Zoro and Kuina's Swordsmanship Teachers

Marine Headquarters, Gion Vice Admiral's Office

"Knock knock--"

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Please come in."

Gion's voice was cool and indifferent, yet it did not lack authority.

The door slowly opened, and Roy, grinning, pushed Kuina and Zoro in.

Pushing open the door, Gion was sitting at her desk reviewing documents. Looking up at the three of them, she raised an eyebrow slightly. "Roy? It's rare to see you have time to come see me. What's up?"

Roy, grinning, pushed Kuina forward. "Come on, Gion- neechan, help me mentor this girl. She needs a real teacher for swordsmanship."

Gion's gaze fell on Kuina, finally settling on the Wado Ichimonji at her waist. Her eyes narrowed slightly before she nodded.

"You're Kuina? I heard you did very well at the Training Camp."

Kuina straightened her back, her eyes resolute. "Yes! Gion Vice Admiral! I want to become stronger!"

Gion gently closed the file in her hand, walked slowly to her, and lowered her eyes slightly. "Why do you want to become stronger?"

Without hesitation, Kuina blurted out, "To become the World's Strongest's greatest swordsman!"

At that moment, a rare hint of admiration flashed in Gion's eyes.

"Very good." She nodded, her tone decisive. "From today onwards, you will follow me in my cultivation."

"Thank you, Gion Vice Admiral!" Kuina immediately bowed, her eyes filled with fervor and respect.

Roy grinned and winked, "Thanks, Gion ~"

Gion glanced at him but said nothing.

After leaving Gion's office, Zoro crossed his arms, looking disgruntled. "Hey, Roy, why didn't you let her teach me too? I can tell she's a very strong swordsman!"

Roy ruffled his green hair and grinned mischievously, "What's the rush? I've already arranged an even tougher teacher for you."

Zoro's eyes lit up. "Who?"

Roy smiled mysteriously, "Come with me."

Marine Headquarters - Admiral Kizaru's Office

Kizaru was comfortably leaning back on the sofa, legs crossed, sipping black tea while flipping through a magazine with the cover titled "The Leisurely Fishing Guide," humming a little tune.

"Knock knock~"

A knock sounded at the door, Kizaru said slowly, "Come in~"

The door was pushed open, and Roy walked in, leading Zoro looked on with anticipation.

Kizaru raised his head, glanced at him lazily, and revealed his signature nonchalant smile, "Yo~ Isn't this the most troublesome Vice Admiral in the New World? Instead of fighting Kaido outside today, you've come to see this old man for a cup of tea?"

Roy grinned and stepped forward, "Uncle, I'd like to ask you for a favor."

Upon hearing this, Kizaru immediately waved his hand. "Well~ you know, I hate trouble the most~"

"Whoosh!"

Without a word, Roy flicked his fingertips, and a steaming bowl of North Blue miso chashu ramen appeared steadily on the table, its aroma filling the air.

Kizaru raised an eyebrow, about to speak—

"Whoosh!"

Another large bunch of the recently trending golden, honey-glossy tropical bananas appeared next to the ramen.

Kizaru stared at the local specialties on the table, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. "Wow, you're really putting this old man in a difficult position~"

Roy smiled gently, and then snapped his fingers one last time.

"Whoosh!"

A note landed steadily beside the teacup, bearing the words written in neat handwriting, "[Help with three missions]".

In a flash, Kizaru stood up, a bright smile on his face, "Well, well~ it's nothing, nothing at all. I love teaching newbies!"

Zoro watched in utter disbelief.

"This... this is one of the legendary top combat forces of the Navy, Admiral Kizaru?!"

Kizaru casually picked up the miso ramen, took a bite, and a slight smile played on his lips, "Mmm~ It really tastes like the North Blue."

Marine Headquarters and Training Grounds

As evening fell, the setting sun cast its rays upon the vast Training Grounds of the Marine Headquarters.

Admiral Kizaru strolled leisurely to the center of the arena, hands in his pockets.

He glanced sideways at Zoro standing to the side and said lazily, "Yo~ green-haired brat, what do you want to learn?"

Zoro had already assumed his stance, his twin swords held horizontally, his eyes blazing with fury.

"I want to become stronger! To become the World's Strongest's greatest swordsman!"

Kizaru scratched the back of his head and yawned.

"Well, you've got the wrong person. I'm not the kind of person who makes a living solely through swordsmanship."

Roy, standing nearby, chuckled and interjected, "Uncle, I know about your 'Ama no Murakumo'!"

