Chapter 013
"Kuina! Let's head back."
Kai's heart was still pounding rapidly. He didn't dare look directly at Kuina as he spoke softly. If they stayed any longer, he was genuinely afraid he wouldn't be able to hold himself back from going further with her!
"Mm… mm!"
Kuina replied shyly as she stood up. She hurriedly straightened her disheveled clothes and answered in a soft voice—also avoiding eye contact with Kai!
It took Kai quite a while to steady his breathing. Only then did he gently take Kuina's slender hand. Under the glow of the setting sun, they walked hand-in-hand along the beach toward the village.
The scene at sunset was so warm, so full of youthful sweetness! All the way back, Kuina kept replaying the moment Kai had touched and kissed her. The sweet sensation lingered in her mind. If possible, she really wished it could last forever!
Quietly, Kuina's admiration and love for Kai grew even deeper and more intense! Her determination to become stronger also hardened. Only by growing far more powerful could she stand by Kai's side when he returned—ready to adventure together on the Grand Line!
...
"Kai-aniki! Are you really leaving today?"
The next day, after hearing the news that Kai was setting sail, twelve-year-old Zoro shouted loudly.
"Mm! What's wrong? Do you want one last match before I go? To see the gap between us?"
Kai, who already knew exactly what Zoro wanted, chuckled lightly and teased him in return.
"Yes! Kai-aniki! I want to fight you one more time before you leave!"
Zoro looked at Kai with unwavering determination.
"Hahaha! Fine! Follow me!"
Kai laughed heartily. He had always admired Zoro's stubborn resilience—otherwise, he wouldn't have taught him weighted training over the past three years!
Kuina watched from the side. This time, she didn't try to block Zoro. This was Zoro's request before Kai's departure—she couldn't interfere.
Kai led Zoro and Kuina straight to the dojo. Fortunately, no one else was there at the moment.
"Come on! Take off your weights! Let me see how much you've improved in these three years!"
Kai casually picked up a bamboo sword, gripped it one-handed, pointed it at Zoro, and spoke seriously.
"Got it!"
Zoro didn't waste words. He knew he stood no chance unless he removed his weights. He quickly unstrapped the thirty-jin (≈33 lbs) lead blocks from each wrist and ankle—letting them crash to the ground with heavy thuds!
Thump! Thump!
The sound of the heavy weights hitting the floor echoed.
Then Zoro grabbed two bamboo swords from nearby, stepped into the center, and stared at Kai with blazing eyes—his fighting spirit burning fiercely!
"Hah!"
Seeing Kai holding his sword one-handed and showing no sign of attacking first, Zoro let out a roar and charged. Both swords slashed toward Kai's face with ferocious speed!
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The two blades whistled through the air!
Clack! Clack!
A sharp glint flashed in Kai's eyes. With a casual block, he neutralized Zoro's attack completely. Then, in the next instant, Kai swung back!
Zoro's dual swords were forced apart. A single sword shadow shot straight toward his chest—lightning-fast!
"Hah!"
Zoro didn't panic at all. With a shout, he crossed his blades to block!
CLANG!
A violent collision rang out. Zoro's body was immediately blasted backward—staggering several steps!
"Again!"
Far from discouraged, Zoro roared even more fiercely. He charged once more, swinging both swords in a barrage of slashes—a storm of sword shadows enveloping Kai!
"Flashy but impractical!"
Kai sighed inwardly. Like Kuina in the past, Zoro was still relying on showy, inefficient moves. Kai's bamboo sword moved in simple, precise counters. Zoro's seemingly overwhelming storm of attacks couldn't even force Kai to take a single step back!
Though Kai could see the flaws in Zoro's style clearly, he had no intention of pointing them out. What he had comprehended himself would sink in far deeper than any lecture!
"So that's how it is!"
Kuina, watching from the side, had a gleam in her eyes. She had never noticed it while sparring with Kai herself, but seeing Zoro's flashy storm of attacks effortlessly blocked and countered by Kai's simple swings made everything click. Excitement filled her gaze!
As the saying goes: the bystander sees clearly. After Kai left, Kuina would stop chasing flashy techniques and truly understand the principle that "showy moves are often impractical."
"Zoro! Watch closely—this is the gap between us!"
After knocking Zoro back with one strike, Kai spoke seriously. He swung his bamboo sword—sharp sword energy instantly condensed along the blade, refined and ready to burst forth!
"Sword energy!"
Zoro's eyes widened in shock. Sword energy symbolized a true swordsman! Projecting it externally marked one as a respected swordmaster! He never imagined Kai had reached this level!
"Then let me see just how strong your sword energy is!"
Though shocked, Zoro's eyes burned hotter. With a roar, he charged at full power—both swords slashing down with everything he had! Seeing someone his age so overwhelmingly strong didn't discourage Zoro—it only ignited his refusal to accept defeat!
"Not bad at all!"
Kai sensed the change in Zoro's emotions and inwardly praised him. He had deliberately revealed sword energy to test whether Zoro would be crushed or become even more determined. The result was exactly what he hoped for!
BOOM!
A deafening clash echoed through the dojo. Zoro's figure was instantly blasted away—crashing far across the floor. Both bamboo swords snapped in half!
"Hehe! Kai's amazing!"
Even though she knew Zoro had no chance, Kuina still cheered excitedly—her heart overflowing with joy!
"You okay?"
Hearing Kuina's cheer, Kai smiled faintly. He walked over to Zoro and extended a hand with a gentle grin.
"I'm fine! Kai-aniki! So you were this strong… But don't worry—one day I'll catch up to you!"
Zoro grabbed the offered hand and stood up. His eyes were filled with admiration. Over the past three years, he had long come to see Kai as his idol—the person he respected most!
"Hmph! If you want to catch up to Kai, catch up to me first!"
Kuina stepped up beside Kai and huffed.
"Yes, yes! Kuina-neesan!"
Zoro replied immediately. Kuina had forced him to call her "big sis" precisely because he called Kai "aniki" (big brother)!
"Come on! Let's go to the beach for a barbecue. I'm leaving tomorrow—it might be years before I come back!"
Kai smiled softly, then suggested. In his consciousness universe, he clearly felt Zoro's worship—his words carried the weight of sacred commands to the boy!
"Great! Let's go!" "Food? Count me in!"
Kuina and Zoro immediately agreed with enthusiasm!
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