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The Long-Awaited, Promised Duel (1/2)
🕑 Added 2024-10-27 04:15:36 +0000 UTC--- Chapter 381 ---
Koushiro sighed because the now taller Kuina reminded him of his late wife. Those fearless and valiant looks never get old.
"Well, let's see how much her swordsmanship has grown."
"I hope you don't lose too fast, Zoro. Or else I'd get embarrassed when I meet Young Master Yuhao again."
With that, Koushiro immersed himself in his clone again and saw the sight of Zoro and Kuina in the Sabaody.
"As expected of my father. Choosing a clone, elemental one at that, as spirit skill is a wise move." Kuina praised with a big smile, sizing Koushiro from top to bottom.
Koushiro chuckled at her comment. He reached Spirit Sage Realm after cultivating hard for over a decade and almost losing his life on the last breakthrough.
If Huo Yuhao had not warned Koushiro about the danger years ago, he might not have survived.
Even then, Koushiro needed another two years to stabilize his realm and stayed at sweet Spirit Rank 72.
Koushiro couldn't imagine how high his daughter's cultivation realm was after being trained by the great Huo Yuhao himself. She shouldn't be too low compared to him.
She might be Soul Douluo or even Title Douluo.
Unknown to Koushiro, he couldn't sense or tell that Kuina had ascended to godhood because his senses didn't work on lifeform on a higher dimension.
He only thought she must have a method to hide her cultivation.
Well, he'll make a shocked expression sooner or later.
"So-so." Koushiro waved his hand, not being arrogant by this level of mere strength. He has seen Huo Yuhao neutralize a bolt of heavenly lightning casually.
"Anyway..." He stood between Zoro and Kuina.
"I will be the referee of this duel."
"Zoro, do your best to showcase the fruit of your training."
"Kuina, you're not allowed to use your Spirit Energy, Martial Soul, and Spirit Skill."
"This duel will be a pure show of swordsmanship!"
Zoro frowned and asked, "What's with all those restrictions? I don't want Kuina to hold back against me!"
"Come on, show me what you've got!"
"..."
'My naive, little disciple. Do you like to court death that much?!' Koushiro was speechless. 'If Kuina goes all out, I'm afraid there would be no Sabaody anymore.'
"Bakazoro," Kanae mocked. "It would be unfair if I used everything my father mentioned."
"Aren't we promising each other to become the strongest swordsman in the world? Dueling with pure swordsmanship is more important."
Zoro nodded, "That's true."
"..." Kuina's mouth twitched. Simple-minded and still an idiot. No wonder you get along with Luffy just fine.
"Very well, but what about Haki?" Zoro asked the right question.
"You can use them," Kuina answered casually. "From the state of your sword, I already knew you were constantly infusing them with your Busoushoku Haki."
"There is also 'special' Haki, but it has yet to awaken."
After saying that, Kuina retreated five meters away and loosened her white coat, tying it to her waist.
She rubbed her spatial ring and pulled an ordinary-looking katana with a gleaming black blade and white handle. There is no sheath, though.
"Good sword." Zoro praised, feeling the ordinary-looking katana no less than his Wado Ichimonji.
Kuina smiled, "This is just one of my failed creations when making Saint-grade weapons. I didn't tarnish my Grandpa's legacy and has surpassed him."
"Kuina, you..." Koushiro's eyes widened in realization.
"Yes, I am. I have surpassed Grandpa..." Kuina gripped the hilt of the katana.
Zoro grimaced, feeling a little lost. He calmed down and placed Wado Ichimonji back in its sheath.
Koushiro shook his head bitterly and raised his hand calmly, "Are you two ready?"
"Yes!" 2x.
"With this, I announced that the duel is... Started!"
Zoro and Kuina stared at each other, and the green-haired swordsman made his move first.
"One Sword Style: Iai Death Lion Song!" Zoro executed a quick blade draw, causing the air to split.
Kuina raised her katana and lowered it gently, "Sakura Drop."
CLANK!
A loud metal bashing noise echoed in the area.
Zoro retreated a few steps, feeling his hand become numb after Kuina's slash cut through his technique and moved forward toward him.
"Haha, so strong!" Zoro laughed in excitement.
"Then, what about this..."
