Chapter 219: The Young Eagle Leaves the Nest
"By the way, Zoro is also very worried about you," Kuina remembered her childhood friend.
"Heh, he's still training his strength on the back mountain. I'll be back soon." Before the words were even finished, Eric 's figure disappeared in front of Kuina.
"He's gone!" Kuina exclaimed in surprise. This was completely different from the quick movement Eric used with his "Shave" technique.
Genzirou's smile deepened, and the narrow slits of his eyes opened slightly. "It seems Eric and Akame haven't been slacking off in their training. Their strength has greatly improved."
"That's the ability of a Devil Fruit, right?"
"Yes," Akame replied.
As they were talking, Eric appeared before them, carrying a small, fierce-looking child.
"Eh? Eh?" Zoro stiffened all four limbs in mid-air, looking like a frog. "How did I suddenly end up at the dojo?"
"Stand properly." Without waiting for Zoro to reply, Eric released his grip on his right hand.
"Ugh..." Zoro quickly stood up, holding his sore behind. "Eric , you jerk!"
"It's been two years, and you're still so short."
"What did you say?!" Zoro grabbed a bamboo sword. "Come fight me!"
"..." After a brief silence, Eric explained, "I've given up swordsmanship for spearmanship. Sorry, Zoro, but I can't duel with you in swordsmanship anymore."
"What? You traitor!" Zoro started shouting.
Genzirou stopped the shouting Zoro. "Whether you're learning swordsmanship or spearmanship, as long as you're not confused in your heart and stick to your path, that's all that matters."
"Yes."
Zoro, slightly understanding, looked at Genzirou.
"Beautiful guidance." Esdeath lowered her head, drawing her rapier slowly. "Let's spar."
"No, no, no," Genzirou waved his hands awkwardly. "As the elder, I can only offer Eric some life advice. I'm no match for the 'Ice Queen'."
"You'll be fine." Kuina added, "Father must be strong!"
"Esdeath," Eric intervened, "You'll get your chance to fight. Don't be so rude in front of my teacher."
Hearing that Esdeath was Eric 's teacher, the battle-hungry Esdeath slightly leaned forward. "My apologies, Eric is my man."
"Eh?!" The two kids present gasped.
"Don't just say random things," Kurumi gracefully lifted her skirt. "I'm the one Eric has promised to spend his life with, the other half, Kurumi. Genzirou-sensei can just call me Kurumi."
The three members of the Isshin Dojo exchanged glances, scanning Eric , Kurumi, and Esdeath.
Genzirou even had a feeling he was sending his daughter into a wolf's den.
He wasn't sure if that feeling was correct...
Esdeath sneered, pulling Eric into a tight embrace and forcefully kissing him in front of everyone.
"Mm~mm!"
Kuina covered her eyes with her hands, peeking through her fingers, her large dark eyes unblinking as she watched Esdeath and Eric .
Zoro, with his green algae hair, was also turning red in embarrassment, captivated by the sound of the kiss.
Releasing Eric , Esdeath smiled victoriously. "Now you know who Eric belongs to, right?"
"Hmph!" Kurumi, unwilling to back down, leaned over and kissed Eric again.
After the kiss, Eric seemed like a small wife being bullied by two strong men, slumped on the ground, panting.
Kurumi straightened up and exchanged glances with Esdeath.
Akame, who had never seen Eric kiss before, felt a strange discomfort in her heart. She cautiously squatted beside Eric , gently asking, "Was... was the kiss... tasty?"
Eric , still dazed, didn't hear Akame's question, so he didn't answer.
"Sister..." Kurome bent down and placed her hand on Akame's shoulder, urging, "Why don't you try it yourself? I heard it's strawberry-flavored~"
"Strawberry..." Akame swallowed visibly, then bit down on Eric 's lips.
"It hurts!" Eric felt a sharp pain on his lips, instantly pulling back. A metallic taste seeped from his mouth, and when he wiped his lips, a red liquid appeared in his hand.
"Akame, what are you doing?!" Eric looked at her with a confused expression. "I might be hungry, but I'm not going to bite myself."
"...It wasn't strawberry flavor," Akame mumbled, but her face and mood seemed to improve.
"Ah!" Kurome clasped her hands together. "Sister and brother-in-law's kiss is so sweet."
