Zoro, How Did You Lose Again?

Several days later, in the East Blue, at Shimotsuki Village.

Isshin Dojo, the sounds of bamboo swords clashing rang out one after another.

"Drink!"

Zoro's feet swayed, and his bamboo sword suddenly slashed down from the right!

Kuina didn't take the blow head-on; instead, she sidestepped the blade, twisted her wrist, and thrust the bamboo sword back at his shoulder.

Zoro hurriedly sheathed his sword to parry, then closed in and unleashed three quick strikes, each faster than the last.

The disciples on the sidelines watched intently.

"Three years ago, Zoro wouldn't have used such feints; he only charged forward."

"Kuina didn't panic! Her steps were very steady!"

The two exchanged blows for another dozen or so rounds when Zoro suddenly changed his stance, attempting to circle around to his back and launch a surprise attack.

Kuina had anticipated his move and spun around, swinging her sword horizontally.

Snap!

The bamboo sword gently tapped Zoro's forehead.

"Kuina wins!"

"Hateful!"

Zoro covered his forehead, looking utterly resentful.

"So close!"

Kuina sheathed her bamboo sword and laughed bluntly, "You said the same thing last time."

"Again! This time I'll definitely—"

"Yo."

A familiar voice, tinged with amusement, suddenly came from the entrance of the dojo.

"Haven't seen you in years, and you're still getting beaten up every day, huh?"

Zoro suddenly turned his head.

A tall, dark-haired man stood by the door, a white navy coat casually draped over his shoulders, his features still the same as I remembered.

"Brother Ron?!"

Zoro's eyes lit up instantly, and he even forgot the pain in his forehead, rushing over in a few steps.

"You're finally back!"

"What, you missed me?"

"Who's thinking about you! I've learned a new move, I'll just have to test it on you!"

Kuina hurried over, her eyes sparkling. "Brother Ron! Long time no see!"

Ron chuckled and ruffled their hair. Zoro tilted his head away in disgust, but didn't actually dodge.

"You've grown quite a bit taller; looks like you weren't slacking off while I was away."

His gaze swept over the red mark on Zoro's forehead, and he raised an eyebrow, adding, "It's just that his win rate doesn't seem to have improved much."

"Don't bring that up!"

A soft laugh came from inside the room.

Koshiro came out from under the eaves, and when he saw Ron, he was taken aback at first, then gave a gentle smile, "Mr. Ron, I thought you had forgotten about this little dojo."

"How could that be? I've been so busy with things at New World these past few years, I'm barely on my feet. I just managed to squeeze in some time to come back."

"I heard you've been fighting Hawk-Eyes?"

"We fought again recently. That guy's swordsmanship has improved again; it's really not easy to beat him by swordsmanship alone."

"The World's Greatest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk--?!"

Zoro and Kuina spoke almost simultaneously, their eyes widening in surprise.

Ron shrugged helplessly. "It's him. He sends challenge letters every few days, as if afraid I'll forget about him."

Koshiro laughed, "A worthy opponent that you keep in mind is indeed rare."

"But those two brats..."

Ron gestured with his chin toward the arena.

"Those sword strikes just now were much more impressive than they were back then."

Koshiro nodded.

"They've practiced the step-changing and power-generating techniques you taught them a lot over the years."

That's perfect.

Ron drew a bamboo sword from the sword rack and weighed it in his hand.

Let's check the results today.

"I'll go first!"

Zoro jumped to the center of the arena first, holding a bamboo sword in each hand and another in his mouth.

"It's a deal! If I run into you this time, you're buying dinner!"

"Okay. If you run into them, you win."

Zoro slipped, feinting with his left shoulder, but his bamboo sword suddenly thrust out from the lower right, fast and cunning.

Ron stepped half a step to the side, and with a slight turn of his bamboo sword, he blocked the tip of the sword.

"Oh, so you've learned to lie?"

"It's not over yet!"

Zoro changed direction three times in a row, deliberately leaving an opening to lure the enemy, and then suddenly swung his sword upwards at the right moment.

Compared to three years ago, Zoro has finally learned to use his brain.

But the next moment...

Smack

With a flick of his bamboo sword, Ron sent Zoro's sword flying from his right hand.

"Ah?!"

"His footwork has improved, and he's even using more clever tricks."

Ron tapped his right shoulder.

"But if you get anxious, you'll start moving this part first."

"I already know where you're going to strike before you even draw your sword."

Zoro looked down and rubbed his shoulder, frowning as he tried it twice Satori, "So that's where it is..."

He picked up the bamboo sword, stiffened his neck, and shouted, "Again!"

"Let Kuina try it first, and you can correct that little habit yourself later."

Kuina stepped forward but did not attack immediately.

She stared at Ron's hand holding the sword, and slowly moved her feet.

He first tentatively thrust out his sword, and seeing that the opponent had no opening, he immediately withdrew it.

The second sword thrust straight at the chest, but suddenly changed direction midway, instead aiming at the wrist.

Ron's eyes lit up. "Not bad."

Kuina didn't answer, and immediately pressed her attack.

Ron flicked his wrist, and the bamboo sword slid along her blade, deflecting the edge of the sword.

