Showing Whose Boss

"My, what an energetic child. I'll be right back, everyone."

He has that smile again…I already know what he is planning so I could understand it. Hell, I have the same smile.

I can't wait to tease him about this in the future...

Everyone stops training and goes to the door to listen more closely.

"What a bunch of nosy brats." Kuina walked over and said.

"Yeah…and they wonder why they're weaker than us…I'm debating whether or not they're bored housewives looking for gossip…"

She laughs at my remark.

We became good friends in the last 6 months. I was the only one that spars with her willingly, and because I'm helping her get stronger, she hangs around me more often.

I also didn't forget my self made promise to her…

Her birthday was in September, around 2 months ago and I gave her a present. I didn't have money, so the next best thing would be to make one.

There were lots of pretty-looking flowers around the mountains I train in, there were one species that caught my eyes though. I didn't know the name for it in One Piece…but it looked like a Moss Campion.

I created a rope made of grass fiber and tied two of the Moss Campions to the rope, making a bracelet.

When it was time, I gave it to her. Then I freaked out when she started crying.

I learned that I was the first one to ever give her a gift before, minus Koushirou, who only 'gifted' her his approval to practice swordsmanship.

She wears it all the time now and we grow closer because of it.

"Kuina!"

She smiled at me before walking towards the voice of her father.

"Yes, father."

It's almost time…let's get ready for the show…

Not even a few seconds later, Koushirou and Kuina came with Zoro in hand.

"Alright everyone, clear the area. We have a challenger with us today."

Of course, we know there's a challenger! He wasn't exactly quiet about it…

The other disciples cleared the area and I, like a chuuni too cool for such a task, walked over to a wall and waited.

After they were finished everyone came to the wall and sat down, waiting for the challenge to start.

I examined Zoro…he is shorter than I imagined…I'm a few good inches taller than him.

He also looks dumber.

"Can I use as many as I want?" Zoro asked while looking at a drum full of bokkens.

"Of course you can," said Koushirou.

Zoro proceeds to grab what looks like…nine swords. Three in both of his hands and three in his month.

...I was right about the dumber comment...

In the anime, I didn't pay it any mind but…seeing it in real life looked weird. Why the hell does he even fight like that?! It can't be comfortable for him…

After bowing to the shrine and then each other, the match began…and ended just like the anime.

I don't know if it was the spars we had with each other, but it seems like Kuina had an even easier time defeating him.

"He's like a boar," Kuina said with contempt.

…he and everyone else here…I think I heard one of them even say if Zoro even knows how to dodge…the nerve…

After Kuina badmouth Zoro's ability and Zoro made his declaration to beat her one day, the match ended.

I went up to Kuina to congratulate her win against the boar.

"Hey, you with the gray eyes!"

…me…?

Confused, I turn to look at him.

"You also seem strong! I want to fight you!"

Ah, it seems like I caught his eyes.

"You sure you want to fight me? You just got beaten, didn't you?

He gnashed his teeth at me.

"I may have lost to her, but it doesn't mean I'm weak!"

Ok then, I'll humor him…

"Sure, we can fight, if Koushirou-sensei is fine with it."

We both turned to look at him.

"I allow it," he said.

We then went to the middle and faced each other in our fight position.

Because of his loss, his stance looks fiercer than when he was fighting Kuina.

I decided to show off my progress to everyone, their shocked expression would make my day.

"Well, if both of you are ready then…"

Total Concentration Breathing…

I took a deep breath, focusing most of my power on my left leg.

"...begin!"

Then I pushed forward.

The force from it kept me slightly above the floor for a little bit until I got right in front of Zoro.

"WH-"

He didn't even have enough time to finish his sentence. I already swung my bokken towards his stomach.

*POOOW*

The hit not only caused a few strands of saliva to come out of his mouth but even pushed him off the ground and, like a bowling ball, rolled to the wall.

*BAM*

"...I think I used too much power…" I said, rubbing the back of my head with a shy grin.

Now I'm going to be bothered by the lot of them about how I got so strong so fast...

At least their shocked faces made up for it.