Chapter 11 - Reunion

A few weeks go by as Zoro integrates himself within the Shimotsuki dojo. Multiple times every day, Zoro would challenge Kuina to a duel.

"Here I come!"

"Ha!"

"Ouch!"

Terumi stood by and watched as a familiar scene plays out, Zoro is once again hit on the head by Kuina's shinai.

"Stop! That makes 60-0, another win for Kuina."

"Damn it! I'll be back!"

Zoro runs off with his two shinais, off to go training once more. Kuina simply sighed as she relaxes.

"Doesn't he ever get tired of this? I've never seen someone so determined to lose."

Kuina shows a somewhat frustrated expression as she complains.

"He's doing this exactly because he doesn't want to lose. He has great determination to win. You can tell, can't you? He's growing immensely by the day."

Kuina sighs again.

"I know. It seems I've been slacking. It's getting harder and harder to beat him in one hit. If I want to keep winning, I'll have to train even harder."

Terumi smiled and nodded at her answer.

"You've never had a rival before, although you didn't lack motivation, having a rival is what's going to really push you beyond your limits."

"Hmm, really? You never had a rival though, Nii-san."

"Haha, you're right about that, but I did have something better."

Terumi spoke with a melancholic tone as he gripped Asahi tightly with his left hand.

"That reminds me, it's time. Come with me, Kuina."

Kuina simply nodded respectfully and the two made their way off, towards the cliffside in the Shimotsuki estate.

There stood the grave of Shimotsuki Kozaburo.

Terumi respectfully knelt down and did a deep bow in front of the grave. Kuina simply stayed standing and closed her eyes, offering a prayer.

'Kozaburo-sensei, it's been four years. Soon I will leave this island and start my journey. I swear to you that I will honor my promise. The title of the world's best swordsman will return to the Kenzaki family again. Please watch over me.'

"Okay, let's go."

"Nii-san, what was grandfather like?"

"He was...abrasive, yet kind. Stubborn and wise. A great man."

Terumi had a sad smile on his face, but it was quickly replaced with a bright smile.

"He was someone who helped inspire my dream."

Kuina nodded in understanding.

"I wish I could have gotten to know him better."

Terumi stood up and patted Kuina on the head.

"No use worrying about the past, focus on the future. Soon I will be departing on my adventure. Just because I'm not here to guide you, don't you dare slack."

"Hmph, I know I know, Nii-san. I promised you that I will become the world's best swordsman, you better watch your back, one day I will come for you as well."

Kuina smiled confidently as she made her declaration.

"Haha, alright. Make sure you live long enough till then, it would be disappointing if you failed to complete your dream by falling down the stairs or something."

"What? That's stupid. If I fell I would just do a flip."

"Well, that's what I've been training you for."

"Okay, enough stupid talk, let's just go. I have more training with Hana-san later."

"Alright."

Just as Terumi and Hana were about to exit the Shimotsuki estate, they ran into Zoro, who was running around wildly again.

"Ah! There you are!"

Kuina sighed as she saw Zoro again.

"What do you want, I just dueled you ten minutes ago, I'm not going to do it again."

"I'll challenge you later, I wanted to talk with Terumi."

Terumi blinked with surprise.

"Me? Okay. Kuina, go ahead and go, I'll catch up with you later."

Kuina nodded and left in a hurry, not wanting to deal with Zoro's antics.

"So? What did you need?"

"How do I beat Kuina?"

"Huh?"

Terumi was surprised to hear Zoro's question. He always thought Zoro to be someone who was mostly independent.

'Though, I guess he did ask Mihawk to train him during the timeskip.'

"No matter what I do, I always lose in one hit! It's been weeks and I can't even touch her."

Terumi thought for a while before speaking.

"Zoro, you are very talented. I'm sure one day you will become a great swordsman. What you need to do is keep that passion, but learn patience. Also, you need to dream bigger. What Kuina wants to be is the best swordsman in the world. What about you?"

"I...never really thought about it. I just wanted to test myself. Before I came here, there was no one I couldn't beat, so I want to defeat Kuina."

Terumi shook his head at Zoro's answer.

"That is the key difference. Kuina sees far beyond the horizon, and if you don't learn to do the same, you will never defeat her."

Terumi then contemplated for a long.

