"Yes, it is indeed quite pure..."
After hearing Gion's words, Gawain smiled and shook his head.
"It's less about being pure and more about being indifferent. He can't be bothered to pay any attention to people or news that aren't within his sphere of concern..."
After saying that, Gawain suddenly couldn't help but wonder, could this be the reason why Zoro has been getting lost all this time?
Because he was too lazy to pay attention to things unrelated to swords, Zoro didn't bother to look at the road, road signs, or his surroundings...?
If there's a great swordsman on an island worth challenging, Zoro could travel hundreds of kilometers just by following his scent to find that person.
For example, when he was knocked away by Kuma in the future, did he get lost on the island where Mihawk lived and eventually find Mihawk's castle?
Thinking of this, Gawain chuckled and narrowed his eyes, then picked up his wine glass and took a small sip.
Meanwhile, Zoro, still half-asleep, asked Gawain question.
"Hey, what's going on? What does it have to do with my swordsmanship whether I know anyone or not?"
I don't care if it's just pure ignorance or something, as long as it doesn't interfere with my sword practice.
"By the way, Uncle Gawain, there's something I'd like to ask you, something I haven't had a chance to say yet."
Zoro paused for a moment, and after a moment of preparation, he asked Gawain with a slightly nervous expression.
"Uncle, you... you defeated me in an instant, I didn't even have the strength to fight back!"
I... I'm so unwilling to accept this!!!
I want to know the difference between you and Dracule Mihawk!
At this point, Zoro frowned and stared intently into Gawain's eyes.
Gawain, facing Zoro's gaze, smiled and said...
"Want to know the difference between me and Mihawk... to judge Mihawk's strength in this way?"
If that's what you're thinking, then you're overthinking it, because Mihawk and I are not the same type of swordsman.
As for the specific difference in our strengths...
Gawain pondered for a moment, then nodded affirmatively and continued.
"Mihawk and I have never met, nor have we ever competed."
However, I'm certain of one thing: unless I choose not to, he can never defeat me.
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain gave Zoro a mysterious smile. He had the Rumble-Rumble Fruit!
No one can defeat him unless he wants to, because no one can catch him!!!
Meanwhile, in the seat next to him, after hearing Gawain's words, Koushirou was slightly surprised for a moment, but immediately showed a knowing look.
Immediately afterward, Koushirou spoke softly to the shocked Zoro.
"Zoro, Mihawk may be the greatest swordsman in the world, but the greatest swordsman in the world is not necessarily the strongest person in the world."
As for Saint Gawain, this man recently defeated the legendary naval hero, Iron Fist Garp, who had pursued the Pirate King Roger for decades!
I think that if we were to rank all the strongest people in the world, Saint Gawain, who defeated Mr. Garp, would definitely be ranked several places higher than Mr. Mihawk!
At this point, Koushirou couldn't help but glance at Gawain again. If his disciple hadn't reminded him, Koushirou would have completely forgotten about Gawain's strength.
Looking back now, Koushirou couldn't help but feel a little emotional. Even though this Celestial Dragon possessed the noblest status in the world, he still maintained rigorous training and gained remarkable strength.
This is truly rare for an important person...
As for Zoro, he didn't have time to think about such things. When he heard Gawain say with absolute certainty that Mihawk wouldn't be his match...
Well, at least that's what Zoro thought after hearing those words...
In short, Zoro's eyes instantly turned green, even greener than his hair. He rushed to Gawain and said with great anticipation.
"Let's have another fight, I...!!!"
"Get out of here..."
Before Zoro could finish speaking, Gawain pressed Zoro's head down.
"Kid, you should train your physical fitness to the limit first. Even I haven't reached my limit yet, so you're far from it."
As for the competition, it's meaningless. Fighting to the death is pointless, no matter how many times you do it, because you can never predict what moves your opponent will use in a life-or-death situation!
After speaking, Gawain smiled and looked at the other cadres.
"These are things I've come to understand after playing with everyone so many times. No wonder we rarely have frequent matches against each other, except for me."
Of course, Hancock and Gion are exceptions..."
Nearby, upon hearing Gawain's words, Gion rolled her eyes at the opportune moment, while Hancock curled her lip in disdain.
At the same time, Gawain continued.
"Once we reach a certain stage, that is, once we are familiar with and have determined our own path, then the competition is not of much value."
Battles not aimed at killing, no matter how many are fought, will only make the two sides more familiar with each other's combat strategies.
There is great terror between life and death. I experienced that firsthand in my fight with Garp. No matter what moves or routines you have, they may not be able to compare to a body honed to its fullest potential and instincts.
As for Zoro, you little brat, instead of fighting those tutorial matches with me, you should find some people of the right age to spar with, figure out your path in suitable battles, and then use your time to train your body.
