A lively commotion erupted from the docks in the harbor of Shimotsuki Village.
"Whoa! What is Kouta doing?"
"He, he isn't going to fight that giant, is he!"
"No way, the difference in size and strength is too immense!"
"Can't say for sure, that's Kouta after all."
"Yeah, yeah! Kouta is really strong!"
...
Everyone on the dock watched the two figures confronting each other on the sea with curiosity. Although they had all witnessed Kouta training by the sea with barbell plates as large as mountains on his back, a flicker of worry still gnawed at their hearts.
The sheer difference in their physiques was staggering.
Kouta stood before the small boat, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked at the laughing Emporio Ivankov and his crew. He called out with excitement.
"Emporio Ivankov."
Ivankov turned his head, leaning forward, his head extending over the bow of the boat.
His head was so large that it blocked the sun, casting a vast shadow on the sea. Kouta stood directly within this shadow.
He looked down at Kouta, surprised, and asked, "Cute boy, you know me?"
"I'm just here for a spar. Please take it seriously, or you might die."
Kouta gazed at the approaching Ivankov, not answering directly, but stating his purpose. He then bent his left leg, stepped back with his right foot, leaned forward, raised his sword, and fixed his gaze on Ivankov. He slowly gripped the hilt of his sword, assuming an offensive stance.
Ivankov seemed genuinely startled by Kouta's aura. He quickly retracted his head, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Waving his hands frantically in front of him, he stammered.
"Please... please stop, don't take out that kind of weapon. It's dangerous, dangerous! People will die, if you get hit, you'll die, die, die..."
He retreated to the center of the boat, suddenly puffed out his chest, raised his hands, and shouted loudly, "You won't die!"
"So, you won't die!"
"We've been tricked again!"
This was followed by peals of laughter. Kouta's lips twitched. Did this guy not take him seriously at all?
He tightened his grip on his sword, his right arm bulking up. A faint, dark aura began to wrap around his blade from the hilt. His current level of Armament Haki was still relatively low, so this was all he could manage.
He raised his head, his eyes locked onto Ivankov's nape. He stomped his feet on the surface of the sea dozens of times in rapid succession.
"Soru!"
*Whoosh—!*
The sea beneath his feet suddenly caved in as his body shot forward towards Ivankov at an extreme speed.
Ivankov seemed to sense something and suddenly turned, blinking his left eye forward.
"Hell Wink!"
A shockwave propelled forward. Kouta appeared directly in its path. He swiftly drew his sword.
"Soru. Battōjutsu!"
*Bang—!*
A blast of air surged outwards from the point of impact. Kouta and the shockwave clashed for only a few seconds before the immense force of the wave pushed him rapidly backward. His body skimmed across the sea, carving a long trench before he finally came to a halt dozens of meters away.
Gazing at the small boat drifting away with the shockwave, a hint of solemnity flashed across Kouta's excited face. So strong! A casual strike like that held so much power. It seemed he would have to go all out.
He emerged from the sea, standing in the air without a single drop of water on him. Meanwhile, the people on the boat were shouting with excitement. "It appeared! Lord Ivankov's extremely ordinary blink, Hell Wink."
Inazuma stood calmly to the side, unmoved by the general excitement. Though her body swayed with the pitching boat, her legs were firmly planted, unmoving. She elegantly raised a wine glass, took a sip of red wine, and looked up at Ivankov.
"Lady Ivankov, we can't fight at sea. This small boat can't withstand it."
"Hmm! I can feel that cute boy doesn't have any ill intentions. It seems this is purely a spar."
Ivankov looked at the creaking boat and pondered. He then shouted towards Kouta ahead. "Hey! Cute boy."
"What is it?"
"If it's a spar, let's move to land! If you want me to take it seriously, you need to give me some space to show off."
Kouta looked awkwardly at the small boat pointed out by Ivankov. He gripped his sword hilt, performed a beautiful flourish, and sheathed his blade. He glanced at the boat, then turned and walked towards the dock.
"You guys follow me!"
...
"Kouta, are you alright!"
Back on the boat at the dock, everyone crowded around him. Kouta smiled and waved his hand.
"What could be wrong? I was just testing him. We'll fight later when they reach the shore."
"Still fighting? The aftermath of that last attack almost blew me away," Ahua exclaimed dramatically. The others nodded in agreement.
Just then, greetings could be heard from the village.
"Good morning, Mr. Koushiro!"
"Mornin', Uncle."
"Mr. Koushiro, why are you out today?"
"Well, I heard the commotion and decided to take a stroll."
Koushiro's face was full of smiles as he nodded and responded to the fishermen one by one, occasionally answering a question or two. Hearing the voices, everyone on the boat turned their heads towards the dock. Seeing Koushiro approaching, they quickly disembarked. The dojo was located on the mountainside behind the port, not far away, offering a clear view of the entire harbor.
