96. Concentrate On One Point And Reach The Peak

Boom

Rob's fist, covered in Armament Haki, struck Robin's small head again, making her crouch in defense while clutching her head.

"Ah! It hurts..."

Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes as Robin looked at Rob with a pair of watery eyes full of complaints:

"Oni-chan! That was too much... Using Armament Haki! You're so mean!"

Speechlessly, Rob glanced at the cute Robin.

Rob looked towards the sea and said:

"That little girl named Nami has a good talent for navigation, but her family is very poor and can't afford books for her, so I gave her those books that are no longer useful to me!"

"That's all! I don't have any other thoughts! Really, who do you think your great, proud, wise, and mighty Oni-chan is?"

While speaking, Rob also put his hand on Robin's head, pressing on the little bump he had caused, making Robin scream in pain and run away with tears.

Looking at the tearful Robin, Rob felt satisfied and a bit emotional:

"In this way, it can be considered the fulfillment of a small wish from the beginning! Will the future of these protagonists be completely different because of my appearance? It really makes one curious!"

Of course, no matter how curious he was, there was a high probability that Rob's life would not have more bonds with these protagonists. In the future, they might sit down and have a banquet, but there would likely be no more interactions between the two parties, and maybe even a battle at some point!

After all, who knows what will happen in the future?

However, being able to sit down and have a banquet on the sea is enough for most people.

Shimotsuki Village.

Clatter—

The Angel docked here and stopped steadily.

"Back again!"

Looking at the familiar Shimotsuki Village, Rob had a nostalgic smile on his face. At the same time, he touched the Shinto on his waist, sighing subconsciously.

Robin stepped to Rob's side, her face also filled with emotion:

"Shinto in the hands of Oni-chan was created here! I wonder if the old man Kozaburo is still around, and little sister Kuina, she should have grown up by now."

Soon, after Uta and Makino had all disembarked from the Angel, Rob waved his hand:

"Let's go! Let's visit the Isshin Dojo and stay here for a few more days, then we'll leave and explore other places in East Blue... By the way, we need to find a Devil Fruit suitable for Makino!"

Rob, Uta, and Makino all responded and then followed with a gift—a rare metal in a large box. The four of them went to visit them together, talking and laughing.

Finally, in the Isshin Dojo, which had hardly changed, they successfully met Koshiro, now the master of the dojo, Kozaburo, who was quite old, and Kuina, who had grown up.

They held a small banquet together and talked about the events of the past years, and the atmosphere was very happy!

For three consecutive days, the four of them stayed there, enjoying the company.

However, Rob felt regretful that at this time, the green-haired swordsman had not come to the Isshin Dojo. This time, he had no chance to "meet that guy who has been very determined since he was a child."

But they would meet at sea eventually!

On the morning of the fourth day, the Angel docked at the shore, where supplies were replenished, and the four of them, who had stayed for three days, were about to set off again.

"Mr. Kozaburo! Mr. Koshiro, and Kuina!"

Rob, wearing casual clothes with Shinto pinned to his waist, had a smile on his face:

"Goodbye! Take care and hope that next time I come back to East Blue, you are all still alive!"

Kozaburo, holding a bong and smoking dry tobacco, couldn't help but be speechless.

He said:

"You kid, you won't come back to East Blue for at least ten years, right? This old man probably won't live until then!"

Rob laughed and said:

"Hahaha... All in all, just work hard to live! Old man."

Kozaburo nodded, not saying much, but silently agreeing with this sentiment.

Just when Rob was about to turn around and leave, Kuina, who was usually taciturn, suddenly stood up:

"Brother Rob! I have a question. Please answer me!"

Rob paused and looked at Kuina curiously:

"Oh? What's the question? If it's something I know, I'll answer it for you!"

Kuina's eyes were bright, and her face was serious. She asked Rob with a little stubbornness:

"Can girls also become the world's number one swordsman? Can you answer me, Brother Rob?"

After hearing Kuina's words, Rob immediately understood that this little girl was probably told by Koshiro not long ago that girls are born with weaker bodies than boys and therefore cannot become swordsmen! So now she is confused.

