"Number 100 vs Number 69"
Ryu stepped into the battle arena with a deep frown on his face. When he saw who his opponent was, he cursed inwardly.
'Damn it, this guy is older than the one I fought before—and bigger too. He's definitely stronger. I shouldn't block his strikes head-on; my arms almost went numb when I tried blocking the other guy's attack. I should use my grandfather's method, the one he used when he sparred with me—deflecting his attacks instead.'
'I've never tried this method of defense before, but I'll give it a try. Right now, it's my best option.'
The samurai glanced at both of them before swinging his arm sharply downward.
"Begin."
Ryu's foe charged without hesitation, swinging his wooden sword at Ryu in a flurry of fast, relentless strikes.
Ryu used his small size to his advantage, ducking low beneath the strikes and sidestepping as he retreated. His movements were agile and erratic, almost like a monkey leaping and weaving through the attacks.
He quickly shifted into a sideways stance, left arm tucked behind his back, eyes locked on his foe's wooden sword as he started deflecting each strike precisely with the tip of his wooden sword.
"BAAM, BAAM, BAAM, BAAM, BAAM."
__________
In the Balcony
Musashi's eyes widened for a brief second as Ryu shifted into a sideways stance, deftly using the tip of his wooden sword to deflect his opponent's strikes.
Seeing Ryu's performance, pride flashed across his face. Date then looked at Musashi in surprise and asked.
"Musashi-kun, isn't that the Flow Sword Style? You told us you only taught Ryu-kun the basics of swordsmanship. How is this possible?"
Musashi shook his head while smiling and replied.
"I told you all—Ryu-kun is exceptionally talented in swordsmanship. He only needs to see a stance or technique once to learn it."
"I used my Flow Sword Style a few times while sparring with him, but I limited myself to defensive maneuvers. I didn't employ any of the style's counter techniques."
"He must have learned the style by watching me use it in our sparring."
Date and the others nodded after hearing Musashi's explanation, their eyes turning toward Ryu with interest.
Oda's eyes brightened as he watched Ryu's movements become more precise; he was deflecting the sword strikes much more smoothly than before.
"Incredible… Ryu-kun is improving way too fast, even in the midst of battle. This kid is a genius. He isn't using the breathing technique he relied on before. It seems Sanada was right—when Ryu-kun used the breathing technique in his previous fight, it was just a coincidence."
Musashi and the others nodded, showing their agreement with Oda's words.
________
With Ryu
"BAAM, BAAM, BAAM, BAAM, BAAM."
Ryu deflected every sword strike with precision, but then his foe swung his wooden sword toward Ryu's head.
Ryu's eyes lit up at the opening. He spun around quickly, swinging his wooden sword at his foe's exposed back, but his opponent twisted just in time, striking the side of Ryu's face with his own wooden sword.
"BAAM."
Out of nowhere, a wooden sword slammed into Ryu's face, sending him tumbling across the arena, as his foe turned and glared down at him with disdain.
"You think that little trick will work on me? Don't insult me, kid. I already saw it in your last battle."
Ryu's foe then charged at him furiously, swinging his wooden sword in a wide arc.
Ryu didn't have time to adjust his stance. Using his small size to his advantage, he tried to evade the sword strikes, but was being pushed back by his foe.
'This is bad… he's way stronger than me. I lack stamina, and he's wary of the trick I used to win my last match.'
'All the odds are against me—but if I'm going to lose, I'll lose after giving everything I have.'
After Ryu made up his mind, the look in his eyes changed dramatically, and he charged forward toward his foe.
The two clashed in the center of the arena, their wooden swords clashed against each other as they exchanged strikes, while the onlookers cheered loudly.
"BAAM, BAAM, BAAM, BAAM, BAAM."
Ryu was improving with each exchange; his sword strikes were becoming more precise, his footwork was evolving, and his reactions were getting faster.
Each time Ryu blocked a sword strike, he would stagger backward, his arm growing numb, yet his eyes blazed with unyielding fighting spirit.