She didn't linger, immediately retreating and avoiding any further attacks.

"We're safe whether we advance or retreat."

Ron chuckled, "But there's still one old problem."

"What?"

"I wanted to make every strike perfect."

"If you hesitate for even a moment and encounter a faster opponent, the opportunity will be gone."

Kuina lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then nodded seriously. "I understand."

She suddenly looked up and asked, "Brother Ron, did you make the same mistake when you fought Hawk-Eyes?"

"... meeting."

"Real?"

"Nonsense, otherwise why would I practice swordsmanship?"

Zoro, standing to the side, slapped his thigh with amusement. "Haha! So even Brother Ron has times when he's helpless against a beating!"

Ron slowly looked at him.

"Zoro."

"What, what are you doing?"

"Don't you have enough bumps on your head?"

Zoro immediately shut up, while Kuina laughed so hard she almost dropped her sword.

For the next half hour, Ron took turns sparring with the two, pointing out any problems he found on the spot.

Zoro grew increasingly agitated as he fought, taking several blows to the forehead.

Kuina, on the other hand, became more and more stable in her fight. Although she still couldn't touch Ron's clothes, she was always able to stop her moves in time before they were about to come out.

The last two children collapsed onto the floor, panting heavily.

Ron put the bamboo sword back on the shelf. "Much better than before. Let's stop here for today, don't blow any more holes in the floor."

"I can still fight!" Zoro stubbornly insisted.

"Then stand up first."

Zoro tried to push himself up a couple of times, but his legs gave way, and he sat back down.

Kuina burst out laughing.

In the afternoon, Ron and Koshiro sat on the veranda drinking tea.

In the courtyard, the two children, having recovered from their fatigue, gathered together again with their bamboo swords, arguing about whether their previous moves were right or wrong.

Ron's gaze swept across the corner of the courtyard and landed on the wooden stairs leading to the attic.

Kuina almost fell from there back then, but luckily he opened Spatial Door in time.

The wooden ladder has since been renovated, with anti-slip wooden strips added to the steps and sturdy handrails installed on both sides.

Koshiro followed his gaze.

It was repaired again later.

He put down his teacup.

"That day really terrified me."

"Thank goodness you arrived in time, otherwise..."

Koshiro did not continue speaking.

Ron glanced at Kuina in the yard.

"It's good that everyone is alright."

"Yes."

Koshiro smiled.

"Now, listening to them argue every day, I actually find it quite nice."

In the courtyard, Zoro started yelling again.

"If you hadn't blocked that, I definitely would have run into Brother Ron!"

"You clearly missed the target yourself!"

Kuina picked up the bamboo sword.

"Come at me if you're not satisfied!"

Koshiro smiled and shook his head, continuing to drink his tea.

As evening fell, Kuina packed up her bamboo sword and walked out of the dojo, only to see Ron standing by the roadside waiting for her.

"Kuina."

"Um?"

Do you remember what you told me before?

Kuina immediately straightened her back.

"Of course I remember!"

"I want to become the world's greatest female swordsman!"

"I want to challenge Hawk-Eyes with Zoro someday!"

Ron laughed, "You haven't changed at all."

Kuina hesitated for a moment, then looked down at her hands. "I worry now, what if I'm not as strong as Zoro in the future?"

"Then what?"

"Then just keep practicing."

She raised her head, her tone resolute. "Even if I ever lose to him, I won't throw away my sword just because I lost once."

"Who knows the outcome until the very end?"

Well said.

Ron raised his fist.

"Mihawk and I haven't reached a result that satisfies me yet; we both still have a lot of practice to do."

Kuina smiled, clenched her fist, and gently touched it. "Then let's do our best together!"

"Remember to let me know when you're ready to set sail."

"Um!"

Zoro's loud shout came from the dojo entrance, "Kuina! Stop chatting! Let's have another match!"

"Haven't you lost enough yet?"

We're absolutely going to win this time!

Ron smiled, shook his head, waved to the two of them, and turned to leave.

As the warships sailed away from Shimotsuki Village, the sea was already bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

Ron stood alone at the bow of the ship, and with a flick of his finger, a small Air Door slowly opened.

Behind the door sat a Devil Fruit with Lucci.

It was the Ancient Zoan that Enel had seized from Hanafuda and later entrusted to him for safekeeping.

Ron picked up the fruit and glanced at it.

He smiled again, recalling Kuina's defiant spirit that afternoon.

"Never mind."

He put the fruit back.

"Let her train for a few more years."

"You can always ask her later if you really want to eat it."

Click.

The Air Door closed.

Brub brub bru--

The Den Den Mushi) on my waist suddenly rang.

"Vice Admiral Ron, news has come from Gion Vice Admiral!"

"What's up?"

The locations of the last remaining members of the Donquixote Family who were on the run have been confirmed, and they have all been apprehended.

"One of them is named Monet, a Devil Fruit User, and also Sugar's older sister."

Ron raised an eyebrow.

"Sugar's older sister?"

"Yes. She's already in Seastone shackles and is being escorted to headquarters."

"Take Monet back to headquarters first."

Ron thought for a moment.

"I'll arrange for the two sisters to meet later."

"Oh, and also let Grandma He know so we can give them a wash."