That evening, after wrapping up another grueling session of sword training, Santoryu stood in the fading light, sweat still clinging to his brow. He took a deep breath and spoke aloud to the system.
"System, I want to fight Kuina one more time. I've been thinking about it, and I truly believe I can defeat her now. I feel sharper—more focused. I know you normally cap me at five battles a day because of the mental energy it takes to generate those illusions, but I'm confident I still have enough in the tank. Just one more match. That's all I'm asking."
There was a brief silence. The system, ever calculating, didn't answer right away. For a few long seconds, nothing but the hum of the evening air responded. Then, finally, the voice returned—calm, measured, and unmistakably synthetic.
"Understood, Host. After assessing your current condition, your mental power is sufficient to support one additional battle. You may engage Kuina again—but the limit is five minutes. No more."
Santoryu gave a small nod, his expression tightening with determination. A flicker of satisfaction crossed his face as he braced himself.
Within moments, the space before him shimmered, and Kuina's figure began to take form—solidifying from light and memory into the sharp, familiar presence of a rival he had yet to surpass.
Santoryu dropped into his signature Three-Sword Style stance—two blades gripped tightly in his hands, the third clenched between his teeth. His eyes narrowed. This time, he wasn't holding anything back.
Without hesitation, he focused his chakra and activated the Eighth Inner Gates: First Gate. The transformation wasn't flashy, but it was immediate. His muscles tightened visibly, veins bulging across his arms and neck like coiled wires under pressure. His body radiated controlled power, silent but deadly.
Then, without a word, the fight began.
Santoryu and Kuina closed the distance in an instant, their blades clashing in a storm of sparks. Wood rang against wood as they moved with terrifying speed. But this time, Santoryu was faster. Stronger. Every strike hit harder than before. His strikes carried weight and precision, empowered not just by his physical boost but by his awakened Observation Haki. With it, he could sense Kuina's intent—reading her movements just before they happened, countering with ruthless efficiency.
Each clash pushed her back a little more. Her defenses held, but barely. Santoryu's relentless pace and overwhelming pressure left little room for her to respond. Then came the moment he was waiting for.
In a single clean motion, he shifted his stance and delivered a powerful diagonal slash—cutting from her shoulder down to her abdomen. The illusion of Kuina staggered, sword slipping from her hand before dissolving into light.
He had won.
Though their skills were evenly matched, Kuina had always edged him out with superior speed and strength. Day after day, she remained just out of reach. But tonight, with everything aligned—his training, his power, his Haki—Santoryu finally closed the gap.
He stood there in the silence that followed, chest heaving, eyes locked on the spot where Kuina had stood. It wasn't just victory. It was proof.
He was getting stronger.
Santoryu released the Eighth Inner Gate, and the immense power coursing through his body drained away in an instant. His muscles relaxed, the tension fading, and his breathing began to steady. The surge of strength was gone—he was back to normal.
A wide grin broke across his face, and he couldn't hold back the burst of emotion.
"Yes!" he shouted, pumping his fist into the air.
After more than 1,500 battles—each one a lesson in frustration and failure—he had finally done it. He had defeated Kuina.
Just then, the system's voice echoed in his mind, calm and neutral as always. "Congratulations, Host. You have successfully defeated Kuina."
Santoryu gave a small nod, still catching his breath, a mix of relief and pride settling in his chest.
But the moment was brief.
He knew this was only the beginning. Beating Kuina wasn't the end of his journey—it was the first milestone. A hard-earned breakthrough, yes, but just one of many. Countless obstacles still lay ahead, and if he wanted to become truly strong, he couldn't afford to slow down.
Without hesitation, he moved on to the next part of his regimen. Sword training was complete. Now it was time for physical conditioning. He dropped to the ground and began his routine—pushups, squats, core work—grinding through each rep with the same intensity he brought to the blade.
…
The next morning, Santoryu woke early, just as he did every day. Without delay, he stepped outside and began his usual run to kick off his training.
But today, the run felt heavier—literally.
His body was subjected to double gravity, which increased the difficulty of his training but also enhanced its effectiveness. Unlike artificial gravity fields that affected the entire environment, this one was internalized, impacting only him. Had it influenced his surroundings as well, it might've been turned into a combat ability—a weapon in its own right. But that wasn't the case. This was for training alone. No shortcuts.
He pushed through the resistance, legs burning, lungs pulling hard against the weight pressing down on every movement. His pace was slower than the day before, but he kept going until he'd finished his route. Finally, he returned to the courtyard of his home and dropped to the ground, catching his breath.
That's when the system's voice echoed in his mind once again.
"Host, as of yesterday, you have successfully defeated Kuina and reached beginner-level mastery of Observation Haki. You are now eligible to progress to the next chapter of your training regimen."
Santoryu sat up, listening intently.
"You will now begin focused training in specific sword techniques," the system continued. "These techniques are categorized based on your sword style. You will start with:
— One-Sword Style: 36 Pound Phoenix
— Two-Sword Style: Nigiri
— Three-Sword Style: Oni Giri."
Santoryu nodded, eyes steady. That made sense. He had already mastered the basics—stance, flow, control, timing. Now it was time to move on to the real art of swordsmanship: technique. Precision. Power.
He stood, muscles still aching but mind sharp.
The system's plan was solid—as always. These core techniques weren't just powerful on their own; they formed the foundation for mastering countless advanced forms and variations across all sword styles. Everything would build from here.
"Like always, System," Santoryu said with a small grin, "your planning is flawless."
The system replied with mechanical calm. "Of course. That is my function. I exist solely to guide and train you."
Santoryu gave another nod, appreciating the honesty. No ego. No drama. Just focus.
Then the system continued. "Now that you've defeated Kuina, it's time for a new opponent. Someone who will test you in ways she could not. Someone whose style, instincts, and strength will force you to grow even further."
There was a pause.
The system fell silent for a moment, as if building tension deliberately. Santoryu straightened, sensing something coming.
Suddenly, the space before him shimmered. Light bent and twisted, forming a silhouette. Piece by piece, a figure began to solidify—a boy around fifteen years old, lean but muscular, with sharp eyes and striking light green hair. Three swords hung at his right side, waiting.
Santoryu's eyes widened.
It was him.
Roronoa Zoro.
His future goal to surpass.
And now—his next challenge.
----
Want to get daily updates and read chapters on a daily basis? Then join my Patreon!
Patreon Link: https://[email protected]/Hkj822
Join Discord Link: https://discord.gg/P3eXz2Er