Chapter 78: Zoro and Kuina's New Teachers
Marine Headquarters - Vice Admiral Gion's Office
Knock, knock—
"Come in," Gion's (Momousagi's) voice called out, cool and clear.
The door opened, and Roy walked in, playfully pushing Kuina and Zoro in front of him.
Gion, who had been signing documents, looked up and raised an eyebrow. "Roy? It's rare for you to have time to visit me. What's wrong?"
Roy grinned, nudging Kuina forward. "Come on, come on, Big Sis Gion, do me a favor and take this one off my hands. In terms of sword skills, she's lacking a real, top-tier instructor."
Gion's gaze fell on Kuina, her eyes lingering for a moment on the Wado Ichimonji at her waist. "You're Kuina, then? I've heard good things about your performance in the boot camp."
Kuina stood ramrod-straight, her eyes firm. "Yes! Vice Admiral Gion! I want to become stronger!"
Gion slowly closed the file and walked around her desk to stand in front of the young girl. "Why do you want to be strong?"
Kuina answered without a moment's hesitation. "To become the world's greatest swordsman!"
A rare flash of genuine admiration appeared in Gion's eyes.
"Very well," she said, her tone decisive. "Starting today, you'll train with me."
"Thank you, Vice Admiral Gion!" Kuina bowed deeply, her eyes blazing with respect.
Roy just grinned from the sidelines. "Thanks, Gion-san~"
Gion just rolled her eyes at him, but said nothing.
After they left Gion's office, Zoro walked with his arms crossed, his face a mask of annoyance. "Hey, Roy, why didn't you ask her to train me, too? I can tell she's an incredible swordswoman!"
Roy ruffled his green hair, a mischievous glint in his eye. "What's the hurry? I've already arranged for an even scarier teacher for you."
Zoro's eyes lit up. "Who?"
Roy just smiled. "Follow me."
Marine Headquarters - Admiral Kizaru's Office
Kizaru (Borsalino) was slouched on his sofa, legs crossed, sipping tea and lazily flipping through a magazine titled, "A Relaxing Guide to Fishing."
Knock, knock~
"Come on in~" Kizaru drawled.
The door opened, and Roy entered, followed by a very eager Zoro.
Kizaru looked up, his signature, lazy smile spreading across his face. "Ooh~ if it isn't our famous Vice Admiral, the New World's biggest troublemaker~ What brings you here, Roy? Not out fighting Kaido today? Did you just~ want a cup of tea?"
Roy grinned. "Uncle Kizaru, I actually came to ask a little favor~"
Kizaru immediately waved his hand dismissively. "Maa~ you know me, Roy. I hate troublesome things~"
"FWOOSH!"
Roy didn't say another word. He just snapped his fingers. A steaming hot bowl of North Blue Miso Chashu Ramen appeared on the coffee table, the aroma instantly filling the room.
Kizaru's eyebrow shot up.
"FWOOSH!"
A large bunch of perfectly ripe, golden-yellow tropical bananas appeared next to the ramen.
Kizaru stared at the food, his mouth twitching. "Ooh~ now this is just~ so difficult for me~"
Roy just smiled and snapped his fingers one last time.
"FWOOSH!"
A small, folded note landed by the teacup. It read: [Will help you with three 'troublesome' missions.]
In an instant, Kizaru was on his feet, his smile positively beaming. "Maa, maa, maa~ It's no trouble at all, no trouble at all! I love training new recruits~"
Zoro, who had been watching this entire exchange, was dumbfounded.
"This... this is one of the Navy's 'Three Great Admirals'?! The highest fighting power in the Marines?!"
Kizaru, already slurping the ramen, just smiled. "Mmm~ just like the taste of the North Blue..."
Marine Headquarters - Training Ground
As evening approached, Kizaru ambled into the center of the training ground, his hands in his pockets.
He squinted at Zoro, who was already in a fighting stance, his two new swords drawn, his eyes like fire.
"So~ green-haired brat, what is it you want to learn~?"
