OnePiece: Concept Space

Chapter 7: Captain Farms Aura

It had been three days since the Straw Hat crew was officially formed.

Everything had happened so naturally.

After rescuing Zala, Luffy didn't even need to lift a finger. Kuina and Zala absolutely demolished Axe-Hand Morgan. And since both girls had now directly opposed the Marines, becoming pirates was the natural result.

Because Luffy was the one who saved Zala and left a deep impression on Kuina, the process went even more smoothly than he had anticipated. To his surprise, it was the two sword-wielders who asked to join him.

Once again, Luffy couldn't help but marvel at what it meant to be the universe's beloved child.

He had also learned the truth about Kuina and Zala's story—and it was very different from what he remembered. This world was clearly a parallel version of the One Piece universe, but that only made it more intriguing. After all, the unknown was always more interesting.

According to Kuina, her father had always discouraged her from chasing her dream of becoming the strongest swordsman. He kept instilling the idea that women were incapable of achieving such a title.

It wasn't until Zala joined the dojo that Kuina's flame of ambition was reignited. When her father told Zala that women couldn't become the strongest, Zala had simply replied:

"Then I'll just become a man. Isn't that easier?"

(Zala identifies as a man, Pfft..)

That innocent response shook Kuina's world. Though she had no intention of becoming a man herself, Zala's conviction deeply moved her.

Even so, her father remained an obstacle.

Several months ago, Kuina convinced Zala to steal her katana and run away. Then she lied to her father, claiming she was chasing after the traitor. In truth, she'd used that as a pretense to escape the village herself.

Unfortunately, Zala was unreliable. Kuina spent months trying to track him down—and at last, she succeeded.

Meanwhile, Nami had discovered a huge trove of treasure and even a map of the Grand Line. Apparently, Buggy hadn't been on this island and gotten lucky. If Buggy had stolen the map and ended up as Luffy's opponent… well, Luffy wouldn't have shown any mercy. Buggy would've been erased from the story completely.

Though Luffy's luck stat was maxed, he didn't mind if devouring another "luck concept" user like Buggy existed. Still, it was a pity Buggy hadn't provoked him.

On the small boat, Luffy lounged back, watching Nami count treasure with a greedy, goofy smile. Nearby, Zala and Kuina were sparring.

Their blades sliced through the air with intensity, each strike aiming for a weak point. At first, Luffy had found their swordsmanship impressive.

But the longer he watched… the more he felt like something was off.

With his maxed talent and ultra instinct, it only took a few seconds/minutes to go from admiration to total cringe.

What once looked like a fierce duel now looked like two chickens pecking each other.

Luffy groaned.

"Stop. Stop. What are you two doing?"

Zala and Kuina froze, staring at Luffy in confusion. Even Nami looked up from her treasure pile, curious.

Zala scratched the back of her short hair.

"Uh... sparring? We're improving our swordsmanship."

Kuina nodded.

Luffy's face darkened.

It wasn't entirely their fault, but now that he'd awakened more of his talent, their "duel" felt like an insult to the sword itself.

"That's what you call swordsmanship? I've seen chickens fight more elegantly than you two."

"Pfft—"

Nami burst into laughter. The insult wasn't kind, but it was hilarious.

Zala and Kuina both glared at Luffy, dark lines forming on their foreheads. They were not happy with their captain's brutal honesty.

But Luffy wasn't finished.

"All you're doing is swinging your swords with brute force. There's no technique, no spirit. Don't call that swordsmanship."

The duo's expressions turned defiant.

Clearly, it was time to break their egos and remind them who the captain was.

Luffy stood and walked toward them.

"Lend me a sword."

Zala reluctantly handed him one of hers.

Luffy gave the sword a few casual swings. Then, he looked at them calmly.

"Both of you. Come at me."

The two looked at each other—and attacked without mercy. Though they used the backs of their blades, their strikes were serious.

But Luffy didn't flinch.

He merely positioned his sword in a seemingly casual angle.

Then—Clang!

Both their swords clashed exactly at the point where Luffy had placed his blade.

Zala and Kuina froze.

Nami gasped from the sidelines.

"Luffy… how did you know their blades would meet there?"

Even she, with no combat training, could see that Luffy's move was absurdly precise.

Zala and Kuina gritted their teeth, trying to overpower him. Their faces turned red with effort.

But Luffy hadn't even budged.

"I'm not using any strength," he said simply. "Swordsmanship isn't about speed or muscle. It's about will. It's a power in itself."

Shriing...

Their cheap iron swords cracked, then split in two—shocking them even further.

Luffy quickly dropped the sword, worried that if he kept swinging, he might reach Mihawk's level by accident. That would be a bit much.

The two sword-wielders stared at their broken blades, pale and speechless.

Both of them knelt on the ground, looking at the captain, he seems to grow taller and more attractive....

Zala muttered, "How… how is this possible? Is it because you're a man?"

Kuina's expression cracked as well. Something inside her—something fundamental—was shaken.

Luffy rolled his eyes. Even Nami looked at them in disbelief.

"What does gender have to do with it?" Nami muttered.

Luffy lay back on the deck again and sighed.

"Are you two really sword users? You don't even know the basics of swordsmanship levels. You're not even official swordsmen yet."

Kuina looked devastated.

"You mean… we don't count as swordsmen at all?"

Zala tightened her grip on her broken blade. Though shocked, there was curiosity in her eyes.

Their father and master had never taught them anything beyond basics. Not even theory.

Luffy took pity on them.

He gave them a basic rundown—swordsmanship realms, techniques like iron-cutting, air slashes, fire-splitting, and black swords. He didn't go into too much detail. They weren't ready.

"You two seriously thought you were close to Mihawk? Let me tell you—an official swordsman can split a ship in two. A great swordsman can cleave through mountains and oceans. And in these seas, there are devil fruit users who cause earthquakes, erupt volcanoes, and summon tsunamis."

He pointed at them.

"You two can't even break a wall. You think you just need an opportunity to defeat Mihawk? Ignorance really is bliss."

Zala and Kuina stood there stunned.

They had genuinely believed they were only a step away from becoming the strongest.

Even Nami, a civilian, looked at them blankly.

"I envy your confidence… I wish I had just a little of it."

Ashamed, Zala and Kuina ran below deck, too embarrassed to continue sparring.

Nami chuckled as she returned to her treasure pile. But her eyes drifted toward Luffy.

He was… mysterious.

Was everything he said true? Was he also that strong?

She began to waver.

Should she tell him the truth? The real reason she was sailing?

She had nearly enough money to buy her village's freedom. She was ready to sail to the Grand Line.

Tagging along with Luffy sounded fun. But what if Arlong went back on his word?

Luffy noticed her glances and smirked inwardly.

Everything he said earlier about swordsmanship and power levels had a second purpose—not just to humble the girls…

…but to plant a seed in Nami's heart.

Just a seed.

It would bloom soon enough.