"Father!"
When Yoruichiro said that, Kuina's forehead twitched with irritation. "Why do you always tell everyone everything?"
"Oh?"
Yoruichiro smiled slightly. "Are you suddenly shy in front of your idol? Yet, you were holding onto his arm just now?"
Huh?
Kuina instinctively looked down, and her face instantly turned as red as fire, all the way to her ears. She quickly let go of his arm and bowed deeply. "I'm so sorry! I was rude, Shano-sama!"
"No, no, it's fine," Shano waved his hand. He wasn't bothered at all and didn't think of it as a romantic gesture.
Kuina was only eleven years old, one year older than Zoro, about the same age as Noki. She was just entering her teenage years, so her moods changed constantly. It wasn't surprising for her to become an idol fan one minute, only to lose interest the next. It was all quite normal.
"Shano-sama."
Kuina sat down, unable to stop herself from asking, "Are you just passing through here? You're not planning on leaving tomorrow, right? How about staying a few more days? This is a rare opportunity, and I'd love to ask you for swordsmanship lessons."
Well, just as he had feared.
"Not in a hurry," Shano chuckled, rubbing his empty stomach and glancing at Yoruichiro with a look that silently begged for help. "How about we eat first?"
...
The dinner was held in a spacious room to the west of the dojo.
A short, long table was placed in the middle, and everyone sat on the tatami along both sides.
The Ichi-shin dojo wasn't small, and there were about ten people dining together.
In addition to Yoruichiro and Kuina, there were two assistant instructors, the cook, and several children who stayed there.
Zoro was also among them. This brat still hadn't finished his extra training and had been reluctantly dragged back by Kuina, his face full of unwillingness.
The meal was simple: rice, stir-fried vegetables, grilled eel, and miso soup.
The dishes weren't fancy, but Shano was so hungry that everything seemed like a feast.
As he started eating, Shano noticed a pair of eyes glancing at him from time to time.
He looked up, and Kuina quickly averted her gaze, acting casual as she took small bites of her rice like a proper lady.
At first, Shano tried to maintain a good image and ate more modestly. However, seeing Kuina's anxious gaze, he didn't bother anymore.
This poor girl, once or twice would've been fine, but why was she still at it?
Shano gave up pretending, rolled up his sleeves, and started eating like there was no tomorrow. In an instant, his plate piled up so high that it was taller than his head, effectively blocking Kuina's line of sight.
"This guy eats so much..." Zoro, sitting across from him, watched in awe. "And his table manners are even worse than mine..."
"Stop talking!"
Kuina immediately glared at him, her face full of displeasure. "A powerful swordsman eats a lot. Isn't that natural? You, on the other hand, even a girl could out-eat you, and you're on your fifth bowl?"
"You!"
Zoro was furious. Why was this brat so double-standard today?
He wanted to retort but couldn't find any reason to.
Especially after thinking about how he'd just lost to Shano again this afternoon, for the 1950th time.
He could only sulk, burying his head in his rice, until it was time to get a sixth bowl, when he stealthily glanced at Shano once more.
Purei-senpai had said this guy was strong, and Kuina had said he was strong, but where was his strength?
He couldn't see it.
Zoro narrowed his eyes. Maybe... he should try and test him out later?
...
After dinner, the night grew darker, and light rain began to fall.
In the garden, the bamboo structures of the traditional gazebo made a soft "clack" sound every now and then, startling the fish in the pond to swim in all directions.
Shano stood under the eaves, silently watching the rain when Purei suddenly walked in hurriedly. "Boss, everything's been arranged at the medical clinic."
"How's the situation?" Shano asked.
"The kid named Sanji isn't seriously hurt, after taking the medicine, his condition has improved a lot. After a night's rest, he'll probably be back to his lively self tomorrow." Purei sighed. "As for that Uncle Zepp, his wound got infected and is festering. It's been tricky to treat, so Granny Ziran called Teacher Yoruichiro over. The two of them are figuring it out together. They should be able to handle it tonight."
"Thanks for your hard work."
Shano nodded and was about to say something when suddenly, someone patted him on the shoulder from behind.
He turned around, and the little green-haired brat was standing there, trying to raise himself on tiptoe to make eye contact, but with the height difference, he could only look up.
"Hey! Shano-sama!"
"What's the matter?"
"Let's spar! How about it?"
Zoro grinned, waving the two bamboo swords in his hand. "The sword you carry looks really impressive. I'd love to see if you, as a swordsman, can actually live up to it!"
Shano turned his head to glance at his real sword, raised an eyebrow, but didn't speak.
Swordsman?
Zoro... this kid...
"Zoro," Purei's brows furrowed slightly. "Shano-sama is tired, and he doesn't have time for your nonsense."
"But, senpai, I've been training all day, and I'm tired too. Doesn't that make it fair?"
Zoro continued to stare at Shano. "Are you scared?"
Shano didn't want to argue with the brat, so he shook his head, ready to leave, but after a glance at the bamboo sword in the kid's hand, he suddenly changed his mind.
Alright.
I might as well get this trouble over with.
"Fine, let's spar."
Shano stretched out his hand to take the bamboo sword, but Zoro pushed him aside and glared at him. "What do you think I'm going to do? Give you one of mine? I'm a dual-wielding swordsman, both of these swords are mine!"
Ah, I forgot. Shano chuckled and signaled Purei to get him a sword, then suddenly turned his head toward the end of the hallway.
"Yoruichiro-sama's daughter, would you like to join us as well?"
"Huh?"
In the dim light, Kuina, hidden behind a pillar, widened her eyes in shock. Her hands nervously clenched the fabric of her clothes. When had he noticed her sneaking a peek?
...
Behind the dojo, there was an open space with a thatched rain shelter. Normally, if the weather was bad, outdoor activities would be moved here.
"Hey! Is this for real?"
Zoro was furious, pointing his bamboo sword at Shano. "We said we'd spar, so it should be one-on-one. Why are you making it two against one?"
"Zoro!"
Kuina scolded. "Mind your manners! Shano-sama is a famous swordsman of the East Sea. Just getting the chance to spar with him is rare enough. We should give it our all to honor this opportunity, not be shouting and causing a scene!"
"What kind of magic potion have you been drinking? Why are you always siding with outsiders!"
Zoro was even more frustrated. "Fine! Let's just fight! I'll attack on my own, this will be a one-on-one battle, and I won't cooperate with you!"
"I couldn't care less about cooperating with you."
Kuina clicked her tongue, tightened her grip on the bamboo sword, and looked seriously at Shano. "We're going to start our attack now, be careful, Shano-sama!"
Just moments ago, she had been shy and bashful in front of her idol, but now, with her serious expression, her back straightened like a green bamboo, and her entire demeanor exuded sharpness.
"Bring it on."
Shano smiled and weighed the bamboo sword in his hand.
In the back, Purei sighed deeply, one hand on his forehead.
This scene was all too familiar. He could even guess what would happen next just by thinking with his big toe.