The expected storm never came, but night fell quietly.
The village children returned to their respective homes.
Those like Zoro and Saka, who lived at the dojo, each found a place to train. Everyone's aptitude was different, making the pace of their progress more apparent, so Koshiro's teaching was tailored to each individual.
Under the moonlight, Kuina swung her sword again and again. A full ten thousand times before she finally stopped.
Sweat soaked her short hair and the collar of her clothes. Her diligent efforts were in no way inferior to Zoro's.
After steadying her breath, she looked over at Laino, who was sitting to the side.
"Aren't you going to train?"
"I am training right now. It's a meditation training method," Laino said.
"Really?" Kuina was skeptical.
"Yes, I'm looking for your openings!"
"Did you find any?" Kuina didn't believe Laino could find her openings, as every one of her strikes strictly followed the forms of the Isshin Style.
"I have!"
In Laino's eyes, the trajectory of Kuina's every sword swing gradually merged into a single, perfect strike.
The [Sword Heart] talent, which amplified his aptitude for the sword path a hundredfold, combined with the physique from [Gluttonous Lord], meant he already possessed the strength to defeat Kuina.
Kuina's gaze sharpened. Laino had found an opening? Although she had already witnessed Laino's talent for the sword, could he really have surpassed her in just three short months?
"Let's have a match!" Kuina said.
"Alright!" Laino stood up.
He quite liked this girl who never gave up and strived to improve. Therefore, he hoped that by finding Kuina's flaws, openings, and shortcomings, he could help her become stronger.
The moonlight was bright and clear.
On the path between the fields, Kozaburo and Koshiro were walking, one behind the other.
"After Kaido occupied Wano Country, the World Government issued arrest warrants for samurai, and the CP agencies have been the most zealous."
"If the Celestial Dragons come to the East Blue, those CP0 fellows will surely follow. We must not let them discover anything." Koshiro couldn't help but worry. He didn't want the peace of Shimotsuki Village to be shattered.
"Yes, I know!" Kozaburo nodded slightly, tucking his hands into his sleeves.
"That over there, isn't that Kuina?" Kozaburo suddenly stopped.
Koshiro looked up.
At the edge of the forest, a gentle breeze was blowing. Laino and Kuina stood opposite each other, each holding a bamboo sword.
"Watch out!"
Kuina gripped her sword with both hands and charged forward.
Swish!
A sharp vertical slash descended with extreme speed.
Faced with this move, the options were to block high or dodge.
Laino did neither.
He slightly lowered his stance and, with a seemingly ordinary motion, thrust his bamboo sword forward.
Kuina's charging figure came to an abrupt halt. Her eyes widened, filled with disbelief.
"Why?" she exclaimed.
"Brilliant! Who is that?" A look of surprise appeared on Kozaburo's face.
An outsider would surely be puzzled by Kuina's halt, but Kozaburo, Koshiro, and Kuina herself knew the reason.
Laino's seemingly ordinary thrust had perfectly countered Kuina's attack. If she had moved forward, she would have been struck. This meant she had to abandon her slash. In a real battle, she would have lost the upper hand.
It sounds easy, but it requires the person holding the sword to have extremely high control over timing, strength, angle, and speed.
Koshiro narrowed his eyes. "That's Laino."
"Oh?" Kozaburo's interest was piqued. "The one you misjudged? With such exquisite sword skill, has he really only been learning for three months?"
"Yes!"
"The younger generation is truly formidable!"
Laino's expression was calm. Did they think he had been watching Kuina for three months for nothing? Her every move and habit had been imprinted into his memory through [Sword Heart], placing them completely within his grasp.
This wasn't limited to Kuina; it was the same for Zoro and Saka. He just hadn't observed them as intently as he had Kuina.
Laino said to the incredulous Kuina, "Your slash just now, there's a problem with your stance!"
"Huh?"
"If you change it slightly, your slash will be faster and more powerful. My thrust would have become an opening instead!"
Kuina was stunned. The stance she had held for years was wrong?
"No, it's that you're starting to go through your growth spurt. Your body is growing every day, so your old habits are no longer suitable."
"Ugh!"
Kuina glared at Laino. How did this guy know she was going through a growth spurt?
Kuina's mind was simple, and she didn't dwell on it. "Then, how should I hold it?" she asked curiously.
"Like this. Let your center of gravity lean forward slightly." Laino demonstrated personally.
Kuina tried it and slashed again.
Hmm?
She was surprised. She could clearly feel an inexplicable smoothness. The air that used to be a source of resistance now, at this angle, became an aid, making her sword faster and sharper.
Suddenly, she understood Koshiro's teaching: to listen to the 'breath' with one's heart. Her own breath, the breath of the sword, the breath of the wind, the breath of all things.
She hadn't understood before, but just now, it seemed she had heard it.
The way she looked at Laino changed, becoming incredibly eager.
Kuina wasn't angry that Laino had seen through her opening. Laino was different from Zoro. He was older than her. It was only natural that he was more knowledgeable.
But Zoro? He was younger. Being surpassed by him would be embarrassing.
It might sound like a double standard, but upon closer inspection, it was perfectly logical. To be surpassed by an adult when you're young is one thing. But to be surpassed by someone younger, what excuse could you find?
"You've found more? Please teach me!" Kuina bowed earnestly.
Laino said, "Quite a few, actually!"
Laino began to guide Kuina's training.
[Ding! Defeated opponent. Scanning talents: Isshin Sword (A-Rank), Fortitude (B-Rank), Unyielding (B-Rank)]
Hmm? This also counts as defeating an opponent?
Well, Kuina asking for his instruction is equivalent to admitting defeat. That makes sense.
She has three talents too? As expected of the one who can keep Zoro in check.
[Please select one of the three talents!]