At the door of Zefa's office, Zoro, who was pestering two guards on duty, hoping they could help him report to his superiors, suddenly noticed that the office door was opened.
Just as he glanced sideways, Kuina was walking out from the crack of the open door.
"Kuina?! Why are you here so late?"
Zoro was startled when he saw Kuina. He pointed at her with a look of surprise on his face, and his voice became sharp. He really didn't expect to see Kuina in such a place.
"I'm here with my dad, they're in a meeting."
"What are you doing here? Why are you here so late instead of going back to rest?"
Kuina looked at Zoro and saw that his body was covered in sweat and his hair was wet. At one glance, she realized that Zoro must have been training before.
When she thought of this, a different look appeared in Kuina's eyes.
Kuina and Zoro can be said to have grown up together. Kuina is a little older and started practicing kendo earlier.
As the daughter of Shimotsuki Koshiro, Kuina has a great reputation among the new navy. Since she was a child, she has been given the title of genius. At the age of seven or eight, she can already beat ordinary adults. Even the young swordsmen who have become navy have praised Kuina's strength.
Kuina is completely different from Koshiro's slightly lazy personality. Although she is a girl, she has very high demands on herself. The person she admires is none other than Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who is known as the "strongest in the world."
Kuina hopes that one day she can become the world's greatest swordsman, and she has been working towards this goal.
Kuina's training progress far exceeds that of her peers. While receiving countless praises, a young child like Kuina inevitably becomes a little arrogant.
However, Kuina's arrogance changed after Zoro entered Koshiro's kendo training camp.
Zoro started kendo training much later than Kuina, but Zoro, who also aimed to become the "world's number one", practiced diligently day and night and improved very quickly.
At the beginning, Zoro was just a rookie who could be defeated easily by Kuina, but as he grew older, Zoro spent more and more time practicing kendo, and the gap between the two was narrowing rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.
As Kuina's body developed, the disadvantage of her gender in power gradually became apparent. The direction of Kuina's training also began to change as her body developed, from pure kendo practice to a domineering direction.
But Zoro is different. Although he has awakened the dual-color domineering early on, Zoro's training is still mainly based on kendo.
Kuina knew that it was only a matter of time before the young man caught up with her.
She has always known clearly that the reason why Zoro has become stronger and stronger and the gap between them has become smaller and smaller is not just because he is a man and has a higher ceiling.
Zoro's growth to this day is due to efforts that others can hardly imagine.
But Kuina was actually unwilling to admit this in her heart. She stubbornly believed that if she were also a boy, she would be able to suppress Zoro firmly.
However, when Kuina walked out of the office at this time, she saw the "training marks" on her body and was touched by her diligence.
Compared to other new marines, Kuina is considered a hardworking person, but compared to Zoro, there is still some gap.
"I'm training at the beach, and Mr. Mihawk is with me, but there's an unfamiliar Domineering Haki coming from this side of the base."
"Mr. Mihawk thought something had happened and came here first."
"Kuina, is Mr. Mihawk also in the meeting?"
When facing Kuina, Zoro subconsciously lowered his voice for some reason. Perhaps it was because they grew up together as childhood sweethearts, and Zoro had a pure trust in Kuina.
"Yeah, Mr. Mihawk is in there too."
"Besides my father and Mr. Mihawk, there are several high-ranking officers of the New Navy inside."
"Don't worry, nothing happened."
Kuina was completely unaware of the slight change in Zoro's attitude when speaking to her, and she turned her head to look in the direction of the office and explained.
"Okay, I understand."
Zoro naturally trusted Kuina's words. Hearing that Mihawk was safe, Zoro breathed a sigh of relief, scratched his wet hair, turned around and was about to leave.
"Go back and rest early, don't train too late."
When Kuina saw Zoro preparing to leave, she looked at his slightly disheveled figure and suddenly said such caring words for some reason.
Zoro didn't look back and waved his hand casually.
But before Zoro could walk away, the door to Zefa's office was opened again. Koshiro poked his head out and greeted Zoro, who had not yet walked far:
"Zoro, wait a moment."
"Come!"
When the two lieutenants on duty saw that it was Koshiro who came out, they straightened up.
Zoro also heard the voice of his enlightenment master and turned his head.
