Sylvan. Training Room
Tashigi's lashes fluttered. She propped herself up on both palms and took in her surroundings—then froze on Arton's back, the man sitting quietly a few meters away.
Right… I asked Arton to coach my sword work.
Did I pass out when the training pushed me past my limit?
A hint of reverence rose in her chest. Who wouldn't feel awe? The world's top swordsman had personally agreed to hone her technique—something the old Tashigi could never have dreamed of. Sun‑Breathing itself didn't fit her, yet she had a hunch she could explore her own breathing style, and someday duel without borrowing Tier's strength.
[By the timeline, our coordinates right now should be…]
"Eh? Is Arton about to reveal where we are?"
Tashigi spotted the diary's newest update and felt her nerves snap taut. She recalled Carina's standing order to every Flame‑Blade crewmate; without hesitation she sprang up and called softly, "Captain Arton, please look at me."
"Hm? Look at you—at what?"
He set his pen aside and turned—only to blank out. In three brisk motions Tashigi stripped off her training gi; the figure she'd gained after fusing with the Tier template was on full display. Reflexively Arton snapped a photo and uploaded it.
[Video (recording): Tashigi—does this woman have an exhibitionist fetish?]
Gion: "…"
Doll: "Is Tashigi, like Nojiko and Carina, stopping Arton from posting his position?"
Whitey Bay: "Good the Navy can't get the coordinates, but it sure makes finding him rough for me."
Sadi: "Was her body always that good?"
Ain: "Tier's template really gave her a second bloom. Enviable—both the curves and the power."
Vivi: "Once he heads for the Grand Line I'll stake out Reverse Mountain; even if Carina keeps jamming the coordinates, I should snag him."
Nico Robin: "Still, better widen the search—Vivi, Paula, Mikita, spread out a bit."
Arton folded his arms, amused. "So you spun me around just to let me admire the view? Can't deny it—you look fantastic. But don't tell me you plan to tempt me with that body—that's not very you, Tashigi. Aren't you the arms‑folded‑blushing type?"
With scenery like this his urge to jot coordinates vanished.
Tashigi bit her lip. "Y‑you enjoy views like this, right? I thought… since you're training me, the least I can do is show you something you like." Her cheeks blazed crimson—yet she held the pose. As a Flame‑Blade member she had to follow the plan: whenever Arton tried to broadcast their location and she was the only one present, impede him—by any means.
Arton chuckled. "Didn't know you repaid favors so well. Pity—if you, like Hina, wanted to be my meat‑whatever, I'd gladly give you a wonderful night."
The memory of commanding straight‑laced Hina with the spell tugged a grin across his face.
Tashigi stared at her hands, twisting her fingers. If he'd used that spell on me first… maybe I'd have answered like Hina—and right now I'd really be with Arton…
The thought painted her skin a deeper pink. Still, she held her ground; better Arton's eyes stay on her than drift back to the diary. True, the recording showered her with points—but remaining like this, under the gaze of every diary‑holder…
"All right," Arton said suddenly, chin propped on one hand, "if this is how you repay favors, keep that look—and keep training."
"Eh?!" She gaped; the idea of practicing stark naked was unthinkable. One vigorous swing and every inch of her would be on display—not just to Arton but to every diary holder. They might all be women, but the mortification was the same.
"Right now," Arton went on, "if you can swallow your shyness and practice, it'll temper your mindset. Honestly, I'm not doing this just to enjoy the view."
Tashigi bit her lip and shot him a wounded look. Pure she might be, but she didn't buy that last line. Yes, he meant to help her train, yet he was definitely enjoying himself. Still, she had only herself to blame—she'd shed the gi.
"Fine—let's resume." Arton rose, took the katana beside him, and swept it once; a ribbon of fire trailed after the blade. "You saw earlier: my style is Sun Breathing. Each swing can set the air ablaze."
"You mean to teach me Sun Breathing?" Tashigi asked, eyes fixed on the arc of flame.
"I'd like to, but you probably can't master it. You should study a style tied to water."
"Water…?"
"Exactly. Just as the Tier template granted you water‑type power, you ought to practice Water Breathing."
"Water Breathing?" She blinked.
Arton nodded. "Sun Breathing can branch out. The swordsman Yoriichi who created it used it as a template to craft five base styles suited to others' physiques—Water, Thunder, Flame, Stone, and Wind. Later, more specialized forms evolved from those."
"Your body is attuned to flow like water. I think you can learn the Water form. True, with Tier's strength you don't have to, but her power leans on brute force more than finesse. Water Breathing swordplay would refine your swings."
Tier, an Arrancar, possessed tremendous might and decent techniques, yet her pure sword work lacked polish. Mastering Water Breathing could fill that gap—and Tashigi's watery affinity after merging with Tier made success plausible.
Arton himself had inherited Yoriichi's full template, including the knack for guiding others to new styles. If Tashigi fit Water Breathing, he was confident he could help her create a branch of her own.
Smoothie:"So Arton plans to spend real time honing Tashigi's sword—water‑based at that."
Whitey Bay:"Lucky girl—she got a template and one‑on‑one lessons with the world's top swordsman."
Kozuki Hiyori: "The Yoriichi template can even birth new sword schools? Tashigi is fortunate indeed."
Cinnamon:"Five primary forms and assorted specials… Will Arton help others master a style too?"
Gion: "Tashigi is going to grow stronger and stronger."
Ain: "I wonder if I'll get to learn from him one day. After merging with Nami he should also grasp Raiden Shogun's techniques."
Custard: "If I could master the Shogun's slashing art, how marvelous that would be."
...
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