"Don't just sit there, everyone. Keep eating, keep eating."
Musashi deftly picked up her chopsticks and took a couple of bites before remembering Kuina, who had come with her. Turning to Kuina, she called, "Come over here. Better late than never—we arrived at just the right time, just in time for a meal."
Kuina shyly greeted everyone before sitting down beside Musashi.
"You're Mr. Koshiro's daughter, Kuina, aren't you?"
"Yes. Do you know my father?"
"We stayed at Isshin Dojo for a few days, so we heard about your family," Yuxian explained. "But Musashi, why did you suddenly decide to take Kuina as your disciple?"
"Is the Master the only one allowed to like children? I like children too. Look how adorable little Kuina is!"
Musashi casually made up an excuse, her chopsticks never pausing as she picked up food. Yuxian did not believe a single word of it.
By the end of the meal, Kuina had finally grown familiar with everyone.
The Children Pirates were not nearly as terrifying as the legends claimed. Everyone was very kind, and the tension she had been carrying finally eased.
After the meal, everyone sat together and talked about their recent experiences.
Yuxian asked, "Musashi, tell us how you wiped out the Arlong Pirates."
"The Arlong Pirates?" Musashi froze for a moment. "Oh, you mean those fish-men? They interrupted my meal."
"Do you know what people outside are saying?" Yuxian paused, then said with great seriousness, "The rumor is that a hideous swordsman with three heads and six arms wiped out the Arlong Pirates with a single slash."
Kuina let out a startled cry, then quickly covered her mouth, afraid that Musashi might get angry.
Yuxian stared at Musashi's face, wanting to see what kind of wonderful expression she would make. Unfortunately, he