Reunion at Shimotsuki Village

Loguetown Branch Office

Smoker's office was filled with smoke, the aroma of Cigars permeating the entire space.

As Zoro, Kuina, Tashigi entered one after the other, Smoker, with his back to them and looking out the window, didn't turn around upon hearing footsteps. He simply said, "I was slightly taken aback when I saw you this morning."

He slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Kuina and Tashigi like a sharp blade, his tone as calm as ever yet full of meaning. "I didn't expect you two to run into each other so soon."

Zoro crossed his arms, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. "So you already knew there was a 'clone Kuina's in this town, didn't you?"

Smoker scoffed. "She's one of my subordinates. I've seen her many times."

Then his gaze shifted to Tashigi, "However, she has never left the East Blue Branch. It was purely coincidental that she ran into you for the first time."

Kuina looked at Tashigi standing to the side and couldn't help but ask, "Are we... really not related by blood?"

After a brief inquiry and conversation, the three women confirmed that they were indeed only extremely similar in appearance, but their family backgrounds, upbringing, places of residence, and birthdays were completely different.

Zoro shrugged and sighed after hearing this, "This world... is truly amazing."

Tashigi, however, had already been completely absorbed by something else—

"Wait... that sword is... Wado Ichimonji?!"

She practically sprinted to Kuina, her Glasses nearly slipping off, her eyes gleaming with the light of a "sword fanatic."

"One of the legendary Twenty-One Great Grade Swords! The pinnacle of the Shimotsuki Swordsmith Family!"

"Can I touch it?! Just for a moment! I promise I'll handle it gently!"

Seeing her trembling with excitement, Kuina felt both helpless and amused, so she simply untied the knife and handed it to her. "Take a look if you like, but be careful."

Tashigi took the sword with trembling hands, gazing at the blade as if it were a rare treasure, muttering terms like blade pattern, weight, balance, and the direction of the blade's grain, as if she had entered a frenzied mode of a weapons researcher.

Zoro leaned against the wall, rolled his eyes, and said sourly, "Hey, didn't I watch those three games too? Why didn't you praise me this much?"

Tashigi didn't even look up. "Because you've studied those few, but a legendary sword like Wado Ichimonji is something every Female Swordswoman dreams of!"

Kuina was somewhat surprised. "You're a swordsman too?"

Tashigi's smile faded slightly, and she nodded softly, "Mm..."

She looked at Wado Ichimonji and softened her voice. "I... I've always felt... that women's strength can never match men's, especially in terms of power, speed, and explosiveness."

Many people don't see me as a real swordsman; they just see me as a 'weird girl who likes knives.'

She lowered her head, adding shyly, "I even... thought about how I wished I could be a man."

"Puff--!"

Zoro spat out a mouthful of tea, choking and turning red in the face. "Cough cough!! You, you actually had such thoughts?!!"

Kuina paused for a moment, then slowly walked to Tashigi and gently extended her hand—

"I... I've thought that way too."

Tashigi looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with shock. "You too...?"

Kuina nodded, her eyes becoming exceptionally resolute. "When I was little, I heard a lot of things like 'Why should girls practice swordsmanship?' and 'They'll get married sooner or later.' I even once thought that only by becoming a man could I become the strongest swordsman."

"Until--"

She pointed at Zoro, "I've personally beaten him down thousands of times, and I've learned that gender is not an obstacle at all."

"The true path of Swordsmanship transcends gender!"

Zoro immediately protested, "Hey! That was before, okay? Besides, I was younger back then!"

Kuina ignored Zoro's rant and gently patted Tashigi on the shoulder.

Tashigi paused for a few seconds, then slowly revealed a relieved yet admiring smile, "Thank you... I think I understand a lot now."

The two looked at each other, their smiles carrying a tacit understanding of mutual appreciation.

Smoker sat behind his desk, puffing on his cigarette, and said languidly, "Enough, isn't it? We can save the sisterly affection for later."

He looked at Zoro and Kuina: "Your ship will depart in half an hour. Head to the dock and assemble. Don't be late."

Tashigi reluctantly returned the Wado Ichimonji to Kuina, whispering, "May I have a chance to spar with you sometime in the future?"

Kuina nodded. "I'm ready anytime you're ready."

