A New Beginning

A moment later, under the puzzled gazes of the children in the dojo, Ivy sat cross-legged before Shimotsuki Koshiro.

"It's been a long time since a Marine visited our dojo," Koshiro said with a smile, gesturing for her to drink some tea.

Beside the tea table stood a girl of about nine. She had short hair and a steady, cool gaze. Her features bore an astonishing resemblance to Ivy's.

"Sorry for the trouble," Ivy said.

Ivy nodded, then looked at the girl beside them, surprise flickering in her eyes.

The Superior Officer was right. She really does look like me.

Koshiro and Kuina were just as surprised.

She looks so much like Mom! Kuina thought.

She instinctively took a liking to the woman with a sword at her waist.

"To be honest, I come from West Blue. My Superior Officer sent me here to exchange swordsmanship insights with you," Ivy said, drawing her gaze back with a smile.

"West Blue?"

"May I ask which Superior Officer gave such an unusual order?" Koshiro asked, startled.

"My Superior Officer is Xia Le. He's a powerful swordsman himself!" Ivy said with a smile.

Whenever she spoke of him, longing and reverence shone in her eyes.

"Legendary Vice Admiral Xia Le?!" Koshiro exclaimed, sitting up straighter.

Of course he had heard the name. Xia Le had become famous years ago, and Koshiro deeply admired and agreed with the Justice he upheld.

The purpose of becoming strong was not to bully the weak, but to protect them.

Swordsmanship existed to protect the people one held dear.

"That's right," Ivy said with a smile.

After a brief discussion of swordsmanship, they rose and faced each other with wooden swords as everyone in the dojo gathered to watch.

"Master Koshiro is going to spar with that Female