As for her question to Rob, it is naturally because he is recognized by the sea and the whole world. On the ranking list of world sword masters, he is truly number one, and he is well-deserved as the "world's number one swordsman"! Much stronger than her father Koshiro!

Regarding Koshiro's denial of her, Kuina was confused in her heart and subconsciously wanted to seek this answer, or a little hope of comfort, from the stronger person who appeared, even the strongest Rob.

Looking at Kuina's stubborn and expectant eyes, Rob smiled slightly:

"Of course you can!"

"It is true that most girls are naturally weaker than boys, but these are not irreparable. Exercise, train hard, train even harder, and acquire a strong body over time! Constantly temper your willpower, let your spirit surpass your body, and then let your skills be sublimated! I have a saying for you—focus on one goal, climb to the peak, break your limits, and shine brightly!"

Rob paused briefly and then gave Kuina a simple example:

"Do you know about 'Phantomless Sword'?"

Kuina nodded seriously, her face full of admiration:

"I know! 'Phantomless Sword' is the technique that made Brother Rob the 'world's number one swordsman'. It's the pinnacle of swordsmanship, the ultimate expression of skill!"

Hearing Kuina's words of admiration, Rob laughed out loud:

"Hahaha...'No-Thought's Sword' is indeed powerful, but it's not so mysterious! This technique doesn't actually have any subtle tricks; it's just a simple swing of the sword!"

"When you swing the sword in your hand with full concentration and single-mindedness a thousand times, ten thousand times, a hundred thousand times, a million times, ten million times, or even more, countless times, you can also swing an infinite, unthinking sword!"

"So, Kuina, don't worry about other people's thoughts. Just keep moving forward according to the goal you set for yourself! Before you reach the end, you won't even know how much power you can unleash. It's amazing!"

After finishing his speech, Rob turned directly to the Angel and waved his hand behind him:

"If you want to become the 'world's number one swordsman', then aim at me and try to surpass me! I will be on the throne of 'the strongest' waiting for you to stand in front of me!"

"Before that, don't give up, and don't die in the pursuit!"

While talking, Rob boarded the Angel. Then the Angel slowly left the shore and headed towards the sea.

Now—

Standing on the shore, Kuina's eyes became very firm. She clenched her small hands tightly and stared at the Angel as it sailed away. No one knew how strong her faith was in her heart at this moment!

Rob is Kuina's idol, her source of admiration and inspiration.

Now, after receiving the approval and encouragement of her idol, as well as an unbiased answer, Kuina's will and determination were stronger than ever.

Koshiro stepped forward and came to Kuina's side:

"Kuina…"

Hearing her father's voice, Kuina directly interrupted him, then looked at Koshiro with burning eyes and knelt down on the ground. She loudly begged:

"Father! Please give me the sword left by Brother Rob—'Shiraha'! I will take 'Shiraha' and stand in front of the master who created it someday in the future!"

"Father, you don't need to persuade me! Even if I sacrifice my life for this, I won't be confused anymore! I must become a truly great swordsman, and I must stand in front of Brother Rob!"

After hearing Kuina's words, Koshiro felt a headache.

His daughter was very stubborn and not the obedient type. Now that she had received recognition from the idol she worshiped since childhood, she would definitely leave him in the future and sail on the sea!

Rob—

He really created trouble for him!

After a moment of silence, Koshiro also composed himself and said:

"Rob once said—'Shiraha' will be handed over to a talented young swordsman! Although Teacher Rob approves of you, as the custodian of 'Shiraha,' I have not yet recognized you!"

There was a pause. Koshiro spoke again:

"Three years, if within three years, you can comprehend the skill of cutting steel, I will recognize you and give 'Shiraha' to you!"

Swish—

Kuina raised her head seriously. Her eyes were serious and firm:

"I understand!"

It would be very difficult for ordinary people to comprehend the skills of cutting steel in three years, but Kuina had confidence in herself. She believed that within three years she would successfully comprehend the mystery of cutting steel!

As Brother Rob said, once you identify your target, just go all out to achieve it.

Now she—

She had nothing to do but work hard!

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