The young redhead curiously stares up at Mihawk as he analyses several swords that he had plucked from his enemies after his previous battles.

Unfortunately for him, he only ever took the ones that he found interesting and deemed his opponent 'unworthy' of handling so he finds himself in a spot of bother, these powerful swords will be used by a child afterall.

Which ones are suitable for inexperienced little girls? Likely none.

A katana finally catching his eye, it's blade is long and dark but the hilt is strong so it won't likely break on her and the handle sports a small crescent moon. "Ah, Tsuki..." he rumbles as the sword's name flashes in his memory.

Turning on his heel, he hands the sword down to the child, about to prepare her for her first practice but he soon finds that she's already struggling due to the weapon's weight, her hands tightly clutched to the handle but the blade itself sways from side to side, indicating the girl's lack of control over the heavy object.

What a nuisance. 

"Take a swing at me." He coldly orders, not even caring to brace himself since he already suspects the outcome. He watches as the girl helplessly tilts the blade to the side, seemingly attempting to aim but the change in position only ends up pulling her to the ground, dropping the sword in the process and earning herself a deep sigh from her parental figure.

Sitting herself back up, Kyo stares at the blade with her brows softly furrowed and a disgruntled pout decorating her lips - if she can't even fight then what use is she? 

She attempts to reach for the sword again, eager to try a second time when Mihawk's voice suddenly stops her. 

"You're too small. Try this one."

Her expression shifts with his words and her heart sinks but she doesn't argue, instead obediently glancing back at him to see he's holding his cross-shaped necklace within his hands and with one swift movement, he pulls the cross into two parts to reveal a hidden blade. 

Her saddened eyes soon widening into a look of pure surprise as a childish grin etches itself into her features, possibly the first smile she has ever shown to the stoic raven, it takes a mere second for the girl's pale hand to reach out and take the blade, amazement still as clear as day on her face. "Wow!"

"Just to be clear, this weapon isn't yours. I have something specific in mind for you."

Naturally this piques her curiosity, her head tilting to the side as a low "Huh?" pushes past her lips but the raven doesn't seem interested in elaborating, instead crossing his arms over his chest and taking a step back, his golden irises focusing on the small wooden dummy stood before her. 

He had spent the previous night building it since he knew she wouldn't be ready to fight the monkeys quite yet and he doesn't own a practice dummy of his own since he hasn't needed one for many years now so...this child owes him. 

He watches as she nervously adjusts her posture before simply instructing; "Back straight." 

To which she obliges, immediately seeming more sturdy as she strikes the dummy.

The dagger cutting deep into the wood but getting stuck in the process and causing the girl to stagger as Mihawk frowns in irritation. 

"Don't get discouraged, pull it free and try again."

At least she manages to do that with minimal effort, a sign that the kid can show true physical strength if need be. 

Good, then she isn't completely hopeless.

Hours pass and Mihawk's patience strains more and more by the minute, there are sparks of promise in the girl's movements, she will show real improvement before seemingly just forgetting it all and suddenly falling right back to square one. 

What is the difference between them? Why can't she pick up tactics as quickly as him?

Once he asks himself this question, it begins to make sense.

She learns through observation rather than practical lessons.

"Right...come outside. I'll show you how to fight."

He had planned to only show her his own prowess when she had been taught to fight, he wanted to be the first to challenge her and see how she handles being caught off guard by stronger opponents but then, she is a child. Not an opponent. 

Perhaps he expected too much of her.

If she learns through observation, then she may watch him fight the apes.

This brat is proving to be quite troublesome.