Life in the palace was leisurely yet lively, but the next day, something slightly different occurred.
Chaka walked in and reported to Vivi.
"Ms. Vivi, it seems there's a Marine outside who keeps insisting on coming in."
"Hmm? Who is it?" Vivi put down her book and walked over.
Since the Straw Hat moved in, several waves of Marine soldiers had indeed come to investigate, citing maintaining public order and searching for remnants, but Chaka had blocked them all at the palace gates with various excuses.
"It's a female Marine wearing glasses."
Vivi recalled slightly, and the image of the person who had shielded her from Ms. Doublefinger's attack in the streets of Alabasta surfaced in her mind.
"It's her…"
"Do you know her?" Chaka was a bit puzzled.
"Yes."
Vivi nodded, looking at her companions who were either sitting or lying around, "What should we do? Should we let her in?"
At this moment, the Straw Hat was indeed quite unkempt.
Luffy lay spread-eagled on the carpet, picked his nose, flicked it, and said indifferently, "Sure, she's not a bad person."
Zoro leaned on the sofa, arms crossed, eyes closed, "It's not a matter of whether she's a bad person or not; she's a Marine, and we're pirates. We're fundamentally different."
Just then, Chaka seemed to remember something and added:
"Oh, right, that Marine lady also specifically emphasized that she's not visiting as a Marine, but as a swordswoman."
At these words, Zoro's previously closed eyes opened with a flash of surprise, and a curve of interest appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Oh? Interesting."
"Hehehehehehe, then let her in! It sounds like it will be fun!"
Everyone looked at each other, a knowing smile on their faces. They all had a premonition that something special might happen next.
Soon after, Chaka led Tashigi into the living room.
She was still wearing the same outfit. Ignoring everyone else, her gaze swept across the room, finally locking onto Tomioka. She walked directly up to him, then bowed deeply.
"I challenge you! Please, you must accept!"
Tomioka looked up, meeting her gaze calmly. Even he could feel the earnestness in her eyes behind her glasses.
She had cast aside her position and identity, coming simply as a swordswoman. This sincerity deserved respect.
"Alright."
…The group moved to the palace courtyard, where traces of the previous decisive battle could still be faintly seen.
Cracked ground, collapsed pillars, and rubble not yet fully cleared. Now, a new contest was about to unfold on this former battlefield.
Tashigi and Tomioka stood opposite each other, several feet apart.
The Straw Hat, Vivi, and Chaka stood by, watching.
Tashigi took a deep breath, firmly gripped the hilt of her shigure, and slowly drew it. The blade gleamed under Alabasta's sun.
"Marine Sergeant… No."
She corrected herself, her voice more resolute, "Swordswoman Tashigi, please guide me!"
"Tomioka Giyu."
This time, Tashigi didn't charge forward impatiently as she had in Loguetown. She moved her feet, slowly circling Tomioka, observing her opponent's center of gravity and posture with her whole heart, searching for even the slightest flaw.
Calm… I must be calm… I can't be like last time… Tomioka also didn't just stand still. He understood that for a swordswoman seeking improvement, giving his all was the greatest respect.
After a few moments of stalemate, he moved.
"Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust."
With a soft murmur, his figure suddenly blurred, transforming into a straight blue streak of light. Clear water swirled around the nichirin blade as he launched the swiftest linear thrust, heading straight for Tashigi!
So fast!
Tashigi's pupils contracted slightly. The speed was incredibly difficult to catch. And the movement was clean and concise, with almost no openings!
Without time to think, she tightly gripped her shigure with both hands, channeling all her strength into the blade, and blocked with all her might!
"shigure: Surface Slice!"
Clang—!
Her blade narrowly grazed the tip of the nichirin blade, attempting to deflect its trajectory. However, the immense force emanating from the blade was still far beyond her imagination.
shigure vibrated violently, almost flying out of her hands again! Just like that time, on the streets of Loguetown… No! This time… this time, I absolutely cannot let go!!
She gritted her teeth, and with stubborn willpower, clung tightly to the hilt!
Tashigi was ultimately pushed back two staggering steps by the impact before she barely managed to regain her footing.
Just blocking one attack was already so strenuous.
Surface Slice… Tomioka also remembered that in the pouring rain, during their duel on the street, he had split her shigure in two with the Surface Slice.
Is that why she remembers it so deeply and imitates its use?
Then… he must give his all even more.
Without giving Tashigi any chance to catch her breath or re-observe, the moment her feet stopped.
"Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide!"
The nichirin blade shifted from a thrust to a slash, and the blade light instantly became turbulent and surging, like an angry wave, sweeping towards Tashigi in layers!
The offensive was swift and fierce, leaving no room for thought.
Tashigi hastily raised her shigure to block again.
Clang—!
With a crisp clang, the immense force directly shook her beloved sword from her hands. It flew out in an arc, embedding itself diagonally into the ground not far away, its blade still trembling slightly.
Tomioka sheathed his sword, looking at the slightly panting and somewhat dazed Tashigi, and spoke calmly:
"Very good, you've improved a lot since before."
His gaze fell on her hands, still tightly clenched in a sword-holding posture, "However, in a real battle, opponents usually won't give you that much time to observe. Besides observing, you must also feel the body's instinct to fight."
Tashigi stood frozen in place, looking at her empty hands, her eyes filled with incredulous panic and a hint of unconcealed disappointment.
She had anticipated defeat, but she hadn't expected the process to be so brief. Under the opponent's serious offensive, she still seemed so powerless.
Hearing Tomioka's words, she snapped out of it and nodded heavily: "Understood… I understand, thank you for the guidance!"
She jogged over, pulled the shigure from the ground, and sheathed it. Then she walked to Vivi and bowed again:
"Thank you very much, Princess Vivi, for allowing me to come in on a whim."
After speaking, she turned and prepared to leave.
Her eye sockets behind her glasses were slightly red, as if tears were welling up.
This all-out challenge ending in an even faster defeat ultimately left her feeling frustrated.
However, just as she took a step, a voice she hadn't expected came from behind her, causing her to involuntarily stop.
"That was amazing!! That block was really beautiful!"
It was Nami's sincere applause and praise.
"Ms. Tashigi~~~~ You tried so hard! And you're much stronger than a certain Mosshead~~~!" Sanji shouted, spinning around.
"Amazing! Amazing!" Chopper was also jumping up and down, waving his little hooves.
Tashigi had her back to everyone, and her shoulders trembled slightly. She didn't look back, but simply wiped her eyes hard with the back of her hand, then quickened her pace, almost running out of the courtyard.