The sound of steel echoed across the dojo.
Clang!
Clang!
Sparks flickered as two blades collided.
Kevin moved forward—
Low stance.
Controlled breathing.
His sword cut diagonally—
Fast.
Precise.
Clang!
Shimotsuki Kuina blocked it smoothly, her expression calm.
"You're getting predictable again."
Kevin twisted his wrist—
Changed direction mid-swing—
"…Then keep up."
Clang!
Kuina stepped back—
Then countered instantly.
Kevin barely blocked it.
"…Still faster…"
Kuina smirked.
"Still slower."
They broke apart.
Both breathing slightly heavier.
But neither backing down.
From the side, Koushirou watched quietly.
"…Balanced."
Not equal.
But close enough—
That every fight mattered.
Kevin lowered his sword slightly.
"…Again?"
Kuina nodded.
"Always."
But before they could clash again—
A voice called out from the entrance.
"Sensei!"
Both turned.
A villager stood there, slightly out of breath.
"There's a problem near the docks."
Kevin's eyes narrowed.
"…Pirates?"
The villager shook his head.
"…Bandits."
Kuina frowned.
"…That's worse."
Koushirou stepped forward.
"I will handle it."
Kevin shook his head.
"No."
Koushirou paused.
Kevin stepped forward.
"…Let me go."
Silence filled the dojo.
Kuina crossed her arms.
"…You just want to fight."
Kevin didn't deny it.
"…I need experience."
Koushirou studied him carefully.
"…This is not training."
"I know."
"…You could die."
Kevin met his gaze.
"…Then I'll learn faster."
Silence.
Koushirou closed his eyes briefly.
Then—
"…Go."
Kuina blinked.
"…That easily?"
Koushirou looked at her.
"You will go with him."
Kuina smirked.
"…Of course."
The docks were quieter than usual.
Too quiet.
Kevin and Kuina moved carefully.
Watching.
Listening.
"…Three," Kevin whispered.
Kuina nodded slightly.
"…I see them."
Three men.
Rough.
Armed.
Not pirates—
But not harmless either.
"Hand it over!"
One of them shouted at a merchant.
"Or we take everything!"
Kevin stepped forward.
"…That's enough."
The men turned.
"…Kids?"
One of them laughed.
"You serious right now?"
Kuina raised her sword.
"…Dead serious."
The bandits grinned.
"Then we'll teach you a lesson."
They rushed forward.
Clang!
Kuina blocked the first strike easily.
Kevin moved to the side—
Not rushing in blindly.
Watching.
Waiting.
"…They're slower than pirates…"
But still dangerous.
One of them lunged at Kevin.
Fast.
Kevin stepped back—
Then forward.
Clang!
He blocked.
Barely.
"…Still strong…"
The bandit grinned.
"Not bad, kid!"
Kevin's eyes sharpened.
"…But not enough."
He shifted—
Then struck low.
The bandit stumbled.
Kuina took the opening.
Clang!
Her blade knocked his weapon away.
Kevin moved in—
And stopped his sword at the man's throat.
Silence.
"…Yield," Kevin said.
The bandit froze.
"…Tch."
He dropped to his knees.
The other two—
Were already down.
Kuina exhaled.
"…That was easier than I thought."
Kevin lowered his sword.
"…Still dangerous."
He glanced at the merchant.
"…You're safe now."
The man stared at them.
Then—
"…Thank you…"
He quickly reached into his bag.
"…Please take this."
Kevin paused.
"…What?"
"Payment."
A small pouch.
Heavy.
Kuina raised an eyebrow.
"…Money?"
Kevin took it slowly.
Opened it.
Coins.
Shiny.
Real.
"…Berries…"
His first.
Kevin closed the pouch.
"…We'll take it."
Kuina smirked.
"…So you do care about money."
Kevin looked at the coins again.
"…Strength isn't enough."
Kuina tilted her head.
"…What do you mean?"
Kevin turned toward the sea.
"…If we want to leave this place someday…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…We'll need more than just swords."
Money.
Supplies.
A ship.
Crew.
Kuina crossed her arms.
"…You're thinking far ahead again."
Kevin smirked.
"…Always."
That evening—
Kevin sat alone again.
The pouch of Berries beside him.
"…This is just the start…"
He looked toward the horizon.
The endless sea.
Somewhere out there—
Power existed.
Devil Fruits.
Legends.
Chaos.
And one day—
He would step into it.
Not as prey.
But as something far more dangerous.
Behind him—
A faint shadow flickered.
Watching.
Silent.
Kevin closed his eyes.
"…I'm getting closer…"
Closer to power.
Closer to freedom.
Closer to the day—
He would leave everything behind.