"That's where I met the person acting under Apophis's name, a powerful Great Swordsman who was on the brink of death—Koshiro!" Longinus continued.
"On the brink of death? How could that be possible?" Kuina shouted, unable to accept it.
"That's a story for later. Let me finish this part first." Longinus continued, "I observed him for a while. After confirming that he was only using this name to intimidate pirates and fight evil, I appeared before him and proposed a deal."
"The deal was that he would bear the name Apophis, while I would find a way to maintain his condition and... take good care of his daughter for him."
Kuina's eyes grew moist as she asked in a trembling voice, "So that's what that act ten years ago was about?"
Longinus nodded slightly. "I had to find a reason for my next move. Otherwise, it would have been far too strange for someone who wasn't even a swordsman in public to suddenly accept you as his disciple!"
Kuina smiled bitterly. "I've always wondered why someone as powerful as Apophis would suddenly seek out Father. So the source of it all was actually me?"
"Don't blame him, either. He was worried that Wano Country's pursuers would come after you once he died, so he wanted to find you a protective talisman before his death."
Kuina asked blankly, "Wano Country's pursuers? So what Father told me before was true? Was he really such a despicable person?"
"Of course not. He simply couldn't get past that obstacle in his heart. He did make some mistakes, but they were the result of his benevolence being exploited."
"Benevolence? Exploited?"
"Yes, this is the second story I wanted to tell you." Longinus slightly altered his explanation and continued, "Your mother was actually a subordinate of