36: Chapter 36 Breakthrough Sword Master and DepartureThe brief separation between the two did not reassure Kuina, who was watching from the sidelines.She knew it was just the calm before the storm.
She was now terrified, afraid that the two people she cared about most would be hurt or even die in the next moment.She wanted to speak up and stop them.
But the words stuck in their throats and couldn't be uttered.The oppressive aura formed by the two men's combined power had already dissipated, and being unable to speak was already a good thing; those with weaker strength might even lose control of their bodies and kneel down.
Just as Kuina was trying to make a sound, the two men moved.Especially Wang Luffy, who was so fast that Kuina could see two of him.
Yes, Luffy's closed eyes and breathing adjustment weren't to calm himself down, but to gather power for his Thunder Breathing.Furthermore, Luffy's Thunder Breathing not only borrowed from Zenitsu's method in Demon Slayer, but also incorporated elements of the One Piece's Breathing of All Things.
Wang Lufei was sensing the frequency of his lightning particle fluctuations and trying his best to adjust his own wavelength to match that of the Lightning Sky Cloud Sword, in order to achieve the effect of transforming himself into a sword.
(In modern terms, the Breath of All Things can be explained as biological wavelengths.This means that Luffy's One Piece version of Thunder Breathing incorporates elemental resonance, resulting in faster and more powerful strikes.)
The basic First Form, Lightning Flash, perfectly matches its name in effect and power, achieving true light speed.Koushirou's sword-drawing technique only involved drawing the sword halfway before Luffy was already upon him.
Unable to parry, Koushirou had no choice but to abandon drawing his sword and concentrate all his Haki into his body in an attempt to withstand the attack.
All of this happened in an instant.Before Kuina could even blink, the two had switched places, and the battle was over.
Looking at the two motionless figures in front of her, Kuina sensed the pressure weakening and immediately asked, "Who won?Why aren't you moving?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Koushirou said weakly, "Your swordsmanship is superb.That last strike already showed the style of a great swordsman.I humbly admit defeat.If this battle has pleased you, please spare my daughter."
After Koushirou finished speaking, he forced a smile at Kuina before collapsing to the ground.Kuina rushed over to check on him, then asked Luffy, "My father."
Before Kuina could finish her question, Wang Luffy turned around and deactivated Life Return, saying weakly, "Master is alright.His Sakura Stream Haki just now blocked the power of my sword technique.His fainting is just due to overuse of Haki; he'll be fine after a night's sleep."
Hearing this, Kuina breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Wang Luffy, asking, "And you?Have you broken through to become a swordsman yet?And that move you just used was really powerful, can you teach me?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Lufei smiled and sat down on the ground, replying, "I have already broken through the bottleneck with that sword strike.It's all thanks to the Haki that Master Koushirou unleashed at the end; it has the same effect as steel, and you could even say it's harder than steel."
After Wang Lufei finished speaking, he waved, signaling Kuina to come over to him.Kuina saw his gesture and walked over curiously.
Wang Lufei whispered mischievously in her ear, "A family secret technique, only taught to wives and children.Are you sure you want to learn it?" He then blew a breath into Kuina's ear.
Then the girl blushed instantly, covered her face shyly, and said, "Wife?That's too embarrassing.You, I."
Looking at the steampunk girl in front of him, Wang Lufei's mood instantly brightened, and he explained with a smile, "Alright, I was just kidding.I don't have any family secret techniques.If you want to learn, I'll teach you, after all, you've done me such a big favor.Hehe."
Hearing this, the girl's face turned even redder, because if Wang Luffy had spoken a second later, she would have already said "I do." That's right, Kuina's shyness wasn't due to anything else, but rather because she was smitten.
Wang Lufei looked at the somewhat strange girl in front of him, licked his lips bitterly, and muttered to himself, "No.no way?Could this girl have just wanted to say yes to me?"
The silent boy and girl created an awkward atmosphere.Then, a gust of cold wind blew by, and Wang Lufei spoke up, "Well, let's get my father-in-law—no, I mean, my master—into the bedroom first.It wouldn't be good if he caught a cold."
Kuina didn't refute Luffy's address, but simply blushed and nodded, then helped Koushirou back into the house with her.
After Koushirou made the arrangements, Kuina and Luffy didn't go back to their own rooms.Instead, they each stood silently by the bedside, ready to explain and apologize as soon as Koushirou woke up.
Soon, the night passed.Koushirou sat up in bed, still dazed, looking at Luffy and Kuina lying beside him.He reached out to check their breathing and muttered to himself:
"Guina is alright, and I didn't die either.Could it be that the swordsman yesterday didn't try to kill us, but just wanted a fight?Was he some kind of wandering knight-errant?We're really lucky."
Upon hearing Koushirou speak, both of them, who were already light sleepers, woke up.
The first thing Guina did upon waking was to ask with concern, "Father, you're awake!Are you alright?Is anything hurting?"
Koushirou flashed his signature squinty-eyed smile, patted Kuina's head, and said, "It's alright.That swordsman from yesterday must have held back.He didn't finish her off, and he even gave her the antidote.He seems to be just a wandering ronin who goes around challenging others."
Hearing Koushirou say this, the two didn't know how to explain, so they could only exchange a glance and agree, "Yes, yes.He's probably just a wandering swordsman who's always challenging others; he doesn't mean any harm."
Koushirou nodded after listening.He then looked at Luffy, sensing that Luffy and Kuina were keeping watch by his bedside because they had something to discuss.
Seeing Koushirou's questioning gaze, Wang LuTaking this opportunity, Fei said, "Master, I actually broke through to the level of Sword Master yesterday.If I stay in the kendo dojo any longer, my strength probably won't improve any further.I've come to say goodbye."
Before Koushirou could say anything, Kuina became anxious and said, "Saying goodbye?Everything was fine yesterday, why are you suddenly saying goodbye?You promised to teach me sword techniques, why are you leaving all of a sudden, you liar."
Seeing Kuina's state, Wang Lufei sighed and said, "I haven't finished yet.Although I came to say goodbye, I also wanted to take you with me.When have I ever broken my word?"
I wanted to teach you those sword techniques on the journey, because I felt you seemed a bit lost during training.But if you don't want to come with me, that's fine too.
Unlike yesterday, Kuina didn't hesitate this time and said directly, "I'm willing.I want to travel with you.I want to find the way of swordsmanship that allows women to reach the pinnacle."
Seeing the two people in front of him talking back and forth, Koushirou sighed slightly and said, "Alas, daughters grow up and leave home.Go, both of you go.I agree."
After saying that, he looked at Wang Luffy and continued, "Please take good care of Kuina.She has never traveled far from home before, so don't let her down."
Looking firmly into Koushirou's eyes, Wang Lufei said, "Don't worry, Master.A teacher for a day is a father for life.Your daughter is my family.I will never let her suffer any injustice."
And so, the two packed their bags, preparing to leave while everyone was having their morning training, only to be met with the sad expressions on their fellow students' faces.
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