SS-Rank?
Such a high level!
Wait, isn't this talent Dragon's Devil Fruit ability?
Wind Control?
Does that mean he has also obtained a portion of the [Wind-Wind Fruit]'s power?
Laino's thoughts moved slightly. He activated the [Wind Control] talent.
A gentle breeze blew, rustling a few fallen leaves. The breeze gradually grew stronger.
Worried about disturbing others, Laino stopped the experiment.
He had indeed obtained the ability to control the wind. But [Wind Control] didn't allow him to turn into wind. Laino couldn't become an element.
But it was still incredibly powerful. At a critical moment, it could catch an enemy completely off guard.
A sudden idea struck Laino.
If he combined [Wind Control] with his swordsmanship talent, could he create a new style of swordsmanship?
The Wind Control Style?
Hmm!
It felt a bit strange, but it sounded familiar.
As Laino pondered, a phrase flashed in his mind.
"Death is like the wind, always by my side!"
Laino wiped his sweat. No wonder it sounded familiar. A One Piece version of the Unforgiven?
"It's not impossible!"
Laino opened his system panel.
[Host Name: Laino]
[Actual Age: 17]
[Existing Talents: Gluttonous Lord, Conqueror's Haki, Sword Heart, Isshin Sword, Wind Control]
[Power Evaluation: Well-trained, on par with a Marine Headquarters Captain. Possesses a demon king's disposition and a heart of the sword. Your potential is limitless. Strive on, young man, blessed by the untamed wind, the future is yours.]
With the addition of the SS-Rank [Wind Control] talent, his power evaluation changed accordingly.
However, Laino had a new understanding of this. The evaluation and his actual combat power were not necessarily equal.
"Fighting and combat power are two different things. The environment, fighting spirit, and other factors can all be key in determining the outcome of a battle."
"Also, talents are similar to Devil Fruits. They need to be developed to unleash their true potential and advantages!"
Laino recalled his battle with Dragon. In that predicament, his fighting spirit had activated the potential of the [Sword Heart] talent.
That was the correct way to use talents. Not just piling them up and increasing their rank, but being unable to fully convert them into combat power.
The same Devil Fruit in the hands of a genius and a mediocre person are two different Devil Fruits.
On the seas, there were too many people who had wasted the power of their Devil Fruits. The same was true for talents.
Laino looked forward to Kozaburo's training.
Walking through the corridor, his steps slowed. He looked at the young girl waiting ahead.
"Kuina, you're not asleep?"
The moonlight shone on Kuina's profile. She nodded, her eyes complex.
"What is it? Something on your mind?"
Kuina paused. The words seemed to be on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back down. "No, nothing. I'm going to sleep."
She was not a girl who was good at communicating and sharing her feelings with others.
"Wait!" Laino called out to her.
"Hmm?"
Laino smiled gently, "Do you like mountain climbing?"
Kuina shook her head. Ever since she could remember, her days were filled with training and more training. Mountain climbing? She was in no mood for that.
"Anyway, it's almost dawn. How about we go to the mountaintop together and watch the sunrise?" Laino invited.
Watch the sunrise?
Kuina saw the sincere smile on Laino's handsome, sunny face. After a few seconds of hesitation, she nodded.
Leaving the dojo, the two of them walked towards the highest peak on the island.
Under the night sky, the mountain forest was tranquil.
Laino and Kuina walked one after the other. Kuina in front, Laino behind.
Kuina's face was serious, her mind heavy with thoughts. Laino was unhurried, at ease.
Neither of them spoke. There was only the sound of their footsteps on the fallen leaves.
"Hey, Kuina!"
Suddenly, Laino stopped and called out to her.
"Hmm?? What's wrong?"
Kuina scanned their surroundings nervously and saw Laino squatting at the root of an old tree, looking down at something.
"Look!" Laino called.
Worried, Kuina hurried over.
Following Laino's gaze, she saw a lantern's light illuminating a cicada, slowly, bit by bit, struggling out of its shell.
"A cicada?"
Kuina let out a breath of relief. Laino's sudden shout had made her think something had happened.
"Have you heard the story of the cicada?" Laino asked.
"No!"
"Every year, the cicada sings for a summer. But do you know how long it lies dormant for that one summer?"
Kuina shook her head.
"I've heard, seventeen years!"
"Eh? That long?" Kuina was surprised.
She squatted down, watching the tiny cicada struggling to break free from its shell, displaying a relentless life force. To think that such a cicada had been buried underground in darkness for a full seventeen years.
"A long time, in obscurity."
"But when it sings, I know that summer has arrived!"
The cicada broke free from its old shell and spread its wings. Then it let out a chirp.
Suddenly, another cicada chirped in the woods, as if in response, followed by more and more, rising and falling.
Laino stood up. "See? All efforts will not be in vain."
Kuina looked at the cicada flying with its wings spread, her heart touched.
Laino had guessed what was on Kuina's mind.
Her growth had put pressure on her.
Originally, Kuina was undoubtedly the most talented among all the students in the dojo. Even so, she was negated by her father. Through her efforts, she wanted to prove him wrong.
But after Zoro arrived, Kuina's position was challenged. She began to doubt herself.
Then Laino appeared, shattering her worldview. It was inevitable that she would feel as if all her hard work had been for nothing.
This sense of loss was something many students would experience. For example, being first in middle school, then becoming average in high school.
When we are young, everyone thinks they are unique, that they will be the one to change the world. But as we grow, when our perceptions, pride, and self-esteem are shattered by more outstanding people, confusion is inevitable.
No matter how strong Kuina was, she was still a child. She would have many worries that she couldn't tell others. She needed guidance.
The two continued to walk towards the mountaintop. Perhaps Laino's words had touched Kuina, and she talked a lot more. About her father, her mother, her childhood, and the way of the sword. There were actually many beautiful and happy memories.
When the two of them reached the mountaintop, a ray of sunlight rose from the sea, shining on them.
The feeling was wonderful.
Laino felt refreshed. He spread his arms to embrace the sun.
"It's like mountain climbing. No matter what you do, as long as you keep walking forward, step by step, you will eventually reach the top!"
Kuina tilted her head. Then she imitated him, letting herself be bathed in the morning light. The sunlight seemed to shine into her heart, dispelling all her worries.
She smiled.
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