Chapter 009
However, just at that moment, a sudden shout rang out. Kai realized it was one of the dojo disciples—though he didn't know the boy's name.
"Senior Lize, what's wrong?"
Kuina asked in confusion after regaining her composure from the earlier embarrassment. She sneaked a quick glance at Kai and noticed the faint blush still lingering on his face. For some reason, a tiny spark of secret delight bubbled up in her heart!
"Damn… is Kuina starting to like me?"
Kai sensed the subtle shift in her emotions through the Emotion Fruit and froze inwardly. Being liked by an eleven-year-old girl felt… strange. He couldn't quite put a name to the feeling. Whether he didn't want to or simply forgot, he made no effort to dampen that faint, joyful emotion in her.
"Kuina! Kai! There's a kid your age who just showed up at the dojo to challenge us! Come quick—he's really strong! Even Senior Yori just lost to him!"
Lize exclaimed urgently. He noticed both Kuina and Kai's slightly flushed faces and found it odd, but he didn't dwell on it.
"Who is it? Someone dares to challenge our dojo? I'll go beat him!"
Kuina's competitive fire immediately flared. Losing to Kai was one thing—she refused to accept another kid being stronger than her!
"It's Zoro!" Kai thought to himself with a quiet thrill. Finally, he was about to meet young Zoro—the ultimate directionally-challenged future pirate!
"Let's go, Kuina—we'll take a look!" Kai said aloud, already heading toward the main dojo hall.
In no time, the three of them arrived. Right away, they saw two figures clashing in the center—one adult dojo disciple, and the other a small boy with short, algae-green hair and a stubborn, defiant expression. That was Zoro!
Clack! Clack! Clack!
BAM!
Just as Kai entered, the disciple was knocked flat by Zoro. Gasps and shouts erupted from the onlookers.
"He beat another one… this kid's seriously strong…" "But no way he's stronger than Kai. Kai beat Kuina on his very first day with a sword…" "Yeah… wonder if this kid could beat Kuina?"
"Anyone else want to step up?" Zoro shouted after his latest victory.
"Here they come!" "Kuina and Kai are here!"
The dojo erupted in excited cheers at the words. Zoro turned toward the entrance and immediately locked eyes on the two kids his age—Kuina and Kai.
"I'll fight you!" Kuina couldn't hold back her competitive spirit and called out sharply.
"Who are you? Kai? I just heard them say the strongest here should be Kai. If that's you, I want to fight you. I'm not interested in anyone weaker!"
Zoro declared arrogantly. He had only heard the name "Kai" and didn't know if it belonged to a boy or girl.
"I'm Kuina. If you can't even beat me, forget about winning against Kai!"
Kuina snapped back, instantly irritated. She deliberately provoked him—wanting to teach this cocky kid a lesson.
"Is that so? Fine! I'll fight you! I heard them talking about you too—hope you're as strong as they say!"
Zoro accepted without hesitation.
"You jerk! Let's see what you've got!"
Kuina huffed indignantly at Zoro's victorious tone and stepped forward with her bamboo sword.
"I'm Kuina! State your name!"
She pointed her sword at him, her aura sharp and imposing.
"Roronoa Zoro!"
Zoro replied, gripping two bamboo swords—one in each hand.
"So he's already leaning toward dual-wielding this early…" Kai thought with an inner smile. He knew young Zoro was no match for Kuina at this stage.
"Hah—!"
With a fierce shout, Zoro charged. He swung his two bamboo swords in wild, chaotic arcs toward Kuina!
Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack!
The sounds of bamboo clashing rang out continuously!
"Haha… nice!" "Go, Kuina!"
The dojo disciples cheered as Kuina didn't retreat a single step—effortlessly blocking Zoro's attacks.
"So that's all you've got!"
Kuina taunted while parrying.
"Damn it… Aaaahhh—!"
Zoro roared in frustration and pressed forward even harder, yelling with every swing.
Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack!
BAM! "Ah!"
With a graceful step back followed by a forward leap, Kuina struck Zoro square in the face with a clean hit—sending him flying backward. Victory!
"Nice one!"
The dojo exploded in cheers. They had lost face earlier when Zoro beat them—now Kuina had reclaimed their pride. Everyone was ecstatic!
"I… I lost…?"
Zoro climbed to his feet, gripping his bamboo swords tightly, muttering in disbelief. The arrogance on his face had completely vanished—he looked utterly deflated.
"You lost."
Kuina declared with a hint of childish pride. Then she turned and walked back toward Kai.
"That last move was beautiful! You've improved again, Kuina!"
Kai greeted her with a warm smile and genuine praise.
"R-really…? It wasn't that great…"
Kuina's cute, heroic little face flushed red. She replied shyly, clearly delighted by Kai's compliment.
"Master! If there's nothing else, we'll go back to training!"
Kai quickly looked away from Kuina's adorable expression and called out to Koushirou inside.
"Mm, go ahead!"
Koushirou nodded with a smile. Kai was his favorite disciple—immense talent, no arrogance, and incredible effort!
He had also noticed the way Kuina looked at Kai. If the two of them ended up together in the future… Koushirou would be delighted.
"Wait…"
A voice suddenly called out. It was Zoro!
His eyes were now locked straight on Kai—burning with renewed fighting spirit!
"What? You want to fight me?"
Kai paused mid-turn, noticing the look in Zoro's eyes, and smiled faintly.
"Hmph! If you can't even beat me, how could you possibly beat Kai!"
Kuina pouted cutely and huffed. Seeing Zoro challenge Kai made her inexplicably unhappy!
Zoro's eyes lit up at her words. Now he knew for sure—the other kid was Kai!
"Yes! One day I'll surpass both of you. That's why I want to know the gap between us right now!"
Zoro stared at Kai with calm, unwavering determination.
Hearing Zoro's resolute words, Kai's eyes widened slightly in surprise. No wonder Zoro would become one of the future Supernovas—his mental fortitude had been this strong even as a child!
"What? You scared?"
Seeing Kai's surprise, Zoro immediately provoked him.
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