Garen had always thought that truly pure-hearted people existed only in books, but now he had encountered one in the flesh.
Tashigi was kind-hearted, strong, brave, upright, and selfless. She neither feared fighting evil pirates nor rigidly enforced the Marines' absolute justice.
Her only hobby was collecting famous swords, yet she exercised extreme restraint and never allowed herself to grow greedy.
Garen could not help feeling emotional. So this was the legendary...
Airhead.
And Tashigi perfectly embodied that trait. She had been completely absorbed in her comprehension and contemplation of swordsmanship, paying no attention at all to her own "evilness," nor to the astonished and bewildered looks from Garen, Nami, and the others.
Ever since being bathed in that sword light, Tashigi had entered a profound state of meditation.
Smoker had grown somewhat impatient from waiting, so he went to direct the Marines as they escorted the captives and cleaned up the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Nami threw herself into her sister Nojiko's arms. The sisters, who had not seen each other in a long time, excitedly whispered to each other nearby. Whenever their conversation grew lively, they would occasionally cast furtive glances at Garen.
Judging by the teasing smile on Nojiko's lips, the faint blush on Nami's face, and Akin's dark expression nearby, their topic of conversation was clearly inseparable from Garen, the protagonist of this knightly love story.
Garen, however, carefully examined the silent, dazed Tashigi before him. While marveling at her pure kindness, he could not help growing curious.
After a long while, Garen finally could not resist moving closer to Tashigi and asking:
"Tashigi."
"What did you comprehend?"
Garen could hardly be blamed for being curious. He himself had felt nothing from the skill he had used, yet this female swordsman before him had stood there foolishly contemplating