Mary Geoise.
"Saint Figarland Garling is already on his way back."
"Are we really going to give up the operation in the West Blue?"
"This may be the best opportunity to wipe out Kojin's subordinate forces and leave him with nothing!"
A deep voice echoed through the vast palace.
"But it would also provoke him and completely tear apart the agreement and contract we finally reached through negotiation." A sigh sounded, and silence fell over the palace.
The expressions of the five old men were all extremely grim.
Sending Kojin into Impel Down was already the best possible result of this operation. Once both sides tore up the agreement, all pretenses would completely collapse.
And when that happened, an unavoidable final war would arrive.
"Before he walks out of Impel Down, we still have plenty of time to restrain this world. We can also prepare for the raging era that is about to come! And the weapons and methods to deal with him can also be deployed in advance." Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, holding his sword, said in a deep voice.
"That was the very purpose of this operation." Topman Warcury said.
No one was thinking about completely eliminating Kojin, because that was obviously impossible. On that day in the Holy Land, even Sir Imu, personally taking action, had failed to accomplish it.
That alone proved that Kojin, relying solely on his overwhelming strength and immortal body, already possessed the power to contend against them.
"War has never been limited to pure military strength alone! We cannot openly strike directly at his people, but we can use every possible method to dismantle his power!" Topman Warcury took a deep breath and swept his gaze across the other four.
"Additionally, we likely won't be able to obtain Vegapunk's whereabouts from Kojin. Even if we send agents to infiltrate the West Blue Marines, it would still be difficult to make contact with that scientist. Continue searching for outstanding researchers around the world! If we can develop that ultimate weapon…"
At this point, all five of them became solemn.
After a brief silence, another voice sounded.
"As for the increasingly heated discussions surrounding the Warlord System, perhaps we should pay closer attention to it."
"Although this plan was proposed by Kojin, it is undoubtedly an effective method for suppressing this raging era."
"Find famous Great Pirates and use their strength to fight against other pirates!"
"Not a bad idea."
"Then let's begin implementing this plan as soon as possible!"
The voices soon faded away, while numerous invisible major events quietly advanced behind the scenes.
…
In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed since Kojin entered Impel Down.
All over the world, people were astonished by the huge news spreading from the Marines.
West Blue, G-1 Floating Base.
Douglas Bullet sat in his office, staring seriously at the newspaper in front of him with deep confusion visible in his eyes.
On the front page of the paper, a striking line of scarlet text was printed in bold.
"The Marines Enter Their Strongest Era - Four Admirals Take Office Simultaneously!"
Below it were introductions and photos of the four newly appointed Admirals. The very first among them was a brief introduction and photograph of West Blue Base Commander Kojin.
But strangely enough, during these past ten days, Bullet had been unable to contact Kojin.
That was abnormal.
Even if Kojin had been promoted to Admiral, he would never silently cut off all communication with the West Blue side.
"What exactly happened?"
A shadow appeared in Bullet's eyes.
He slowly stood up and walked to the window, overlooking the distant training grounds.
Donquixote Rosinante, Trafalgar D. Water Law, Smoker, X Drake, Hina, Buggy, and the others were currently engaged in live combat training with the Chief Swordsmanship Instructor.
This was combat-oriented teaching that closely resembled real battle, allowing everyone's strength to improve rapidly.
Among the younger generation of West Blue, this group possessed the greatest potential. The strength they displayed at their age was in no way inferior to the world's outstanding powerhouses.
They were even hailed as the little monsters of West Blue's younger generation.
"Kojin."
"A guy like you… couldn't possibly have run into trouble, right?"
Muttering softly, Bullet slowly clenched his fists.
…
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.
Eveya looked up at the dojo located in the secluded area and slowly let out a breath.
"So the girl Admiral mentioned, the one who looks a lot like me, is here, right?"
Curiosity appeared on her face as she stepped toward the dojo.
"Isshin Dojo."
A moment later, under the puzzled gazes of the children inside the dojo, she sat cross-legged in front of Shimotsuki Koushirou.
"It's been quite a long time since a Marine came to visit this dojo." Koushirou said with a smile as he gestured for her to drink some tea.
Standing beside the tea table was a girl around nine years old. She had short hair and resolute, cool eyes. Judging from her appearance, she looked 80 to 90 percent similar to Eveya.
"Sorry for disturbing you, dojo master."
Eveya nodded slightly before turning her gaze toward the girl, surprise flashing in her eyes.
The Admiral had been right. The girl truly resembled her greatly.
At the same time, Koushirou and Kuina were equally astonished.
"She looks so much like Mother!"
Kuina thought to herself.
Instinctively, she developed a favorable impression of the sword-bearing woman.
"To be honest, I come from West Blue. I was ordered by my Admiral to visit and exchange knowledge regarding swordsmanship with the dojo master."
Eveya withdrew her gaze and said with a smile.
"West Blue?"
"May I ask which Admiral would issue such a peculiar order?"
