Looking at Hera sitting on top of her, wearing only black lace lingerie and stockings, Kuina could no longer suppress the fire of desire within her. She kissed Hera's lips once more.
After a long while, their lips parted, a glistening thread of saliva connecting them in the middle.
Kuina licked the corner of her mouth and said with lingering satisfaction, "Hera, your mouth tastes so sweet."
Completely drained of strength, Hera lay slumped over Kuina's shoulder, turned her head to kiss Kuina's ear, and then whispered softly, "You won't really know the taste of my mouth unless you try it more."
Upon hearing this, how could Kuina possibly resist? She hugged Hera, and the two of them fell onto the bed together. The clothes that were in the way were directly tossed aside by her, and the two pressed against each other, sharing another long kiss.
The City of Devouring Time silently unfolded, isolating Hera's sounds from the outside world. At this moment, only Kuina knew the beauty of this instant.
It wasn't until the next day that the City of Devouring Time quietly vanished. Hera had fallen into a deep sleep, while Kuina's spirits remained high. After a night of intimacy, Kuina suddenly felt her strength had increased a little.
Kuina looked at her own hand; the palm, once somewhat rough from sword practice, had regained its smooth and delicate texture.
After Hera woke up, a now-calm Kuina described her changes to her and asked with great concern, "Quickly, check yourself. Is there any negative effect?"
Hera assessed her own condition and found nothing wrong.
She then activated Observation Haki to observe Kuina's state.
She immediately discovered that through their contact and exchange, a portion of the spiritual power from her own body had merged into Kuina's. Under the subtle transformation of this spiritual power, Kuina's body had undergone a beneficial change.
Hera said, "Don't worry, there's no problem. My body is rather special, a kind of spirit species. Last night's activities allowed spiritual power to enter your body."
Feeling the changes in her body, Kuina's gaze towards Hera gained a hint of predatory intensity.
Hera, who still felt a bit of a backache, waved her hands repeatedly, "No, no, and besides, I noticed the spiritual power exchanged into you this time hasn't been fully consumed yet. Really, it's not possible."
Kuina shot Hera a glare and said, "Alright, I'll let you off this time."
Supporting her waist, Hera wondered if it was just psychological, but this fatigue stemming from her very core seemed unaffected by 'Fourth Bullet'.
Covering her mouth, Kuina said, "With you like this, you still want to recruit so many crew members. Will you be able to satisfy everyone when the time comes?"
Upon hearing this, Hera immediately straightened her back and declared confidently, "It's all because of the spiritual power. Once the spiritual transformation is completely finished, I'll definitely be fine."
Kuina shook her head, thinking of how Hera went soft at the slightest touch in bed, "I doubt it. But you're very cute like this, so I'll forgive you."
Hera's face flushed bright red. She snorted coldly, pretending to be aloof, and left.
The physical fatigue recovered in just one morning. Hera guessed it was probably the consumption of spiritual power that had left her feeling a bit weak.
At that moment, Hera sensed a commotion at Marineford. Curious, she walked to the harbor and saw the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye, approaching Marineford in his small boat.
A chill emanated from behind Hera. Aokiji stepped past her onto the sea surface. As he stepped, ice spread from his feet, quickly freezing Hawkeye's small boat in place.
Aokiji said, "Shichibukai Hawkeye, state your business. Marineford hasn't invited you, has it?"
Hawkeye showed no panic at his boat being frozen and said calmly, "I heard the Marines have a young swordsman. I came for that."
Hawkeye stood up and walked across the ice created by Aokiji. "I mean no harm. I merely wish to see this young swordsman."
His hawk-like, sharp yellow eyes swept over the Marines watching the spectacle on the dock. The aura of the world's greatest swordsman pressed down on the entire Marine assembly, and in an instant, the previously lively place fell completely silent.
Hearing Hawkeye's words, Hera knew he was looking for her. She stepped onto the ice, moved past Aokiji, and unleashed her Conqueror's Haki forward, pressing her own aura against Hawkeye's.
Sensing no malice from Hawkeye, Aokiji retreated to the side, ceding the stage to Hera. However, he did not withdraw his Observation Haki, maintaining the ice surface and remaining wary of Hawkeye.
Light gathered in Hera's hand, and 'Saikū' materialized in her grasp. She pointed it at Hawkeye. "What do you want with me?"
Facing Hera's pressure head-on, Hawkeye felt her aura, then withdrew his own Haki. He shook his head and said, "Retract your aura. I have no intention of being your enemy."
Hera sensed that Hawkeye's fighting spirit had already faded after she drew her sword, so she also dispersed her Conqueror's Haki.
Hawkeye sat back down in his small boat. As he boarded, he gave a light slash with his black blade yoru. The ice created by Aokiji shattered under Hawkeye's strike.
Hera couldn't help but ask, "I clearly felt your fighting spirit. Why did you leave without even drawing your sword once you met me?"
Hawkeye said, "I saw the newspaper coverage of your battle with Golden Lion. I thought you were a pure swordsman. But upon meeting you and sensing your aura, I realized you are not a pure swordsman."
"For you, the sword is merely a vessel for your abilities. I have no interest in such swordsmen."
The 'Saikū' in Hera's hand dissipated. Hawkeye was right; her sword was just a vessel for her ability, and her swordsmanship skill had little impact on her overall combat power.
Kuina, having sensed Hera's Conqueror's Haki, came running over. Seeing Hawkeye about to leave, she instinctively drew her wado ichimonji and aimed it at him.
Hawkeye, who had been preparing to leave, felt the sharp sword intent emanating from Kuina. His black blade yoru trembled slightly, as if resonating with the wado ichimonji, another of the twelve supreme grade swords.
Sensing the aura on Kuina—the aura of one truly devoted to the sword—Hawkeye's eyes lit up. "Young swordsman, state your name."
Kuina's eyes were filled with fighting spirit. Since joining the Marines, she had heard of Hawkeye's name. For Kuina, whose dream is to become the world's greatest swordsman, the person before her is the one she must surpass.
The wado ichimonji was slowly stained black by Kuina's Haki, and an aura gradually gathered around her.
Hawkeye drew his black blade yoru. The aura belonging to the world's greatest swordsman surged from him. Sweat had already begun to bead on Kuina's face.
Hawkeye's aura focused on Kuina. "You still have the courage to draw your sword, even knowing the gap between us? Young lady, you're quite good. But challenging me now is still too early."
Kuina shook her head. "I don't want to wait. If I hadn't met you, I could have waited a while longer. But since I've encountered the world's greatest swordsman, I must draw my sword."
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