Thatch watched the young female swordswoman's fierce attacks with an easy smile still on his face. The seemingly ordinary kitchen knife in his hand moved without a single gap in its defense, as though it had come alive.
He was the Fourth Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. Usually, he was the chef in charge of the entire fleet's meals, but in terms of swordsmanship and raw strength, he was absolutely among the upper ranks of the sixteen commanders.
Even against a supremely gifted young swordswoman like Kuina, he remained completely at ease.
Every swing of his kitchen knife precisely blocked Kuina's fierce slashes. At the instant their blades collided, he always used the most ingenious force to deflect her power, and he even had the leisure to tease her.
"Little girl, your swordsmanship looks pretty decent, and your foundation is solid. Unfortunately, you're still a little too green."
With a twist of his wrist, the Armament Haki on Thatch's kitchen knife surged. One slash knocked aside Kuina's Wado Ichimonji, its edge grazing past her shoulder and cutting off a strand of hair.
Kuina gritted her teeth. Rather than retreating, she advanced instead, using the recoil to charge forward again. Her sword techniques grew even sharper, with not the slightest hint of retreat in her eyes.
"Don't underestimate me!"
Kuina let out a low shout and poured her very will into her blade, thrusting fiercely toward Thatch's chest.
Clang!
The famed blade and kitchen knife collided once more, sending dazzling sparks flying. This time, Thatch felt a force far greater than before travel through his blade. He was actually knocked back more than ten steps before barely managing to steady himself.
He lowered his head and looked at the shallow nick in his kitchen knife. The ease on his face