Everyone: 'What is this child talking about?'
Genzirou, witnessing this love avalanche, had almost stopped smiling, completely at a loss.
"Eric ..."
Eric understood what Genzirou was about to say. "Genzirou-sensei, I know what you're thinking, but it's not like that..."
"I swear, I don't have any thoughts about Kuina!"
"What?" Kuina crossed her arms, glaring at Eric . "Eric , you bastard! It's not enough that you have Akame, you're going around messing with other girls too!"
Eric responded with a dismissive attitude. "Yes, yes."
Kuina furiously shouted, "What's with that attitude?!"
...
Kuina sharpened her beloved sword, the white blade gleaming as it reflected the light.
Eric , leaning on the door frame, spoke up. "You really like that sword."
"Mm." Finally finishing the maintenance, Kuina sheathed the sword. "I might not be able to maintain it myself for a long time after this."
"What do you mean?" Zoro asked, confused.
Clink
The white scabbard tapped against Zoro's chest with a soft sound. "I'll leave the care of the Wado Ichimonji to you, Zoro."
"What?" Eric was surprised. "Isn't this your favorite sword?"
"Yes. So, Zoro, whether it's to become the world's greatest swordsman or to protect my most beloved sword, in the future, you must live to see me again." Kuina said seriously, "Can you promise me that?"
Zoro gripped the Wado Ichimonji tightly. "I'll become the world's greatest swordsman and stand before you."
History, in another way, returned to its starting point.
Genzirou, still with his usual kind smile, didn't change even as he saw Kuina give away her precious sword.
Zoro then asked, "But Kuina, if you don't have your weapon, how will you go out to sea?"
Kuina grinned mischievously and looked at Eric . "Then we'll see what my captain does, right? Captain Eric ?"
"Already trying to take advantage of me?" Eric laughed. "Akame, are you still using Shusui?"
"No, I'm not." Akame took Shusui from her waist and handed it to Kuina.
Hearing the name "Shusui," Genzirou's eyes twitched. "Could it be...?"
"Yes, it's on par with Wado Ichimonji as one of the twenty-one great swords, a national treasure of Wano."
"Just like Wado Ichimonji..." Kuina carefully took Shusui. "It's so heavy!"
Genzirou, a descendant of Wano, understood the significance of Shusui and cautioned, "Kuina, you must use Shusui well."
"Yes." Kuina looked at the purple-black blade of Shusui with red serrated patterns and bowed to Akame. "Thank you, Akame!"
"What about me?" Eric pointed to himself.
"Tehe~" Kuina stuck out her tongue and made a playful face.
"Kuina!" Genzirou scolded, "Don't forget to properly thank Eric ."
"Hi~" Kuina replied, puffing her cheeks and said, "Thank you, Captain!"
Eric , accepting Kuina's thanks, turned to Zoro and said, "Zoro, I also have a gift for you, but you'll have to wait until you're an adult to receive it."
Eric took out the cursed sword, the Sandai Kitetsu, from the system inventory and handed it to Genzirou. "When Zoro comes of age, give him this sword. It's too dangerous for him now."
As soon as Genzirou touched it, he felt the difference. "A cursed sword?"
"Yes, after Zoro comes of age, he should be able to handle it." Eric smiled and asked, "I wonder if Zoro will dare wield a cursed sword."
"Of course, I will!" Zoro answered loudly.
Eric laughed and turned around. "Well then, Genzirou-sensei, Zoro, we're off. Take care!"
Walking down the path toward the port, Kuina waved back every few steps, bidding farewell, while Genzirou stood at the dojo entrance, watching the group disappear. The younger students of the dojo also waved sadly, seeing their dojo's "flower" being taken away.
It seemed like Kuina was the only girl in the dojo? The young students' hearts were heavy with sadness.
Zoro ran to the shore, chasing after the ship, shouting loudly, "Kuina, I will become the world's greatest swordsman!"
"I'll be the one to become the world's greatest swordsman!" Kuina shouted back, her eyes glistening with tears.
Eric jokingly asked, "Crying?"
"No, I'm not!" Kuina lifted her head, wiping away the tears, and smiled with hopeful determination.
The young eagle spreads its wings, soaring toward a broader sky!
(END CHAPTER)
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