Koushirou paused in surprise before asking curiously.
"My Admiral is named Kojin. He is also an incredibly powerful swordsman!" Eveya replied with a smile.
Whenever she mentioned her Admiral, admiration and reverence always appeared in her eyes.
"The legendary Admiral Kojin?!" Koushirou was startled and immediately became serious.
Naturally, he had heard of that name. Kojin had possessed tremendous fame in recent years, and the justice he upheld was something Koushirou deeply respected and agreed with.
The purpose of becoming strong was not to bully the weak, but to protect them.
Swordsmanship existed to protect the people one cherished in their heart.
"That's right."
Eveya smiled.
After a brief exchange regarding swordsmanship theory, the two stood up under the watchful eyes of everyone in the dojo, wooden swords in hand.
"Koushirou Sensei is going to exchange swordsmanship with this female Marine!"
The dojo students immediately erupted in excitement, widening their eyes as they watched.
Kuina stood within the crowd, her cool gaze fixed upon the scene.
Most of her attention was focused on Eveya.
"As a girl… do I really have no chance of standing among the world's strongest?"
Thinking this, Kuina slowly clenched her fists tightly, even gritting her teeth.
Compared to boys, girls possessed a tremendous disadvantage in strength and natural talent. That was the thing she found most unwilling to accept.
The sparring match soon began.
The two figures flashed continuously across the field. To the shock of the dojo students, the female Marine wielding the wooden sword nearly vanished from their sight in an instant.
In fact, no one could even clearly see her movements.
"So fast!"
Even Koushirou's eyes narrowed.
The next second, the two clashed. Their wooden swords collided rapidly, producing thunder-like booms.
Their continuous movement, leaps, dodges, shifts, and the sheer power and speed behind every swing left everyone dumbfounded.
"She's amazing!!"
"That female Marine must be a great swordsman!"
"She's actually suppressing Sensei!"
Cries of astonishment rang out from the dojo students, while Kuina's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Kuina's eyes shifted and landed on the boy opposite her, a green-haired child two years younger than herself. She could clearly see the shock and excitement on his face.
Then, the corners of her mouth curved slightly into a smile.
"Just watch. Girls also have the qualifications to become the world's strongest!"
At that moment, the two people in the arena suddenly held their breath. In an instant too fast for anyone to perceive, they vanished and crossed past one another.
Crack!
A crisp, clear sound rang out as the wooden sword in Kuina's hand shattered.
Immediately afterward, the wooden sword in Shimotsuki Koushirou's hand shattered as well.
Staring at the broken blade that had fallen onto the ground, Koushirou narrowed his eyes slightly before turning around and bowing toward Eveya.
"As expected of a subordinate under Vice Admiral Kojin. Truly, there are countless experts among his ranks."
Eveya hurriedly returned the bow.
"I never expected there to be a swordsman like dojo master in the civilian world. It is Eveya who has lost."
Koushirou adjusted his glasses before gesturing for her to sit.
The two once again sat across from each other on the floor.
"From observing your swordsmanship, it seems to carry…"
At this point, Koushirou hesitated briefly before continuing.
"…the shadow of Wano Country."
Eveya was stunned, confusion appearing on her face.
"Wano Country? I've never been there."
"However, my swordsmanship was guided by the Chief Swordsmanship Instructor."
"Admiral Kojin once mentioned that the Chief Swordsmanship Instructor is a samurai from Wano Country who ended up stranded outside the nation."
Upon hearing this, Koushirou's body trembled, and his expression turned serious.
"A samurai?"
"Do you happen to know this samurai's name?"
Eveya did not hide it.
"The Chief Instructor's surname is Kozuki, but I don't know his given name. Perhaps Admiral Kojin knows."
"Kozuki?!!" Koushirou's pupils contracted.
For a moment, he fell into silence.
Then, Eveya slowly spoke again.
"Actually, there is another mission behind my visit here."
"It is to find a disciple of swordsmanship for Admiral Kojin!"
Koushirou raised his head, a glint flashing across his glasses.
"Admiral Kojin?"
"That's right!"
"Admiral's swordsmanship is also at the world's top level. Even Chief Instructor Kozuki praises it endlessly." Eveya said.
"I just wonder who could possibly have such good fortune." Koushirou smiled.
Eveya swept her gaze around before stopping on Kuina, revealing a smile.
"She would be perfect! There's a light in her eyes that seeks to become the world's strongest!"
When Koushirou followed her gaze and saw the girl before him, he froze momentarily before speaking with a complicated expression.
"Kuina is indeed a child with great determination. But… she is a girl. Compared to her, I actually have an even better candidate to recommend…"
But before he could continue, Eveya immediately interrupted him.
"Admiral said this! In this world, there has never yet been a female swordsman who became the world's strongest! The one he wants… is a girl!"
Those words struck like thunder.
Koushirou's heart shook violently, while the light in Kuina's eyes became brighter than ever before.
(End of Chapter)
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