"Master Koshiro?" Zoro was called with a puzzled look on his face. He didn't know why his master suddenly called him. He pointed to the tip of his nose and tilted his head.
"Someone wants to see you, come in."
"Kuina, you can refuse or accept what that person says to you later. It's not forced. Just act according to your own wishes."
After greeting Zoro, Koshiro turned to look at his daughter, and then suddenly gave her some incoherent instructions.
"That person?" Koshiro was vague about it, but the clever Kuina understood immediately. She knew who the "that person" her father was talking about was.
Her father's words made Kuina feel uneasy. She didn't know what a person like that would say to her.
Is that the one you want to meet Zoro too?!
"ah?"
Kuina turned her head slightly and glanced at Zoro who was approaching quickly. Zoro also noticed Kuina's eyes, glanced at her sideways, and felt confused.
Without waiting for the two to think about it, Koshiro led them back to the office.
As soon as he entered the room, Zoro saw a room full of new naval officers sitting on the sofa, all leaning sideways and looking towards the door.
Several pairs of eyes fell on Zoro, making him feel more pressured.
Zoro looked around, looking at the new naval officers in the room, straightened his body, put away his lazy look, and was about to salute, but his eyes suddenly swept across Yoshiichi Tsugikuni who was sitting on the bench beside the windowsill.
The moment he saw Yoriichi Tsugikuni, memories flooded into his mind. Zoro's body suddenly froze, and a look of astonishment appeared on his face.
Although the red flame mark on Yoriichi Tsugakuni's face is no longer there, Zoro's way of recognizing people is not just based on their appearance.
The most iconic thing about a swordsman is often not their face, but the aura that emanates from them.
As a swordsman, Tsugikuni Yoriichi's overwhelming self-confidence never disappeared from the beginning to the end.
"You are"
Zoro opened his mouth, but no complete words came out of his mouth. Seeing Zoro's loss of composure, Kuina also glanced at her companions with some curiosity.
She had never heard Zoro say that he knew Yoriichi Tsugakuni.
Although Yoriichi Tsugakuni is the founder of the New Navy, not everyone in the New Navy can see Yoriichi Tsugakuni.
The vast majority of people have only seen Tsugumi Yuichiro's portrait, and it is impossible for these people to recognize Tsugumi Yuichiro so quickly.
Only those who have actually met and interacted with Yuichiro Tsugakuin can recognize each other the moment they see each other.
"Hehe, Roronoa."
"Hello, your name is known even among the nations."
Tsukikoku Yoshiichi smiled and waved at Zoro, greeting him kindly. The gentle smile on his face deepened the sense of familiarity that emerged in Zoro's heart.
What Tsugikuni Yoshiichi said was not really a compliment. Although Zoro was young, he had already made a great name for himself in the new navy.
He has been training with Mihawk all the time, and his strength is also top-notch among the new generation of the new navy.
Whenever people talk about the newcomers of the Marine Headquarters and the New Navy, Zoro's name often appears in the discussion together with names like Ace and Sabo.
"Mr. Tsugikoku Yoshiichi!!!"
Zoro's eyes noticed the expressions on the faces of Mihawk, Issho and others in the house. Their behavior also indirectly confirmed the identity of Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
Realizing that the young man in front of him was indeed Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Zoro immediately became a little excited.
Is it because of the deep relationship between him and Jigoku Yuichi?
There are some feelings, but not as deep as outsiders imagine. Yoriichi Tsugakuni once guided Zoro's training for a period of time, but that can only be regarded as a chance encounter.
What really excites Zoro is that the return of Yoriichi Tsugikuni gives him another goal to surpass.
Zoro, who aims to be the world's number one, sets his sights on Mihawk, but from beginning to end, Mihawk has never claimed the title of the world's number one.
Zoro also knew very well why Mihawk never thought of himself as the best in the world.
They both knew that there was someone else who was the strongest in the world.
As a swordsman, it is a pity that they cannot fight against a strong opponent like Tsugakuni Yoriichi. As long as they are unable to defeat Tsugakuni Yoriichi head-on, even if these swordsmen are truly recognized as the strongest in the world, they will still have regrets in their hearts.
But now such regrets no longer exist.
After Zoro bowed to Ji Guoyuan and his party, he actually reached out and grasped the two long swords at his waist under the gaze of a group of senior officials in the office, exuding a fierce fighting spirit from his whole body.
