One Piece: The sky is azure, I just time-traveled today.

Page 39

A sense of foreboding rose in Robin's heart: "...What do you want to do?"

“Practice with me!” Kuina said matter-of-factly. “Didn’t you say the answer is in my sword? Then I need to find some different opponents! Those idiots can’t even beat me, they’re no fun! With your hands coming from all directions, it’ll be perfect for me to practice my reflexes!”

Robin struggled: "I still want to read..."

"What are you looking at! Look as you walk! Just let your hands hold the book and turn the pages for you!" Kuina's thinking was quick and direct, giving Robin no chance to refuse, and she half-dragged, half-pulled her towards the back mountain.

There is a relatively flat open space behind the mountain, surrounded by trees, which is very secluded.

Kuina shoved Robin into the center of the open space, then swiftly drew her bamboo sword, assumed a fighting stance, and stared intently at Robin: "Come on! Bookworm! Use your ability to attack me!"

Robin, clutching the book, stood there, looking troubled. "Kuina, I really need to..."

"Enough with the nonsense!" Kuina interrupted her, pointing her bamboo sword forward. "If you don't attack, I'll attack you!"

As he spoke, he made a move to rush over.

Robin was startled. She knew that Kuina meant what she said, and that her bamboo sword really hurt!

Left with no other choice, she could only sigh and carefully place the book in her arms on a clean, large rock nearby.

Then, she focused her mind.

On the tree trunk to Kuina's left, a hand holding a thin twig silently grew out and gently poked her ribs.

"Too slow!" Kuina didn't even look, flicking her wrist as her bamboo sword precisely struck the branch-handled hand, shattering it. She shouted in dissatisfaction, "Focus! Use some force! Like a real fight!"

Robin pursed his lips.

She also got a little angry.

This time, it's no longer a test.

In the open space, four arms appeared simultaneously around Kuina! Two emerged from the ground and grabbed at her ankles; two descended from the branches above her head, aiming for her wrists where she held the knife!

The angle was tricky, and the speed was much faster!

Kuina's eyes sharpened; far from being afraid, she became even more excited!

"This is so true!"

Her footwork shifted, her body twisting like a nimble cat to dodge the hand reaching for her ankle, while her bamboo sword drew two swift arcs!

"Crack! Crack!"

He precisely parried the wrist that was coming from above his head!

"Not enough! More!" she shouted.

Robin's competitive spirit was also ignited. She no longer merely passively defended and harassed, but began to consciously control the arms that had grown out, coordinating them with Kuina's attack rhythm, sometimes interfering, sometimes feinting, and sometimes launching surprise attacks from extremely tricky angles.

Countless tiny hands seemed to come alive, blooming, disappearing, and blooming again in various parts of the open space. They held branches and stones they picked up at random, or even just their bare hands, launching a relentless attack on Kuina from all directions.

Kuina, like a tireless dancer, weaved through the jungle of her arms. Her bamboo swords became afterimages, parrying, slashing, and thrusting... neutralizing attacks from all directions. Her eyes were focused and bright, sweat streamed down her cheeks, yet a carefree smile played on her lips.

She always showed Robin the joys and sorrows that were appropriate for her age without reservation.

This is definitely much more interesting and much more difficult than fighting against those boys in the dojo who practice step by step!

Robin was a little awkward at first, but gradually she discovered that using her abilities in this kind of "battle" was also a form of training. Her control over her abilities became more refined, and her timing became more accurate.

Moreover, as Guina said, she could easily spare some attention and have a few small hands on the nearby stone turn the pages for her so she could continue reading.

Thus, a strange scene appeared on this open space behind the mountain—

A short-haired girl, wielding a bamboo knife, nimbly parried attacks from all directions launched by countless tiny hands. The blade flashed, and shouts rang out.

Outside the battleground, a dark-haired girl sat quietly on a large rock, a book open on her lap, her eyes focused intently on the pages, seemingly oblivious to the fierce fighting around her. Only the small hands that appeared and disappeared around her, constantly turning pages and taking notes, indicated that she was the mastermind behind this "siege."

The back mountain of Shuangyue Village became the two girls' exclusive "training ground".

The villagers would occasionally see Guina returning from the back mountain, drenched in sweat, sometimes with mud and grass clippings on her body, but her eyes were getting brighter and brighter.

Robin remained quietly engrossed in her book, though occasionally, someone would vaguely see several indistinct, blurry little hands bustling around her as she read.

Koushirou once secretly went to the back mountain to take a look.

He watched as his daughter's swordsmanship, amidst the onslaught of countless arms, visibly sharpened and became more agile. He also saw Robin, while maintaining a high level of power, still immerse herself in the ocean of knowledge.

He adjusted his glasses, a gentle and gratified smile spreading across his face.

Without disturbing them, I quietly left.

Chapter 42 Going to sea

The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, and Frostmoon Village was still immersed in its slumber.

Liu Jiu stood in front of the renovated old house, watching Robin carefully inspecting his luggage. He planned to go to Windmill Village in the East Blue to check on Rouge and Ace.

Many years have passed, and I wonder how they are doing in Corpo Mountain.

"Uncle, I'm ready."

Robin carried a small backpack containing many books and other necessities that she usually carried with her.

Liu Jiu nodded and was about to speak when a figure rushed over from the direction of the dojo.

"Wait for me! I want to go too!"

It was Kuina. She too carried a bag and clutched her bamboo sword tightly in her hand. Her short hair was slightly disheveled by the morning breeze, but her face held an undeniable determination.

Liu Jiu looked at her but didn't say anything.

