Chapter 185

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A Celebration in Disguise, a Memorial in Reality

The next day, Abel arrived with the finally awakened Baby-5 as promised.

Dressed in a sweet maid's outfit, Baby-5 was a charm that the local boys stood no chance against.

As a result, many found themselves stealing glances at Baby-5, their movements awry.

For this, Koushirou had his share of anger, keeping them behind for extra practice!

Of course, he didn't take his anger out on others nor made Abel and Baby-5 leave.

In Koushirou's view, this was a way to train his students' focus.

Once they could only see the sword and not the woman during their training, that would be success.

Kuina did not show jealousy. Over the years, no one in the dojo had seen her as the opposite sex, and she had come to see herself as a boy.

It was not until her body started to develop that she experienced the troubles of a girl.

But she only ever confided in Zoro about this.

After all, her former father never cared for such matters.

Now things were different. Since their conversation yesterday, the father-daughter relationship had a new understanding.

Kuina's dream had not changed; she still aimed to be the world's greatest swordsman.

But she was no longer troubled or confused.

She was more motivated than ever before!

How could such a person be jealous of others?

It wasn't until Koushirou finished teaching that Abel entered the dojo with him, ready for another sparring session.

Baby-5, uninterested in such things, chose to stay outside.

"How about we spar with wooden swords today?"

"Sure."

This time, Abel did not refuse. Instead of using the wooden swords from the dojo, he brought out his own "Dojikiri Yasutsuna."

Not only was it more suitable for him, but the double learning efficiency during swordsmanship training was also important.

Seeing Abel come prepared, Koushirou's mouth curved into a smile, and the two once again crossed swords.

With Koushirou intentionally holding back, Abel could freely display his swordsmanship and through battle, understand what he did not yet know.

To Koushirou's surprise, he found that Abel's swordsmanship had greatly improved overnight, integrating many previously chaotic techniques.

Such a pace of improvement was frightening!

He couldn't help but ask, "How long have you been studying swordsmanship?"

Abel hesitated, but ultimately replied, "One year."

"Incredible, that explains it all. Your current issue is that your swordsmanship strength has increased too fast, and your understanding hasn't kept up."

"Yesterday, I tried to estimate your talent as high as possible, but I still underestimated you."

A flash of admiration appeared in Koushirou's eyes, yet it was mixed with regret.

How great it would have been to meet this boy a year earlier.

But the thought quickly passed, and he put it aside.

Even though Abel had no intention to formally study swordsmanship at Isshin Dojo, Koushirou was not one to hold back.

He was eager to see how polished the raw gem before him could become, even with his brief influence.

Perhaps this was the generous spirit of a true teacher.

"Weren't you curious about the swordsmanship of the Shimotsuki clan? Watch closely."

Koushirou suddenly picked up another wooden sword, switching from single-sword style to dual-sword style?!

Not only that, the aura he exuded was completely different!

As the sun finally set and night fell.

The dojo's doors opened once again.

Just like the day before, Koushirou and Abel walked out one after another.Abel looked more puzzled and confused when he came out yesterday, but today his expression was one of a furrowed brow and serious face.

"Will you come again tomorrow?"

As he was leaving, Koushirou took the initiative to ask.

Abel, still immersed in the previous battle, couldn't believe how different the same person could be when using one sword style and two sword styles.

It was as if there was another 'Koushirou' hidden beneath that smiling face!

Even more violent and brutal!

Abel nodded, indicating that he would return at the same time tomorrow.

He was eager to find out just how much skill this guy was still hiding.

And with that, five consecutive days passed.

Gradually, the villagers of Shimotsuki Village also got used to seeing the 'siblings' Abel visiting the Isshin Dojo every day to spar.

Especially after clearing up the initial misunderstanding, many villagers apologized to them.

Only Koushirou's adult disciples seemed to maintain some hostility toward Abel.

Having never seen Abel's true strength, they couldn't understand why their teacher valued an outsider so much.

But since the marks left by Abel's Shura Aurora Slash were still visible, they weren't foolish enough to provoke him.

They were envious and jealous, but not stupid.

Koushirou wouldn't accept any disciples with unsatisfactory character.

Meanwhile, as Abel trained in swordsmanship at the Isshin Dojo in the East Blue, Doflamingo, who had not yet fully recovered from his injuries, couldn't wait to start seeking revenge against the Marines!

He demanded the Marines hand over the missing Abel and Baby-5.

In Doflamingo's eyes, Abel and Baby-5 had to have been captured by the Marines.

Otherwise, why would there be no contact at all, not even through a Transponder Snail?

However, the Marines believed this was just an excuse by the Donquixote family for retaliation, as they hadn't captured any members of the family.

Even the Mahabyss trio, who were prepared to sacrifice themselves and confronted the warships alone, managed to escape.

The Marines ended up being the ones who suffered greater losses.

Thus, both parties became entrenched in their positions and began to engage in skirmishes throughout the North Blue.

One day the Donquixote family would attack a Marine branch base, and the next day the Marines would destroy two of the family's underground black markets.

The fierce response from the Marines led Doflamingo to an ominous conclusion—if Abel and Baby-5 weren't captured, there was only one other possibility: they had been killed by the Marines.

Where else could they have gone?

Did they suddenly fly to the East Blue?

The latest bounties issued by the Marines seemed to support Doflamingo's suspicions.

Doflamingo's bounty skyrocketed to 250 million!

This shocking development reverberated throughout the entire North Blue!

After the issuance of the bounty, no one in the North Blue dared to challenge the Donquixote family.

However, the bounty was increased only for Doflamingo. Abel, who had also caused a commotion in another island, did not receive an increase in his bounty, which seemed unreasonable.

But if a person were already dead, there would naturally be no need to increase their bounty, right?!

On the day he received the new bounty, Doflamingo destroyed an entire town and massacred more than a hundred Marines stationed there.

It seemed like a 'celebration,' but in reality, it was a memorial.