Loud chatter echoed from the docks of Shimotsuki Village Harbor.
"Whoa! What's Kouta up to now?"
"Wait, he's not thinking of fighting that giant, is he?!"
"No way. Just look at the size difference, it's insane!"
"Still… it is Kouta, after all."
"Yeah, yeah! Kouta's pretty incredible!"
…
A crowd had gathered on the docks, curiosity etched on every face as they watched the two figures facing off over the water. Even though they had all seen Kouta train by the sea, carrying weights as massive as mountains, they couldn't help but feel a bit nervous for him now.
The size difference alone was staggering.
Kouta stood firmly in front of a small boat, blocking its path. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he shouted toward the laughing group aboard.
"Emporio Ivankov!"
Ivankov turned, leaning forward, his massive head sticking out over the boat's bow.
His head was so absurdly large it blocked out the sun, casting a vast shadow across the water.
Kouta stood squarely in that shadow.
Peering down at him, Ivankov asked in surprise, "Aww, what a cute boy! You know who I am?"
"I'm just here for a friendly spar. But take me seriously, if you don't, you might die."
Kouta didn't offer further explanation. His tone was calm but firm.
He bent his left knee, slid his right foot back, and leaned forward into a fighting stance. Eyes locked on Ivankov, he slowly reached for the hilt of his sword, fingers tightening around the grip.
For a moment, Ivankov looked genuinely startled.
His oversized head jerked back, sweat breaking out across his face as he waved his arms frantically and stammered, "W-Wait! Don't take that thing out! That sword's dangerous! If it hits me, I-I-I might d-d-die!"
He stumbled back toward the middle of the boat. Then, suddenly, he puffed out his chest, threw his hands in the air, and roared:
"I won't die THAT easily!"
"Oh, so he won't die after all!"
"Damn it, we fell for it again!"
Laughter erupted around the boat.
Kouta's cheek twitched violently. Was this guy seriously not taking him seriously?
He clenched the hilt of his sword. His right arm flexed, growing visibly larger as a thin black aura spiraled up from his grip and wrapped around the blade.
His Haki was still developing, both in strength and quantity so this was the best he could manage for now.
Kouta's gaze zeroed in on the back of Ivankov's neck. With sudden speed, his feet began tapping rapidly across the surface of the sea.
"Soru!"
WHOOSH!
The water beneath his feet dipped inward as Kouta shot forward like a bullet toward Ivankov.
Sensing something, Ivankov suddenly spun around and gave a dramatic wink with his left eye.
"Hell Wink!"
A shockwave burst forth from his eye.
Kouta appeared right in its path, drawing his sword with lightning speed.
"Soru: Draw Slash!"
BOOM—!
The collision sent a shockwave blasting in all directions.
For a few seconds, Kouta held his ground—but the force of the wave overpowered him. It sent him skidding backward across the water, carving a deep furrow before he finally stopped several dozen meters away.
Kouta looked at the boat, which was now bobbing in the waves from the shockwave. A rare seriousness flickered across his otherwise excited face.
He's strong. That was just a casual move, and it packed that much power. I'll have to go all out.
He rose from the sea, standing atop the water as if weightless, not a single drop clinging to him.
Back on the boat, the crew cheered excitedly: "There it is! Lord Ivankov's ultimate basic move: Hell Wink!"
Inazuma stood off to the side, calm amid the celebration. Though the small boat rocked beneath her, her legs remained planted as if nailed to the deck.
She raised her wineglass with elegance, sipped her red wine, and looked toward Ivankov.
"Lady Ivankov, this isn't the place for a fight. The boat can't handle it."
"Mmm… I can tell. The cute boy doesn't seem to harbor any malice. Looks like he really does just want a sparring match."
Ivankov glanced at the groaning, creaking boat beneath him and thought for a moment.
Then he raised his voice toward Kouta.
"Hey! Cute boy!"
"What?"
"If it's just a friendly duel, let's take it to land! If you want me to take you seriously, I need room to stretch a little."
Kouta looked sheepishly at the small boat Ivankov pointed to. He spun his sword in a graceful arc, sheathing it with a crisp motion.
With a quick glance at the boat, he turned and began walking toward the dock.
"You guys, follow me."
…
"Kouta, are you alright?!"
As soon as they got back to the dock, his friends rushed over.
Kouta waved a hand, smiling.
"Of course I'm fine. I was just testing him out. We'll fight properly once they come ashore."
"We're still fighting?!" Ahua cried, his face comically exaggerated. "That shockwave nearly blew me away!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Just then, voices came from the village.
"Morning, Master Koushirou!"
"Morning, old man!"
"Master Koushirou, what brings you out here today?"
"I heard a ruckus and decided to stretch my legs."
…
Koushirou greeted the fishermen with a warm smile, nodding politely and exchanging small talk.