Kuina ran up, took a breath, and exclaimed, "Father has agreed! He said it would be good for me to go out and see the world!"

She looked at Robin, her eyes sparkling, "Bookworm, I'll go wherever you go! It'll definitely be more fun than staying in the village!"

Robin looked at Kuina with a hint of helplessness, then at Liu Jiu, asking for his opinion with his eyes.

Liu Jiu's gaze passed over Kuina and fell on Koushirou, who was walking slowly towards him.

Koushirou remained as gentle as ever, nodding slightly to Liu Jiu: "My daughter is unruly and has caused trouble for you, Mr. Liu. It's just that she's so lively and has been confined to the village all this time. I'm relieved to have her looking after me as she goes out to see the world."

His words conveyed his trust in Liu Jiu and also included his expectations for his daughter's growth.

Liu Jiu remained silent for a moment, then looked at Kuina, whose eyes were firm, and then at Robin, who had not expressed any objection.

"Whatever you want." He finally uttered those two words, which was considered his tacit agreement.

Kuina immediately cheered and proudly put her arm around Robin's shoulder: "Great! Bookworm, I'll protect you on the way!"

Robin was jolted by her grip and protested softly, "...I don't need your protection."

Olvia came out of the house. She was holding a fine pen for restoration, her fingertips stained with ink, her face showing the weariness of staying up all night, but her eyes were clear.

"Are you leaving?" she asked softly, her gaze mainly fixed on Robin, with a hint of barely perceptible concern.

"Okay," Liu Jiu replied, "Let's go to Windmill Village and check on the situation."

Olvia nodded, walked up to Robin, straightened her slightly crooked collar, and said softly, "Be careful on the road, and listen to your uncle."

"Okay, Auntie." Robin nodded obediently.

Olvia then looked at Kuina and gave her a gentle smile: "Kuina, please take good care of Robin."

"Don't worry, Aunt Olvia!" Guina patted her chest and assured her, "With me here, no one can bully the bookworm!"

Olvia smiled, then looked at Liu Jiu one last time, her eyes conveying a silent entrustment.

Liu Jiu nodded slightly.

“We’re leaving,” he said, turning and walking towards the small boat moored at the makeshift dock.

Robin and Kuina followed behind him.

Kuina looked around excitedly, full of anticipation for the adventure that was about to begin. Robin was quieter, only occasionally turning back to wave to Olvia, who stood in front of the house watching them go.

Olvia stood in the morning mist, watching the three board the not-so-large boat. The sails were raised, and the small boat slowly sailed away from the shore, disappearing into the hazy sea.

She only sighed softly and turned back into the house when the small boat became a distant black dot.

On the table, the ancient book, which had reached its most critical stage of restoration, lay open, awaiting her final efforts.

She picked up her fine pen, took a deep breath, temporarily suppressed all her worries, and immersed herself once again in that silent and vast world of words.

On the sea, the small boat cuts through the waves.

Liu Jiu steered the boat, while Robin sat at the bow, habitually taking out a book to read.

The sea was relatively calm during the three-day voyage.

Aside from necessary rest and meals, Kuina kept Robin almost constantly busy. The spacious deck became her temporary training ground, and Robin's elusive "Hana Hana no Mi" (Flower-Flower Fruit) ability became her best sparring partner.

"Left! Too slow!" Kuina sidestepped, her bamboo sword precisely swatting away a small hand that reached out from the ship's side and tried to grab her ankle.

As soon as she finished speaking, two small hands swung down from above, gripping the cable, aiming straight for her face.

"It's too obvious!" Kuina scoffed, her bamboo sword flashing upwards like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, instantly scattering the two small hands.

She was slightly out of breath, sweat beading on her forehead, but her eyes grew brighter and brighter, as if every cell in her body was leaping with joy. This omnipresent and tricky attack greatly honed her reaction speed and ability to handle complex battle situations.

Robin sat on a wooden barrel not far away, a thick book, "Studies on the Architecture of the Ancient Kingdoms," open on her lap. Countless tiny hands around her turned the pages and took notes, while simultaneously controlling the "attack units" in the distance. Her face was also a little pale; maintaining such high-intensity use of her abilities for a long time was a considerable burden on her physical and mental strength.

"Kuina...is that enough?" she couldn't help but ask, her voice tinged with weariness. "I still need to read..."

"Wait a little longer!" Kuina didn't turn her head, wielding her bamboo sword with fierce power. "I feel like I'm about to break through! Let's try again!"

at this time--

Liu Jiu, who had been silently steering the ship, narrowed his gaze and looked towards the horizon to his right.

A medium-sized sailing ship, flying a black skull and crossbones flag and with a dilapidated hull, was sailing towards them. The sails were painted with menacing designs, and on the deck, they could vaguely see some rough-looking figures wielding swords.

"Enemy attack." Liu Jiu uttered two words calmly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching the ears of the two girls.

Kuina, who was in the middle of the battle, suddenly stopped, and Robin immediately withdrew all her power-wielding hands, looking warily at the approaching pirate ship.

Instead of being afraid, Kuina's eyes suddenly blazed with an even more intense light than during the previous battle! Her hand holding the bamboo sword trembled slightly with excitement.

A true pirate! Not those restrained fellow disciples in the dojo, nor Robin's cunning but harmless little hands!

This is a real battle!

She looked at Liu Jiu, her eyes filled with eager anticipation.

Liu Jiu glanced at her, then looked at the pirate ship that was getting closer and closer, and he could already hear foul language and arrogant laughter coming from it.