Kuina and Zoro

East Blue · Loguetown Harbor

The sea breeze, carrying a salty, damp scent, swept across the pier, the sound of waves and the cries of seagulls creating a lively background sound.

Thirteen-year-old Kuina stood by the Harbor, her brow furrowed, one hand on her hip, the other gripping the Famous Sword that symbolized her father's expectations— Wado Ichimonji.

Her gaze was constantly alert to her surroundings, and she exuded a composure far beyond that of her peers.

Behind her, 11-year-old Roronoa Zoro was clutching his stomach, frowning, and following impatiently.

"Hey, Kuina, I need to go to the bathroom."

"Ha?!"

Kuina turned and glared at him. "You've only just arrived in Loguetown and you're already causing trouble! Mr. Roy told us to find Captain Smoker as soon as possible; we don't have time for you to dawdle!"

"Everyone has to go to the bathroom sometimes!"

Zoro retorted confidently, "Besides, I'm not like you, I can't hold it in for that long!"

"You—!" Kuina's forehead veins bulged, but she still gritted her teeth and waved her hand, "Go and come back quickly! If you dare get lost, I'll chop you up!"

"Tch, who gets lost these days..." Zoro scoffed, turning and walking towards the Public Restroom next to the Harbor.

Ten minutes later, in an unfamiliar alley in Loguetown.

Zoro stood in the middle of the unfamiliar street, looking around.

"Where is this?"

"Is this the road I came from?" He looked around, completely unfamiliar with any of the houses in front of him.

"I remember the toilet was... on the left? No, it was on the right..."

"Never mind, let's just wander around and see what happens."

And so he wandered aimlessly, turning this way and that, only to stray further and further off course, when he inadvertently caught sight of a slightly old-fashioned sign as he turned a corner:

[Ipponmatsu Weapons Shop]

"A weapons shop?"

His eyes lit up, and he immediately pushed open the door and went inside.

"Jingle--"

A crisp bell rang out. The shop was simply furnished yet austere, with various swords displayed on wooden shelves. A faint smell of rust filled the air, and a few customers were examining the swords.

A shopkeeper with a pipe in his mouth was sitting behind the counter, intently wiping a knife. Hearing the noise, he glanced up and saw a green-haired kid, and immediately lost interest.

"Kid, I don't sell toy knives here."

Ignoring his indifference, Zoro's eyes swept over all the sword racks, finally settling on the dusty, carelessly piled-up "scrap metal swords" in the corner.

He walked over, fumbled around among them for a few moments, and suddenly pulled out a dark red katana with blade patterns like the tearing of a demon's claw.

The shopkeeper, Ippon-matsu, paled Ipponmatsu, nearly dropping his pipe. "Hey! Kid, don't touch that knife! It's a cursed sword! It's already killed several swordsmen!"

Zoro, however, gripped the hilt of his sword, his eyes burning with fervor. "I want it!"

"Are you crazy?!"

Ipponmatsu was about to rush out from behind the counter when he shouted, "That knife has too much malevolent energy; it's common for it to kill its master! Using it is suicide!"

Zoro grinned, the dark red, menacing blade of his demonic sword dripping with an eerie light.

"Then let me see if its curse is more powerful, or if my life is stronger!"

After saying that, he suddenly threw the Kitetsu into the air!

The blade spun in the air, drawing a sharp silver arc, its cold light menacing, like a ferocious beast baring its fangs and claws!

"Hey! Are you crazy, kid?!" Ipponmatsu cried out, but it was too late.

The shop was deathly silent. Everyone held their breath, watching as the demon sword spun in the air, its cold light flashing.

The knife spun in the air, its tip flashing coldly, and fell rapidly, carrying the aura of death!

Zoro showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, he held his left arm horizontally in the air, closed his eyes, and did not flinch!

"Whoosh--!"

The blade fell like lightning, bringing with it a sharp gust of wind!

Just as the blade was about to touch his skin, the cursed sword mysteriously changed its trajectory, bypassing Zoro's arm—

"Clang!!"

The Sandai Kitetsu was driven heavily into the wooden floor, the blade almost completely submerged, with only the hilt trembling slightly!

Ipponmatsu stared wide-eyed, its pipe falling to the ground with a "thud," and the other onlookers were also dumbfounded, not daring to utter a sound.