Hearing the commotion, the group on the boat turned toward the dock and quickly disembarked when they saw him approaching.
The dojo sat halfway up the hill behind the harbor—it wasn't far, and from its perch, the entire port was visible at a glance.
Koushirou walked over to the boat and only spoke after everyone had come ashore.
"Uncle Ikku, can you explain what's going on? I heard the noise from quite a distance."
Ikku quickly summarized the situation. Koushirou turned his gaze to Kouta behind him.
"Kouta, that was reckless."
Kouta shrugged. "Can you blame me? Every time I try to spar with you, you brush me off."
His eyes lit up again. "Now I've met someone strong. Of course I'm gonna go all out. I need to know exactly where I stand!"
Koushirou's usually calm expression showed a flicker of awkwardness.
The truth was, he was tired of Kouta's constant pestering. In the past few years, Kouta had come to challenge him every few days. And ever since he reached the swordsman level, those challenges had only intensified.
Koushirou wasn't the kind of man who liked trouble—that's why he stayed at Isshin Dojo in the first place. His laid-back personality had made him even more evasive.
In truth, sparring alone couldn't help Kouta grow anymore. At the level of a true swordsman, only all-out battles brought improvement.
But going all-out with Kouta? Impossible.
A swordmaster's blows were lethal. One mistake, and someone would end up seriously injured.
BOOM!
Koushirou turned toward the sound just in time to see Ivankov stepping onto the shore.
He pushed up his glasses, his ever-smiling face suddenly serious.
"A man of your caliber… why are you in East Blue? And why in remote Shimotsuki Village?"
"I could ask you the same. What's a powerhouse like you doing in the East Blue?"
Ivankov's tone was now grave as he faced Koushirou. He had taken Kouta lightly, but this man, with his unassuming smile and narrow eyes, radiated real danger.
A strong warrior's aura doesn't need to be broadcast. Ordinary people wouldn't sense it.
But to someone on the same level, it was like a blazing torch in the night, impossible to ignore.
"What exactly are you people doing here?" Koushirou asked.
"No need to be tense. We're just here to restock supplies and buy some food, that's all."
At that moment, Inazuma stepped forward, swirling his wineglass with poise. After a small sip, he responded:
"Food, huh? Tell you what, Ivankov, if you beat me, I'll give you as much as you want."
Kouta took over, locking eyes with Ivankov.
"Deal."
"Hey, hey! Calling him 'Ivankov' just like that?!"
Several of Ivankov's men shouted in protest.
"Show some respect! He's Queen of the Queers, Lord Ivankov!"
Ivankov grinned, baring his teeth.
"Settle down, boys. Titles don't matter. Call me whatever you want even 'Poop' is fine."
Poop…?!
A stunned silence fell over the group. Everyone just stared.
Then Ivankov suddenly spun on the spot, raised his hands high, and yelled:
"I TAKE THAT BACK! Don't call me Poop!"
"Oh, so he does care!"
"Fooled again!"
His crewmates howled with laughter.
Kouta's face darkened. His shoulders trembled with barely restrained fury.
"You… You jerks… How little must you think of me to still not take me seriously?!"
And with that, he vanished and reappeared instantly behind Ivankov.
THWACK!
Before anyone could react, he delivered a brutal kick to Ivankov's rear, sending the giant crashing face-first into the dirt.
A cloud of dust flew up.
Kouta exhaled sharply, landing gracefully in Ivankov's previous spot.
"Will you take me seriously now?"
"You bastard! What did you do to Lord Ivankov?!"
Several crew members glared daggers at him.
Inazuma, who had been sipping wine calmly, suddenly went stiff. He stepped back, lowering his hands, body tense.
That speed… no, not just speed. No one's that fast unless...
"You… you've eaten a spatial-type Devil Fruit."
Kouta ignored him. He was focused entirely on Ivankov, still lying on the ground. He could feel the man's energy rising.
Finally getting serious, huh?
"Relax, Inazuma," Ivankov said, sitting up and brushing himself off. He looked curiously at Kouta.
"That move just now… what kind of power was that?"
"You'll find out when we fight."
"…Good!"
Ivankov stood tall, scanning his surroundings before pointing to the sandy beach on the harbor's left side.
"We can't fight here. Let's go there, it's spacious enough."
He turned to his crew.
"Wait here. I'll go have a duel with, uh…"
He faltered, looking at Kouta. "Hey, kid, what's your name again?"
"Kouta. Like 'sky' and 'too much sky,'" he said with a straight face.
Ivankov's eye twitched. Without another word, he turned toward the beach and walked off.
"Wait for me, Little Ivan!" Kouta called, dashing after him.
Hearing this, Ivankov picked up the pace.
*********
Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 100, 200, 300 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!