The Great Voyage Begins with the Celestial Dragons

Koushirou did not answer Gion's question, but instead asked it back in a different way.

"A dream...?"

Gion's gentle gaze fell on Kuina.

After spending a few days together, she had come because of Luther's mission, but now she had come to like this hardworking girl.

“The dream is Kuina’s idea, and as her teacher, I don’t want to emphasize it.”

As she spoke, Gion suddenly recalled Luther's words, and a gentle smile appeared on her face as she involuntarily uttered them:

“I mentored her simply because her efforts deserved to see better scenery. No matter where she stops in the future, she will have seen the scenery along the way, instead of carrying some kind of regret for the rest of her life.”

"Just to see a different view...?"

Koushirou subconsciously looked at Kuina in the distance, a certain shock in his eyes.

If he previously acknowledged Gion's strength as the world's greatest swordsman, now he believes that Gion's magnanimity also deserves the title of the world's greatest swordsman.

Or rather, only a swordsman like Gion is qualified to reach that position.

Gion glanced at Koushirou and the forest behind him, then slowly stood up:

"Koushirou, as a swordsman, why force yourself to say things against your conscience? If you wish, I am ready to accept your challenge at any time."

After saying that, she walked towards Guina in the distance.

Ultimately, Koushirou's real purpose in coming to see her this time wasn't about Kuina's future, but rather to convince himself.

But in reality, Gion believed that Koushirou had already made his choice.

If Koushirou truly didn't support Kuina pursuing her dream, he wouldn't have specifically handed over his great sword to his daughter when she asked him to practice with a real sword in Gion.

Starting to hone one's skills with a great sword from childhood greatly increases the chances of developing a black sword in the future.

Both Gion and Koushirou were perfectly aware of this.

Since you made the decision a long time ago, why remain hesitant like this now...?

However, at least Koushirou has made a choice now, and it is precisely because Gion saw this that she said the second half of her sentence.

Just as Gion stepped forward to teach Kuina, Zoro, who looked about 5 years old, emerged from the jungle.

At this moment, he had none of the domineering presence of the future second-in-command of the Straw Hat Pirates, and looked completely like a novice swordsman.

"Teacher, do you want to have a match with that person?"

Zoro looked excited, and he ignored much of the conversation between Koushirou and Gion.

All he remembered was that Koushirou wanted him to inherit everything from the other man and compete for the title of world's best.

If he could witness Gion's strength firsthand now, it would be an incredible stroke of luck for him.

"Ah! Once I've nurtured my sword for a day, I will issue a formal challenge to that person, unlike the previous wooden sword sparring."

Koushirou smiled and said, a hint of determination already appearing in his eyes.

He was at ease knowing that Kuina had Gion's guidance.

Since that's the case, for Zoro's future, he's willing to go all out and leave a mark on Zoro's heart.

Let his sword become nourishment for Zoro's future progress!

Chapter 232 The Splendor of That One Strike

One day later.

The sun still shone brightly on the beach. The shimmering sea and golden sand created a beautiful picture, but at this moment, it seemed no one was in the mood to appreciate it.

Kuina and Zoro sat upright on the beach, their eyes fixed on the sea, their expressions serious, as if a single moment's mistake could lead to irreversible consequences.

On the sea, Gion and Koushirou faced each other, their shadows stretching long in the sunlight.

There was no clamor of Conqueror's Haki, nor the swordsman's sharp edge.

Their auras were completely concealed, like two unsheathed swords, seemingly calm but actually harboring deadly intent.

Koushirou's hand gripping the hilt of his sword was trembling slightly, and his pupils, hidden behind his round-framed glasses, were constricted.

There's nothing... there's absolutely no flaw...

Gion stood on the sea surface using Moonwalk, looking completely nonchalant.

It appears to be full of flaws, but in reality, it is full of deadly dangers.

Koushirou's swordsman's intuition told him that the moment he launched his attack would likely be the moment of his defeat.

Only when truly facing Gion, the woman hailed as the world's greatest swordsman, does one truly feel an unprecedented sense of powerlessness.

It was as if no matter what he did, he could not defeat his opponent.

