The first half of the Grand Line.
Angel Island, mountain top villa.
Early morning. The sky was dimly lit, a ray of sunlight slanted out, and the outline of the sun gradually became clear.
Bang! Bang! Bang!...
In the blooming garden, Black Maria, wearing a blue kimono with her chest wrapped in white bandages, brass knuckles on her hands, and long golden hair draped over her shoulders, was engaged in fierce combat with Kozuki Hiyori, who was wearing a white kendo uniform and holding a bamboo sword.
Armament Haki was wrapped around both sides' weapons, and they exchanged blows, locked in intense battle.
Because Black Maria had started cultivating Six Styles very early on, coupled with the fact that she had always been very concerned about the height difference between herself and Sephiroth, she was afraid that if she grew too tall, her beloved Master would dislike her...
Therefore, after she had roughly mastered Six Styles, she began to specialize in the cultivation of Life Return, deliberately controlling her height development to make her muscles and bones more solid and compact.
But...
Even so, her height still increased from one meter ninety to two meters fifty—forty centimeters taller than Sephiroth!
Black Maria had always held a grudge about this.
However, Sephiroth didn't care at all; after all, he could freely enlarge or shrink his body between one meter and ten meters using the abilities of Life Return and the Vampire Fruit.
Whether it was a large vehicle or a small vehicle, he could perfectly handle it.
Of course, for a super large vehicle like the Giant Race, he was powerless!
Due to racial genetic issues, even if Sephiroth used his abilities, transforming into a ten-meter-tall strong man was already his limit. If he got any taller, it would basically be difficult to control freely, and it would also be easy for the constructed body to collapse....
On the other side, Kozuki Hiyori, who was fighting Black Maria, had made rapid progress in strength through consistent daily training since she ate the Mythical Zoan Nue Devil Fruit.
Perhaps it was due to the Devil Fruit, or perhaps it was the powerful bloodline talent of the Kozuki family. Black Maria was clearly three years older than Kozuki Hiyori, and she had also cultivated for two years longer than the other party.
But...
Now, Kozuki Hiyori's strength in her normal state was already on par with Black Maria in head-on attacks!
If the other party used the Nue human-beast form, rode the clouds in the air, and used lightning for long-range consumption on Black Maria, she would either raise her hands and surrender, or she would only end up with a crushing defeat after being completely dominated!
Shave!
Black Maria stomped the ground forcefully, her figure flashed, and she instantly disappeared from her original position.
Swish!
In the blink of an eye, she appeared behind Kozuki Hiyori.
Finger Pistol!...
Black Maria's golden, waist-length hair, which flowed down her back, danced as though it had gained life and sentience. Six golden hair-hands formed, and she raised her index finger made of hair, along with her two fists, launching attacks towards various parts of Kozuki Hiyori's body.
However…
Paper Drawing!
While quickly retreating, Kozuki Hiyori also controlled her body to sway like a willow catkin in the wind, moving unpredictably amidst Black Maria's storm-like attacks, narrowly dodging one after another!
While dodging, Kozuki Hiyori was also observing the flaws in her opponent's attacks, preparing to counterattack when the opportunity arose.
Black Maria's simultaneous attacks from eight directions were strong, so strong that even she didn't dare to confront them directly and could only retreat and dodge.
But…
Black Maria's method of attack consumed a great deal of mental energy and couldn't be sustained; over time, she would definitely reveal a flaw.
Bang!
After watching for a while and finally spotting the opportunity, Kozuki Hiyori immediately swung the bamboo sword in her hand and lightly tapped the other party's forehead, leaving a red mark.
However…
This red scar disappeared without a trace in just three to five seconds after Black Maria used Life Return!
"Hehehe! I won today, so you have to give me a shoulder massage."
Kozuki Hiyori spoke of her victory with a smug expression.
"Tch~! I know."
Black Maria pouted, a hint of displeasure in her tone, but she had no intention of going back on her word.
This was their daily gambling agreement with Kozuki Hiyori: after winning the spar, the winner could order the loser to do one thing.
In the past, she won more often than she lost, but now the probability of winning and losing had gradually become fifty-fifty.
Maybe I should find an opportunity to cancel this daily activity! I feel like if I continue, I will lose more and more times… Black Maria muttered to herself.
Swish!
In the living room of the villa, a red light suddenly flashed, a spatial door opened, and Sephiroth, wearing a white suit, stepped out.
In the garden, the two women, who hadn't yet closed their Observation Haki, instantly sensed his presence.
Thus, the two women quickly ran into the living room.
Black Maria showed a sweet smile; she first bowed slightly towards Sephiroth, who was sitting on the long sofa, then spoke:
"Welcome back!"
"Has anything happened on Sky Island during this time?" Sephiroth smiled and asked casually.
Upon hearing this, Black Maria sat down beside Sephiroth and began to tell him about the recent events on Sky Island.
"The situation on Sky Island is basically normal; nothing major has happened…
I went to inspect the new phase of the cloud-filling and land-creation project the day before yesterday…"
Seeing that they were discussing something serious, Kozuki Hiyori reluctantly abandoned her attempts to act cute with Sephiroth. She sat obediently on his other side and began to boil water with the Flame Dial and kettle on the table.
After a while, Kozuki Hiyori saw that the water was ready, and she picked up the kettle, tea leaves, and tea set to brew black tea.
Soon, she had brewed three cups of steaming hot black tea and placed them in front of herself, Sephiroth, and Black Maria.
Once the two were finished with their serious talk, Kozuki Hiyori immediately wrapped her arm around Sephiroth's left arm, acting coy.
"Master! Master! I've touched the realm of Sword Master, and I've mastered Iron Cutting. Now I'm just short of Flying Slash...
Can I have Enma now? If I have it, practicing Flying Slash will definitely be much easier...."
Sephiroth looked at Kozuki Hiyori's charming, rosy cheeks and mused, "You want Enma now?"
"Yes! Yes!"
Kozuki Hiyori nodded repeatedly, her eyes full of hope.
"To be honest, with your current strength, you're still a bit short of being able to wield Enma..."
"Master~!"
Hearing what sounded like a refusal, Kozuki Hiyori immediately looked at him with a wronged expression.
"Sigh. Alright.
However, you must cooperate with me wholeheartedly in doing one thing. Only then will I give you Enma...
How about it? Can you agree?" Sephiroth asked, his expression serious.
"No problem!"
"Alright! Let's go to your room to do it..."
Sephiroth stroked the girl's head, stood up, and walked towards the stairs leading to the second floor.
Kozuki Hiyori's face was slightly red, and she followed behind the young Master, somewhat shyly. Her mind couldn't help but wander to various wild thoughts.
Why did Master specifically say that he wanted me to cooperate with him to do...
We've already tried every position!
Could it be something more intense?
Ah! What should I do? I'm inexplicably looking forward to it!
Should I comply?
Or should I pretend to hesitate a little, and then comply?
Because Kozuki Hiyori had previously received various special lessons from Black Maria, she had always been the most adventurous of Sephiroth's girls...
Therefore, there was no resistance or worry in her heart at all, and she could even be said to be full of anticipation for what was to come.