Chapter 3 Swordsman 1

the sunset was on Afterglow as the ship drifted on route Carina and Hiriko have been traveling on the sea like this for a week and luckily, the permanent pointer they got is to shimotsuki Village as Karina was getting bored

'Captain I am hungry!!!' she screamed at the sky... Even though it hasn't been long since she was kidnapped she got out of that trauma pretty quickly.

luckily there are food rations in Captain jacks cabin but the food rations won't last for long Hiriko now knows that, I suppose you could say they have been hoping that the island is coming soon and it looks like their luck was good cause they just then spotted a mass of land in front of them, checking the land to then notice the pointer has been set and that they are finally gotten to shimotsuki Village.

Karina and Hiriko on the deck breathed a sigh of relief when they noticed that they have landed

although their happiness was cut short by the rumbling of their stomachs looking at each other as they blushed from the embarrassment they quickly walked into the village looking for somewhere to eat

people spotted them and greeted them like little kids, of course, Carina was still a kid but Hiriko is a grown man so he was weirded out by people ruffling his hair and calling him a kid while at the same time giving him sweets since he was pretty cute but he still took the sweets, what? you can't blame him... he likes sweets

anyway they found what looks like a pub or restaurant and ordered food and started eating

''Carina we are here to get another member of my crew .. she will be our swordsman or woman?.. no judging though"

that's right he was going to invite kuina to join his crew although she died early she was still beating the shit out of Zoro when she was little and with the help of the crew lottery system, she will be better in strength than she was in the original work. Carina didn't mind and said ok even better cuz there's looking forward to the girl

Time passed and they decided to head to The DOJo.. after asking for directions that are

Getting there and seeing the door open, they headed inside and came across the scene of a girl with dark blue hair against a boy with green algae head being beaten up

as the match was decided she called out to the boy and said

hey Zoro that's my 998th win

the green algae head looked like he didn't want to admit defeat but he just shouted and ran away

Hiriko seeing this just smiled knowing who that was but didn't say anything

At the same time, Kushiro looked at the door from where he was sitting and spotted Hiriko and Carina together with the rest of the disciples and asked can I help you two with something?' for some reason he felt this old man was dangerous even with his gentle smile as he asked

'Can I help you with something?'

Yes you can be here to challenge kuina to a duel

Kushiro just smiled and said 'feel free to challenge her with her permission

the student was shocked because she has an undefeated streak even the adults in the dojo can't beat her so as the battle was about to start Kuina picked up her sword that she dropped after the spar and took a stance at the same time Hiroko did there was a little tension at the Beginning as there was an eerie silence but that didn't last long when kuina lunged at our MC who just smiled and responded in kind she attacked with a thrust that was so fast only a blur was seen by everyone except Toshiro carina and Hiroko himself but he easily sidestepped to the left and just punched her on her belly without using his full strength, of course, ending the bout in one strike

everyone in the dojo both adults and children even koushiro had their mouths agape

the silence was broken by Hiriko making a rude joke

"I'll be here all week "

to which kuina just got up from the ground and glared at him with fighting Intent

Koushiro then told everyone else in the dojo 'All of you can go, 'you and her come with me

Karina followed along while the rest of the disciples left the dojo still in shock about everything that transpired

in another part of the island, a green algae head is using his teeth to hold boulders at the same time swinging his word so fast as practice when he hears the clamoring of his fellow disciples about how Kuina lost, his mouth open so wide you could fit an egg but he didn't say anything and continued screaming at the sky and swinging his world cuz he knows his rival will not lose...if only you knew

back to the dojo, everyone could be seen sitting together as they drank tea after some sips Hiroko broke the silence and decided to introduce himself

my name is Hiriko D Haruno and I am a pirate, I am here to recruit someone strong in the sword as part of my crew,you don't mistake me now I said that's why we need you, then I plan to start my journey a little early

to say she was shocked will be an understatement this little kid was trying to be a pirate she asked him

"how old are you"

he sighed "9 years old 10 by December if that counts" that got him weird looks from the father-daughter and Karina even cuz she never really knew his age. she was surprised cause he looked 12 or 13 it took some time to ease the awkward atmosphere

he then asked kuina 'so will you join my crew I'm sure you've noticed it already Zoro is about to surpass you although I don't judge women based on what I have seen, you lack the physical strength to compete and are also limited by your gender, I promise if you follow me you'll be able to complete with Zoro on the world stage ....the grand line she asked what is the grand line

its where the strong gather for the journey to the one piece, swordsmen able to split the skies, and people who with one punch can cause natural disasters and that's my goal to surpass everyone and be the Pirate King.

Kuina of course didn't believe him until Koushiro affirmed this as well saying

"he's right a long time ago I to was on the grand stage known as the New World but I retired here because of my family our roots in Swordsmanship lie deep, deeper than you think

this statement caused gasps for everyone here except Hiriko because he already knows the most shocking things in this world, it can be said to be his greatest support and not even his system, as everyone was coming down from the initial excitement Kuina began to think about her problems lately and Hiriko began to re-access his plans if it will take longer for Kuina to accept to join his crew, hell have to change his plans but surprisingly

she said "I'll give you my answer tomorrow" and stood up and left she had to practice not getting left behind Karina followed along

Hiroko nodded as he understands that its a big decision especially because they are kids going out on an adventure

after she left he looked at Koushiro

"sigh looks like I'll have to persuade this old man" Hiriko thought looking at Koushiro who is no longer smiling at him.

he gulped "let's pin my hopes on my good luck"