Tashigi's eyes hardened once more.

As Zoro walked out of the office, he glanced back twice and muttered, "One was already troublesome... now there are two..."

"This world is truly outrageous..."

East Blue · Shimotsuki Village

As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, the fiery sunset glow spilled over the tranquil villages East Blue, and the shimmering sea surface seemed to be gilded with a golden light.

A small Marine warship slowly approached the shore, its sails Hunting Roar in the wind.

On the dock, two figures steadily walked down the gangway, stepping onto this familiar yet long-lost land.

Seventeen-year-old Kuina walked ahead, her dark blue ponytail neatly tied. Her figure was tall and slender under her military uniform. Her height of 1.7 meters, combined with the calm temperament inherited from the Shimotsuki Clan, made her look like a Famous Sword that had not yet been drawn from its sheath, calm but not to be ignored.

The Wado Ichimonji she wore at her waist reflected a soft glow in the setting sun, as if whispering, "You've returned."

Following behind her was Zoro, who was already 15 years old and 1.8 meters tall. His body had been sculpted into a Razor shape by the intense training at the Marine Headquarters.

The three knives hung firmly at his waist, swaying slightly as he walked, yet his movements were steady and powerful.

He looked around at the familiar village, the beach, and even the wild grass swaying in the breeze, and a long-lost feeling slowly welled up in his heart.

"I can't possibly get lost on my way home, can I?" Zoro shrugged, his tone teasing, but his eyes revealed genuine longing.

Kuina didn't turn her head, chuckling softly, "That's hard to say, after all, someone once spent an entire day wandering around the Rear Mountain the dojo..."

"That was when I was a kid!" Zoro muttered to himself, "... right?"

Kuina remained noncommittal, but quickened her pace as she walked along the familiar path toward the dojo.

The two walked side by side, with familiar trees and fields on both sides of the mountain path. The wind rustled the branches and leaves, bringing with it the fresh scent of soil and grass.

Gradually, the innocent shouts of children came from ahead:

"Hey!"

"Ha!"

"One more time!"

The sound of Bokken clashing together carried a vibrant energy on the wind.

Zoro stopped in his tracks, listened intently, and his expression softened considerably.

He even subconsciously softened his steps, as if afraid of disturbing the purity and tranquility of his hometown.

Kuina tilted her head slightly. "What, aren't you going in to take a look?"

Zoro replied in a low voice, "I'd like to hear more."

Kuina reached out and pushed open the familiar wooden door--

"Squeak--"

The Shimotsuki Dojo came into view.

A dozen or so children dressed in training clothes were practicing swordsmanship with focused concentration. Every move and stance was slightly clumsy, but they were putting in their best effort. Sweat dripped down their cheeks, and the way they wielded their Bokken reflected a dream and dedication untouched by the world's corruption.

At the end of the dojo, Koshiro sat upright on the tatami mat, his back straight and his demeanor calm and composed, just as always.

He seemed to have sensed their arrival long ago, yet he remained quiet, watching his disciples practice their swordsmanship until all the little devils finished their forms, at which point he slowly raised his head.

Behind the gold-rimmed Glasses, a pair of gentle eyes gazed towards the doorway, a slight smile playing on their lips, "Welcome home."

Kuina stepped forward, her voice soft and quiet, as if she were confiding her innermost peace to her always silent but gentle father. "I'm back, Father."

Koshiro nodded and replied softly, "This time you've come back... you're more like a sword than before."

Kuina remained silent, only a slight smile played on her lips, and her eyes welled up with tears.

Zoro slowly walked forward, put down the bag on his shoulder, and looked at the familiar wooden floor, the dojo beams, and his master's face, which had not changed at all.

A smile unconsciously crept onto his lips, "I'm... back too."

Koshiro nodded slightly, looking at the once impulsive and passionate boy who had gradually grown into a true swordsman, and said gently, "Yes, it's good that you're back."

"... The sword is for protection, and also a way to constantly correct oneself as one moves forward."

He paused for a moment, then said, "You've traveled a much farther path than I ever imagined."

Kuina stood beside Zoro, and both of them turned their gazes to the kids in the dojo who were still diligently polishing their Bokken.

They were once one of them.

And now, they are the light that illuminates the path for others.