Koushiro reached the boat and watched everyone get off. Then he asked Ikku, "Uncle Ikku, tell me what's going on. I heard the commotion from afar."
Ikku gave a rough explanation of the situation, and Koushiro then turned his gaze to Kouta behind him.
"Kouta, you were too reckless!"
Kouta shrugged at Koushiro, muttering, "Who told you to be so perfunctory with our spars every year, Master!" His brow furrowed, and he continued with excitement. "I met a strong opponent today, so of course, I had to have a good fight. It's the only way to know where I stand right now!"
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Koushiro's calm face. He was simply fed up with Kouta's pestering. For years, Kouta had sought him out for spars every few days, especially in the last year as Kouta ascended to the Swordsman realm, his frequency of challenges significantly increased. Koushiro, who sought peace, had retreated to the Isshin Dojo precisely to avoid such things, and his laid-back nature led him to become increasingly perfunctory. In truth, reaching the Swordsman realm meant that simple sparring offered little further improvement. What was needed were battles where one fought with all their might. However, for him and Kouta, using their full power was impossible. The destructive power of Swordsmen was immense, and a single mistake could lead to severe injury.
*Bang—!*
Koushiro looked in the direction of the sound and met the gaze of Ivankov, who had just landed. He adjusted his glasses, his usual smiling demeanor vanishing.
"Why would a big shot like you appear in the East Blue, and come to this remote Shimotsuki Village?"
"I was about to say the same thing. I didn't expect there to be a strong person like you in the East Blue."
Ivankov stared at Koushiro with a solemn expression. He could handle Kouta with ease because he didn't feel a significant threat. But this squinty-eyed man was different. The aura of a strong individual, even when not actively broadcast, was difficult for ordinary people to sense. However, for those of equal caliber, it was like a beacon in the night, bright and piercing, unless deliberately concealed.
"What are you guys doing here?" Koushiro asked Ivankov and his crew.
"No need to be so tense, everyone. We're just here to resupply, to buy some food." Emporio Ivankov emerged from behind Ivankov, elegantly swirling the wine glass in his left hand. He brought it to his lips, took a sip, and then replied.
"Food? Little Ivan, if you can defeat me, I'll give you as much as you want," Kouta interjected, picking up on Emporio's words, and looked at Ivankov.
"Hey, hey! Calling him Little Ivan is too casual!" Several individuals who had followed Emporio down onto the dock shouted loudly.
"Exactly! He's the Okama King, Lord Ivankov."
Ivankov's lips curled into a smile. He grinned and said, "Quiet down, boys. Titles are a minor issue. Names don't matter. You can even call me 'Poop,' and it's fine."
'Poop'?????
An unusual silence fell upon the crowd as everyone stared at his performance. Just then, he suddenly spun around, raised his hands, and shouted to the sky, "I don't want to be called 'Poop'!"
"So, he hates it!"
"Tricked again!" His companions behind him shouted in unison.
Kouta's body trembled slightly, a dark expression crossing his face. He looked at the group opposite him and roared in anger.
"You, you guys, how much do you look down on me, to not take me seriously at all!"
With that, he suddenly teleported behind Ivankov and kicked him in the backside before Ivankov could react.
*Bang—!*
Caught completely off guard, Ivankov's massive body toppled forward, kicking up a cloud of dust. Kouta let out a long, relieved sigh. These guys, repeatedly dismissing him, were truly frustrating. He landed with a flourish where Ivankov had stood and addressed the group ahead.
"Can you take me seriously now?"
"What did you do to Lord Ivankov, you brat!" Seeing the fallen Ivankov, Yuzuo and the others glared at Kouta in fury.
Emporio, who had been elegantly sipping red wine beside Ivankov, saw Kouta suddenly appear and his expression changed. He quickly took a step back, his face paling. With his hands lowered, he stared warily at Kouta. This guy's speed is incredible, no, it's not just speed. Even with extreme speed, I wouldn't have been able to react.
"Did you eat a Space-type Devil Fruit?"
Kouta ignored Emporio, his gaze fixed excitedly on the fallen Ivankov. He could sense an aura rising from him. Was he finally going to get serious?
"Alright, Emporio, don't be nervous," Ivankov said, sitting up from the ground. He eyed Kouta with a hint of curiosity. "What was that ability of yours just now?"
"You'll find out after we fight."
"Alright!" Ivankov pushed himself up with his hands, looking around. His gaze finally settled on the sandy beach to the left of the harbor.
"We can't fight here. Let's go there! It's spacious enough." He then turned to Emporio and the others. "Wait for me. I'm going to..." He suddenly got stuck, paused, and then looked down at Kouta, asking, "By the way, little boy, what's your name?"
"Kouta. 'Ku' from sky, 'ta' from sky," Kouta replied earnestly.
Ivankov's lips twitched. He turned and started walking towards the sandy beach on the left.
"Hey! Little Ivan, wait for me." Kouta hurried to catch up. Hearing the commotion behind him, Ivankov quickened his pace.