Heartbreak Is Always Inevitable

Early in the morning, at East Shore Port, Duen stood quietly, gazing out at the sea.

A few strands of black hair at his temples swayed in the wind. His short hair, which had always hung loose, was tied back into a bundle, revealing his somewhat youthful yet resolute and handsome face. It carried the unique charm of a young man.

Strapped to Duen's back was a broad blade wrapped in white cloth. It was the heavy sword Koushirou had used in his younger days. The blade was forty centimeters wide, one point four meters long, and weighed a full twenty-two kilograms. Though it was not a famous sword, it had accompanied Koushirou longer than any other blade.

Koushirou believed that Duen had sufficient technique but lacked strength. Yet on the path of swordsmanship, strength often came first, with technique and speed serving as support. So yesterday, he had given this heavy blade to Duen for daily practice and combat, hoping he would gain more from his path in swordsmanship.

Duen was deeply grateful for Koushirou's kindness, but carrying around a twenty-kilogram broad blade every day was really a pain in the ass. It weighed about as much as ten Wado Ichimonji...

Daniel stood on the deck of a large cargo ship and waved at Duen. "Mr. Duen, the cargo ship is about to depart."

Duen turned back toward Koushirou, as well as the bearded Andrew behind him and the dozen or so junior disciples who had come of their own accord to see him off. He took a deep breath and said, "Then... I'm leaving."

"Take care of yourself," Koushirou said with narrowed eyes and a kindly smile. "Don't catch a cold."

"Yes!"

Duen gave a solemn bow, then waved at the junior disciples he had spent every day with. "Goodbye!"

"Goodbye, Senior Brother Duen!"

Their scattered voices were remarkably united. They were usually stubborn and rebellious, always trying to act like adults, but now their true feelings showed through. They sniffled and spoke with faintly choked voices.

The youngest among them had spent around a year with Duen, while the oldest had been with him for more than three years.

"You guys..."

Duen turned away helplessly and waved. "Goodbye, you little crybabies!"

Feelings of parting inevitably welled up in his heart. Duen strolled toward the port, then suddenly felt that something was off. "Wait, did I forget something...?"

"Right!" Duen suddenly remembered.

Negative emotion points from Roronoa Zoro: +86...

At the same time, Zoro stood amid the lush forest with a face full of dark lines, looking around in every direction.

"Where the hell is East Shore Port?! Duen, did you trick me again?!"

Accompanied by his thunderous roar, mountain birds scattered through the woods, and leaves rustled down from the trees.

Daniel's cargo ship, loaded with all kinds of supplies, sailed heavily through the water toward the luxury cruise ship whose direction had been marked.

To avoid disturbing the pleasure of the noblemen and wealthy merchants aboard the luxury cruise ship, accompanying cargo ships would often serve as intermediary vessels, heading to nearby villages to replenish supplies.

As for why wealthy people loved parties at sea, one reason was that they could indulge themselves, while another was that they did not have to worry about the restrictions imposed by the law.

Daniel's cargo ship accelerated and soon approached the luxury cruise ship, which had deliberately slowed its pace on the sea.

Then, the two ships drew alongside one another. Rope nets and rope ladders were quickly set up, and the sailors used hooks, pulleys, and other tools to hoist the cargo from the cargo ship directly across to the other vessel.

Duen stepped firmly onto the rope net and lightly made his way onto the cruise ship. Daniel, meanwhile, climbed the rope ladder rung by rung. With a hand from the boatswain Simon, he finally made it onto the deck.

"Master Daniel, you're finally back! I was really afraid something had happened to you!" Simon said with an enthusiastic smile.

Daniel was panting from exhaustion. After swallowing and catching his breath, he straightened up and adjusted his appearance before introducing Duen. "Simon, this is my guest, Mr. Duen. He'll be staying on our ship for a while. Please arrange an excellent room for him."

"Oh." Simon quickly looked Duen over, then asked politely, "May I ask which noble family Young Master Duen belongs to?"

Duen shook his head. "None."

Daniel hurriedly explained, "Mr. Duen is a swordsman. He'll help us fend off any pirates who attack us."

Simon froze, then looked again at Duen's youthful face and slender build. He immediately burst out laughing. "Hahaha! I don't think so, Master Daniel. You're making that pointless joke again!"

Duen looked at Simon and slowly drew the broad blade wrapped in white cloth from his back.

"M-Mr. Duen, don't act impulsively!" Seeing Duen's unfriendly expression, Daniel was immediately frightened.

Simon's laughter abruptly stopped, and he warily backed away several steps.

Duen drew the broad blade from his back, raised it above his head, and then brought it down in a fierce chop.

Whoosh!

The sheer weight of the broad blade and the force behind it immediately produced a sharp rush of wind!

Just as the broad blade was about to strike the deck, Duen clenched the hilt and stopped its downward momentum in an instant with only one hand. He easily raised it over his head again, chopped down, then pulled it back.

Then he held the blade horizontally before his chest and made a handing-over gesture. Looking calmly at Simon, he said, "Want to try?"

Simon hesitated, puffed out his chest, and stepped forward to take the broad blade. That kind of scare tactic won't work on me...

"Hold it tight."

With that, Duen completely let go.

The instant Simon caught the broad blade, his expression changed. He nearly staggered to his knees. His right knee bent slightly as he hurriedly stepped forward, barely managing to steady himself and avoid embarrassing himself in front of Daniel.

Although Simon often did physical labor aboard the ship, without mental preparation, he could not bear having a blade heavier than a bucket of water dropped into his hands.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Duen's meaningful smile and Daniel's expectant expression. Simon took a deep breath, gripped the broad blade with both hands, and raised it over his head. Yet he did not move for a long while. Only after his arms began to ache and tremble did he slowly lower the broad blade.

Daniel asked in confusion, "What's wrong, Simon?"

Simon shook his head in disappointment. "No, I can't do it."

Simply chopping downward was not difficult for him. The key was stopping the force in an instant and preventing the deck from being damaged.

He handed the broad blade back to Duen. His eyes could not help but gain a trace of admiration. Mr. Duen is clearly so young, yet he has such incredible skill. No wonder Daniel invited him aboard.

Duen took back the broad blade and strapped it behind his back.

Several sailors who had been watching from the side laughed. "Chief Simon, why did you admit defeat so quickly?"

"Go, go!" Simon waved them away and laughingly scolded, "What does it have to do with you? Get back to work!"

Then he said, "Mr. Duen, I'll take you to the best room. If you need anything aboard the ship from now on, just tell me. Since you're Master Daniel's friend, you're my friend too!"

"That's not what you said just now..." Duen raised an eyebrow slightly. "Didn't you say I wouldn't be able to do it?"

Seeing Duen bring up old grudges, Simon smiled awkwardly. "Hehehe..."