'I planned to leave him alone because I didn't want to affect his trajectory. Zoro will eventually become an amazing swordsman with or without my help. Maybe I can give him a small push, I shouldn't shy away from having an additional rival. Like I said to Kuina, rivals will only help. If I shy away from helping him out of fear, I would be disqualified as a swordsman.'

"Listen, Zoro. I am not your teacher, so I will not teach you any swordsmanship, but I will show you something. Whether or not you learn it is up to you. I hope that by doing this, it will help push you, and in turn, Kuina, into becoming better swordsman."

Terumi then started breathing slowly in and out, soon his breath started turning white.

Hissss

"Haaaa."

White steam came out of Terumi's mouth, as Zoro stared in wide-eyed bewilderment.

"What is that?"

"This is a way of breathing meant to draw more potential out of the human body. Both Kuina and I know how to do this. As I said, I am not your teacher, I will not accept you as a student, so I will not train you in it or any of the swordsmanship tied to it. I will help you try to learn this once, and no more. This will be the first and last time I will do this. Afterward, it'll be up to you. Now, first, breathe in as much as you can, feel the air entering your body, energizing all your cells. Hold it for as long as you can, until you feel your lungs start to burst."

Zoro nodded and started doing what Terumi instructed, a few seconds later, he knelt down, clutching his chest.

"Ah! This hurts! What is this?"

Terumi simply nodded.

"Okay, good. That means you're on the right track. Now, again. This time, slower, really feel all the air as it comes in, see how it raises your heart rate, heats up your body, pushes your muscle to the brink."

Zoro breathed in, slowly. His chest slowly rises as his heart rate starts increasing. Soon, his breath starts to nearly become visible.

'What? I showed him it once and he almost succeeded on the second try? Are you serious? Just how crazy is his talent? What have I just unleashed...'

"Okay, I think I'm getting it Terumi, thank you!"

"Yeah, you're welcome..."

Terumi simply shook his head and then turned his eyes serious once more.

"Zoro. If you learn this, I need you to promise me you won't teach anyone else. Understood? This is a promise between men."

Zoro nodded firmly.

"Got it! A promise between men. I swear I will not teach this to anyone else!"

Terumi then relaxed, nodded, and started heading off to go join Kuina at his home.

"Wait! One more thing..."

"Hm?"

"Can you lend me some real practice swords? I want to start training with them."

Terumi thought for a short while and agreed.

"Sure, just two right?"

"Actually, can you give me three?"

"Three?"

Terumi was somewhat expecting this but he was still surprised.

"Yeah, I couldn't beat Kuina with two swords, so I will use three."

'Again, just what is this logic?'

"Fine. Just go ask Koushirou-sensei, tell him I sent you."

"Okay! Thank you."

Zoro ran off, heading outside the estate.

"Stop. It's that way. Do I need to escort you?"

"Huh? Oh, it's okay, I got it now."

Zoro then started heading to the cliffside.

'Okay, I give up, he'll find it eventually.'

Terumi then headed off to his home.

...

A short walk later, he arrives near his house, as he approaches, he sees several Marine officers standing in front of his house.

'Hmm?'

As Terumi arrived, the Marines noticed him and saluted him.

"Are you Terumi?"

"Yes, that's me."

"My name is Bogard. Nice to meet you, Vice-Admiral Garp is waiting inside to see you."

"Garp-san? Okay. Nice to meet you as well."

'So, the time has finally come.'

Terumi entered his house, as he walked in, he heard a boisterous laugh.

"Wahahaha! So that's what he's been up to. I see the boy has gotten strong."

"Yep, that's my son! The other day he single-handedly chopped up a sea king with one slash! It sure made my fishing trip a lot nicer, haha!"

Terumi saw his father sitting with Garp, drinking and chatting. Akira noticed him enter immediately.

"Ah, here he is! Look Terumi. It's Vice-admiral Garp, the Marine Hero! Can you believe it?"

Everyone in Shimotsuki village, or rather, everyone in the world has a very strong opinion regarding Garp. For pirates, he's their worst nightmare, and for the regular people, a Hero.

"Vice-admiral Garp, I'm glad you remembered your promise. I have been waiting for you all this time. I'm ready."

Terumi was respectful but resolute, a fire shone in his eyes.

"Just call me Garp. Also, I'll be the judge of whether you're ready or not."

Garp had a wide cheeky smile on his face.

"Let's go outside."

Terumi didn't say anything but grinned widely.

"Okay."

'Now, let's see if I'm really as good as I think I am.'