"Mmm... *yawn*... Good morning!"
A gentle breeze rustled the grass, and the sun was just right on the cliff edge. Nero arrived late, yawning.
"It's fine, we just got here too." Zoro and Kuina said calmly and politely.
"Just got here? Didn't I say to meet in the morning? It's already noon, how are you only just arriving?"
His eye twitched, and Zoro couldn't hold back any longer: "You also know it's noon now? We've been waiting here since before dawn!"
From this, you can see that their etiquette lessons were indeed useful.
Nero scratched her head and said impatiently, "So noisy, stinky brat! A lady has to do a lot of preparations before going out... Ha... Ha-oh~"
"By the looks of it, you just woke up, didn't you? The marks on your face haven't even faded!"
"Really? Mmm, Hathaway left early this morning, I didn't even properly tie up my hair."
Nero, with her hair down, reached out to Kuina: "Give me the small mirror!"
"How could I carry something like that during training?" A vein throbbed on Kuina's forehead; she was speechless.
"A mature adult must maintain elegance at all times. Don't mention training; even if the sky falls, it's the same." Nero sadly withdrew her hand: "Never mind, what am I saying to a child?"
'...Sometimes, this person really makes me want to hit her!'
Cross-shaped veins pulsed on their foreheads as Zoro and Kuina glared at Nero, gritting their teeth.
"I know! I know! Don't look at me like that! Kendo practice, right?"
Noticing their gazes, Nero scratched her head impatiently, then realized she hadn't brought her hair tie either.
She held out her hand and pouted at Kuina: "Ribbon?"
"Do you think my hair needs one?" Kuina pointed to her short hair.
"Mmm, so useless! Never mind, let's get this over with quickly!" After an unknown number of sighs, Nero finally composed herself.
First, she turned her gaze to Zoro: "My swordsmanship isn't really suitable for you. Three-sword style, right? More of it will actually require you to explore on your own."
"What I can guide you on are things like breathing rhythm; the rest is just basic strengthening."
"...That's enough!" Zoro grinned: "That makes it even more challenging. I declare now! The future me will definitely become a Great Swordsman who surpasses you!"
"Mmm, what ambition!" Nero smiled brightly and ruffled his short hair, despite Zoro's struggles. It felt quite nice.
When she looked at Kuina, Nero became serious again: "As for you, Kuina, I will teach you all of my swordsmanship."
"All of it..." Kuina swallowed. The Worlds Greatest Swordsman's complete swordsmanship... Any swordsman, no matter what, would be moved by that!
"However, I also have some things to say upfront. This will be more difficult than you imagine. In the future, your time, aside from necessary physiological needs, will all need to be devoted to training."
Nero looked into her eyes. If Kuina wavered from the start, then there would be no need to continue.
"I'm willing! I mean, please train me like that!" Kuina bowed deeply, her action of bowing without any hesitation, her whole being eager.
"Mmm, did you hear what I just said?" Nero scratched her cheek, her expression a little suspicious.
"Yes! I heard all of it!"
"Then... you? What I said about 'all' has no exaggeration, you know!"
"I couldn't ask for more!"
Nero looked at the girl, a curve forming on her lips. Although she didn't know what the future would hold, at least for now, the girl was undoubtedly resolute.
"Then welcome to hell!"
..."Unlike men, our training as women needs to focus more on balance."
Nero sat on a large rock, speaking to Kuina who was exercising below.
"Mmm, to use an analogy, Zoro needs to train himself into a piece of tempered steel, hard and strong, while you need to train yourself into a steel cable. Resilience and balance are paramount!"
"My swordsmanship is renowned for speed and agility. Accelerating from zero to a hundred, with changes still hidden within the highest-speed attacks. To achieve these, a good body is essential!"
"I understand all that... but can't we do these indoors?"
Kuina, with one hand bending her foot, half her face buried in her armpit, and her legs spread in a straight line, yelled, blushing.
"If I were seen like this by... someone I know..."
"Mmm, what nonsense are you talking about? Yoga, of course, achieves the best results in the sun!"
Nero picked up her juice to rehydrate, pushed up her sunglasses, and said, wiggling her fair little feet.
Kuina spoke with difficulty: "Is there any basis for that?"
"No, it's superstition!"
"...Let me do it in my bedroom..."
"Your head is too high, tighten your body a bit more." Nero lightly jumped onto Kuina's head, then lifted her foot and pressed down on her elbow.
"Mmm... Basis? Let me think... It's the photosynthesis for vitamin D supplementation in the body, and the richer oxygen content in the forest, which helps with cardiovascular function training."
"What is wrong with you? Professional terms just roll off your tongue! And can you please get off me quickly?"
Kuina's body began to sway, a little unsteady.
"How rude! I'm not heavy at all, and isn't this the explanation you wanted? Mmm, today I will be your weight. Work hard for me!"
Nero lifted her head, and with a flick of her wrist, increased Kuina's training difficulty.
"Guh-yi~" Nero's proud posture made Kuina's body sink a few more inches, and her breathing rhythm became ragged and heavier.
"Master Nero... didn't you also make plans to go fishing with Grandpa today? The time should be about right... Accompanying, accompanying me with... this weight, isn't it too much of a waste of time?"
"Mmm, now that you mention it, Kosaburo should already be waiting at the fishing spot by now."
Nero lightly tapped her lips with her index finger: "No choice, I'll just have to stand Kosaburo up."
"Are you... that persistent with me?"
"In just one month, this mouth has become quite eloquent!"
"By... your grace!"
"Mmm, time for the next pose."
Kuina changed her posture, and Nero stood steadily on her as if on flat ground. Once her pose was fixed, she sat cross-legged on her back.
"...Can you get off? You make me... feel like some kind of juggling prop ball!"
"Hathaway~ Kuina is so mean..."
"Hey! Hey! My fault!"
Her eye twitched violently, and Kuina quickly admitted her mistake.
"Mmm, I forgive you."
"I'll definitely punch this person one day!" Kuina muttered, gritting her teeth.
"Are you secretly badmouthing me?"
"...No, nothing at all!"
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