Fighting me is pointless; let me arrange an opponent for you!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain gently raised his right hand, and Kalifa immediately appeared behind Gawain.
"Kalifa, take Zoro to find Tashigi and let her have a good fight with him."
By the way, Zoro is injured, so tell Tashigi to hold back.
After all, among the young people on the ship, Usopp's skills were really too low, and only Tashigi was only one or two levels stronger than Zoro.
After undergoing Mr. Yixiao's gravity training, the others' strength was at least around the level of a 50 million bounty, and Ace's skills even reached the threshold of Shichibukai.
Such strength is beyond what this brat can handle!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain turned around and looked at Zoro, who was filled with anticipation.
Meeting Gawain's gaze, Zoro took a reluctant breath and then nodded frantically.
"You look down on me? Humph, I'd like to see what kind of opponent you recommended to me!"
"Once I defeat all those young people you just mentioned, then I'll be qualified to challenge you again, old man!!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zoro drew his sword and left, following Kalifa's footsteps to the deck.
So, he finally saw who Tashigi, the Gawain had arranged, really was.
Especially when Tashigi, carrying the Famous Sword Yubashiri, held it in both hands and showed Zoro that she was ready...
Zoro's mind is in turmoil again!!!
Just as Zoro was being mercilessly beaten by Tashigi, who had undergone Zephyr training, in the mansion...
Koushirou silently drank many cups of tea, then finally couldn't help but speak to Gawain.
"Saint Gawain, the opponent you arranged for Zoro..."
At this point, Koushirou fell silent. His Observation Haki had already reached beyond the courtyard, allowing him to see the graceful girl standing on the training field.
The child looked about the same age as Zoro, but that wasn't the key point. The key point was... the child had a face exactly like his daughter's!
Gawain had no idea what kind of turmoil Zoro was experiencing as he watched Tashigi grip her sword so intently.
But Gawain knew that the Koushirou in front of him could barely hold a cup!
As he sipped his tea with trembling hands, Koushirou gave Gawain a deep look.
"I truly do not know what value I possess, or what special significance I hold in Saint Gawain's heart."
So much so that you not only investigated my past, but also found someone... who looks exactly like my daughter to perform in front of me!
At this point, Koushirou stopped shaking his hand, gently placed the teacup on the table, and then looked coldly at Gawain.
Meeting Koushirou's slightly displeased gaze, Gawain remained silent for a moment, then shook his head.
"You've misunderstood, Mr. Koushirou. I have no particular interest in you."
As for why we are currently staying in Shimotsuki Village, inviting you aboard might be an option, but I don't insist that this option become a reality.
As for Tashigi, don't overthink it. I have no intention of using her to influence you. Tashigi may resemble your daughter, but she is ultimately an independent individual.
She's a lieutenant in the Navy, Smoker's first mate. Before I even knew you existed, Tashigi had already been working her way up in the Navy for a long time, Mr. Koushirou."
After saying that, Gawain lit a cigarette, and as the wisps of smoke drifted into the living room, Koushirou sighed softly.
"Is that so...? Then all of this is truly a cruel twist of fate, sigh..."
With a long sigh, Koushirou forced a smile and then spoke to Gawain.
"Whenever I think about things related to my daughter, sadness always spreads uncontrollably. If it weren't for that accident back then, Kuina... would have been an excellent female swordsman like that naval lieutenant."
Or perhaps, she's even more outstanding than that naval lieutenant?
After all, Zoro's swordsmanship talent is already quite outstanding, but even after training in the dojo for several years, Zoro has never defeated my daughter.
Thinking back, it really brings back memories. How many times did Zoro and Kuina spar back then?
It seems to be... exactly two thousand and one times!
As you just said, a contest that doesn't involve life or death is simply a matter of the two sides familiarizing themselves with each other's tactics and figuring out how to counter them.
But in two thousand matches, that boy Zoro was no match for my daughter.
It's just a pity... sigh...
At this point, Koushirou shook his head sadly and then fell completely silent.
Beside him, watching Koushirou's silent demeanor, Gawain puffed on his cigarette until he had smoked half of it before speaking softly to Koushirou.
"But as far as I know, Mr. Koushirou back then wasn't entirely satisfied with the fact that Kuina was a girl..."
"Oh?"
Upon hearing Gawain's words, Koushirou's brows furrowed slowly, and he looked at Gawain helplessly.
You've even investigated this kind of thing, and you still dare to say you have no interest in me or my dojo?
Only a few people knew about this back then, and they were all elderly members of the temple, including his wife who was still alive at the time.
So you managed to investigate such a secret matter?!
You're so meticulous!!!
As he pondered this, Koushirou pursed his lips helplessly. The man before him was rambling on and on, his words were impossible to discern as true or false, and he was exceptionally cunning.
To the point that I didn't know how to continue the conversation with him!
