As someone capable of easily defeating even the adults, Kuina naturally refused to believe that she was weaker than some outsider, especially one younger than herself.
So she was determined to prove to Koushirou that she was the strongest.
But Lin Mo wasn't the kind of person who got riled up so easily. He hadn't come here to pick fights.
Faced with Kuina's sudden challenge, he was clearly unimpressed.
Koushirou's expression darkened slightly as he spoke, displeased. "Kuina, that's enough. Put your sword down."
"Father!" Kuina snapped. "I want to prove to you that girls can become swordmasters too. That we can become the best in the world! If you think he's stronger than me, fine. I'll just beat him!"
Koushirou rubbed his temples with a sigh. "This girl..." He then turned to Lin Mo, who looked entirely unbothered. "I apologize for this scene. Kuina just hates losing. She means no harm."
"It's fine," Lin Mo said with a shrug.
To remain so calm when challenged like that... Koushirou's conviction only deepened. This boy truly was extraordinary.
Since Kuina was clearly set on this challenge, perhaps letting her taste a bit of defeat wouldn't be such a bad thing. It might even do her some good.
With that in mind, Koushirou said, "Very well. Lin Mo, would you accept her challenge? Of course, it won't be without reward."
He turned to Kuina. "If you insist on fighting Lin Mo, you'll have to wager Wado Ichimonji. If you lose, the sword becomes his."
Wado Ichimonji was one of the 21 Great Grade swords.
Naturally, Lin Mo knew exactly what it was.
What surprised him was that Koushirou would actually use such a renowned sword as a wager for a children's sparring match.
Kuina's eyes widened in disbelief. "Father, Wado Ichimonji is"
"I know," Koushirou cut her off. "But this is the risk you take if you insist on challenging Lin Mo. If you're afraid of losing it, then don't fight."
There's no room for fear in the heart of a true swordsman.
Especially not before a fight. That kind of emotion could prove fatal.
Kuina locked eyes with Lin Mo, her gaze filled with defiance and fury. "I won't lose. I challenge you!"
Lin Mo wasn't particularly interested in this strange, impulsive challenge. Not even the chance to win a famous blade moved him.
Seeing Lin Mo's lack of interest, Koushirou smiled and said, "If you win, you'll not only earn Wado Ichimonji but also receive ten jars of specially brewed sake that's been sealed for nearly a decade."
Lin Mo's eyes flickered. "Twenty."
"I only have fifteen. You can have them all."
"Deal."
With Lin Mo finally agreeing to Kuina's challenge, the children at the dojo, including Zoro, quickly gathered around and sat in practiced formation.
"Go Kuina! You're the strongest in the dojo! Knock him flat!"
"Yeah! Show that outsider what we're made of!"
"Just do what you always do to Zoro take him down in one strike!"
Zoro: "..."
"Hey! You punks trying to pick a fight with me? Cheer her on all you want, but leave me out of it!" Zoro shot a glare at one particularly loud kid.
At the center of the dojo...
"All right, quiet down," Koushirou called out. "Kuina, Lin Mo, prepare to begin."
Lin Mo walked to the corner of the dojo where the practice swords were kept and casually pulled out a bamboo sword.
For something like this, he had no intention of using Tōyako.
According to the rules of Isshin Dojo, all sparring matches began with a bow to the altar and to one's opponent.
The formalities completed, the two stood facing each other.
Kuina held her bamboo sword at the ready, her expression focused. "I won't lose!"
"Come," Lin Mo said calmly.
"Haaah!" Kuina charged at him with a fierce cry, her bamboo sword slashing through the air. She swung at his face with rapid, heavy strikes, each blow driven by frustration and anger.
But every strike was effortlessly deflected.
Realizing she couldn't break his defense, Kuina adjusted her angle. She swept upward from below, then diagonally from the side, crafting a beautiful arc as she tried to knock the sword from Lin Mo's hand.
Just when it seemed Lin Mo was about to block again, Kuina suddenly changed direction. She spun, appearing behind him in a flash, and struck downward with all her strength.
To be fair, Kuina's swordsmanship was quite decent compared to most.
But to Lin Mo, it still lacked refinement. Too slow. Too many openings.
Best to end this quickly.
He had no desire to waste time.
Without hesitation, he turned just as Kuina's eyes flashed with surprise. With a single precise strike, he knocked the bamboo sword from her grasp.
She felt a sharp pain in her wrist. The sword clattered to the floor two meters away.
The entire exchange had lasted only a few seconds.
For a moment, the dojo fell silent then erupted.
"No way! Kuina lost?!"
"How could that happen? She never loses!"
"She even beats grown-ups! How could she lose to an outsider?"
"Who is that guy?!"
Koushirou glanced at the stunned Kuina, then calmly declared, "Point to Lin Mo. He wins."
Lin Mo tossed his bamboo sword back into the bucket.
Kuina, finally snapping out of it, scrambled to pick up her own sword. "No! I won't lose! One more time! I won't give up Wado Ichimonji!"
"Kuina, that's enough!" Koushirou rarely raised his voice, but now he did, stern and firm. "No matter how many times you fight, you won't beat Lin Mo. Can't you see the difference between your skills?"
"No!" Kuina cried, eyes brimming with tears. She clenched her fists and fled the dojo.
"Kuina, wait!" Zoro called after her and ran out.
"That girl..." Koushirou sighed and shook his head, then turned to the others. "That's it for today. Everyone, go home and rest."
"Yes, Sensei!" The children stood, bowed, and began to file out, murmuring excitedly as they left.
Once the children were gone, Koushirou turned to Lin Mo. "Come with me."
Lin Mo gave a small nod.
He followed Koushirou to the teahouse behind the dojo.
They sat facing each other across a low table, where a freshly brewed pot of tea and a fragrant jug of aged sake waited.
Koushirou produced a sword from storage. Its scabbard and hilt were a simple, pure white. It appeared humble, but radiated quiet strength.
He handed it to Lin Mo. "From now on, this sword is yours."
It was Wado Ichimonji.
Lin Mo accepted it without hesitation and fastened it alongside Tōyako at his waist.
The two of them raised their teacups and sake glasses in a quiet toast.
To Lin Mo's surprise, the sake was quite good. Not overly strong, but with a clean, mellow cherry blossom aroma that lingered pleasantly.
He found he rather liked it.
"Well?" Koushirou smiled. "That brewing technique is a tradition passed down from a rather unique place. You won't find sake like this in the markets."
"Not bad," Lin Mo said, nodding in appreciation.
Just then...
Beep beep! Drank and conversed with Koushirou. Sign-in progress +10%. Current progress: 30%. Reward: Swordsmanship Level +1. Current Swordsmanship Level: Lv3.
In the instant his swordsmanship level rose to 3, Lin Mo's entire aura changed, becoming sharp and intense.
A wave of invisible sword intent radiated from him in all directions, only to vanish a heartbeat later.
Lin Mo's eyes flickered with surprise.
He hadn't agreed to drink with Koushirou for any particular gain. The man had seemed decent, and Lin Mo simply felt it polite.
He never imagined that a gesture made out of courtesy would unexpectedly advance his progress.
It truly was an unexpected surprise.