Koushirou's palms gradually became soaked with sweat, and he briefly considered giving up.

But whenever this thought arose, he would always turn his gaze to a corner of the beach.

His daughter and his disciple stood there.

He stands here not for victory, but for them.

Perhaps, after today's battle, his swordsmanship will come to an end forever, and his sword spirit will be shattered.

But this was his choice after all!

With his sword, he paved the way for the future for those two children.

This future may not include him, but it must include them.

Having already figured out his ultimate destiny, Koushirou reaffirmed his resolve.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at Gion from afar, his sharp aura vanishing in an instant.

Besides, what swordsman wouldn't want to spar with the world's greatest swordsman?

At this moment, Koushirou's eyes were firm, and his hand gripping the hilt of the sword no longer trembled.

He took a deep breath, his body surging with power, as if he had transformed into a sharp blade, pointing directly at Gion.

Then, he moved.

His sword, like lightning, instantly cleaved through the tranquil sea, hurtling towards Gion.

At this moment, he poured all his strength, all his determination, all his hope, and all his love into this single strike.

"Shuangyue Yidao Style·Yueluo!"

A sliver of silvery light streaked across the sea, like the poignant frost of the night.

It appears to be absolutely beautiful, but in reality, it harbors a deadly intent.

Koushirou knew that this strike was the pinnacle of his swordsmanship.

Even if he were given another chance, he would not be able to deliver the same strike.

His gaze followed the sword light intently, watching it slice across the sea and hurtle straight toward Gion.

He watched intently as the slash flew out, heading towards Gion from afar.

But just as Koushirou had predicted, Gion simply drew his kopira from his waist and easily blocked the blow.

Her figure was like a drifting willow catkin, light and elegant, seemingly nonchalant, but in fact completely unharmed.

She blocked the blow as easily as a spring flower blocking a spring rain, without a ripple.

"Is this the difference...?"

Koushirou sighed inwardly. Even though he already knew the outcome, he was still somewhat frustrated when it actually happened.

However, he quickly composed himself and fixed his determined gaze on Gion.

This duel was not a typical swordsman's sparring match from the very beginning.

His life's work, a single strike, was easily caught by Gion, demonstrating the difference in skill between the two.

And then, it was time to wait for Gion to unleash a strike, a strike that he could never achieve in his entire life.

This strike will allow him to personally experience the strength of the world's greatest swordsman.

This wound will be deeply imprinted in the hearts of the two children, making them understand the vastness of this world.

There might be a hint of forcing growth, but Koushirou believes that if it were Kuina and Zoro, they would definitely be able to turn the shock into motivation and go further on this path.

"Come on, great swordsman of Gion!"

At this moment, Koushirou also put aside all distracting thoughts and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the battle.

Looking at Koushirou, who had already made all the preparations, Gion's eyes showed a hint of respect.

She wasn't actually a pure swordsman; in fact, she had already sworn to win for Luther and was willing to give up everything.

But when she actually meets a pure swordsman like Koushirou, she is still moved.

However, Gion knew in her heart that the best gift to give back at this time was not to hold back or be merciful, but to do as the other party wished and deliver the strike that the other party expected.

Gion lightly flicked the gold-plated cloth in her hand, and under the sunlight, the black spots on the cloth could be clearly seen.

This symbolizes the forging of the black sword, but it is not yet complete, and it also signifies that Gion is about to reach another peak for swordsmen.

Stab it! ! !

In retaliation against Koushirou, Gion showed no mercy.

In an instant, Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki simultaneously coated Kinpira, and at the same time, the power of the Vampire Fruit activated, turning him into a crimson blood color.

At this moment, Gion's momentum reached its peak.

Swish!

A terrifying flying slash shot straight into the sky, instantly tearing through the heavens.

This sword strike gathered all of Gion's power and poured out her entire will. She knew that only in this way could she repay Koushirou and be worthy of his perseverance and dedication.

The slash shot skyward, striking directly at the heavens.

Gion's all-out attack was like a mountain collapsing and the earth splitting apart, instantly engulfing everything around it.

Kuina and Zoro, who were on the beach, had already stood up involuntarily.