Kidnapping Children! Man in the Wind

"Wow!!"

In the darkness, Zoro rolled over and got to his feet.

"Ouch!!"

He clutched his forehead and screamed in agony.

The forehead was already wrapped in bandages, but the high bulge was still clearly visible.

There was a large bump there.

Zoro in so much pain that tears were about to stream down his face.

What happened?

After a brief moment of confusion, Zoro began to recall what had happened before he lost consciousness.

That is--

One finger?

The boy with the Moss Head suddenly changed his expression.

"How could it be just one finger??"

I defeated him with just one finger!

"Zoro, are you awake?"

The door to the room was opened, and teacher Koshiro slowly walked in.

"Koshiro-- "

Zoro's expression changed slightly.

Koshiro- sensei strictly forbade them from getting close to pirates.

He and Kuina sneaked away there secretly.

"Don't act recklessly again next time."

Koshiro sat on the edge of the bed and gently rubbed Zoro's head.

When Ian brought the two kids back, he was really startled.

He was very busy these past few days, helping his elderly father repair Hawk Eyes's sword, and didn't have time to keep an eye on the two little devils.

Despite his repeated warnings, the two kids still went to challenge Hawk Eyes.

He didn't even fight Hawk Eyes; instead, he clashed with Ian.

But.

"Koshiro- sensei, who exactly is that guy?"

Zoro was curious, "They don't look that much older than us."

"Ian?"

Koshiro paused, unable to help but sigh, "He's a great pirate from the Grand Line, the second-in-command of the World's Strongest pirate crew."

"Probably in a few years, he will be the strongest person in the world."

"The strongest?"

Zoro's eyes widened in shock. "Will he become even stronger than Hawk Eyes?"

Koshiro gave Zoro a deep look. "No need to change, you're already stronger than Hawk Eyes."

To be able to damage the sword in the hands of a great swordsman like Hawk Eyes to that extent, his victory in the battle against Hawk Eyes was inevitable.

"What?"

Zoro was so shocked that he immediately stood up.

But if Ian were here, he'd probably be speechless.

You won't listen to me, huh? Didn't I already say before that you're stronger than Hawk Eyes?

"Even stronger than Hawk Eyes!"

Zoro looked utterly shocked.

"His world is too far removed from yours,"

Koshiro said earnestly, "Don't go near them, Zoro, it's dangerous."

Zoro didn't speak, only felt utterly shocked.

"Oh, right,"

Koshiro stood up. "Go see Kuina, Zoro. She's suffered a great blow."

"Huh?"

Zoro was taken aback for a moment, then immediately jumped out of bed. "I'll go right now!"

He found Kuina curled up on the ground, hugging her legs, under a tree in the backyard.

"Hey! Kuina!"

The boy with the Moss Head was beaming with excitement, "Koshiro- sensei said that guy is even stronger than Hawk Eyes! He's even stronger than the strongest swordsman! There really is such a powerful guy in the world--"

The next moment, he froze.

The girl raised her head.

Zoro stared blankly at her, suddenly at a loss for words. "Kuina, you... you're crying?"

Tears streamed down the girl's face, glistening in the moonlight, and she was immersed in an atmosphere of despair.

"Zoro, you're way too far behind."

The girl said.

"What?"

Zoro tilted his head, somewhat puzzled.

"She's far inferior to him."

Kuina placed her hand on her chest. "He's only fifteen, five years older than me, but our strengths are worlds apart."

Will I ever reach that level in my lifetime?

Kuina didn't know.

All she knew was that, given her current rate of growth, she probably still wouldn't be able to defeat even a single finger of that man by the time she turned fifteen.

In fact, Zoro is getting stronger at an accelerated pace.

If things continue like this, he'll surpass me in no more than a year or two.

Is the difference between men and women really that big?

The girl asked, unwilling to give up.

"What are you saying, Kuina!"

Zoro was puzzled. "What man or woman? Strength is strength. If you're not satisfied, then work hard to become stronger!"

Kuina shook her head and said to herself, "Indeed, you wouldn't understand, Zoro, with your single-mindedness. There are insurmountable barriers in this world."

The difference in talent.

The difference in physical fitness between men and women.

I, who was defeated by that man with a single finger, will probably never become the strongest!

"Ugh! I don't understand!!"

Zoro suddenly shouted.

Even Kuina was stunned as she watched Zoro stride into the dojo.

Then he quickly returned carrying three knives.

Kuina caught the Wado Ichimonji Zoro threw to her in a daze, then Zoro grabbed her hand, yanked her up from the ground, and dragged her out of the yard.

"Zoro, what are you doing?"

Kuina was puzzled.

"I don't know what's wrong with you!"

Zoro, brimming with rage, led Kuina towards the beach. "But it's definitely because of that guy, right?! Let's go! Let's challenge him again!"