Zoro ran toward Kuina at full speed, reaching five meters instantly and causing a green blur in the street. "One Sword Style: Great Dragon Shock!"
Swoosh!
An immense shockwave manifested, charging and cutting at Kuina at extreme momentum.
Kuina lowered her katana slowly and responded with a rigid yet stable posture, "Still water."
BANG!
Sparks fly everywhere.
Zoro felt his sword cut into something flimsy and impenetrable. He cursed and added extra strength to his sword but found himself no longer on the ground.
Kuina has deflected Zoro's shockwave, causing him to fly.
Zoro placed Wado Ichimonji above his shoulder and started slashing down.
"One Sword Style: 360 Pound Phoenix!"
Zoro's muscles twitched as he finished his technique and burst with sharp air like a projectile.
Kuina grinned and reversed her sword grip, "Interesting. Then, I will respond with this..."
"Pagma's Sword Dance."
"Transcendent!" She slashed up, sending an energy flash.
BOOOOOOOOOM!!!
Their attacks met in the air, destroying some buildings and rooftops.
Kuina kicked the ground and chased after Zoro, exchanging slash after slash with him.
Zoro put on a solemn look, not afraid of Kuina. Regardless, the more he fought, the harder it was to handle her quick and diverse slash barrage with only one sword.
SHING!
Zoro drew Sandai Kitetsu, making Kuina raise her eyebrow.
"Two Sword Style: 720 Pound Phoenix!" He lined two katanas before an enhanced version of 360 Pound Phoenix, causing air to burst and send pure sharpness at Kuina.
BAM!
Kuina guarded herself, placing her katana in front. She got pushed away, and the excess energy from Zoro's attack ruined some buildings before dissipating.
Of course, Kuina is unscathed.
She swayed her wrist gently and laughed, "You finally used your Two Sword Style. I thought you would endure some beating before using them."
"That sword is not horrible at all. Sandai Kitetsu, was it? I can feel an evil spirit lingering in that blade."
Zoro glanced at Sandai Kitetsu and replied, "I got it cheap from an uncle in the sword shop."
"Is that so? You're lucky then." Kuina gave him an amused expression.
"If not for my Haki, I'm afraid this sword will break." Zoro bitterly replied as he held back not to break Sandai Kitetsu with his aggressive sword plays.
"I will fix it for you if it breaks!" Kuina said while charging at Zoro.
"Fuck, don't do that so suddenly! It's scary!" Zoro reacted while swinging his swords.
"Nigiri: Toro Samon!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Zoro deflected Kuina's sword with the first attack before raining her down with a flurry of attacks. Each attack is heavy and explosive, making Kuina look satisfied by his growth.
As they fought, the building was 'instantly' destroyed, the ground split into a bunch of cubes, and many trees turned to dust.
Huff! Huff!
Zoro stopped, watching Kuina, who was still lively. However, his breathing is already this heavy.
"That's it? It's my turn now." Kuina pointed her katana at Zoro and stabbed decisively, causing the atmosphere to shift as an image of a giant rhino appeared and charged at Zoro.
Zoro's eyes widened. He hurriedly sheathed his swords before drawing them quickly, "RASHOMON!"
BOOM!
The giant rhino split into four, exploding with a bright white light.
"Hehe, that's just a distraction." Kuina appeared before Zoro's eyes and swung her sword gently.
It looked slow to Zoro, but he knew it was deadly!
"Damn it." Zoro instinctively twisted his body and swung his sword to the ground. "TATSU MAKI!"
A shockwave appeared and flew up, creating this violent twister that swallowed everything in its path.
Zoro coughed blood and wiped it from his mouth, leaning on a massive tree with a helpless look.
Not far away, Kuina smiled and lowered her katana. "That should be enough warm-up for both of us."
"Ready for round two?"
Zoro shouted with a grin, "Anywhere, anytime!"
After saying that, Zoro placed Wado Ichimonji's hilt in his mouth and bit it firmly. Then, he unsheathed his last sword, Shusui.
"Go!" Kuina responded by charging forward.
Zoro's eyes flashed with dark light as Haki overflowed to his limbs and three swords, "Three Sword Style..."
"RENGOKU!"
"ONI... GIRI!"
...
...
Comments
NineClouds69
Ah, you're right! Thanks for the correction!
