"Are you really not Tashigi?"
"I am Shimotsuki Kuina, the swordsmanship instructor at the Isshin Dojo." Kuina furrowed her brows as she looked at Nami, who had come up to her, feeling both confused and curious.
Who exactly is this Marine Commander, Tashigi?
Why does everyone think I'm Tashigi?
"Nami, I'm not Tashigi."
However,
"Just because you're not wearing glasses, how can there be two people who look so alike? Still don't recognize her? Could it really be a Marine Headquarters conspiracy?"
Despite Kuina's explanation, Nami still didn't believe her. She rubbed her chin, frowning, and began inspecting Kuina up and down, her tone filled with suspicion.
"But why are you back then? Did you see that idiot Chacher with so many pretty girls around him, and now with this beautiful girl here, planning to use your beauty..."
Before she could finish her sentence,
Thud~
With a dark expression, Chacher directly slapped a chestnut on her head, saying irritably, "I'm just a demoted Marine Captain. I have no status, haven't done anything wrong. Why would the Marine Headquarters need to use beauty tactics on me?"
"It hurts~! I was just joking!"
"She really isn't Commander Tashigi." Chacher shook his head helplessly and turned to look at Kuina, who stood in front of him.
Unlike Tashigi's checkered shirt and suit pants, Kuina wore a white suit shirt on top and paired it with slim-fitting seven-point denim jeans that reached just past her knees, showing off her long, fair legs.
This accentuated her graceful, voluptuous figure, a trait unique to ocean beauties.
And unlike Tashigi, who wore her hair down, Kuina had tied her hair into a simple ponytail that just reached her shoulder.
Coupled with the large blade she carried at her waist, one of the 21 Great Grade Blades, and the sword name "Wado Ichimonji," she gave off a neat and competent vibe.
There was a softness combined with a heroic air.
Chacher smiled, "I thought you would take a few more days to arrive, didn't expect you to be here so soon."
After receiving the call from the Marine's 16th Division, he rushed over from Cocoyasi Town, only to find that Kuina had already arrived and was mistaken for Tashigi.
Kuina had met him shortly after he arrived in East Blue. In order to practice swordsmanship, he had taken Robin along to the Isshin Dojo for training.
Although he had enrolled later than both Kuina and Zoro, he quickly became the senior disciple due to his age and strength. That's how they got to know each other.
He was preparing to have Kuina teach swordsmanship to the 16th branch of the Navy.
"Senior Dande Chacher," Kuina said, seeing that her senior didn't recognize her as that 'Tashigi.' She bent down, a happy expression on her face.
At that time, she had been stuck in a rut. If it weren't for her senior's encouragement, telling her stories of female swordswomen on the seas and how they could become great swordmasters too, she would have likely given up on her dream by now.
It was then that she swore not only to become as strong as her senior but also to prove herself.
Since her father didn't acknowledge her, she no longer desired to take over the Isshin Dojo.
Instead, she planned to open her own Kuina Dojo and steal all the apprentices from Isshin Dojo.
Then...
She would defeat her father, beat him up, and force Isshin Dojo to close down.
"Please take care of me in the future," she said with a smile, turning to Robin, who was standing nearby. "Long time no see, Robin-nee."
"Welcome~" Robin smiled back, nodded, and scanned her up and down, commenting, "You really do look like that Navy Commander—Tashigi."
"Right? Right?" Nami, standing aside, chimed in, hands on her hips. "I said she looks just like her! If she wore glasses, they'd be identical!"
"Tashigi?"
Upon hearing the name again, Kuina was very curious and wanted to meet the Navy Commander called Tashigi. Just as she was about to ask Chacher something, she paused.
"By the way~" Chacher suddenly seemed to remember something, looking at Kuina. "Where's that guy Zoro? Why didn't he come with you?"
Since they had already met, for the sake of performance, he figured it'd be best to bring everyone together at once.
"Zoro?"
Upon hearing Chacher's words, Kuina was stunned for a moment. After blinking her bright eyes, she frowned again. "Hasn't that guy come yet?"
"Did he already set sail?"
"He got Father's approval a year before me. Even though that guy never beat me, Father allowed him to set sail, but still didn't approve of me."
"…"
However,
After hearing Kuina's words, Chacher fell silent. He then twitched the corner of his mouth and asked, "Did he... set sail on his own?"
"Yes, why?"
"Nothing~"
Chacher immediately covered his face.
He had planned to have that kid Zoro do some odd jobs too, but now… it's probably that guy is already lost somewhere.
He then looked up at Kuina, who seemed somewhat down after talking about how Father approved of Zoro but not her.
Chacher smiled, reached out, and patted Kuina's head just like when they were kids. "Don't worry. When you open your dojo, I will definitely support you. We'll steal all your father's apprentices and make his dojo go bankrupt, make him mad, and show him not to underestimate Kuina."
After hearing his words,
Kuina, who had been a little down, suddenly burst into laughter. Looking at Chacher, she puffed out her cheeks and happily said, "Chacher-nii, I've already grown up!"
Really, still patting my head.
Her delicate face immediately turned determined again, and she angrily said, "Next time, I'll beat that old man up!"
"That's right, let's give him a good beating!" Dande Chacher smiled and nodded, looking at Kuina, who had just arrived today. "Now, let me show you around and help you get familiar with the place!"
However...
"Later." Kuina refused, looking at Dande Chacher seriously. "I have something more important to do right now."
"???"
Before Dande Chacher could ask in confusion, he saw...
Kuina's delicate, fair right hand grip the hilt of the Wado Ichimonji sword. She then lifted her head, a serious expression appearing on her face.
"Let me first see if my Dande Chacher-nii has become complacent over the years."
With that, the Wado Ichimonji was drawn. Kuina gripped the hilt with both hands and assumed a stance from the Ittoryu (One-Sword Style) swordsmanship. Her previously gentle aura shifted instantly, replaced by a sharp, almost blade-like intensity.
"Please, teach me, Chacher-nii!"
Before Dande Chacher could react, a mischievous glint flashed across her determined face. She winked, and then, without warning, launched an attack on him.
**********
Support me on my patreon and read upto 30 early chapters.
patreon.com/PirateKing24