Strolling leisurely,
Austin held a wooden stick that looked thin but simply could not be split.
Even though Kuina kept striking the same spot and put all her strength into it, it was still useless.
Zoro, who had fallen to the ground, gritted his teeth and shakily got back to his feet.
He would not admit defeat so easily, especially when Kuina was still quietly persevering.
"You can still stand up? Have you learned sit-ups at such a young age?"
And so, the renowned teacher Austin seemed to casually fend off their attacks, but his occasional counterattacks were actually like guiding moves, subtly improving the two children's swordsmanship.
Nearly half an hour passed like this.
Austin glanced at the sky, then rubbed his stomach.
"I'm saying, you two should have recognized the gap by now. Hurry up and surrender so we can eat."
Hearing that, Zoro and Kuina both clenched their teeth. Unwilling to accept it, they raised their bamboo swords and slashed forward together, their eyes locked firmly on the nonchalant Austin.
"We wagered a swordsman's resolve on this duel with you!!!"
Kuina spoke respectfully and earnestly, while Zoro was even more direct.
"You bastard, get serious already!!!"
Austin froze for a moment when he heard that, then the corners of his mouth rose slightly.
"Get serious?"
Bang—
With one strike, Austin knocked back both of their full-force attacks. He had not held back much, and Kuina rolled across the ground.
As the one who bore the brunt of that strike, not only did Zoro's bamboo sword fly from his hand, but he himself was instantly launched into the air.
Just as he was about to fall over the cliff and into the sea—
Perhaps having long been waiting for prey to enter the water, a small Sea King