heart’s desires.

Axel meditated under the wooden porch while Tashigi continued her sword training.

Ussop managed to keep quiet for the first twenty minutes, but beyond that, he grew impatient in the silence that pervaded the area.

-Axel, come here, let's play hide and seek. No one can catch me; I'm like a chameleon, - Ussop said, tempting Axel.

He played hide and seek with some children from the dojo after getting bored waiting for Koushiro's response. Ussop had this magnetism that attracted all the kids. Lia continued her relentless thrusts, 1000 strikes without hesitation, without rest. Followed through the water dance, repeated over and over, footwork is crucial for swordsmen. For a woman, mobility and flexibility are necessary to fight against the power and brute force prevalent in this world.

Strength styles often involve enduring attacks, stamina, resistance, and power; these are basic principles for fighters. Delicacy is rare, considering it's possible to break mountains with fists.

-I apologize for keeping you waiting; I had some memories that clouded my thoughts. Young Axel, could you introduce me to this fine lady? - Koushiro said.

-Don't apologize, Mr. Koushiro; I can see you're feeling indisposed. This is Lia Tashigi, one of the bravest women I've ever met,- Axel said.

POV Lia Tashigi

Oh, here we go again, showering compliments on unknown people left and right. Ahhhahahah, what do I have to say? How embarrassing! Now, he'll think weird things about me.

-E-to-tooo. -

-It's a pleasure to meet you, sir, - Koushiro said.

-No, the pleasure is entirely mine; I'm Koushiro Shimotsuki, and I'll be your sensei from now on, - Koushiro said. -Axel, warm up; - we'll have a battle on the mountain. Hone her skills. It will be a tough fight; I'll have a chat with little Lia, - he said.

-Acceptable, - Axel said, with his smug smile. Ugh, he's charming.

-Follow me, miss, prepare a nice tea, - Koushiro said.

How beautiful this place is! Look at those bamboo swords; they're the ones they used in the dojo in the city of Logue Town. Wait, these are the famous Shimotsuki swords. Where do I remember this man from? I read about him somewhere. - Lia thought.

-Ahhh, are you saying something to me? - Lia asked.

-Yes, my dear, do you want some sugar in your tea? - Koushiro said.

-Ah yes, thank you. I'd like the tea with some sugar; it's the first time I've seen such an exquisite preparation, sir, - Lia said.

-Tell me, dear girl, young Axel mentioned your passion for swords. He said your biggest dream is to be the best swordswoman in the world. Is that true? - Koushiro asked.

-Ahhh, he always says things about me without my permission; he's very intrusive. BUT yes, it's my dream to be the best swordswoman in the world. Even though I know people may underestimate me because I'm a woman, my dreams are resolute. I won't give up; I'll prove to everyone that I can aspire to the top, - Lia said.

Master Koushiro raised his glasses, and rubbed his eyes with his hand, forcefully. What are the odds that he has a second chance to correct his mistakes? He sighed heavily; in his heart, he still felt pressure, a heavy burden that had hurt him for so many years. Ahead was a little damsel brought from a distant place with her soul punished; his sleepless nights were plagued by Kuina's words, the memory of his little girl, so tangible in this young woman. She would be the same age as Kuina, though livelier, and calmer than his daughter's memory.

Koushiro observed both insecurity and sadness in Lía, so different yet so similar to his little daughter. The pain of seeing her so alive warmed his heart in ways he couldn't comprehend. Deep down, perhaps this was his second chance at redemption as a father; he would guide her will and Kuina's dream through this girl.

-You're a very brave woman. The summit is a tough and dangerous place. I'll teach you everything I know, as long as you promise to follow all my teachings to the letter. But first, you have to learn a few things before handling a sword. The Shimotsuke style I'll teach you prioritizes the mind over the sword, - Koushiro said.

-Yes, sir, it's an honor that you allow me to be your student. I promise to strive hard to meet your expectations, - Lía said, bowing with respect. He was a master Axel had recommended, and by the numerous praises Axel had given, he must be magnificent.

-Don't worry; I know you'll do it. I know you'll fulfill it. I will help you, - Koushiro said.

-I don't know what to say! -- Her tears escaped. -- I won't disappoint you, definitely, -- Lía said.

-Oh, may I hug you, little one? -- Koushiro said. -- Ah, I think it was imprudent of me; I thought out loud. I apologize. --

-Ahhh, I think it's fine. You can hug me, sir, - Lía said, a bit moved by the kind gentleman.

-Miss, that's not proper; you don't know me well. So, I add, excuse my impertinence, - Koushiro said.

-I insist, Mr. Koushiro, Axel spoke highly of you. He mentioned that you're capable, honorable, and considerate. Axel's judgment is usually correct, - Lía told him.

