"Didn't I already beat you last time?"
"That was then, this is now. How can you lump the two together?"
Watching Gion pestering him again for a sword duel, Ryuuzaki could only sigh helplessly. He had no intention of sparring inside the smithy, so instead, he grabbed two ordinary swords from the corner and opened a [Tunnel Gate] with his [Door-Door Fruit].
"Come with me."
Gion blinked curiously at the strange space that appeared, her eyes full of wonder as she happily trotted after him.
As the air door closed behind them, Ryuuzaki deadpanned, "You just followed me in here without hesitation. Aren't you worried I might try something?"
"Hmph, not at all! Sister Tsuru said if you try anything, she could crush you like a bug."
...Fair. That shrewd woman probably could.
"So this is a spatial dimension? Big Sis said you ate the Door-Door Fruit, but I didn't expect it to open such a mysterious world!"
"Enough chatter. Let's spar here. This sword's for you."
The two squared off.
"Gion-sis, ready yourself. I'm coming!"
"Hmph. Come then. Show me what you've got!"
Gion smirked confidently and slashed. A sweeping air slash forced Ryuuzaki back.
"You're already a Swordmaster?"
"That's right! Surprised? I've already stepped into the realm of swordmasters!"
She twirled her blade with pride, flashing a smug grin that made Ryuuzaki inwardly groan.
"Don't get cocky. If I'd had time to train properly, I'd be a Grandmaster by now."
"Yeah right! Keep dreaming!"
Ryuuzaki didn't bother arguing. Instead, he quickly scanned her stats.
Gion's Talents:
< Basic Physique (96)
< Basic Strength (92)
< Basic Martial Skill (93)
< Swordsmanship Foundation (109)
< Ittō-ryū (106)
< Shin-Kiichi Shinryū (102)
< Navy Rokushiki: Soru (95)
< Navy Rokushiki: Geppō (93)
< Navy Rokushiki: Tekkai (92)
< Navy Rokushiki: Shigan (92)
< Navy Rokushiki: Kami-e (94)
< Navy Rokushiki: Rankyaku (91)
< Armament Haki (92)
< Observation Haki (93)
Very well-rounded. Every stat was over 90, and her swordsmanship had already broken into the 100s. She had no obvious weaknesses, perfect for grooming into an Admiral-level fighter. Even if she didn't make Admiral, Vice Admiral was basically guaranteed.
Still, she lacked anything truly exceptional. Not like Fujitora's god-tier Observation Haki, or Garp's monstrous strength and Haki.
Talent was one thing, but talent needed training to become strength. Even the highest numbers meant nothing if not honed.
Ryuuzaki rubbed his chin, noticing Gion's sword style: Shin-Kiichi Shinryū.
So that was her chosen style, huh? He didn't have that one yet. Maybe he should learn it… why let a spar go to waste?
Ryuuzaki welcomed any chance to add new talents, more the merrier.
"Gion, use your strongest technique. Come at me full force."
"You sure? I might kill you."
"Heh. Don't underestimate me."
He dumped all of his available stat points into Swordsmanship Foundation, determined to acquire her sword style through combat.
Gion was definitely stronger than last time. She had just passed level 60, a true threshold for becoming a Swordmaster.
In the world of swordsmen, there were key milestones:
- Cutting steel
- Reaching the Swordmaster level
- Becoming a Grandmaster
Gion had crossed the first two. Ryuuzaki was still a step away from Swordmaster, but with his 194 available talent points, he was confident he wouldn't lose.
The clash began.
Clang, clang, clang, !
"Shin-Kiichi Shinryū: Heart's Return Slash!"
The air snapped like it was being torn apart, an invisible slash came roaring at him.
"So that's her ultimate move, huh?"
Ryuuzaki analyzed it as he moved. He wasn't in a hurry, he had 194 points stacked into Swordsmanship Foundation. For context, even Mihawk, the greatest Grandmaster, only had 127.
"Shin-Kiichi Shinryū: Heart's Return Slash!"
To Gion's shock, Ryuuzaki mimicked her technique nearly perfectly.
Their blades met, his version was slightly weaker, but he still managed to deflect hers after taking a few steps back.
"Wh-what?! You, !"
Ryuuzaki just smiled and glanced at his status window. A new talent had appeared:
< Shin-Kiichi Shinryū (6)
Six points already. Not bad. With that, his total talent pool rose to 200.
"Why do you know my sword style?" Gion demanded.
"Didn't you show it to me just now?"
"You're saying just watching me once was enough to copy it?! That's impossible!"
"Well… believe it or not."
"Damn it, Shin-Kiichi Shinryū: Sixfold Divine Slash!"
"Shin-Kiichi Shinryū: Divine Sky Strike!"
One move after another, Gion attacked furiously, but Ryuuzaki blocked them all, and learned them all.
In the end, Gion knelt to the ground, her pride crushed. She had been defeated by her own sword style, Heart's Return Slash.
She couldn't comprehend it.
Wait… maybe he already knew Shin-Kiichi Shinryū before this?!
She perked up at the thought and nodded to herself. Yeah, that must be it! I'm such a genius to have figured it out. Hmph, trying to fool me? Nice try!
Gion stood, sheathed her sword, and flipped her hair. "Next time, I'll be back. Wash your neck and wait!"
"You're coming back again?"
"What, scared?" she teased. "Then admit defeat now."
"Wasn't it you who just lost?"
"You, !" Gion huffed. "Hmph! I won't stoop to your level. I know you already knew Shin-Kiichi Shinryū. You just copied me to mess with me!"
"Next time, I'll beat you with a different style entirely!"
With that, she stormed off in a flustered rage.
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150 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter