"The Grim Reaper Pirates? Never heard of them. Captain, who's this kid? He looks pretty cocky."
Sandra kicked Gin aside and turned a disdainful gaze on Ye Chen. The boy was not yet fifteen. Though he was tall, strapping, and imposing, Sandra saw nothing unusual about him apart from his smug expression.
Sandra's contempt deepened. He snorted and crooked a finger at Ye Chen, openly challenging him.
"Kuina, go on. This is your first fight, so don't embarrass your captain."
Ye Chen glanced at Sandra with a smile. A bounty of just three million Beli was hardly worth his time, but Sandra would make a good opponent for Kuina to practice against.
Kuina nodded, lightly tapped her toes against the bow, and leaped onto Hendry's pirate ship.
"My name is Kuina. I look forward to our match."
Kuina politely bowed to the pirates. At the Dojo, it was customary to do so before a match. Ye Chen had not expected her to observe the same courtesy with an enemy.
Ye Chen shook his head, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Kuina was fiercely competitive, but she had her odd moments. Like Zoro, she was a single-minded sword fanatic. When she was not practicing or fighting, she rarely seemed to think straight!
Sandra snorted and started toward Kuina, but a sudden gust of air swept in behind him. Gin's voice followed. "Hey... I haven't lost yet. Don't look down on me."
Sandra had barely turned when Gin came down on him like a tiger pouncing from a mountain, swinging both batons at his head.
Sandra hurriedly kicked at him. Gin twisted aside, but his right-hand baton still slammed into Sandra's shoulder.
Thud! The blow landed squarely, carrying tremendous force. Sandra grunted, his face changing as he staggered back several steps.
"Damn.