At Isshin Dojo, Kuina, Zoro, and Koushirou were still struggling to calm down after returning.
Everything they had seen and experienced today had completely shattered their understanding of the world.
Whether it was Six Realms Five Elements: Kurikara Tenshō, which seemed capable of tearing space apart, or Unlimited Blade Works, the world of swords manifested through countless blades, both had left them deeply astonished.
“Kuina, Zoro, you both intend to aim for the title of the world’s greatest swordsman, correct?”
Koushirou took a deep breath and looked seriously at Kuina and Zoro.
“Yes, Father.”
Kuina bowed.
“After seeing a Great Swordsman like Big Sister Musashi, I believe that even a woman can aim to become the world’s greatest.”
“Yes, Master.”
Zoro lowered his head deeply until his forehead nearly touched the floor.
“Please train me even more strictly from now on.
I can’t keep losing to Kuina.”
After witnessing the swordsmanship of Koushirou, Musashi, and Zhuyun tonight, Zoro finally understood just how vast the world of swordsmanship was.
He suddenly felt that his former self had been incredibly insignificant.
And now that he knew how powerful Koushirou truly was, he desperately wanted his master to teach him more.
“Don’t worry.”
Koushirou straightened up.
“From now on, I will teach both of you everything I know about swordsmanship.
Prepare yourselves to endure hardship.”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
***
“Musashi, what do you think of Koushirou’s strength?”
In the room Koushirou had arranged for Musashi, Zhuyun placed a hand on her shoulder and looked amusedly at the excited Musashi.
“W-Wait!
Please, wait!
You’re too close, Master.”
Musashi hurriedly pushed against Zhuyun, but she barely used any strength and could not move him at all.
“What is it?”
Zhuyun deliberately moved his face even closer to hers, putting on an innocent expression.
“Is something wrong?”
“When we’re alone, physical contact is forbidden!
Forbidden!”
Musashi’s face flushed bright red.
“Although I do like beautiful young men, and Master really is a beautiful young man…
but, but…”
As she continued speaking, steam seemed to rise from Musashi’s head.
“Ugh…
I can’t take it anymore.
My head is so hot.
I need to go to the well and cool down.”
Musashi was just about to leave when Zhuyun’s hand on her shoulder suddenly tightened.
“It’s so late.
Going outside to pour cold water over your head might make you catch a cold.”
“Ugh…
W-Wah!
Heroic Spirits don’t catch colds!
Master, you’re bullying me!”
“Hahaha.
Who told you to be so cute, Musashi?”
Zhuyun lightly flicked her nose with his finger.
“Who would have thought that the mighty Great Swordsman Miyamoto Musashi we saw earlier had a side like this?”
“Um, excuse me.
Could I bother Big Sister Musashi for a moment?”
Kuina had arrived outside Musashi’s room.
“I’m coming!”
Taking the opportunity, Musashi quickly escaped Zhuyun’s grasp.
“Phew, phew!”
After dragging Kuina into the courtyard of Isshin Dojo, Musashi took several deep breaths.
“Little Kuina, what is it?”
“Big Sister Musashi, are you all right?”
Kuina looked at Musashi suspiciously.
“Why do you seem so rushed?”
“Ah, haha…
Hahahaha.
It’s nothing, really.
Just a little thing.
Little Kuina, tell me why you came looking for me.”
“It’s actually because I used to believe that female swordsmen could never surpass male swordsmen.
Even if a woman could suppress a man for a short time, as they grew older, she would gradually fall behind.”
At this point, Kuina’s eyes lit up as she looked at Musashi.
“But today, Big Sister Musashi completely changed my way of thinking.
Now I believe that even a woman can strive to become the world’s greatest Great Swordsman.”
“So, thank you, Big Sister Musashi.”
After saying this, Kuina bowed deeply to Musashi.
“Haha, there’s no need to be so formal.”
“Female swordsmen aren’t particularly common where you live.
In my world, though, there are quite a few.
I know many powerful female swordsmen.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Maybe some of them will come here in the future.”
“For example, King Arthur is an extremely powerful female swordsman.
Her Instinct is incredibly powerful, almost as if she can see the future.”
“I’m confident that my swordsmanship is superior to hers, but when you add her Instinct into the equation, all I can say is that she’s a truly terrifying opponent.”
“Especially her sword.
Now that’s a powerful blade.
I’m honestly envious of it.”
Musashi’s face was filled with admiration.
“And then there’s that great general of the Genji.
She possesses an aura that surpasses humanity, with the overwhelming presence of an ogre-god-like Ushitenno.”
“She really is incredible…
her size…”
“What size?”
Kuina tilted her head in confusion.
“Ahem, ahem.
Nothing.
Just remember that she’s extremely powerful.”
“Yes, extremely powerful!”
Musashi awkwardly coughed.
“Um, there’s one more thing I want to ask of you, Big Sister Musashi.”
“Hm?
What is it?”
“This is the first time I’ve seen a female swordsman as powerful as you.”
“I want to become as strong as you.”
Kuina dropped into a full dogeza.
“Please teach me how to become as strong as you!”
“Eh?!”