was silent for two seconds.
Kuina slowly sheathed her sword in one smooth motion.
Click.
She took a step forward, reaching out to pull Tashigi up from the sand. Her expression was gentle yet affirming. "I can feel that you've been practicing the sword seriously."
"Your basics are solid; your footwork wasn't messy."
Tashigi paused, then gritted her teeth and clenched her fist, eyes bright. "I will work hard to catch up to you!"
"Even if I lost today, one day, I will win it back in a head-on duel!"
Kuina smiled faintly, her gaze clear as a spring. "Then I'll be waiting."
Standing side by side, sunlight fell on their backs. A promise between swordsmen seemed silently forged in this moment.
On the sidelines, Sanji knelt on the ground clutching his head, moved to tears. "So beautiful... This is—a romantic battle!!!"
Zoro rolled his eyes, silently moving a step away.
"Oi, don't cry like that next to me. It's embarrassing."
Usopp took out a notebook, scribbling furiously in his "Battle Replay Notes," looking excited. "This is too strong! I have to record this duel; maybe I can make it into a famous scene later!"
Standing at the edge of the field, Roy nodded imperceptibly when he saw Tashigi and Kuina finish their duel.
A flash of satisfaction crossed his eyes. He then turned to look at Usopp and Sanji not far away. "You two, show us something as well."
As his words landed, the training ground fell abruptly silent.
Usopp froze completely, as if he hadn't reacted, slowly pointing a finger at his own nose. "Me???"
Sanji's battle intent ignited instantly, eyes shining with fervent light. "Ha, been waiting for those words for a long time!"
He dropped his cigarette butt, corners of his mouth curving up, taking a step forward. "Who's our opponent?"
On the sidelines, Zoro, who had been watching with arms crossed, grinned meaningfully.
"SCHWING—!"
Three swords were drawn simultaneously. Cold light flashed. Haki wasn't released, yet the pressure made the air sink abruptly.
He walked forward step by step, whispering, "I've been waiting for those words for a long time too—"
The air tightened instantly.
Seeing this, Usopp petrified instantly, face written with "Impending Doom." His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as he hugged his tool bag and backed up frantically.
"AAAHHH?! W-Wait! I-I haven't tied my knee pads yet! I'm not wearing a helmet!! I just washed my hair today; I can't do strenuous exercise!!!"
Sanji, however, showed no fear. Instead, he stepped forward with high morale.
"Oi, Moss-head, I've tolerated you for a long time!"
Zoro snorted coldly, sword tip pointing diagonally at the ground, his eyes already written with "seriousness."
"Then let's see if you have any skill besides a tough mouth."
Roy stood at the edge of the training ground, watching the boys' atmosphere heat up, the corners of his mouth lifting gently.
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