Chapter 108: The Lost Swordsman
Marine Headquarters - Marineford Training Ground
Blades flashed like snow, and sword energy filled the air!
The midday sun beat down on the training ground, heat radiating from the ground, as Zoro and Kuina moved like lightning, their silhouettes crossing and clashing!
The stands were packed with recruits and officers, all holding their breath as they watched the intense duel, which was closer to a real battle than a spar.
"How old are they? What kind of level is this?"
"This is already at the level of sword masters!"
The crowd buzzed with shock.
In the center of the ring, Zoro and Kuina were a blur. The sound of clashing steel rang out constantly, sparks flying like fireworks!
"Two-Sword Style: Hawk Wave!"
Zoro exploded into action, his twin blades slashing horizontally. A shockwave of air erupted, kicking up dust and sand!
Kuina's eyes narrowed. She tapped the ground lightly, her body flowing like water past Zoro's side. Wado Ichimonji drew a silver arc!
"Flash: Moonflower!"
"CLANG—!!!"
The blades met, sparks flying!
Both were forced back, their feet carving deep grooves into the stone tiles.
In the next instant, Kuina sprinted, appearing on Zoro's left side, her blade tip steady, stopping just half an inch from his throat.
The crowd gasped.
"2,314 wins. 0 losses."
Kuina panted slightly as she sheathed her sword.
Zoro gritted his teeth, frowning, but there was no resentment in his eyes, only a fiery determination. "...Next time. I will definitely win."
Kuina nodded slightly, a faint smile touching her lips. But as she turned away, her right hand, still gripping her sword, trembled almost imperceptibly.
It wasn't nerves. It wasn't just fatigue. It was her body reaching its absolute limit.
"My stamina... can't keep up again..."
Her father's voice, low and harsh, echoed in her mind: "Because of physical limitations, a female swordsman can never become the world's greatest."
"Is it... really impossible to overcome?"
Her fingertips felt cold.
On the sidelines, Zephyr and Garp watched from the high platform, their expressions unusually solemn.
"Kuina... she's lost her way," Zephyr said, his voice raspy and low, as if he had seen this coming.
Garp wasn't laughing or joking. He sighed softly, scratching his chin. "Her technique is definitely better than Zoro's, even if I hate to admit it..."
"But her body... it just can't keep up with her spirit."
Both veterans had a complex mix of helplessness and worry in their eyes.
Just then, the familiar sound of a spatial ripple came from behind them.
"You back, brat?" Zephyr turned, smiling.
Garp snorted, but he was smiling too. "You two run off to the New World to cause trouble, and you finally remember to come back?"
It was Roy and Law, having just warped onto the training ground.
Roy took off his sunglasses. He was in casual clothes, smiling as he greeted the two legends. "Instructor Zephyr, Old Man Garp."
Law bowed slightly, his gaze calm.
"Just got back and caught a good sword fight, huh?" Roy glanced at Kuina, who was composing herself, and Zoro, who looked frustrated. His eyes held a knowing look.
"Are you two worried about Kuina?"
Garp pouted, turning back to watch the field. "Hmph. I just think it's a shame for that little girl's swordsmanship to be limited by her stamina."
"For a kid with that much talent and drive to give up... it would be a waste."
Law was silent for a moment, watching Kuina as she leaned on her knees, panting. "A genius swordsman, trapped by the limits of flesh and blood?"
He felt a pang of sympathy. A perfect soul for the sword, trapped in a body that couldn't sustain it.
But they all knew Kuina would never give up easily. That trembling hand wasn't weakness; it was the will to push past the limit.
Marine Headquarters - Vice Admiral Roy's Office
The heavy door was shut, the curtains drawn tight. A single desk lamp cast a dim, warm glow, creating a quiet but heavy atmosphere.
Zephyr and Garp sat on the sofa, their expressions different, but both focused on the same thing: the golden box in front of Roy.
"You brat," Garp said, arms crossed, eyeing the box like it was a bomb. "Calling us here all mysterious-like... this isn't for tea, is it? What did you bring back this time?"
"Don't tell me there's another Devil Fruit in there," Zephyr said calmly, though his brow furrowed.
They knew Roy never did anything without a reason. Something that made him this serious was no ordinary item.
Roy stood behind his desk, his face calm but his eyes sharp.
He looked at the two old veterans and dropped a bombshell. "Instructor Zephyr, Old Man Garp—have either of you ever considered eating a Devil Fruit?"
The room was silent for two seconds.
"HAH?!"
Garp jumped up like he'd been electrocuted, knocking his chair over!
"Did you hit your head, kid?! I'm a master of Haki and physical arts! I don't need fruit powers!!!"
Zephyr wasn't as dramatic, but his eyes flashed. "I know about Luffy's Mythical Zoan... but don't forget, that kind of power isn't for everyone."