Kuina stopped in her tracks; she was stronger than Zoro and managed to pull Zoro to a halt.

"Try it again?"

Kuina shook her head with a wry smile, "Don't you understand, Zoro? The difference is too great! We're far too far behind him! How could we possibly beat him!"

Zoro turned around in surprise, "Just because you can't beat them doesn't mean you can't fight them?"

Kuina was taken aback.

"Who cares!"

Zoro angrily exerted his strength, dragging the girl forward, shouting, "I haven't given up yet! As long as I haven't given up, I haven't lost!"

"If one knife can't win, then two knives! If two knives can't win, then three knives!"

"Zoro..."

Kuina had no strength left to resist, letting the boy drag her forward, she just stared in astonishment at Zoro's back.

But Zoro, is it a problem with the number of swords?

Not far behind them, under the moonlight, Koshiro quietly watched their retreating figures.

He sighed softly.

There's just no way to deal with these two kids.

The two children rushed all the way to the dock and to the side of the Golden Flying Dragon. Zoro did not hesitate and went straight for the lowered stairs.

Hey! Kids!

The pirates guarding the Golden Flying Dragon stopped them, saying, "Can't you see us? Go back! This isn't a place for you to play!"

"Let them come up."

At that moment, Luo's voice came from above the stairs. He looked down at the two kids and said calmly, "This is Ian's idea."

"Yes, Lord Luo!"

The pirates immediately made way.

However, he didn't forget to give a warning, "Once you're on the Golden Flying Dragon, you brats, behave yourselves! You're in front of Lord Ian!"

Zoro completely ignored him and simply dragged Kuina onto the deck of the large ship.

A banquet seemed to be taking place on the deck, with a group of people eating and drinking around a large table.

"Yo,"

Zoro saw the guy who had defeated them with a single finger, now beckoning to them, "Want to join the party?"

"Come and fight us!"

Zoro released Kuina and strode towards Ian, drawing his twin swords from his waist. "I'm stronger now than I was this afternoon!"

Even stronger?

Ian wiped his mouth.

Does this mean the One Sword Style has been upgraded to Two-Sword Style?

Hahahaha!

A burst of cheerful laughter erupted on the deck.

The pirates were all laughing.

"This brat, he said he wanted to challenge Lord Ian?"

How utterly ignorant and arrogant!

Even the usually serious guys like Jack Drake couldn't help but chuckle.

Black Maria smiled and said, "Child, you never know how vast the world is."

This kid is just an ordinary brat you'd see anywhere. At most, he knows some swordsmanship, but he's nowhere near a true prodigy.

Let alone Ian, even Sanji and Ulti, who stayed in Wano Country, are far stronger than him.

It's still much, much stronger.

But.

But some people didn't laugh.

Hancock glared angrily at Zoro.

Therefore, Ian's enemy is her enemy.

And Yamato.

"Oh! This kid,"

She nudged Ian, who was sitting next to her, with her elbow and said with interest, "It's quite interesting."

Ian's lips curled slightly as he said leisurely, "I thought I had thoroughly demonstrated the gap between us this afternoon."

"So what!"

Zoro shouted, "Just because you're strong! Incredibly strong, does that mean I have to admit defeat? Can't I even think about surpassing you?"

Silence.

For a moment, the deck fell silent.

"Zoro-- "

Kuina stared blankly at Zoro's retreating figure.

His hand unconsciously tightened its grip on the Wado Ichimonji.

"I'd rather say, it's wonderful to have met you!"

Zoro beamed, "I finally understand just how vast the world truly is!!"

"This kid—"

Jack couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "How could someone say something like that!"

This was after Brother Ian had witnessed a bit of his power!

"Yeah?"

Ian nodded slightly, sat up straight, and said seriously, "Even if it means dying?"

Buzz!

An invisible spirit is stirring.

An immense pressure instantly struck Zoro, causing his small body to fall to the ground, making him feel as if his body was about to be crushed.

"Zoro!!"

Kuina cried out and stepped forward.

"Don't come any closer, Kuina!"

Zoro shouted, "The duel has begun! This is my duel with him!"

Never admit defeat!

This is the only thing Zoro learned in his thousands of battles with Kuina.

It's not that I'm unwilling to admit defeat, it's just that I'm unwilling to accept my own weakness.

If we back down, all our perseverance so far will have been in vain!

How can we admit defeat?

You must keep getting stronger, stronger still, until you surpass your opponents!

The previous target was Kuina, but now--

He struggled to lift his head, staring intently at Ian, "Death doesn't matter! I will become stronger! Stronger than anyone else!!"

The overwhelming momentum suddenly dissipated.

Zoro immediately began to gasp for breath.

I thought I was going to suffocate.

"Boy, state your name."

A cold voice rang out.

