East Blue, Shimotsuki Village, Shimotsuki Dojo.
After briefly catching up with Sephiroth, Kuina returned to the dojo, ready to settle the score with Zoro.
With the reputation of Shimotsuki Dojo at stake, Kuina had no choice but to take it seriously.
However...
Standing before a bamboo basket filled with over a dozen bamboo swords, Zoro looked at Koshiro and asked:
"Can I use any one I want?"
Koshiro nodded slightly. "Whatever you like."
Upon hearing that, Zoro immediately began stuffing bamboo swords into both hands and his mouth without hesitation...
Before long, every bamboo sword in the basket had been taken by Zoro, making everyone around him twitch at the corners of their eyes.
Kuina: "..."
Sephiroth: "..."
Honestly, it seemed like something was missing from this kid's brain...
After Kuina and Zoro exchanged bows under Koshiro's supervision, they both assumed their stances.
Looking at Zoro, who was full of openings from head to toe and held over a dozen bamboo swords in his hands and mouth combined, Kuina was now completely certain...
This guy was just a brat here to mess around!
"Take this!"
Zoro mumbled through the bamboo sword clenched between his teeth before charging straight at Kuina.
In response, the girl merely swung her bamboo sword casually, striking from a slightly tricky angle.
The next moment.
The bamboo sword lashed across Zoro's left cheek, leaving a red mark. His entire body tipped backward, and he fell flat onto the dojo's wooden floor.
Clatter—!
The bamboo swords in Zoro's mouth and hands scattered all over the ground.
"D-Damn it! How could I lose to a girl just like that..."
As he spoke, the boy sprang to his feet, picked up two bamboo swords, and assumed the opening stance of the Dual-Blade Style.
Seeing that Kuina remained unmoved, Zoro