Ryu used agile footwork to dodge and circle his foe, buying time for the numbness in his arms to fade. Once it subsided, he struck back with swift, precise sword attacks.
_______
In the Balcony
Oda's eyes widened as he continued to watch the fight, his eyes lit up as he watched Ryu's performance.
"Ryu-kun's instincts are unreal—I can't believe a three-year-old boy possesses this kind of instinct."
Date snorted at this, but he couldn't help smiling as he said.
"Not just his instinct, Oda-kun—this kid's natural talent is unreal. He's improving with every exchange. It's a shame his body can't keep up with it; he'll be out of gas soon. Look how hard he's breathing."
All of them nodded in agreement upon hearing this. Then Sanada, gave a small smile, he looked at Musashi and asked.
"Musashi, I know you said you wanted Ryu-kun to gain experience by participating in this competition, but I'm sure that wasn't your only reason. So, tell me, what are you really up to, old friend?"
After hearing Sanada's question, Musashi smiled briefly. When he noticed Oda, Isshin, and the others watching him, he let out a soft chuckle.
"My other reason is I want Ryu-kun to experience the frustration of losing."
Isshin raised his eyebrows upon hearing that; however, Sanada and the others chuckled at Musashi's response.
Isshin looked at them in confusion and asked.
"What's so funny? Musashi's response doesn't make any sense."
Harada chuckled and looked at Isshin.
"Isshin-san, you're not a samurai or a warrior, so it's only natural that you wouldn't understand."
"Every great samurai had tasted the frustration of defeat. It was an unpleasant, burning feeling—one that pushed many of them to train harder and improve than ever, vowing never to lose again."
"Musashi wants Ryu-kun to experience the frustration of defeat—so he will train harder, avoid wasting his potential, and keep arrogance from taking root."
Isshin nodded slowly in understanding. He turned to Musashi, a wry smirk forming on his lips.
"You're one sly old fox, Musashi. I almost feel bad for your grandson."
Musashi and the others burst out laughing at Isshin's comment.
_______
With Ryu
Ryu was sweating profusely and breathing heavily, yet he wore a wide smile, his eyes brimming with excitement.
"BAAM, BAAM, BAAM, BAAM, BAAM."
His wooden sword moved with sharp precision, striking his foe's neck and chest in rapid succession. However, Ryu's strikes lacked power and failed to faze his opponent.
Ryu's foe swung his wooden sword wildly, but Ryu flipped backward and evaded the strike on pure instinct. Snarling, the foe charged like a bull and kept swinging his wooden sword without pause.
"BAAM, BAAM, BAAM, BAAM, BAAM."
Ryu's breathing grew heavy as exhaustion dragged at his limbs, slowing him down, while his foe kept advancing, swinging his wooden sword without giving him a moment to recover.
Each time Ryu was hit—or even when he tried to block—his foe drove him closer to the edge of the arena.
"BAAM."
The wooden sword smashed into Ryu's face, and he was knocked off balance and out of the arena.
"The winner is number 69."
Ryu froze, lying on his back outside the fighting arena. After hearing the samurai's announcement, he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth in frustration.
"Damn it… I lost. I'm weak."
_______
In the Balcony
Seeing the frustration written all over Ryu's face, Musashi smirked. He slowly stood up and said,
"I'll be leaving now. Enjoy the rest of the competition."
Sanada and the others smirked as they watched Musashi walk away, but Isshin called out to him.
"Musashi‑san, I am willing to forge a training sword for your grandson. In return, you will owe me a favor someday. What do you say?"
Musashi's eyes brightened when he heard this, and he turned to Isshin with a reply.
"We have a deal, Isshin-san. After all, it would be foolish of me to refuse—you are one of Wano's finest blacksmiths."
Isshin smirked with pride at Musashi's words. Musashi then stepped away from the balcony, giving a casual wave to Harada and the others as he walked off.
_______
Poll
A) Mc create his own crew (2)
B) Mc join Hawkeye crew (1)
C) Mc join red-haired pirates (4)
D) Mc join revolutionary army (1)
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