"Oh dear~" Kizaru chuckled lazily, "You've exposed my secret~"

He raised his hand, and golden light condensed at his fingertips, slowly forming a longsword made of light in his palm.

The blade was slender and long, and even before the sword energy was released, subtle ripples appeared in the air.

"Then I'll take it a tiny bit more seriously~"

Kizaru's gaze was languid, but his aura suddenly changed, and he moved his feet!

Zoro's pupils contracted, and his entire body tensed.

"Whoosh!"

His figure transformed into a golden light and vanished in an instant; the next moment, the Light Sword was already pressed against Zoro's throat.

"So fast!" Zoro was shocked, cold sweat pouring down his face, and he didn't dare to move an inch.

Kizaru chuckled and sheathed his Light Sword: "Speed is power, huh? Have you ever been cut by light speed, kid?"

Zoro gritted his teeth. "One more time!!"

"What a troublesome little brat."

Kizaru sighed, his figure blurring again, yet he precisely forced Zoro to retreat repeatedly, unable to parry, each sword strike arriving like Inazuma!

"Don't just focus on power; your dual-sword movements are too straightforward."

"Without improving Martial Arts and observation abilities, even the best swordsmanship is just terrible slashing."

Zoro was suppressed for dozens of moves, but finally found an opportunity to lightly touch the mark of the Light Sword, and roared as he counterattacked!

"I don't want to beat the present you, I want to beat the 'future you'!!"

Kizaru narrowed his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh dear~ so you're not entirely reliant on brute force after all."

On the other side, Gion Swordsmanship Dojo

Gion, dressed in Swordsmanship, had her Kompira) resting quietly at her waist.

Opposite her, Kuina stood ramrod straight, holding her breath Wado Ichimonji.

"The Swordsmanship is not just about simply wielding a sword."

Gion's tone was calm, but her gaze was sharp. "Mind, skill, physique—each must be honed to its absolute limit."

Kuina gripped the Wado Ichimonji and nodded emphatically. "Yes!"

"Your eyesight is excellent, but you're too bound by the rules of your style, and your movements are too stiff!"

Gion could finish speaking, the Kompira in her hand was suddenly drawn!

"Clang!!"

A sharp slash grazed Kuina's cheek at an extremely subtle angle, severing a few strands of her hair.

Kuina didn't dodge or blink; instead, she gripped the sword hilt tightly with both hands.

Gion nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad, but I won't hold back with any of my next strikes."

Kuina assumed a fighting stance, the tip of her sword pointing straight ahead, her eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

Please advise!

With her Kompira, wielding a blade that flashed like a crescent moon, she moved across the arena, her steps light and her sword strikes swift and powerful, guiding Kuina to break through her limits inch by inch.

"To predict the location of my next sword strike, don't just look, but 'feel' it with your heart!"

Kuina gritted her teeth and persevered, making slight progress with each successful parry, sweat streaming down her hair, but never giving up.

Dusk in Roy's Courtyard

A gentle evening breeze carried the aroma of Barbecue throughout the courtyard.

After finishing his training, Zoro collapsed to the ground, soaked to the bone, his face exhausted but his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit.

"That creepy old man... he's ridiculously strong!"

Roy sat under the tree and laughed loudly, "Don't let his appearance fool you, Uncle, he's a proper Marine Admiral!"

Zoro gripped his twin swords tightly. "Next time, I'll definitely meet him... even if it's just one strike!"

Kuina, having changed into clean clothes, came over, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Gion Vice Admiral is truly terrifying; she can see through every single one of my sword moves."

"She's hailed as 'the Female Swordmaster closest to Admiral,'" Roy added with a smile.

"I feel that I learned more than just swordsmanship from her..."

Kuina looked up at the darkening horizon, "And that true enlightenment."

Roy chuckled, Teleportation to the grill, and shouted as he flipped the skewers, "Bellemere, are you ready? The kids are starving!"

Bellemere brought out a large, fragrant platter of Barbecue: "Alright, alright! Stop asking, we've prepared double portions for you today!"

Nami and Nojiko also helped carry juice and bread, Luffy excitedly ran around the area with his hair in a bun.

Kizaru then appeared out of nowhere in the corner, leisurely strolling over while munching on a banana. "Well~ after such a hard training session, kid, it's not too much to ask for a free barbecue, is it?"

Laughter, the aroma of meat, and the lingering echoes of swordplay—the light of a new generation of naval warriors is rising slowly in the sunset.