"I want to get stronger! Strong enough to become the world's greatest swordsman!"
Kizaru just scratched the back of his head and yawned. "Maa~ then you've come to the wrong person. I'm not~ really the type to rely on just my sword skills~"
Roy, watching from the sidelines, laughed. "Come on, Uncle Kizaru. I've heard all about your Ama no Murakumo (Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven)~"
"Ooh~" Kizaru drawled. "You've~ exposed me~"
He raised his hand, and a blindingly bright, golden blade of pure light formed in his palm. The air itself seemed to hum.
"Well then... I suppose I can be just a little serious~"
Kizaru's lazy expression didn't change, but his aura did.
He moved.
"FWOOSH!"
He vanished in a streak of golden light. The next instant, the tip of his light-sword was resting an inch from Zoro's throat.
"So... fast...!" Zoro was frozen, a cold sweat pouring down his back, not daring to move.
Kizaru chuckled, retracting the blade. "Speed... is weight~ Have you ever been slashed at the speed of light, brat?"
Zoro gritted his teeth. "Again!!!"
"Maa~ what a troublesome kid..."
Kizaru sighed, and his figure blurred, forcing Zoro back, parrying a flurry of light-speed attacks, each one appearing like a bolt of lightning.
"Don't just swing with brute force... your movements are too predictable~"
"If you don't improve your fundamentals and your observation... your 'swordsmanship' is just... crude swinging~"
Zoro, on the defensive, finally saw an opening and roared, "I don't care about beating you now! I'm going to beat the future you!!"
Kizaru's eyes narrowed, a real smile touching his lips. "Ooh~? So you're not just a brute after all."
Meanwhile, in Gion's Private Dojo...
Gion stood, sword at her side. Opposite her, Kuina was in a perfect kendo stance, her breathing controlled.
"The way of the sword is not just about swinging," Gion's voice was calm. "Heart, technique, and body. All three must be forged to their absolute limit."
Kuina gripped the Wado Ichimonji. "Yes, ma'am!"
"Your spirit is good. But you're too rigid... too bound by the 'rules' of your style!"
SHING!
Gion's sword, Konpira, was out of its sheath in a flash, the blade passing so close to Kuina's face it severed a few strands of her hair.
Kuina didn't move. She didn't even blink.
Gion nodded, satisfied. "Good. From now on, I won't be holding back."
Kuina took her stance. "Please, I'm ready!"
Gion's blade became a silver-blue arc, forcing Kuina to react, parry, and adapt, pushing her past her limits with every strike.
"Anticipate my next move! Don't just look at me, feel me!"
Kuina gritted her teeth, sweat pouring down her face, but she never took a step back.
Evening - Roy's Courtyard
Zoro was collapsed on the grass, completely exhausted, but his eyes were blazing. "That lazy-looking Admiral... he's... he's on a whole other level...!"
Roy, who was at the grill, just laughed. "What did you expect? He's an Admiral for a reason!"
Zoro clutched his swords. "Next time... I'll land a hit. Just one."
Kuina, now in fresh clothes, walked over. "Vice Admiral Gion is terrifying. She... she could see every move I was going to make."
"She's called 'the female swordsman closest to the rank of Admiral' for a reason," Roy added.
"I think... I learned more than just swordplay from her," Kuina said, looking up at the sky. "I learned... what true resolve looks like."
Roy smiled, flipping the meat. "Belle-mère! Are the sides ready? These brats are starving!"
"Alright, alright!" Belle-mère called back, bringing out a huge platter. "I made double for everyone!"
Nami and Nojiko brought out drinks, and Luffy was already running around with a skewer in each hand.
Just then, Kizaru appeared in the corner of the yard, casually munching on one of the bananas from earlier. "Maa~ after such a troublesome training session with that brat... I figured I'd stop by for a little barbecue. I hope~ that's not too much trouble~"
Laughter, the smell of food, and the lingering fire of a good fight... the new generation of Marines was rising with the setting sun.
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