Blades of the East: Ren’s Journey in One Piece

Chapter 12: The Rising Storm**  

The match **began.**  

Ryuu **moved first**, his wooden sword cutting through the air—fast, powerful.  

Ren sidestepped, barely dodging.  

The force of the attack **rippled through the ground.**  

*Strong.*  

But **not fast enough.**  

Ren pivoted, his own strike **whipping toward Ryuu’s ribs.**  

Ryuu barely blocked it, eyes widening. “What—”  

Ren’s **next attack came instantly.**  

**One. Two. Three strikes—so fast they blurred.**  

Ryuu stumbled back, forced into defense.  

The dojo students **gasped.**  

“This kid—”  

“Where did he learn that speed?”  

Koshiro watched **silently, his sharp eyes glinting.**  

Ren could feel it—**his body was different.**  

The **training weights, the shrine sword, the visions of the phantom swordsman…** They had changed him.  

His instincts were sharper. His speed, **unnatural.**  

Ryuu gritted his teeth. “Damn kid—”  

He lunged, putting all his strength into a downward strike.  

Ren **stepped forward.**  

In an instant—**he was inside Ryuu’s guard.**  

His wooden sword **tapped** Ryuu’s neck.  

“…I win.”  

Silence.  

Then—  

“The match is over,” Koshiro declared.  

Ren lowered h

is sword, his heartbeat **steady.**  

**He had won.**