Vol. 04 Ch. 40 – Keep Getting Up

AN: School restart, so I need some time to get used to and will disrupt the schedule for writing a new chapter.

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At present, the moon shines brightly without any clouds covering it. In the Isshin Dojo hall, Kuina stood in front of Law with bamboo swords in their respective hands. Law uses a bamboo sword that Arthur created with a length higher than the height of his body though it was still not as long as Kikoku. Kuina who was standing not far in front of Law looked very exhausted with her breathing in a hurry and sweat on her forehead. As for Law, he looks calmer without any problems. All this happened after a commotion at the entrance of the Dojo.

Kuina: "I'm not afraid, especially against pirates like you. Let's go to the Dojo hall. " Kuina fearlessly accepted the challenge from Law to compete right now.

Koushirou: "Kuina, are you sure?" Koushirou wanted to know how much confidence his daughter had.

Kuina: "I'm sure, father. I will show that as a woman I can also become a great swordsman in the future." Kuina immediately reentered the Dojo.

Koushirou: "Forgive my daughter if her words offend you, let's go to the Dojo hall. Please follow me. " Koushirou walk with Kuina followed by Arthur and the others.

Kuina: "Please take the bamboo sword there and get ready." Kuina pointed to the bamboo sword cluster in the corner of the hall.

Law: "Is this all you have?" Law asked while pointing to the bamboo sword storage container.

Koushirou: "Is something wrong?" Koushirou asked after seeing Law did not pick his bamboo sword.

Law: "Captain, please." Arthur who understood the intention of Law immediately created a bamboo sword according to Law's wishes.

Kuina: "Are you sure you want to use that?" Kuina was a little surprised when she saw Arthur suddenly took out a bamboo sword that was longer than Law's height, though it was still not as long as Kikoku.

Kuina + Law: "Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu" After bowing to each other they say their greetings before starting to compete.

Kuina and Law each took a position ready to fight. Kuina stood with the bamboo sword in both hands look like normal, while Law who used the long bamboo sword in his right hand took a position like he was ready to stab by pulling behind his grip and his left hand at the tip of the bamboo sword as if he wanted to aim at his target. The position Law used made Koushirou and Kuina interested. After getting the cue from Koushirou, Law immediately stepped quickly stabbed his bamboo sword at Kuina's left chest but it could still be avoided by her. Kuina immediately responded with a slash from above towards Law that looked unprepared but the slash could be blocked by Law with a bamboo sword grip, Law gave a counterattack with a leg kick into Kuina's stomach which made her fall to the floor. Law casually pointed his bamboo sword at the neck of Kuina who had fallen on the floor.

Law: "I won."

Kuina: "You cheated." Kuina did not agree with the statement from Law.

Law: "Victory is victory. Which part do you disagree with? "

Kuina: "You kicked me, how is that not cheating in a sword fight?" Kuina gave her response to Law's actions.

Law: "There is no such thing as cheating in a death and life match, you lose because you are not prepared with all the possibilities so that you cannot dodge on time." Hearing Law's words made Kuina unable to respond.

Kuina: "One more time." Kuina stood up and prepared with her bamboo sword asking to fight again.

In the end, Kuina stood before Law with panting breath. Ten times they competed and all won by Law. Law himself was also aware, if they talked about sword skills then Kuina was more superior than Law. But Law's physical abilities were far stronger than Kuina's in various ways. Seeing Kuina not wanting to give up made Arthur stand up and stop their match.

Arthur: "I think this is enough for tonight. Law, Sugar, Bepo, and Koala, the four of you will practice sparring against all students in this Dojo, use this opportunity to add to your experience in fighting. Koushirou, we are very grateful for the opportunity this Isshin Dojo provides. " Hancock and the others also stood following Arthur out.

Koushirou: "No problem, I hope the four of them get results that benefit them." Koushirou escorted Arthur and the others out, while Kuina fell on the floor because exhausted.

Arthur and the others returned to Athena and found Baby-5 guarding Sabo who was still unconscious. According to Baby-5, Sabo's body was fine, just maybe he hit the head or get a shock that strong enough to make him unconscious until now. Everything returned to their respective activities until finally, they decided to rest. Law was in the same room as Bepo who was already fast asleep, ignoring Bepo's snoring, Law meditation replay his match with Kuina in his head. He felt victorious just because his body was stronger than Kuina. So he decided to further hone the techniques he had. Sugar and Koala also can't wait to test their abilities tomorrow in sparring with students of Isshin Dojo. As for Arthur who finished the fight with his three women, they lay resting hugging Arthur. Hancock, who slept with Arthur's right arm as a pillow, decided to ask about Kuina.

Hancock: "Are you sure you don't want to invite that Kuina to join?"

Robin: "Her ability is not bad for a girl who lives in this quiet village." Robin added her opinion.

Arthur: "For now I just want to save Kuina from her destiny. I think that she is better suited to join the RA than with pirates like us. But I will see how it goes in the future. " Arthur stroked Hancock and Robin's hair, which was sleeping on his arms.

Monet: "How long do you want to stay on this island?" Monet, who slept on Arthur's stomach, also asked a question.

Arthur: "Maybe Sabo will wake up after two or three days, and we will continue the journey after stay here for a week." The four of them ended up sleeping after a while chatting.

Whereas in Isshin Dojo, Kuina who was sleeping in the Dojo hall due to fatigue was carried by Koushirou to her room. Seeing his daughter's condition like this he felt mixed feelings. He was annoyed and glad because his daughter lost to Law, he felt happy and relieved that Kuina could know her limits and maybe stop her from keep dreaming that has a dangerous road.

Koushirou: "I don't want to lose you like I lost your mother, I would be very happy if you still live normally in this village and have a happy family with your loved ones." Koushirou immediately get out from Kuina's room and walked down.

???: "Sensei, where is Kuina? I didn't see her practice as usual in the side yard. " The green-haired little boy called out to Koushirou from behind him.