Chapter 42: Blue
Uta stumbled backward, her rapier barely fending off the flurry of strikes aimed at her. Sweat dripped down her face, and her arms burned from the effort.
"WHY ARE YOU TRYING SO HARD?!" Uta yelled, her voice tinged with frustration and desperation.
"Don't complain," Imai replied with a smile that was anything but comforting. "This is necessary for you to become stronger." Her strikes quickened, forcing Uta to dodge clumsily.
Eventually, Uta collapsed against the ship's railing, her chest heaving as she gulped down air. "I'm so damn tired," she groaned, grabbing a bottle of water and downing it like her life depended on it.
Imai chuckled, setting a plate of food beside her. "Come on, eat up."
Uta wasted no time, tearing into the meal as if it were her last. Despite her exhaustion, the food vanished quickly, bite after ravenous bite.
Imai leaned her chin on her hand, watching with mild amusement. "You're surprisingly cute for someone eating like a caveman."
Uta paused mid-bite, glaring. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Nothing. You must be starving after all that training, huh?"
"Of course I am!" Uta retorted, swallowing her food. "Who the hell forces someone to train like that? For hours without breaks, too!" She jabbed her fork at Imai before grudgingly adding, "But I guess it's fine if you keep making me food."
"Oh?" Imai raised an eyebrow, amused. "Is my cooking that good?"
"Surprisingly, yeah," Uta admitted. "I didn't think someone like you could cook."
Feigning shock, Imai pressed a hand to her chest. "Of course, I can cook! I'm not just skilled with katanas, but with knives too. Every piece of that chicken you just ate was cut at the perfect angle for easy chewing."
Uta rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "Well, it was delicious. Thanks for the meal."
"You're welcome."
The two fell into a comfortable silence, the light atmosphere a welcome reprieve from their earlier sparring. But peace didn't last long.
A loud thud echoed from the front of the ship, drawing both their attention.
"What the…" Uta muttered.
"Hmm," Imai mused, setting her plate down. "Shiki shouldn't be here yet—unless he exceeded my expectations."
Before either could investigate, a cheerful voice called out, "HELLO? IS ANYONE HERE? Did I get on the wrong ship? No, that flag's definitely hers!"
Imai opened the door to find a girl with waist-length black hair standing on the deck. She wore a long trench coat, slightly oversized white cargo pants, and bandages across her chest, leaving her toned stomach exposed.
"Yes, someone's here," Imai said, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed. "What do you want?"
A wide grin spread across the stranger's face. "I knew it! You're the Empress of the Blade!"
"Hmm?"
"My name's Rei Kunieda! But just call me Rei!" Rei declared, her smile impossibly wider.
Imai blinked, already exasperated by the girl's energy.
"So, Rei," she asked, "what's your purpose for boarding my ship?"
"I read the newspaper about you forming a pirate crew—the Seven Apostles! I'm here to join! I can't wait for our adventures together!"
Imai rubbed her temples. This girl was too much, especially at this hour. "Hold on. You're not in yet. I still need to see if you're strong enough."
"Ah! Don't worry about that!" Rei rummaged through her pocket, pulling out a crumpled piece of paper. "Here, look!"
Imai squinted at the paper. "Rei Kunieda… bounty of nine hundred million."
"Impressive, right? I fit all your requirements—strong, determined, and ready to conquer the world someday!" Rei exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Nine hundred million is still rookie numbers," Imai said flatly, noting the blade at Rei's waist. "Are you proficient with that?"
"Of course! I've trained my whole life. All those who once doubted me now wish they could be me. Their dreams of defeating me? Forever out of reach!" Rei declared with pride.
"Well said," Imai replied. "Any other abilities?"
Rei's grin returned as a blue flame erupted from her palm. "I ate the Aoi Aoi no Mi. It's the natural enemy of the Mera Mera no Mi. My flames are unnaturally cold and can freeze anything on contact. I can also neutralize heat, depending on its strength." She demonstrated by freezing the bounty paper in her hand.
"Interesting," Imai admitted, intrigued.
"Oh! I can also turn into blue flames and fly. No need to swim!" Rei added proudly.
Imai considered Rei's abilities, already imagining their strategic uses. The confidence radiating from Rei was undeniable, but there was only one way to be certain of her strength.
"Draw your blade."
"Huh?"
"I'm not saying it twice."
Rei hesitated, but her hand went to her sword. Imai, however, was faster, unsheathing her own blade and darting forward. Her strike aimed directly at Rei's neck, but it was intercepted just in time.
"Not bad," Imai said, her blade pressing against Rei's.
"Uh… thanks?" Rei replied nervously.
Before she could process what happened, a sharp kick landed against her stomach, sending her crashing into the railing. Gritting her teeth, Rei scrambled to her feet, narrowly dodging another slash.
"HEY! I'm here to join your crew! Why are you trying to kill me?!" Rei shouted, panic creeping into her voice.
"Stop exaggerating. This is a trial," Imai said, launching another series of relentless attacks.
"A trial where my life's on the line?!" Rei yelped, fending off strike after strike, though her legs bore several fresh cuts.
Despite her predicament, Rei grinned. Even though Imai wasn't fighting at full strength, keeping up with her at all was a victory in itself.
"I can become even stronger," Rei thought, determination fueling her movements.
"Wipe that smile off your face," Imai said before smacking Rei's head with the hilt of her sword.
"Ow!" Rei winced, rubbing the sore spot.
Imai stepped back, evaluating her. "Not bad, but you're lacking in focus. You get distracted too easily."
Rei's shoulders sagged. "Does that mean I'm not in?"
"Although you're lacking in some areas, you have potential," Imai said, sheathing her blade. "As the captain of the Seven Apostles, I welcome you, Rei Kunieda, as the Third Apostle."
Rei's eyes lit up, and she dropped her sword in excitement, lunging for a hug.
A single finger pressed against her forehead stopped her in her tracks.
"No hugs."
"Aw… man."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone