Chapter 007
Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack…
The fight continued without pause. From the beginning, when Kai didn't know how to swing more effectively, he gradually learned by observing Kuina's movements—picking up little bits here and there. Slowly, he began to gain the upper hand!
"Hm! So that's how you angle the strike!" "No—same motion, but the power generation is completely wrong. It doesn't have the same impact as when Kuina attacks…" "Right! Like that…!"
While defending and countering, Kai steadily grasped some fundamental principles of swordsmanship—learning and applying them on the spot. He sank completely into the joy of discovery, entering a state of total immersion and self-forgetfulness. He didn't even notice that everyone in the dojo was staring at him with jaws dropped, as if witnessing a monster.
"How… how is this possible…?"
They had already been shocked when the fight lasted over half an hour. Now, seeing Kuina pushed back with almost no room to counter, their chins nearly hit the floor!
"What terrifying learning ability… what monstrous talent…"
Koushirou, seated in the center, watched with eyes shining brightly. He could hardly believe it—heaven had suddenly dropped an unbelievably gifted disciple into his lap! His heart raced with excitement.
Clack!
A final resounding strike echoed. Kuina's body was sent tumbling to the ground—Kai had finally landed a clean hit. This spar… Kai had won!
"Ah…" "He won…" "First time holding a sword and he beat Kuina…" "Insane…" "Is this kid even human…?"
Gasps and exclamations filled the dojo. Everyone had sensed Kai might pull it off, but seeing it happen still left them stunned—and a little ashamed. They had trained for years, some for many years, yet a complete beginner had surpassed them.
"I… I lost…"
Kuina sat on the ground, eyes wide in disbelief, murmuring to herself. Staring at Kai's figure, she was filled with shock.
"Girls are born with less strength than boys—it's impossible for them to become the strongest!"
Her father's words suddenly rang in her ears. A wave of grief and indignation surged through her. She, who had always been so competitive, couldn't accept it right now.
"Waaah—!"
Kuina suddenly burst into loud sobs, jumped to her feet, and ran out of the dojo. A string of crystal-clear tears scattered in the air as she turned at the doorway.
"Ah!"
Only then did Kai snap out of his trance-like focus. He instantly realized—he had hurt Kuina. Through his Emotion Fruit, he could clearly feel the overwhelming sadness and frustration pouring from her.
"I forgot to hold back…"
Kai cursed himself inwardly. He had never intended to actually beat her—he knew it would crush her spirit. But he had gotten so lost in learning swordsmanship that he forgot she was still just a child. Guilt washed over him.
"Master, I'll go check on her!"
Leaving those quick words for Koushirou, Kai turned and chased after Kuina.
"Wait—!"
Koushirou blinked in surprise, but by the time he called out, Kai was already gone.
He worried for a moment that such a talented boy might not come back—but then he shook his head with a wry smile. Kai had clearly come here specifically to learn swordsmanship; he'd return. And that kind heart of his—especially toward his own daughter—only made Koushirou like the boy more.
Kai didn't hear the call anyway, and even if he had, he wouldn't have stopped. Comforting Kuina came first—he was the one who'd defeated her, after all.
Following her trail, Kai found Kuina in a small grove. She had stopped beside a large rock, collapsed against it, shoulders heaving with sobs. It was obvious she was crying hard.
Kai gently patted her back. "Are you okay?"
"Ah—!"
Startled by the sudden touch, Kuina let out a yelp and whipped around. Kai saw her tear-streaked face—eyes red and swollen, clearly in deep distress.
"You… why are you here…?"
Kuina sniffled, wiping furiously at her cheeks as she spoke.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"
Seeing her cry made Kai's heart ache with pity. Feeling her sorrow and frustration through the Emotion Fruit, he apologized sincerely.
Hearing the apology and seeing Kai's honest eyes, Kuina froze. She hadn't expected him to say sorry. The little resentment she'd felt at losing quickly melted away. Her sadness wasn't really about losing to Kai—it was her father's words echoing in her mind, the fear that she'd never become the world's greatest swordmaster.
"It… it's not your fault. I'm not sad because I lost to you…"
Kuina half-sobbed, feeling embarrassed to be crying in front of a boy younger than her. She scrubbed harder at her face.
"Here—use my handkerchief."
Kai pulled a clean handkerchief from his pocket and offered it with a gentle smile.
"Th-thank you…"
"Now… can you tell me why you're so sad? Talking about it usually helps."
Seeing her take the handkerchief, Kai smiled softly. Knowing her story from the original canon, he wanted to comfort her—he didn't want her carrying this pain forever because of her father's words.
As he spoke, Kai quietly used his Emotion Fruit to slowly dampen the waves of sadness rolling off her.
Back when he'd watched One Piece, Kai had felt deep regret at Kuina's death—and anger toward Koushirou. If not for those discouraging words, she might not have pushed herself so hard and fallen to her death.
"I…"
Kuina hesitated, glancing at Kai's sincere gaze before slowly opening up.
"My dream… is to become the world's greatest swordmaster. But… my father told me… girls are born weaker than boys, so it's… impossible for me to ever be number one… Waaah… I was trying so hard to prove him wrong, but… today losing to you made me realize… he was right all along… Waaah… Just thinking I can never be the strongest makes me so sad…"
Even as Kai steadily dulled her sorrow, the fresh wave of grief poured out faster than he could suppress. She cried harder.
"I believe in you."
After listening quietly, Kai simply said four firm words.
"Hm?"
Kuina looked up in confusion, not understanding.
"I believe that one day, you will definitely become the world's greatest swordmaster."
Kai met her eyes seriously. In his heart, he silently vowed: he would recruit Kuina to his future pirate crew and help her achieve that dream. Though they'd only just met, Kai already liked her—a lot!
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