Only Zoro slowly opened his eyes, looked down at the cursed sword deeply embedded in the floor, and a smug smile appeared on his lips.

"It seems I've won."

Ipponmatsu two-second silence, Ipponmatsu suddenly burst into laughter, walked over, and put his arm around Zoro's shoulder.

"Little brat, what's your name?"

"Roronoa Zoro."

"Great name!" Ipponmatsu Matsu slapped his hand on the counter and laughed heartily, "Just for your guts, this Sandai Kitetsu is yours!"

He then turned and went into the inner room, and a moment later, he carefully brought out another knife.

It was a katana that was entirely silver-white, with a scabbard engraved with flowing cloud patterns. The blade was slender and tough, as if it contained the soul of snow.

"And this—'Snow Yubashiri' —is the best knife in my shop, and I'll give it to you too!"

"You even gave it to me? Why?" Zoro, slightly surprised.

Ipponmatsu Matsu grinned. "Because I want to! A swordsman like you deserves a good sword!"

"I've been a weapons shop owner my whole life, and this is the first time I've ever seen a kid who can directly overpower the Sandai Kitetsu."

"Perhaps one day, you really will become the World's Greatest Swordsman!"

Zoro took the "Yubashiri" and immediately felt the warmth and pressure emanating from the sword, a stark contrast to the ferocity of the "Sandai Kitetsu".

Two swords crossed at his waist, one black and one red, like wings of destiny.

"Thanks, boss." His tone was simple, yet steady and powerful.

He turned and left, the sunlight falling on his shoulders, making the two knives gleam with a cold metallic sheen.

At that moment, from the other end of the street, "Zorro!"

The angry voice boomed like thunder. Kuina, clutching Wado Ichimonji, was running wildly around the street corner, veins bulging on her forehead!

"You can disappear for an hour just to go to the bathroom?! Believe me or not, I'll really chop you up!!"

As Zoro walked out from around the street corner, he heard the familiar roar, his shoulders trembled, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his brow.

"Oh no..."

"Oh no, I'm going to get yelled at by Kuina..."

He touched the two new knives at his waist, a confident smile playing on his lips.

"But... it was worth it!"

Loguetown Naval Branch Office

Smoker sat behind his large desk, two thick Cigars dangling from his lips, thick white smoke swirling around his resolute face.

He squinted, sizing up the two brats standing before him: a polite, sword-wielding girl, and... a Moss Head with a bruised and swollen face?

"You must be Kuina and Zoro?"

His voice was low and hoarse, "Roy already spoke to me."

Kuina stood ramrod straight and nodded respectfully. "Yes, Captain Smoker. Mr. Roy said you would arrange for Warship to take us to Marineford."

Smoker snorted and turned his gaze to Zoro: "What's wrong with this kid?"

Zoro clutched his swollen cheek, his lips twitching, but he didn't dare utter a sound. "Damn it... Kuina was too ruthless!"

Kuina remained calm and composed, saying, "He got lost for forty minutes, which delayed our plans, so I gave him a little 'lecture'."

"'Slightly'?!" Zoro's face turned green. "You almost made me bury my head in the floor!"

Smoker raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Heh, this kid's got quite a temper."

He stood up, put on a coat with the word "Justice" printed on the back, and casually grabbed the Jitte on the table.

"You're lucky, I just happen to be heading back to Marineford work report."

With Cigar dangling from his lips, he mumbled, "Come with me, the Warships are ready."

The Warship set sail, splashing up white waves. The sea breeze howled. Zoro lay on the side of the ship, a bruise still on his lip, rubbing his face with a disgruntled expression.

"Hey, Kuina, you went way too far!"

Kuina, holding Wado Ichimonji, gave him a cold glance. "Who told you to get lost again? And to go to the weapon shop?"

"I just went to the restroom and happened to pass by a weapons shop!"

"By the way?" Kuina raised an eyebrow.

Zoro patted the "Sandai Kitetsu" and "Yubashiri" at his waist with a smug smile.

"That's called a harvest! What do you know? Fate threw a good knife into my arms, how could I refuse it?"

Kuina sneered, "If you dare to run around again, I'll chop you and your 'good luck' into eight pieces."

Zoro shrank back, muttering under his breath, "A violent woman..."

Smoker stood on the high Bridge, glanced back at the bickering couple, took a deep drag on his Cigar, and softly exhaled a ring of smoke.