[Young Kuina (Combat Power Ranking C / Evolving / Growth Talent: Rank S)]
Genzo exclaimed with excitement: "Kuina!" The young girl's gaze landed on Genzo, her eyes gradually lighting up as fragments of memory reassembled in her mind.
"Father?"
Kuina asked timidly. Genzo, tears streaming down his face, rushed forward and hugged her tightly, too overwhelmed to speak.
Father and daughter, reunited after a long separation, embraced each other and wept, a deeply moving scene.
After a long moment, Genzo finally released Kuina, watching her closely, and said with relief: "You're finally back, my daughter."
Kuina also hugged Genzo tightly, savoring the paternal love she hadn't felt in a long time.
Tsukasa Yuu watched the father and daughter embraced, feeling a touch of relief himself.
He discreetly turned and stepped back a few paces, giving Genzo and the shadow of Kuina some privacy.
Then, Genzo's gaze turned to Tsukasa Yuu, his eyes filled with gratitude and questions.
"Thank you, how exactly did you do that?"
Tsukasa Yuu smiled slightly, explaining: "I simply used the ability of my Devil Fruit to awaken her shadow, allowing her to return to this world."
Genzo was even more amazed to hear this. He realized that Tsukasa Yuu's ability was extraordinary, and his heart was filled with admiration.
Although it was only a shadow, having the thoughts and memories from before her life was no different from a resurrection.
At that moment, Kuina also noticed Tsukasa Yuu. She bowed to him and said gratefully:
"Thank you for bringing me back to my father."
"No, you are the shadow I awakened, you can only stay by my side."
...
The atmosphere instantly turned cold, but for the young man who had brought her back from the dead, he couldn't control whether Kuina stayed or left.
"Kuina, while you were sleeping, Zoro has been getting stronger day and night," added Tsukasa Yuu.
Upon hearing the name "Zoro," Kuina's eyes instantly sharpened, and an intense sword intent emanated from her.
"Zoro... that guy..." She clenched her fists, her tone tinged with a hint of stubbornness reluctant to admit defeat.
"How could I lose to that guy, Zoro!"
"He goes around saying he will bear your burden and become the greatest swordsman in the world."
"What?!" Kuina's delicate eyebrows furrowed at hearing this, and a flash of anger passed through her eyes.
"Useless! I will surpass him again!"
Kuina's eyes were filled with a fighting spirit, like a sharpened sword ready to be unsheathed, her brilliance fully revealed.
"I want to become the greatest swordsman in the world! Let the whole world know that a swordswoman can also stand at the top of fencing!"
"Then come with me, let's explore the outside world!" Tsukasa Yuu reached out his hand, inviting Kuina.
She looked at Tsukasa Yuu, her eyes full of anticipation: "In this state, can I wield a sword?"
Tsukasa Yuu smiled, a hint of mischief in his smile: "Of course you can!"
Under Kuina's fervent gaze, he nodded slightly, turned his palm, and summoned the system interface.
"System, open the armory!" he ordered softly.
A translucent curtain of light appeared, unfolding before him like a vast starry sky.
The dazzling array of weapons made him dizzy, but he had only one goal in mind: the Shadow of Wado Ichimonji.
Tsukasa Yuu's gaze was calm and sharp, his finger sliding quickly on the interface.
A few seconds later, his eyes lit up!
The shape of this sword appeared on the screen: the projection of Wado Ichimonji.
The entire blade was shrouded in a dark and deep shadow, but its gleaming edge still retained a cold gleam amidst the devouring darkness.
**[Shadow of Wado Ichimonji - Value 20,000 points. Exchange?]**
"Exchange!" Tsukasa Yuu said without hesitation.
As he spoke, a deep hum resounded, and the dark shadow next to Tsukasa Yuu condensed and surged, finally revealing the outline of a blade.
The next second, the "Shadow of Wado Ichimonji" firmly appeared in his right hand.
"Wado Ichimonji..."
Genzo's pupils contracted slightly, his breathing becoming rapid and irregular.
He recognized the outline of this blade at a glance, and a mix of emotion and shock invaded his heart, his voice trembling slightly.
"Is... is that Wado Ichimonji? Has it really... really been recreated by the ability of your Devil Fruit?"
"It's impossible... absolutely impossible..."
"Our family spent a hundred years forging Wado Ichimonji! Its craftsmanship has been completely lost since then. It's one of the 21 Great Grade swords, there aren't many in the world..."
"But now, this sword in front of me, it is so incredibly close to the original!"
He shook his head in disbelief, his eyes filled with shock and incredulity.
Tsukasa Yuu did not respond. He simply tossed the "Shadow of Wado Ichimonji" in his hand casually, the blade tracing a graceful arc in the air before landing precisely in Kuina's hand.
"Try your new partner, see if you get used to it?"
Kuina was slightly stunned. As the handle met her fingers, a cold yet familiar sensation quickly enveloped her palm.
At that precise moment, deep in her mind, it was as if a long-sealed valve had suddenly opened, and years of memories surged like a torrent.
She saw the sword flashes clashing during their training under the starry night in the dojo;
She heard Zoro's roar, tears of reluctance and stubbornness condensed in the young boy's eyes;
She seemed to hear her father's low and helpless sigh during their farewells: "As a woman, you can never bear the name of a swordsman..."
That phrase had pierced her young self like a sharp blade, and like a dark shadow, it had always lurked in the depths of her heart.
Kuina silently stared at the "Shadow of Wado Ichimonji" in her hand. The turmoil in her heart gradually subsided, but an unprecedented obsession and fighting spirit surged.
She took a deep breath, then held the blade horizontally in front of her, her gaze like that of an eagle, revealing an indescribable sharpness and determination.
Then, she calmed her breathing, focusing all her will on the blade in her hand in an instant.
"Clang—!" A clear and piercing sword hum resounded all around, and immediately after, she unsheathed the blade without hesitation.
"Boom—!" A wave of air swept in all directions like a tide. In the midst of the swirling dust, everything fell silent.
The massive tree in front of her fell in response, its cut smooth as a mirror. Where the blade passed, even the air seemed to be split by a long and narrow gap.
Genzo's pupils contracted violently. In this scene, the graceful silhouette of his daughter actually overlapped with the dignified remnants of the ancient swordsmen of the Shimotsuki family, shocking and undeniable—
It was the stance of a strong being!
"Not bad." Kuina murmured softly, a hint of excitement and fighting spirit in her eyes. She turned to look at Tsukasa Yuu: "This sword is mine."
"Then, in exchange, become my shadow!"
"Your... shadow?" Kuina repeated, puzzled.
Tsukasa Yuu explained: "Exactly! You will be able to continue pursuing the path of the sword!"
Kuina seemed to ponder. She looked at her translucent body, then thought of Zoro, who was probably still sweating at that moment. Finally, she made her decision.
"Alright!"
She cut a lock of her hair and let it fall in front of the grave: "But I have one condition."
"Speak."
"Sooner or later, let me have a fair fight with Zoro!"
"No problem, deal!"
"Come with me, we will leave at dawn..."
**[System Notification: Successful extraction and backup of Kuina's shadow!]**
**[Young Kuina (Combat Power Ranking B / Evolving / Growth Talent: Rank S)]**
Adding a simple weapon had directly increased her ranking by one level!
This shows how much a good blade can enhance a swordsman!