Clang-clang-clang!
Kuina continued pressing Zoro, remembering White Ghost's words:
"Some things don't need to be forced. When the time comes, they'll happen naturally. If you rush, you fall into the lower path."
With that thought, Kuina softened her blade power.
Zoro sensed it instantly. His heart jumped.
She's running out of strength?!
But then his head started to spin.
Kuina's power was lighter—but her speed became even sharper.
Zoro couldn't keep up.
One mistake—and his clothes were cut open by several slashes.
Clang!
Kuina knocked him back and closed her eyes.
Her mind sank into stillness.
She took a draw-cut stance.
Kozaburo and Koshiro both stared wide-eyed.
That posture—
Zoro snatched up the dropped sword and took a defensive stance.
He could feel it.
Kuina's next strike was dangerous.
Kuina opened her eyes.
"One-Sword Style: Draw Slash!"
Shhh—!
A flying slash shot toward Zoro.
Everyone's eyes went wide.
That was a true flying slash.
Kuina had broken through.
Danger—! Zoro's instincts screamed.
He couldn't take it.
Koshiro's brows knit together.
He flashed in front of Zoro, drew his own blade, and cut Kuina's slash apart.
Clang!
The flying slash scattered.
Kuina panted—then smiled.
"I did it, Father."
"Didn't you say it's hard for girls to break into Sword Master?"
"I broke through."
Koshiro stared at his daughter.
She'd been trying to prove herself to him for so long—and now his thoughts were completely tangled.
"Sword Master… Kuina is a Sword Master!" the students shouted.
A Sword Master.
Someone who could release flying slashes.
That attack just now had been real.
They stared at Kuina with burning eyes.
No one expected she'd break through this fast.
Zoro walked up calmly, sheathed his swords, and held one out.
"Here. Your sword."
Kuina looked at Wado Ichimonji, but didn't take it.
"Keep it. It doesn't feel right in my hands anymore."
"White-bro said he's bringing me a sword. I'll use that."
Zoro frowned.
"I didn't hear anything about him coming."
"You only train," Kuina said with a small laugh.
"You don't know anything."
She took out the Den Den Mushi White Ghost had left behind.
"I contacted him recently. He said he's taking me with him."
"You agreed?" Zoro asked, confused.
Kuina glanced at her father, then at Zoro.
She didn't say it aloud.
But in her heart, she thought:
That guidance… was for you.
"I'm going now, Father." Kuina bowed to Koshiro and left.
Kozaburo watched his granddaughter with a smile.
"That kid said he prepared a sword for you—what is it?"
Kuina hugged her blade and tapped her chin.
"No idea. He said he has several famous swords. When he arrives, I can pick one."
Kozaburo's eyelid twitched.
Several?
That brat had been collecting famous blades all along.
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