The air tightened.
A single spark would start the battle.
Zoro's eyes burned with fighting spirit. He was only nine years old, but whenever he fought, he always went all out—never holding back, never showing mercy.
That was his sword path.
To him, fighting seriously was the greatest respect he could give an opponent.
The spectators crowded around the center of the dojo. Every disciple in Isshin Dojo watched Ryukawa and Zoro without blinking, focused to the point of holding their breath.
Yet despite the tension—
Everyone was still baffled by Koushirou's decision.
They all knew Zoro's strength.
They also knew Ryukawa's strength.
The difference between them was enormous.
So why would the dojo master suddenly arrange a duel between them?
It made no sense.
"Senior Brother is gonna lose badly, right? The opponent is Zoro, the little monster."
"Zoro's swordsmanship is ridiculously strong. Senior Brother isn't weak, but compared to Zoro, he's way behind. They aren't on the same level at all."
"I don't understand why Master wants them to fight. And Senior Brother didn't even refuse… what's going on?"
Whispers spread through the crowd, full of confusion.
"Father really intends for them to duel…"
Even Kuina couldn't make sense of it.
She knew her father better than anyone.
Koushirou was not someone who would deliberately arrange such an uneven match… unless he had a very specific reason.
And yet today—
He had done exactly that.
Kuina simply couldn't fathom why.
"Something's off."
Standing at the edge of the crowd, Kuina narrowed her eyes, watching the two figures in the center.
She knew both Zoro and Ryukawa extremely well.
Which was exactly why she, like the others, found this duel unbelievable.
Koushirou raised his voice.
"Begin!"
The instant the word fell—
Zoro entered full combat state.
All three wooden swords were ready, his stance fierce, his body brimming with predatory energy. His eyes locked tightly onto Ryukawa, darting rapidly as he searched for weaknesses.
"Huh?"
Zoro's brows twitched.
Something felt wrong.
Ryukawa stood perfectly still, his wooden sword held in one hand, his posture relaxed yet steady.
But—
Zoro couldn't sense any openings.
Not a single one.
Impossible. That has to be an illusion.
Zoro shook his head hard. The sword gripped in his teeth vibrated slightly from the motion.
But even so—
He didn't dare rush in recklessly.
Because he could feel it.
Something about Ryukawa was different.
He just couldn't figure out exactly what.
The disciples around them noticed Zoro's hesitation and were confused.
This was supposed to be an uneven fight. Why wasn't Zoro charging in immediately?
If the strength gap were really as huge as rumored, Zoro shouldn't look this cautious!
A shroud of mystery began to fall over what should have been a one-sided duel.
"It's his aura."
Kuina's expression sharpened, her beautiful eyes full of surprise.
She stared at Ryukawa, refusing to blink.
Upon closer inspection—
She felt it.
Ryukawa's aura was not savage or aggressive like Zoro's…
But vast.
Deep.
Unfathomable.
"Is… is that really Senior Brother?"
Kuina felt a chill in her heart.
In her memory—
Senior Brother Ryukawa was just a normal guy.
Mediocre.
Unremarkable.
Borderline invisible.
So why—
Why did he suddenly feel like someone sharp enough to cut the air around him?
"His aura… it's overflowing."
"That can't be the Senior Brother I know."
For the first time ever—
Kuina felt pressure coming from Ryukawa.
It was unbelievable.
A Senior Brother she had always ignored…
Had somehow changed this much.
Finally—
Zoro moved.
In the silence of the dojo—
His foot slammed against the wooden floor as he launched forward like an arrow fired from a bow.
"I thought you'd last longer before rushing in," Ryukawa said softly, eyes flashing with calm intent.
Zoro's speed was indeed fast.
His small figure shot forward with ferocity far beyond his age, closing the distance in an instant.
"Three-Sword Style!"
Zoro attacked without hesitation.
His three swords blurred into motion.
But—
Clack!
Clack!
Ryukawa did not panic.
Holding a single wooden sword, he effortlessly deflected every strike. His movements were smooth, precise, and shockingly composed.
The sharp rhythm of wood striking wood echoed across the dojo. Sparks of air pressure burst around them.
The entire room fell silent.
Eyes widened.
Mouths fell open.
Senior Brother… stopped Zoro's attacks?
This—
was unbelievable.
The man who had always been mediocre—
Average—
Ignored—
Had just casually blocked Zoro's full-speed assault?
How was this possible?!
This was no longer "ordinary."
No longer "average."
If he were still ordinary—
How could he fend off Zoro's wild Three-Sword attack so effortlessly?
Even Kuina was shocked.
She understood Zoro better than anyone.
Which was precisely why—
She could clearly grasp the meaning behind this exchange.
Senior Brother…
Was far, FAR stronger than they all thought.
Only one person wasn't surprised—
Koushirou.
He stood calmly, smiling faintly, watching the exchange without a trace of shock.
He had expected this result.
"It's exactly as I thought."
"After awakening… Ryukawa is already no weaker than Zoro."
"This—this is a true genius."
"To grow this much in just half an hour… surpassing all of Zoro's years of hard work chasing Kuina…"
Koushirou felt a swell of emotion.
Geniuses…
Truly were creatures he could never fully understand.
And even among geniuses—
There were levels.
He had met many geniuses in his lifetime.
But none—
Absolutely none—
Compared to the one standing before him now.