"Hey! Zoro, what are you doing?"
Kuina noticed Zoro's movements beside her, and hurriedly grabbed Zoro's sleeve, with a bad feeling in her heart.
"I want to personally confirm the gap between me and the 'strongest'!"
The military salute that Zoro just gave to Tsunekokuen and his party was an expression of courtesy and respect to his superiors as a new navy.
And now Zoro, who is holding the sword with both hands and preparing to draw the sword, is acting as a challenger who is striving to become the strongest in the world, and it is his instinct as a swordsman!
Zoro is a two-sword swordsman. Now he does not bear Kuina's expectation to become stronger. His sword is for himself.
Zoro was surging with momentum, like an enraged little beast.
Seeing his appearance, Mihawk, as the master who had always guided Zoro in his training, simply reached out and smoothed his hair, grabbed the teacup and took a sip of tea, then raised the corners of his mouth and revealed a bright smile.
The reason why he guided Zoro in his training was simply because Mihawk saw his own shadow in Zoro.
Swordsman
Zoro, like him, is the purest swordsman.
"Oh my!"
"Roronoa, there's no need to suppress your instincts. If you want, then attack me."
"I won't blame you."
When Ji Guoyuan saw Zoro's high fighting spirit, he slowly stood up from his seat and spoke to Zoro generously.
He actually doesn't hate Zoro's personality. Although Zoro's way of behaving is a bit rash in a system like the New Navy, people are different.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi has different expectations for each new navy officer.
If it was Zoro, Yoriichi Tsugakuni would be very happy to see the other party act according to his will.
Too much interference and suppression of Zoro's character will only make him lose the possibility of awakening the Conqueror's Haki.
“Just what I wanted!!!”
Zoro sometimes sounds a bit literary when he speaks. I don’t know who he resembles. Maybe he is from Wano Country and has the blood of a literary giant flowing in his bones.
As soon as he finished speaking, Zoro drew out the two long swords from his waist, kicked the ground hard, and rushed directly towards Jigoku Yoshiaki.
Two-Sword Style·Rashomon!
As Zoro attacked Yoriichi Tsugakuni, the aura he emanated became more and more ferocious.
A strong murderous intent surged in and out of Zoro. In the eyes of Yoriichi Tsugakuni, the rapidly attacking Zoro was like a Shura from hell. His powerful aura made him raise his eyebrows slightly, feeling quite surprised.
Yoshikazu Tsugakuni didn't know what words to use to describe Zoro's current strength, nor did he know what standards to use to measure the other party's slashing attack.
If I must say.
Zoro's current strength is somewhat similar to that of Mihawk when Yoriichi Tsugakuin first met him.
And now Zoro is just a 14.5-year-old boy.
Extraordinarily gifted.
I'm afraid it's difficult to use such words to describe Zoro.
The strength that Zoro has now demonstrated also makes Yoshiichi Tsugakuni secretly happy.
Zoro will become stronger after joining the new navy. After a period of growth, he should not be humiliated by Coby's "Bone Fist Honesty" that he has practiced for two years.
Everything happened in a flash. While Yoshikazu Tsugakuya's mind was racing, Zoro, wielding a sword, had already attacked Yoshikazu Tsugakuya. With the determination to kill, Zoro slashed at Yoshikazu Tsugakuya with the blade in his hand.
The long sword on Yoriichi's waist had been taken off by him at some point, and Zoro couldn't even see what the other party had done. He only felt a weight in his hand, and a black scabbard was already against his blade.
Jiguo Yuanyi held the scabbard in his left hand and raised it slightly, and actually caught the balance point at that moment of Zoro's attack, blocking the opponent's double swords with just one blow.
The next moment, Yuanyi twisted the scabbard in his hand and smashed it directly on the two sides of the blade in Zoro's hands with lightning speed. The huge force directly shook Zoro's arms apart, and the middle door opened wide.
Realizing that something was wrong, Zoro had no time to change his tactics. A black sheath shadow flashed before his eyes, and then, in Zoro's astonished eyes, it gently knocked on his head, making a light "pop" sound.
At the same time, Tsugikuni Yoriichi's voice was heard: "That's enough, Roronoa."