"Did you do something dangerous to get this?"
His tone was strict, but it was the scolding of a worried elder.
Roy chuckled, his tone softening. "Relax. I didn't do anything illegal, and I didn't fight a Celestial Dragon."
"This fruit was recovered through channels I set up a long time ago."
He picked up the golden box and placed it on the desk.
"But, since I invited you here, I wanted you to see it for yourselves—to see if this power is worth entrusting to someone."
With that, Roy slowly opened the lid.
Click—
In the dim light, a dark, eerie red glow spilled from the box.
It was a Devil Fruit covered in purple spiral patterns. Shadows seemed to dance across its surface like unfurling bat wings. Under the lamp, it looked alive, pulsing slightly, radiating an oppressive aura.
"Zoan-Type, Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Model: Vampire Form."
Roy's voice was calm, but the words hit like thunder!
"Mythical Zoan?!" Garp, who had just sat down, shot back up. "You got another one of those dangerous things?!"
Zephyr's pupils shrank, his expression grave. "Vampire... Are you sure? That's a fruit recorded in the 'Forbidden Ancient Texts.'"
Roy nodded, tracing the pattern on the fruit. "The user gains echolocation, flight, and sonic control like a bat."
"At night, their physical abilities are drastically enhanced. They can unleash an 'Absolute Darkness Field,' stripping enemies of light, sound, and direction."
"But the strongest point is—"
He paused, his finger resting on the deepest blood-red vein of the fruit. "By absorbing blood, they can recover from injuries, accelerate an enemy's aging, and weaken their stamina..."
Silence.
Garp frowned, sitting back down, tapping his knee as he coldly evaluated the threat level.
Zephyr stared at the fruit for a long time. "...That kind of ability is a tactical suppression weapon. Against someone with a weak will, it's practically a death sentence."
"But by the same token, if used poorly, it's a disaster."
Roy closed the lid. "This fruit won't fall into the hands of someone who would 'use it poorly.'"
Zephyr took a deep breath, staring at the closed golden box. Finally, he spoke. "Roy. Who... do you plan to give this to?"
His voice was calm, but heavy.
Garp raised an eyebrow, waiting for the answer.
Roy looked between the two old generals, then smiled. "That's why I invited you to this office."
"I don't intend to make this decision alone."
Zephyr was silent, his eyes wavering slightly, weighing something in his mind.
As time passed, his gaze deepened, finally resting on the golden box.
A Mythical Zoan. For an old soldier far past his prime, if he could obtain that kind of power... maybe...
"If this fruit can truly compensate for the decline of physical strength..."
Zephyr spoke slowly, his voice like a deep wave. "Then perhaps, I could do a little more."
His voice was calm, but it revealed a long-buried fighting spirit.
Roy looked at him, not surprised in the least. He had expected this.
"Instructor Zephyr," Roy said softly, "this fruit's ability perfectly solves your current 'bottleneck.'"
Zephyr looked up sharply. "What do you mean?"
Roy met his gaze directly. "The Vampire Form possesses a unique ability—'Blood Drain.'"
"By draining the blood of enemies, the user can not only accelerate healing, but for a short time... return to their 'peak physical prime.'"
The air stagnated.
Zephyr's brow twitched. Even with his iron will, he faltered for a moment.
"...Return to my prime?"
The old man whispered, memories of his days as an invincible Admiral, the "Black Arm" that upheld Justice for an entire era, flooding back.
Garp froze. For once, he didn't make a joke. He just looked at his old friend with a rare respect and hesitation. "Zephyr..."
Zephyr was silent for a long, long time.
It was a heavy silence, a quiet farewell to his life, to his past beliefs.
Finally, he slowly stood up. He shook his head.
His voice was hoarse, but absolute. "No!"
"I don't need this fruit!"
He turned, pulling back the curtain to look at the figure still swinging her sword on the distant training ground. His eyes held a warmth completely different from his usual "Devil Instructor" persona.
"There is someone—"
"She needs this power more than I do."
"She is still young. She has a future. And I... I have already walked the path I was meant to burn."
His voice was gentle, like the wind at sunset, but it made the room feel heavy.
Roy didn't argue. He just watched his teacher, a slow smile spreading across his face. "As expected... Instructor is still Instructor."
Garp finally reacted, laughing and slapping Zephyr on the shoulder, his eyes misty. "Hahaha! You old bastard, you're more clear-headed than I am!"
He blinked, looking at them. "But, who is this 'person' you're talking about?"
Roy didn't answer immediately. He walked to the window, looking at the girl on the training ground. Her arm was trembling, but she kept swinging, refusing to take a step back.
He spoke softly, his voice quiet but carrying weight.
"A swordsman... who is lost because of her lack of stamina."
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