I have this feeling that anything I say could potentially reveal something!
So, Koushirou had no choice but to explain.
"I didn't expect you to have heard about this, sigh..."
Back then... I was indeed very disappointed with Kuina's gender for a period of time.
I was born in Wano Country, although I lived there for a short time, my father was a native of Wano Country.
According to the traditions of Wano Country, women's status is indeed not as high as men's, which makes my father deeply disappointed with Kuina's identity.
At that time, my spiritual practice had not yet reached its current level. I was indeed influenced by my father and talked to my wife about my regrets regarding our daughter more than once.
Back then... I was foolish, just like my stubborn father, truly believing that my daughter, destined to marry out, was incapable of inheriting my dojo..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Koushirou sadly took off his glasses and gently wiped them.
As he wiped, he gave Gawain an apologetic smile.
"I'm so sorry, sir, I made a fool of myself in front of you. I was really too narrow-minded back then."
However, I would also like to say a few words in my own defense.
Although for a time I was very bothered by Kuina's gender, after a while I let go of that concern.
As an adult, you are not yet married and have children, and you have never been a father, so you may not be able to understand how much a father loves his daughter.
A father's love for his daughter can be ten thousand times greater than his love for his son!
By then, I no longer cared about Kuina's gender; on the contrary, I deeply loved my daughter.
However, my daughter, like me, possesses considerable talent in swordsmanship and also has a deep love for the way of the sword.
At this moment, I truly cannot feign the appearance of a loving father, for I know that the deeper Kuina's love for kendo is now, the deeper kendo will hurt Kuina in the future!
As soon as he finished speaking, Koushirou turned to look at Gion, nodded to Koushirou.
Meanwhile, Koushirou continued.
"Miss Gion might understand that girls and boys have different growth periods, especially in terms of physical development."
Until the age of seventeen, girls can easily outperform boys of the same age and talent. However, once they pass seventeen, their physical development will be much slower than that of boys of the same age for the next seven years until they turn twenty-four.
I'm particularly worried that if Kuina, who deeply loves kendo, were to be constantly overtaken and surpassed by the boys she once easily left behind after she came of age...
How disappointed Kuina must have been back then...
So, I revived my old argument, foolishly intending to use the notion that girls are less talented than boys to solidify Kuina's resolve in kendo."
At that moment, Koushirou's motion of wiping his glasses changed slightly; as he wiped, he accidentally wiped his own eyes.
Meanwhile, he continued speaking.
"In my opinion, if Kuina cannot maintain her swordsmanship under such a blow, then I will let my daughter be an ordinary girl, have a happy family, and live a peaceful and happy life."
If Kuina perseveres in the face of setbacks, her path in swordsmanship will naturally be smooth. Even if her progress slows down a bit in the five or six years after she becomes an adult, she will still have the opportunity to challenge the threshold of becoming a swordsman by middle age, and it is even possible that she will become the second Gion Vice Admiral.
But I truly never imagined that before my daughter even reached adulthood, or rather, before she was even ten years old, she would... she would...
He died on a stupid staircase!!!
Having said this with immense pain, Koushirou sadly shook his head, indicating that he did not want to continue discussing his problems.
Meanwhile, on the training field...
Faced with Tashigi's fierce attack, Zoro's movements were very stiff. In less than five minutes, he was slashed hard in the chest by Tashigi!
Just as blood gushed from his chest and he collapsed to the ground in agony, Zoro's past memories surfaced in his mind.
That night marked his two thousand and first battle with Kuina.
That night, both he and Kuina gave it their all, to the point that Kuina was so exhausted that she was almost completely drained.
That night, Kuina was disoriented by her own boyish constitution, and she was also tormented by the fact that she was a girl!
That night, his request to use a real sword added a slight mark to Kuina's Wado Ichimonji.
Many, many more, countless figures of Kuina ascended that staircase.
After use, the Wado Ichimonji knife needs to be maintained with a whetstone, which is located on the third floor.
Lost in thought, Kuina dragged her exhausted body to fetch the whetstone...
It's all my fault, absolutely all of it!!!
Thinking of this, Zoro looked painfully at Tashigi, who was rushing towards him in a panic, constantly calling out Chopper's name.
Seeing Tashigi's flustered appearance, Zoro chuckled in a daze.
"If this is your shadow, then letting you slash it would be far from repaying the debt I owe you..."
Kuina..."
Ugh, these past few days have been pretty frustrating. I was so anxious waiting for God of War 5, and then I got a sore throat and my tooth is killing me. I've even started taking diclofenac sodium sustained-release...
In short, see you at midnight tomorrow night, God of War 5!!!
Ahhh, I'm so excited! God of War 5! I pre-ordered the deluxe edition six months ago!
Kratos a real man! I'm writing about Kratos in my next book, ahhh!!!