Tsugikuni Yoshiichi's figure was still standing steadily in front of the windowsill as at the beginning. Not only did he easily block Zoro's attack, but he also found the flaw in Zoro's attack and completed the counterattack in an instant.
It was not until the scabbard in Tsugikoku's hand gently hit Zoro's head that Zoro realized that he had been defeated.
If it was a life-and-death battle, I would have been a corpse.
Then he obviously had not yet recovered from the shadow of failure. He looked shocked, as if he could not believe that there was such a huge gap between him and Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
Mihawk once commented on Zoro's strength, praising him for having all the qualifications a great swordsman should have.
Even within the New Navy, there were only a handful of great swordsmen that Mihawk could acknowledge.
But even though Zoro's strength had expanded to this extent, he still couldn't withstand a single move from Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
This huge gap in strength once made Zoro lose the desire to continue fighting.
He didn't know whether his efforts were of any use, and he didn't know whether he could surpass a swordsman like Yoriichi Tsugikuni in his lifetime.
Maybe you will never be able to defeat the other person in your entire life.
Zoro seemed to be on the verge of collapse, and Yoriichi Tsugakuni also noticed this keenly. He walked up to Zoro and put one hand on his shoulder.
"Boy, you're pretty good. When I was your age, there was no way I could compare to your current strength."
Yoshikazu Tsugakuni told a little lie, and his words brought Zoro's consciousness back to reality.
Seeing that Zoro's eyes had regained their focus, Yunyi also took advantage of the opportunity to encourage him:
"I know your dream is to become the world's greatest swordsman!"
"The road to becoming the world's number one is extremely difficult. In this world, there are more than hundreds of millions of swordsmen."
"But there is only one person who can stand on top of the world."
"Countless swordsmen have wasted their time in failure. Every swordsman who can take a step forward has fallen in failure and then become stronger."
"You still have a long way to go."
While encouraging Zoro, Yoriichi Tsugikuni also did not forget to warn him. He liked this hardworking and pure child very much, and he also sincerely hoped that Zoro could grow up to be the person he was satisfied with.
"Thanks."
After a long silence, Zoro sighed heavily, then composed himself and bowed slightly to Yoriichi Tsugakuin as a sign of respect to his teacher.
Yunyi patted Zoro's shoulder gently, then looked at Kuina not far away with a gentle smile and asked with a smile:
"What about you, Kuina?"
"I heard from your father that you also aspire to become the world's greatest swordsman."
"Would you like to measure your own capacity yourself? See how big the gap is between you and me?"
When talking to Kuina, Yuichiro Tsugakuni did not deliberately emphasize the other party's gender. He also admired this ambitious girl very much.
After hearing the "invitation" from Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Kuina shook her head slightly after a brief hesitation.
She is different from Zoro. Zoro is an intuitive swordsman. Compared to Zoro, Kuina is much more rational.
Kuina didn't think that fighting with Yoriichi Tsugikoku in front of her would be of any help to her in her current state.
At the moment when Yoshiichi Tsugakuin blocked Zoro's attack, she couldn't even see what Yoshiichi Tsugakuin did.
The gap in strength is too big, and there is no point in fighting.
Seeing Kuina's refusal, Yunyi's gaze lingered on Kuina for two seconds:
"Kuina, when you can find the faith that keeps you moving forward, you will truly be able to break free from the so-called shackles of gender."
Tsugakuni Yoriichi's eyes became deep, and his words made Kuina startled and look up at Tsugakuni Yoriichi.
However, Yoriichi Tsugikuni also changed the subject at the right time. He asked Zoro to come in because he had an idea that Zoro and Kuina should do.
"Zoro, Kuina."
"Our new navy intends to extend its influence into the New World."
"There's one thing I think you should all know. The New Navy's foundation in the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Route is very shallow. Although we have a great reputation, the people there know very little about us."
"I plan to send a group of talented young people to sea for training."
"This way, people can get to know our new navy members, and it can also be considered a selection experience."
"Working in isolation will ultimately not cultivate a truly strong person."
"Only by fighting for life and death can you young people accelerate their growth."
"So, are you two interested in leading a team out to sea?"
"Go to the vast seas and meet the different powerful men. Use the blood of your enemies to solidify your path to advancement."
(End of this chapter)
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