Chapter 40 - South Blue

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Two years have passed since Lepus, Brisa, and Muret came to Shimotsuki Village and met Kuina.

The four of them have become closer and familar with each other in these two years.

In addition, Lepus also slightly taught Kuina to train Kenbunshoku Haki.

Now Kuina was 13 years old and it was time for them to leave.

Lepus has also decided where they will go next. It's to South Blue!

Lepus wanted to go there because he wanted to go to Karate Island to find and recruit strong fighter there.

In addition, Lepus also intended for them to go to the Torino Kingdom so that Muret can learn traditional medicines there.

Today, after Kuina finished her practice match against Brisa, Lepus spoke to her.

"Kuina, we're leaving in a week. Are you ready?"

"No problem."

"Then you can start your preparations and farewells in this week. After that, we'll leave."

"Okay.... Where are we going to?"

"South Blue."

Kuina was a little confused and surprised why they were going to South Blue. But in the end she just nodded.

".... South Blue? Fine."

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A week later, Kuina had finished all her preparations and parting.

The four of them prepared to leave.

Lepus, Brisa, and Muret were waiting for Kuina at the village gate.

After their long wait, Kuina finally came to the village gate.

But Lepus was slightly surprised and wondered when he saw Kuina carrying a white sword on her waist.

'Wadou Ichimonji!? Kuina brought it with her? Then, what about Zoro?'

Lepus then asked Kuina.

"You're going to take that sword with you?"

Kuina was a little confused as to why Lepus was asking about her sword.

"Yes? Is there a problem?"

Hearing Kuina's answer, Lepus was slightly silent and sighed inwardly.

'Hah~.... Never mind. Maybe Zoro should find another else. After all, as a Shimotsuki, Kuina surely deserves this sword.'

"Not really.... As a Shimotsuki, you have the right to take it. Hmm.... We'll go to your ancestral land one day."

"My ancestral land? What do you mean?"

".... Don't ask. You'll understand when we go there someday."

"Hmm.... Alright."

"Let's go."

Then, the four of them left the Shimotsuki Village.

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After they were far enough from the village, Lepus took them to a deserted place in the trees.

After reaching the trees, Lepus concentrated and opened the gap.

Lepus had already explained a bit about his ability before, so Kuina wasn't surprised.

"Get in."

Lepus, Brisa, Muret, and Kuina then enter the gap and Lepus then closes it.

Not long after, Lepus again opened the gap to get out.

"We're here. Let's go out."

After coming out of the gap, the girls, especially Kuina, wondered a little.

Because what she saw from the surroundings didn't look much different from the trees before.

"Here is South Blue?"

"That's right. On Karate Island to be exact."

"Karate Island?"

"Yeah. It's famous here as a place to learn various martial arts. My purpose in coming here is to find and recruit fighters."

"I see...."

"Yes. Let's go."

The four of them, led by Lepus, walked towards the nearest city from there.

After a while, they finally arrived at the city.

"Let's find a place to stay first."

Lepus said to the girls, and they nodded.

They then checked-in at an inn not far from the main road.

After checking in, they went to the restaurant opposite the inn for lunch.

As they were sitting resting after finishing their meal, they overheard some of the diners talking at a table not far from them.

"Hey, did you know? Amber is going to fight again!"

"Again!?"

"There are people who still want to challenge her?"

"Hahaha! It's endless, huh?"

"We'll be there after this! The fight is in half an hour!"

Hearing their conversation, Lepus was quite interested.

Then he asked them.

"Excuse me, I'm interested in the fight you were just talking about. Can we come watch it too?"

Hearing Lepus talk to them, one of them responded.

"Oh? You don't know? Are you foreigners?"

"That's right. We only came to this city an hour ago."

"I see! Oh, you guys can come along if you want to watch the fight!"

"Thank you.... Then, who is this Amber who will fight? Is she famous?"

"Of course! You newcomers may not know, but here, Nova Amber is very famous! Even though she's a woman, she has fought and defeated many men! Many even called her Amber the Berserker!"

"Heh~.... Very interesting. I'm getting more curious."

"Hahaha! You can see for yourself later!"

Then, after they finished lunch, they leave the restaurant to go to the fighting arena.

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