Kuina looked at Leno with a completely baffled expression, clearly expecting an explanation from him.
How did a zombie suddenly pop out of nowhere and turn into her ancestor?
As Rayleigh, Moria, and the others around them cast looks of curiosity or shock, Leno smiled calmly and spoke at an unhurried pace:
"This guy was a samurai from Wano Country several hundred years ago, and a famous Grandmaster Swordsman of his time."
"It's said he once slew a flying dragon, earning him the title of the 'Dragon-Slaying Swordsman'! His name is Shimotsuki Ryuma!"
"A samurai… and a Shimotsuki," Leno said as he turned to Kuina, his expression unreadable. "So… he should be your direct ancestor!"
"..."
Kuina's expression turned complicated. She glanced at the dried, withered zombie, unable to describe what she was feeling.
An ancestor who had been dead for centuries now stood before her, his corpse desecrated and used by others.
Only then did she understand what Leno meant by "dignity."
Having him laid to rest by her own hands—as his direct descendant—was dignity indeed.
As for whether Leno's words were true or not, she didn't need to question it. He would never lie to her about something like this.
After giving Leno a brief sideways glance, Kuina drew Sakura Veil and slowly walked toward the zombie.
At that moment, Leno's voice sounded again from behind her.
"Oh right—he's holding a Black Blade. Be careful~"
"A Black Blade?"
Kuina's gaze swept toward the zombie's waist, a glint flashing in her eyes.
Only swordsmen truly understood how difficult it was to forge a Black Blade!
At minimum, one had to be a Grandmaster Swordsman!
Without reaching that level, one wasn't even qualified to temper a Black Blade!
"Yohohoho… to think I'd face such a beautiful swordswoman. I'm honored!"
"Shut up!"
Hearing such frivolous words coming from her ancestor's corpse, Kuina's face darkened instantly.
Just what kind of thing was that shadow inside him?!
The zombie sized Kuina up from head to toe, his hoarse voice sounding once more:
"Yohohoho… looks like you're quite the formidable swordsman as well!"
Slowly drawing the long blade from his waist, he pointed it diagonally toward the ground and continued:
"It feels like standing against a colossal creature—my blood is practically boiling!"
"Tch."
Finding the shadow to be a chatterbox, Kuina clicked her tongue and stopped bothering with him.
Sakura Veil in her hand rapidly turned black as Armament Haki spread over it. The ground beneath her feet shattered and fanned outward as her figure vanished from where she stood.
Almost simultaneously, a streak of black light flashed before the zombie. He hurriedly raised his blade to block.
"Clang—!"
A sharp, ear-piercing screech rang out as sparks flew everywhere. The ground beneath them cracked apart inch by inch, violently peeling outward.
A circular shockwave exploded from the clash between woman and zombie, scattering dust and even blowing away the surrounding fog.
The massive commotion startled Brook, who was watching from the sidelines.
His rows of pale teeth gaped wide as he tried to make a sound—only to realize that everyone around him remained perfectly calm.
They didn't seem surprised at all. Not even their eyes wavered.
As Brook was still marveling inwardly, the zombie's hoarse, heavy voice echoed from the battlefield once more.
"Aubade Coup Droit!"
"Clang—!"
Facing the zombie's thrust, Kuina swung her blade and knocked the attack aside.
Boom!
The deflected strike blasted a massive hole straight through the castle wall!
"He actually swung a thrust into a flying slash!" Brook collapsed onto the ground, muttering in disbelief. "Just how much strength does that guy have?"
And this was only a corpse!
For the first time, Brook gained a clear understanding of what a Grandmaster Swordsman truly meant.
Glancing at the overly shocked skeleton, Leno felt a bit speechless. What was there to be so surprised about? This was barely the beginning.
In the field, after gauging the power of her opponent's attack, Kuina's lips curled slightly as the movements of her hands suddenly accelerated.
Her long blade turned into a blur, weaving into a massive black net that enveloped the zombie.
"Cling cling cling—!"
Shockwaves rolled as sparks scattered everywhere.
The zombie blocked continuously, yet his body was forced steadily backward, deep gouges forming in the ground beneath his feet.
Just as he tried to find an opening to counterattack, Kuina's assault suddenly stopped—only for a massive flying slash to come hurtling toward him.
Shocked, he almost instinctively raised his blade to block.
"Clang—!"
Boom boom boom!
The zombie's entire body was sent flying, crashing through one building after another behind him. The deafening noise kicked up clouds of dust that filled the air.
A massive trench was carved into the ground along his path, stretching toward the unknown fog beyond.
"So amazing~ That lady is actually such an incredible swordsman?" Brook waved his arms wildly as he sat sprawled on the ground, feeling more shocked today than he had been in decades.
"Even though that zombie moves using my shadow, his strength is unquestionably terrifying—and yet he's still being suppressed by her!"
The dejected skeleton took a deep, symbolic breath before continuing:
"So just how strong is this female swordsman, really?"
"Hahaha… I'm quite curious myself!" Rayleigh, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Kuina.
To reach such a level of swordsmanship at her age…
In his memory, this was already enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with that monstrous young man beside him.
As he thought this, he kept sneaking glances at Leno. Where did this kid even find such a talented girl?
"Yohohoho… truly astonishing! I never imagined you'd be this powerful!"
From within the smoke, a vague silhouette walked forward step by step, gradually revealing the zombie once more—though the kimono on his body was already torn to shreds.
Seeing that the zombie bore no obvious wounds, Moria, who had been watching nervously, finally let out a sigh of relief.
This was a priceless treasure he had painstakingly stolen from Wano Country—nothing could go wrong with it.
He wanted to step in and stop the fight several times, but though his mouth opened and closed repeatedly, not a single word came out.
The reason was simple.
He didn't dare.
Under the pressure of the two monsters beside him, he could only keep silent and endure.
"To have my ancestor's body desecrated to this extent…" Kuina shook her head gently, disappointment deepening in her eyes as golden flames ignited along her blade. "That's enough."
She stepped forward, gripping the sword with both hands, her slender body slightly bent as her gaze locked straight ahead.
"Radiance · Holy Starfall!"
Slash—
A streak of light flashed past, followed by the sound of tearing silk.
When Kuina reappeared, she was already standing behind the zombie. She slowly straightened up and sheathed her blade.
"Rest in peace, Ancestor."
Whoosh—
The zombie's body stiffened for an instant before being engulfed in roaring flames that rapidly intensified!
"No!!!"
"Damn it! My zombie!"
…
…