After Kuina finished speaking, she was stunned, not knowing why she would tell her innermost thoughts to someone she had just met. It was as if she felt at ease and blurted it out.
Could it be because he was a stranger?
But the Laino from last night didn't give her the kind of trust where she could let her guard down.
How strange.
Was it the effect of the [Glib Tongue] fused into [Gluttonous Lord]?
Laino also felt Kuina's closeness and goodwill. He smiled and said, "There are great swordsmen who are women, you know!"
"Hmm?"
Kuina stared in astonishment, "Really?"
"Really. The world is so big, anything is possible. Female great swordsmen are just rare, not nonexistent."
"For example, there are female great swordsmen in the Marines, so there must be others elsewhere."
Kuina's eyes lit up. The words that had always troubled and negated her were like a fog enveloping her. Now, she saw a ray of hope piercing through that fog, and her whole body was once again filled with confidence.
"Thank you, Laino!"
She was extremely happy.
Not far away, Saka nudged Zoro and said, "Hey, look, is Kuina smiling?"
"Eh?!"
Zoro, who had been focused on his meal, widened his eyes.
...
"The sword is not just about technique, but more about the heart. When the heart and sword are one, that is the Isshin Style!"
During the sword theory class, Koshiro personally explained the Isshin Dojo's philosophy to his disciples.
It was tedious. Most of them didn't like listening to vague theories. The disciples sitting in the back had various expressions. Some were dazed, some were dozing off. Some were scratching their heads, fidgeting as if sitting on pins and needles.
Koshiro didn't force the issue. Everyone's comprehension was different. The theoretical knowledge he taught was something most swordsmen would never use in their lifetime.
Laino, Kuina, Zoro, and Saka listened the most attentively.
Laino had been at the Isshin Dojo for three months. Every day, he practiced with self-discipline, training without distractions. His powerful talents were being converted into immediate combat strength. His swordsmanship had made terrifying progress.
Koshiro found it incredible. He admitted that he had misjudged Laino back then.
As Laino solidified his foundation and was widely exposed to sword theory, the benefits of systematic training became apparent. From the basics to theory, there was a complete path of advancement to follow. The sword theory, in particular, sounded profound but was like a beacon illuminating the path.
The Isshin Style of swordsmanship did not just pursue the improvement of "technique," but placed more emphasis on the cultivation of the "heart." Moves were external; the strength of the heart was true strength.
Every time Zoro surpassed himself, it was due to an awakening of his heart and a refinement of his will, which was the very embodiment of the "Isshin Style."
Laino, with his concepts from another world, cross-referenced them with the Isshin Style's theory and gained a unique understanding.
After the sword theory class, the afternoon was for free practice. Everyone adjusted their training methods according to their situation, either sparring with others or practicing alone. Some children had to help with farm work at home in the afternoon.
Through his interactions, Laino learned that most of the people who learned kendo were just trying to learn a few moves for self-defense. More than fifty years ago, the villagers here were often harassed by mountain bandits. Some passing samurai saved them and established the Isshin Dojo, teaching the villagers swordsmanship for self-defense. Shimotsuki Village became famous because of this. Everyone in the village knew this story.
The afternoon free practice had a regular event: the duel between Zoro and Kuina.
Every time he watched their duel, Laino became more and more convinced that Kuina dying from a fall down the stairs was unbelievable.
It was outrageous! A swordsman who had trained since childhood, even if she fell from a ten-meter-high cliff, could easily land safely.
Laino specifically looked at the tallest staircase in the dojo, which was about three meters from the ground, equivalent to the height of one floor. Falling from such a height, even an ordinary person with some knowledge of how to protect themselves probably wouldn't die, right?
Kuina's swordsmanship and physical skills were good enough to defeat an adult, yet she would die from a fall?
Laino was deeply skeptical.
"The 1970th time, Zoro lost again!"
Everyone was used to Zoro losing. The day Zoro won would be big news.
"31 times left!" Laino thought to himself. Kuina died shortly after the 2001st duel. According to this progress, would that day happen next month?
Rumble!
Suddenly, a clap of thunder sounded. Laino looked up. Dark, heavy clouds had gathered over the coast at some point.
"Thunder? Is a storm coming?" Saka said.
The wind blowing from the sea rustled the leaves and brushed against Laino's face. He could faintly sense a monster within those dark clouds.
On the sea reef, an old man sat on a rock, gazing into the distance. Beneath the black clouds, a huge ship was slowly approaching. The gale and heavy rain obscured the afterglow of the sunset.
Whoosh!
A hurricane swept by, making the old man's clothes flap wildly.
"Kozaburo, long time no see."
A deep voice, still clearly audible amidst the waves and the gale.
On the reef, a tall figure in a hooded cloak stood abruptly.
He came with the hurricane.
He arrived with the waves.
He appeared with the lightning.
A flash of lightning illuminated the face under the hood. It was stern and resolute, with a red square tattoo that made it look even more ferocious.
"Hehehehe, Dragon!" Shimotsuki Kozaburo laughed. "Every time you appear, you bring a storm with you."
"The World Government's CP agencies are always looking for trouble with me. For the safety of my comrades, I can only do this," Monkey D. Dragon said apologetically.
"Your ability is really useful."
"So, what brings you to see this old man?"
Dragon looked at the lighthouse not far away. "Nothing much. It's rare to come back to the East Blue, so I came to see an old friend."
"Oh?"
"I came back to investigate the Bridge Kingdom. Something big seems to have happened there, even the Celestial Dragons were alarmed."
"The Celestial Dragons are coming to the East Blue?" Shimotsuki Kozaburo scratched his head. "This is not good. Wait, you're not going to assassinate a Celestial Dragon, are you?"
"Now is not the time to declare war on the Celestial Dragons. I need more, many more freedom fighters!" Dragon said.
"If the Celestial Dragons are coming, CP0 will also be with them. You warriors should be careful too."
"Yes!" Shimotsuki Kozaburo's expression turned grave.
He watched as the black clouds sailed back into the deep sea, heading towards the Goa Kingdom.
The intelligence Dragon had received was that the Goa Kingdom, in order to welcome the Celestial Dragons, was planning to burn down the kingdom's slums.
Having been born in the Goa Kingdom, he knew that if this were true, hundreds or even thousands of people would die.
He had to stop it