Zoro was taken aback. He suddenly flipped himself up and looked at the man who had spoken.

The man with the sharp, hawk-like eyes was staring at him.

A smile unconsciously appeared on Zoro's face. "Zoro! Roronoa Zoro!"

The world's greatest swordsman, they're asking for his name!

No matter how strong his will was, he was still just a child under nine years old.

"Roronoa Zoro..."

Hawk Eyes nodded slightly, indicating that he had memorized it.

Interesting people can emerge even in rural areas.

Although he is still young, judging from the willpower he has shown so far, his future will not be ordinary.

And what about you?

He looked at Kuina still seemed somewhat bewildered.

Kuina was stunned.

Ian chuckled softly.

The biggest difference between Kuina and Zoro, besides their innate talent, lies more in their purity of character.

The physical differences between men and women in this world are indeed enormous.

Even Yamato inherited Teacher Kai's monster bloodline, and with the added power of Mythical Zoan, he achieved his current strength.

Hancock is also a mutated form of Kuja.

However, this is not a reason to waver.

Is there really not much difference between the physical abilities of an ordinary person like Red-Haired Roger and a natural monster like Teacher Kai and Charlotte Linlin?

Unwavering conviction is strength; hesitation only invites defeat.

In this world, simple people often become stronger, whether they are simply good or simply bad.

Zoro is convinced of his desire to become stronger, but Kuina is not.

But you can't really blame her for this.

Who told her to have such a conservative, old-fashioned father?

With constant refrains about women being inferior to men, what could Kuina do? Naturally, she could only accept the influence implicitly.

Equality advocate Ian is furious!

"Kuina!!"

Zoro shouted, "I'll become stronger than anyone! Stronger than Hawk Eyes, stronger than this guy! Are you just going to stand by and watch?"

Kid, you've got some nerve!

Ian's lips twitched. Being better than Hawk Eyes is one thing, but according to the original work, you're definitely going to surpass him.

But isn't it a bit of a pipe dream to think you can become stronger than me?

Kuina's body trembled.

Yeah, are we just going to stand by and watch Zoro become stronger than us?

She'd accept anything else, but this is the one thing she absolutely will not accept!

Don't even think about it!

Kuina declared loudly, "I am the one who will become the strongest swordsman! I will become stronger than anyone else!"

Zoro immediately beamed with joy, "This is the Kuina!"

"Snort."

The girl blushed slightly and gave a haughty snort.

Ian chuckled softly.

However, he knew very well that unless Kuina ate a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, it would be almost impossible for her not to be surpassed by Zoro.

She is indeed a genius kendo girl.

However, Zoro truly possesses the potential to become the strongest swordsman.

"So,"

Ian laughed and said, "Would you like to board my ship?"

Finally, we can get down to business.

"Huh?"

Both of them were taken aback.

"If we stay here, things will just stay the same as before,"

Ian said, "But if you leave with me, you'll see a wider world, receive a better education, and face more powerful enemies."

"And then, become stronger."

"Hahaha, Mihawk,"

Ian smiled and said to Hawk Eyes, "What do you think of my suggestion? Maybe it can train a swordsman even stronger than you."

"Stronger than me?"

Hawk Eyes chuckled. "Interesting."

He looked at Zoro and said, "You could give it a try. Ian's a decent guy."

It's a real shame to leave this kid here.

Great assist!

"Stronger!"

Zoro's eyes lit up.

He was an orphan and had nowhere to go.

If I can become stronger, I don't care where I go!

Moreover, Hawk Eyes said this guy is a good person!

However, he looked at his friend beside him, "Kuina!!"

He still has things he cares about.

The girl hesitated.

Unlike Zoro, she has a family.

Ian added, "Girl, I think you should come with us. Otherwise, normal training won't allow a girl to surpass all the exceptionally talented men on the high seas."

Kuina was instantly stunned, as if struck by Inazuma. "Can women be stronger than men?"

What are you saying!

Yamato retorted unhappily, "On this ship, besides Ian, I'm the strongest!"

"It's me!"

Hancock countered.

Ignoring their argument, Kuina's eyes lit up.

Her father said that women can never surpass men.

But Ian said he could make women surpass men.

What's there to hesitate about?

"Good!"

The girl nodded resolutely, "I'll join!"

"Then I'm fine with it too!"

"Zoro shouted."

"Excellent!"

Ian's eyes curved into crescent moons.

Successfully completed.

At the same time, in the dojo on the island.

Koshiro was standing in the courtyard, gazing up at the moon.

A sudden gust of wind picked up in the air.

A gust of wind fell from the sky, carrying a man's voice, "I rushed over as soon as I received your message. How is the situation now? Has Ian of the Scorched Sky done anything?"

Koshiro gently shook his head. "They just came to ask Father for help repairing swords."

"Repairing the knife?"

Guilty, but only slightly guilty.