The sea remained calm as the ship continued forward.
But the atmosphere onboard had changed.
Tashigi sat near the side of the deck, recovering.
Her breathing was steadier now.
Stronger.
Carina watched her cautiously.
"…So you're really staying on this ship until the next island?"
Tashigi nodded.
"…I owe you that much."
Kuina stood a short distance away.
Silent.
Watching.
Kevin observed both of them without interruption.
After a while—
Tashigi slowly stood up.
Testing her balance.
"…I can move."
Carina blinked.
"…That was fast."
Kuina's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You recover quickly."
Tashigi looked at Kuina.
"…I train regularly."
Kuina replied immediately.
"…So do I."
A short silence.
Carina sighed.
"…Okay, I already feel like this is going to become a thing…"
Kevin spoke calmly.
"…Recovery complete. Movement allowed."
Tashigi stepped forward slightly.
Her gaze shifted to Kuina again.
Not aggressive.
But focused.
"…Can we spar?"
Carina froze.
"…She just woke up and already wants violence?"
Kuina didn't answer immediately.
She studied her.
Then—
"…Yes."
The ship deck was cleared slightly.
Carina moved supplies aside.
Kevin stepped back.
The wind picked up slightly.
Two swordswomen stood facing each other.
Almost identical in appearance.
But different in presence.
Carina whispered.
"…This is still weird…"
Kevin replied.
"…Observe."
Kuina moved first.
Clean step forward.
Controlled strike.
Tashigi blocked immediately.
A bit unstable—but correct.
Metal-less wooden blades collided.
Sharp sound echoed.
Kuina pressed again.
Faster this time.
Tashigi adjusted her stance.
Not as refined—
But solid fundamentals held.
Carina leaned forward.
"…Okay… she's actually keeping up…"
Kuina's eyes narrowed slightly.
Not surprise.
Confirmation.
She increased pressure slightly.
Tashigi was forced to step back.
But she didn't break.
"…Good."
Kuina said quietly.
Tashigi blinked.
"…You're strong."
Kuina replied immediately.
"…You are not weak."
Kevin watched closely.
"…Different execution. Same foundation type."
Carina muttered.
"…That sounds like your 'everything is training data' talk again…"
Tashigi adjusted her grip.
Took a deeper breath.
Then advanced again.
This time—
Cleaner timing.
Less hesitation.
Kuina met her strike again.
This time—
They held longer in clash.
Carina's eyes widened slightly.
"…Okay… she's improving mid-fight…"
Kuina stepped back slightly.
Lowered her sword.
"…Enough."
Tashigi stopped immediately.
"…I lost."
Kuina shook her head.
"…You adapted."
A pause.
"…But I am ahead."
Tashigi nodded.
"…I understand."
No frustration.
Just acceptance.
Carina exhaled loudly.
"…Okay, I don't like that there are two of her now…"
Kevin turned slightly toward the horizon.
"…This is temporary."
Kuina glanced at him.
"…She is coming with us to the island?"
Kevin replied.
"…Yes."
Tashigi looked slightly surprised.
"…I am?"
Carina shrugged.
"…Well, we're not dropping you back into the sea again."
Tashigi nodded slowly.
"…I will repay this."
The ship continued forward.
But something had clearly shifted.
Kuina now had someone who reflected her.
Not perfectly.
But closely enough to matter.
And Tashigi—
Now had a direction she didn't expect.
Carina leaned back.
"…I swear this ship keeps collecting problems…"
Kevin answered calmly.
"…It also collects strength."
The horizon remained open.
But now—
It was no longer empty.