Chapter 5: A Surge in Affection Points [New Release—Please Recommend]

[Kuina’s favorability toward you +20.]

For someone steeped in the internet culture of the 21st century, Tang Shen could easily list ten thousand ways to refute the rigid ideas of Kuina’s father, Koushirou. But what he hadn’t expected was that a single sentence from him would spark such a strong sense of goodwill in Kuina.

Kuina gazed at Tang Shen in a daze. She hadn’t anticipated such a response from him. After being denied so many times, she had even begun to doubt her own dreams, wondering if it was truly impossible for a woman to become the world’s greatest swordsman.

In the Isshin Dojo, aside from her father, she was the strongest. Though some of her junior disciples would say she could achieve her dream, most were just being perfunctory or simply trying to cheer her up. She could see through all of it.

To most swordsmen, the world’s greatest swordsman was as distant and unattainable as the stars in the sky. Yet, from Tang Shen’s eyes, she didn’t see a trace of hesitation or doubt—only sincerity, a sincerity that shook her heart.

For eleven years, it was the first time she had heard someone answer with such certainty and honesty.

Even her father, who had once placed his hopes in her and said such words when she was a child, now looked at her with hesitance and sighs.

“But… but my father says girls can’t match boys in stamina or strength. As we grow older, our chests grow, and our room for improvement lessens. I feel my dream drifting further and further away.” Kuina slowly lowered her head, as if feeling ashamed by Tang Shen’s unconditional belief in her. Her hand touched her chest; at eleven, she was already beginning to develop, and her voice was filled with dejection.

Tang Shen saw Kuina’s gesture and was at a loss for words. Other girls would be delighted with their development, the bigger the better, but this girl was so disheartened by it—it was practically a crime.

But thinking of the pirate world, where strength was everything and dreams were different, it made sense.

Tang Shen dismissed her words with a scoff and replied bluntly, “Who says greater stamina means greater strength? Who says more power means you’re stronger? I don’t see the world’s strongest standing atop the world as giants. On the contrary, many giants are enslaved by powerful people. Your father’s perspective is too narrow, too limited.”

Kuina jerked her head up, stunned at his open disdain for her father’s theory—something she had never encountered before.

As the strongest in Shimotsuki Village, her father was respected by all, and none of the dojo’s students dared breathe loudly in his presence. Even she had never thought to question his beliefs—she only trained relentlessly, hoping to prove something and earn his recognition.

It sounded rebellious, but for some reason, a part of her agreed with Tang Shen.

In her heart, she found herself accepting Tang Shen’s words as truth, even though she had never considered them before—never dared to—because her father was the strongest in Shimotsuki Village, the most formidable person she had ever known.

Tang Shen’s words planted a seed in Kuina’s heart—a seed of rebellion, of stubbornness, of affirmation.

[Kuina’s favorability toward you +50, reaching +70: Friend stage.]

Tang Shen hadn’t expected that his rather disparaging remarks about Koushirou would not only fail to offend Kuina but also catapult her favorability to the friend stage. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—this child was starved for recognition, so lonely, and so pure. Thankfully, his intentions were not malicious.

“Is it really true? That greater stamina and strength don’t necessarily make you stronger?” Kuina’s question showed she was beginning to overturn her father’s long-held beliefs—the seed had begun to sprout.

“Of course,” Tang Shen rolled his eyes and replied with certainty, “Isn’t that obvious? If building muscle and endurance made you stronger, then all the powerful ones would be muscle-bound monsters. If I just kept increasing strength and stamina, would I become endlessly stronger? That’s nonsense.”

“Do you think the world’s greatest swordsman is stronger than a giant? That his endurance surpasses the marines who undergo deadly training?”

Tang Shen’s series of rhetorical questions left Kuina speechless. She wanted to argue but couldn’t find a starting point. After a long pause, she finally said, “His swordsmanship is better. The world’s greatest swordsman’s swordsmanship is better than a giant’s.”

This time, Tang Shen didn’t answer. He simply started walking forward, taking in the sights of Shimotsuki Village. Contrary to the anime’s depiction, the village was far more sprawling, with interconnected streets and lively NPCs chatting and laughing.

It was clear this couldn’t be compared to traditional games. From the moment he met Kuina, he realized that the people here had their own consciousness, thoughts, and dreams.

This was truly a world of its own.

“Hey… wait! You haven’t answered my question!” Kuina hurried after him, her small face anxious. The person she had met by chance on her walk today made her feel as though she had entered a new world—she stood before its gates, ready to push them open.

It was a world she had never touched, but one she yearned for.

She had a feeling that from Tang Shen, she would find answers to the questions that had plagued her for years—and perhaps, the path she would walk in the future.

After circling the village, Tang Shen felt the reality of this world even more. He never imagined that eight hundred years after his reincarnation, he would realize a long-held dream.

After all, many young people in the 21st century who read novels dreamed of crossing into the world of anime, growing stronger, living by the sword—what a joyous life that would be!

Far more exciting than a peaceful existence.

Now, though he hadn’t crossed into an anime world, through this immersive game, he had entered a special realm—a second world for humanity.

With the message left by the “God of War,” Tang Shen sensed this game would become the focus of humanity’s future. His knowledge of One Piece far outstripped anyone else’s. He could already imagine the advantage he would have.

Tang Shen came to the seaside, with Kuina trailing behind, watching him intently.

Gazing out at the endless sea, its waves sparkling under the sun, the breeze blowing gently, and seagulls soaring overhead—it was a beauty no longer found in the modern city.

He sat down on the ground and patted the spot beside him, signaling Kuina to join him.

She hesitated only briefly before sitting right next to him.

“I know what you want to ask, but first, answer me this.” Without looking at Kuina, eyes fixed on the sea, Tang Shen began his first attempt at sounding profound, his voice calm: “What are the main aspects that make swordsmanship powerful?”

Kuina was a little puzzled but answered quickly, “Five aspects: strength, speed, technique, forms, and experience.” She had committed these to heart long ago.