The awakening of a Devil Fruit can significantly enhance its abilities.
If it’s a Zoan-type fruit, then upon awakening, the user’s physical attributes receive a terrifying boost.
Whether it’s recovery, attack, or defense, a qualitative change occurs.
On his way back to Isshin Dojo, Ban recalled information from his memories.
Most of the information in this world was already a bit blurry in his mind, but some important details remained vivid.
For example, the awakening of Devil Fruits.
Up to the point in time his memories covered, only a very small number of people had achieved it, and most of them were Zoan users.
It seemed that Zoan-types were easier to awaken than Paramecia or Logia-types.
There were some awakened Paramecia users, like Doflamingo with his String-String Fruit and Katakuri with his Mochi-Mochi Fruit.
As for Zoan-types, there were many.
Aside from the Gorosei and Luffy, even in Impel Down, there were five awakened Zoan jailers.
It was just that their awakening had failed in some way.
If he followed the panel’s guidance to improve the Mera Mera no Mi’s abilities, he might genuinely be able to attempt a fruit awakening.
If successful, he might truly be able to replicate the techniques of the old man Yamamoto.
After all, strength is temporary, but being cool is for life.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Ban returned to Isshin Dojo with a smile on his face.
Under the gaze of the other students at the dojo, Kuina and Zoro’s 2000th duel was underway.
Compared to the overwhelming dominance Kuina displayed in their earliest spars, she was clearly struggling more now.
After continuous dedicated training, the gap in swordsmanship between Zoro and Kuina was steadily shrinking.
Just as Koushirou had said, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Kuina to defeat Zoro cleanly and decisively.
Ban stood watching for a long time until Zoro finally revealed an opening, and Kuina managed to strike the bamboo sword from his hand.
“Damn it!
So close!”
Zoro looked extremely frustrated.
The other students around them collectively let out disappointed sighs.
“Ugh, he lost again!”
“What a shame!”
These students had clearly all been defeated by Kuina themselves, but unlike Zoro, they weren’t stubborn enough to keep challenging her after losing.
Ban watched Kuina walk away with her head held high, his gaze following her until she disappeared from view.
He wondered if his arrival would change Kuina’s future, preventing that fatal accident from ever happening.
With his Observation Haki constantly active, he would immediately detect any such danger if it arose.
Actually, Ban was quite curious to see what would happen if Kuina didn’t die—would the seas gain another female Great Swordsman?
It seemed that the only known female Great Swordsman was the future Marine Admiral candidate, Gion (Momousagi).
“My 2001st challenge!”
Zoro stood there, holding three real swords, and looked at Kuina with a serious expression.
The day’s sparring had shown Zoro a real chance at victory, so he didn’t want to wait any longer.
Defeat Kuina, then challenge Ban!
Kuina, gripping Wado Ichimonji, readily accepted Zoro’s challenge.
The clash of swords echoed through the forest.
With his Observation Haki covering the entire dojo grounds, and even slightly extending to the island of Shimotsuki Village itself, Ban watched their fight clearly through his Haki.
The outcome didn’t change.
Even with real swords, Zoro still lost.
However, this time, Zoro didn’t throw a tantrum.
And thanks to Ban, Kuina’s inner conflict had been reignited with a renewed desire to reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Both of them once again reaffirmed their shared dream: to become the World’s Greatest Swordsman.
“What a great age to be in.”
Ban, sensing all of this with his Observation Haki, felt a faint stirring of passion, ignited by these two brats.
Although his current body was only fourteen years old, Ban’s mind, having transmigrated, was already mature.
That feeling of passion, which he might have had as a child, had long since faded with time.
“Should I give it a try?”
Ban muttered to himself, then immediately shook his head.
“I’ll leave that to Zoro and Kuina then.”
Ban was confident in his desire to keep getting stronger, but setting a rigid, must-achieve goal for himself was just creating unnecessary pressure.
Since he had already transmigrated, he might as well do things in a way that felt right to him.
Thinking this, Ban nodded repeatedly.
Kuina and Zoro, unaware of being observed, eventually left.
The next day, Kuina, who had used Wado Ichimonji the night before, went upstairs to find a sharpening stone.
She slipped on the stairs and fell.
Wado Ichimonji, which she was holding, flew out of her hand and spun in the air.
Its sharp blade was heading straight for Kuina’s neck as she lay falling backward.
Bang!
A ball of flame appeared out of nowhere and instantly burst open.
The falling Wado Ichimonji was blown away by the explosive fire, spinning, its blade plunging directly into the floor.
Kuina lay on her back, staring blankly at the flames that had burst open above her and were now rapidly disappearing.
Then she turned her head to look at Wado Ichimonji, with half its blade embedded in the floor.
A figure appeared, and breathed a sigh of relief after seeing the scene.
Flames!
It was Ban who had intervened.
Kuina sat up, her face still dazed, and turned to look at Koushirou, who had suddenly appeared.
“Father!”
Koushirou nodded, then looked at Wado Ichimonji.
Wado Ichimonji was not a cursed blade.
However, his Observation Haki had clearly shown him that Kuina had almost died by its blade.
In the legends of Wano, there were many stories of cursed blades devouring their masters.
As descendants of swordsmiths, they firmly believed in these stories.
Seeing Kuina about to reach for Wado Ichimonji, Koushirou stopped her.
“Wait, Kuina!”
After stopping her, Koushirou stepped forward, pulled out Wado Ichimonji, and looked at its gleaming white, sharp blade with an inexplicable expression.
“This sword…
it’s an ominous blade for you now.”
Even though it hadn’t succeeded, in Koushirou’s eyes, this sword had already “devoured” its master.
If Kuina continued to interact with it, it was possible that she might be harmed by Wado Ichimonji again, or even lose her life to this very sword.
Footsteps sounded, and Koushirou and Kuina turned to see Ban approaching, carrying his long sword En.
“No need to thank me.
You know I always have my Observation Haki active.”
Seeing their gazes, Ban smiled, then looked at Wado Ichimonji.
“This sword was left to Kuina by my father.
But now, it seems this sword is not suitable for Kuina.
So, would you like to try it?”
Koushirou looked at Ban and spoke with a serious expression.
Ban had saved Kuina’s life, and no amount of gratitude would be too much.
“No thanks.
If I accept, En here would probably be unhappy,” Ban said, raising his hand to display the unusually long sword in his hand.
“Perhaps it was just a coincidence.”
Hearing that Koushirou was going to give the sword away, Kuina’s gaze fell on Wado Ichimonji, and she spoke hesitantly.
“Until you awaken Armament Haki later, you will only use a bamboo sword.”
Hearing his daughter’s words, Koushirou spoke with a stern tone.
“Monday to Friday – Update 3 Chapters a Day”
“Saturday and Sunday – Off”