-Ahhh, Axel, the cheerful young man, - Koushiro said.

-Yes, he's a great guy, - Lía said.

-Well, I'm still getting to know him; I have to approve him first, - Koushiro said.

-Ap...approve him, - Lía said.

-How did you meet? - Koushiro asked.

>>Oh, the tea is delicious," the girl sighed. "I met him in Logue Town. At that time, I had a challenge against the marine commander, a hundred battles without losing, and he would accept my challenge for combat. Mr. Smoker was a strong and tough guy; he restored order to the entire city in two years, and pirates feared approaching that city. Mafias and gangs were all swept away and cleaned up in the city. -

>>I challenged him to prove myself; he was a strong and fair person. Surpassing him is one of my goals. I live with my grandmother, who was always willing to support all my goals. She encouraged me to fight for my dreams. I suffered many defeats, but the worst was against Axel. His swordplay is like a flowing river—fast, flexible, and talented. Initially, I thought he was the most idiotic person who crossed my path. He mocked me after my defeat, and I felt shattered. My sword trembled at one point. -

>>My heart failed; the suffocating fear covered me like a fog. But that fool Axel arrived and promised me everything no one had ever promised me. He said that no matter what, he would help me become the best swordswoman in the world, fulfilling all my dreams without a doubt. At first, I refused; I mean, how could someone help you without asking for anything in return? -

>>But he did; he fulfilled every single thing he said. Everything he told me, he did. He's like a light; he came and renewed my beliefs one by one. He supported me, and I can say that I'm twice as good as I was before I met him, even though I can't keep up with his talent. Now, he brought me here, saying that you are the best teacher he knows, - Lía said, explaining her journey to Koushiro.

-It's nice, in many ways, to hear you say that, - said Koushiro.

-The first step to becoming great is to balance your senses, emphasizing the importance of concentration and mental calmness in the art of the sword. These are qualities everyone should follow. First, you'll learn to center your mind, both in your life and in battle, -repeated and Koushiro, a monologue he had spoken many years ago to a much smaller woman, his beautiful daughter.

First, you'll witness my fight against Axel. Your skills will grow significantly as you understand that reaching the summit is about accepting the distance and relentlessly pursuing it. Young Axel is undoubtedly talented for his age. But don't be discouraged; I'll do everything possible to surpass him," said Koushiro.

-Yes, sir, - said Lia.

-Well, let's go for that battle, -- said Koushiro. -- How was the tea? --

-Delicious. Agatha is the one who cooks on the ship; the meals are delicious, but she's not very skilled at making tea. You should teach her, - said Lia, responding to the delicious taste.

-Oh, and what if I teach you the preparation of this tea? - said Koushiro.

-I don't think it's possible. I tend to be a bit clumsy with household tasks, - said Lia.

>>Nonsense. I'll teach you. Serving tea requires patience and patience is something you must learn. Serving tea compared to the art of the sword is like an elegant and precise dance. Each movement, like the blade cutting through the air, is executed with grace and skill. –

Toned kosher.

-The teapot becomes the sword, the tea the flow of energy. The master, like the swordsman, masters the balance between strength and subtlety. Each cup is filled with millimeter precision as if cutting through reality itself. Tea, like a precise strike, delights the senses and calms the spirit. The ceremony becomes a wonderful choreography where tea and sword intertwine in sublime art, - said Koushiro.

-Wow, it's truly an art. I promise to learn," Lia told Koushiro, seeing the charm and nostalgia with which Koushiro prepared the tea. Even though it wasn't kendo, it was something she considered doing for the good.

-Come, my dear, I'll show you the limits of the sword. Axel is a quite powerful person, although somewhat inexperienced. If he's as great as you say, he's a great swordsman, - said Koushiro, leaving the Dojo with Tashigi. She nodded at Axel and made a gesture to follow.

-MR. Koushiro! It's good to fight; I was eager, - interrupted Axel.

-I can see that, Axel, - said Koushiro.

-When I say it's over, it's over. You are in a trial period, and I hope for your understanding. I'll test your combat skills, - said Koushiro to Axel.

-So be it, -- said Axel. -- Do we start right away, or do we give a signal to advance? - he said.

-You can attack right away, - said Koushiro.

-Good. -Axel took a breath; the hiss of a snake echoed in the place.

-First water stance, surface cut, - said Axel.

He disappeared like lightning and attacked with a frontal slash at Mr. Koushiro. The blow was violent, and the wind echoed throughout the environment. Amidst all the blows that echoed like a whirlwind, the contact made a roar.

-Fourth stance, tide strike, - said Axel. The water dance leaped, and with each movement, the reflective style jumped like water. "Soru."

-Third stance, the dance of the currents, - said, Axel.

Each movement was fast and seamless, not giving Axel time to react. The subsequent blows had a strong trigger. In Axel's offensive, Koushiro's clean and silent techniques disoriented the center of gravity. He jumped back and delivered a powerful blow; the tide of water roared again.

-Still, she doesn't understand how the water flows, how he materializes all the seas in his sword style, -- thought Lia Tashigi. -- He said he would teach me, but I still don't grasp how he can achieve these techniques. He has improved; each time he becomes more powerful, skillful, and shrewd. He improved again, - she thought.

-Flowing Slash, - said Axel, a clash of swords shot out from his blade, the light gleaming like cutting waters.

Koushiro reflected the blow towards the sky, without fearing the impact.

-Wow! This man is amazing, - said Lia aloud, watching as he blocked all of Axel's strikes with such skill, deflecting his attacks as if they were child's play.

Axel continued to attack in his fluid dances; however, Koushiro began to control his flows and followed the combat more closely. He started to reflect all the attacks, leaving no space for Axel; the fluid movements were becoming faster.

-He didn't lie! That old man is astonishing; he's a beast, - said Gad.

-What are you doing here? - said, Lia.

-Well, Axel sent the coward so we could watch his battle, something about one of the most powerful individuals in the East Blue, a hidden master feared for his swordsmanship, - said Kuro, who was more surprised. Another person who could intimidate him; is that true? Unbeatable power is useless against well-planned intelligence, breaking every plot with a force that shakes the world.

-He's our master, although Axel is on trial, I feel like he doesn't like him much, - said Tashigi, sharing her thoughts and how there was a thin line that Axel was dodging.

-Nobody likes that wretch, - said Kuro.

-Shut up! Everyone likes him; he's awesome, - said Ussop.

-Successive cuts, - mentioned Axel loudly. Four roaring water cuts danced on Axel's sword, the first was short, the second increased, the third increased, and the last one was faster, all the cuts converged halfway, like a roaring wave. Koushiro cut diagonally, and all the water cleared in the blink of an eye. In the distance, a diagonal cut marked the small hill in the background.

The wandering eyes of Axel's crew looked at each other strangely. In the background, only Deuce remains silent; he faithfully believes everything Axel says. The imaginary stories that others reject are only his goal to keep working towards.

Axel breathed heavily, exhausted. - You're good and you're the best swordsman in the East Blue, - Axel said.

-Second Water Breath: Water Wheel, - Axel added.

It was skillfully blocked by Koushiro.

-Stop, it's over, - Koushiro declared.

"Ahhh," Axel groaned, rotating and ending up falling. The inertia led him to roll and collide with the spin he couldn't stop.

-Are you okay, Axel? - Lia asked, rushing to assist him.

-All good, all good, - Axel replied.

-I passed, Master Koushiro, - Axel announced.

-No! But I'll teach you a few things. On another note, come here every night and fight with me. I don't have many things to teach you, and you can...- Koushiro said.

-Oh, well! That sounds pleasant- Axel responded.

-Wait, Master Koushiro, what's the reason for the rejection? -Lia inquired.

-For no reason. He doesn't need me to be great; his talent is unfair. Just with some advice and through the fights, he will improve progressively, - Koushiro explained.

-Oh, that's Axel, a talented guy, -- Lia said. -- I'll catch up soon; with a master like Koushiro, I'll surely get better, -- she thought.

-Well, Lia, let's go back to the ship. Master Koushiro, take care of Lia; she's a vital member of our crew, - Axel stated.

-With my life. I'll help her in any way I can, - Koushiro replied, a black mark on his forehead indicating suppressed instincts.

-Thank you, Master. Our beautiful swordswoman will be missed during her months of work, - Axel expressed his gratitude.

-Ahh, beautiful. Again, saying ridiculous things about me, - Lia thought, blushing furiously.

-Don't go overboard, brat, -- Koushiro warned. -- I'll see you tomorrow night; Lia will be at my house. I'll start teaching her from tonight - he added.

Axel looked surprised, never expecting patient Koushiro to be so stern in the face of flirting with Lia. What could have triggered this reaction?

-Ahh, hahaha. I guess we'll see each other tomorrow, Lia, Master Koushiro, - Axel said.

-Here you go, sir. I've prepared dinner for Tashigi. I made some extra; I hope you all like it, -- Agatha said. -- See you tomorrow, Lia. -

-Yes, everyone, have a good night. Nice and considerate, Mr. Koushiro will take care of me, - Lia said.

Thus, the Shimotsuki village closed, and the starry night beckoned in the peaceful evening. Little Lia had her first meditation class, her first tea class, and, among other things, Mr. Koshiro was very considerate, gifting her a hairpin.

...