Future Sailing Plans

The courtyard wall under the thatched awning had "E" shapes drawn all over it by Xianuo, pointing in different directions from top to bottom.

"Which way is this?"

"Up."

"And this one?"

"...Left?"

"Close one eye. How about this one?"

"Uh... I can't see clearly."

Hopeless.

Xianuo smacked his forehead. Except for the biggest "E" at the very top, none of the others could be identified by direction.

Kuina's eyesight was at best 4.0.

By his previous life's standards, she'd need glasses over 600 degrees, classifying her as severely nearsighted.

"Did your father never pay attention to your eyesight problem?" he couldn't help but ask.

"...Father is usually very busy. Me not being able to see clearly probably only started last year. I never mentioned it, so it's normal he didn't notice, right?"

One didn't mention it, the other didn't notice at all.

These two, father and daughter, were way too careless.

"In any case, get yourself some glasses quickly."

Xianuo sighed. "It's fine to just mess around with bamboo swords in the dojo, but if it comes to a real fight, aren't you playing with your own life? You don't even need to wait for a fight; you could fall down the stairs just because you can't see the path clearly and slip to your death."

"Mhm, I'll talk to him about it when he gets back later."

Kuina nodded seriously.

If someone else had said that, given her temper, she might have felt the urge to argue, especially the latter part about how she could possibly be that weak.

But coming from Xianuo, it sounded so pleasant.

She sat down along the wooden corridor under the eaves, looking up at Xianuo.

"It seems I've always been making you, Lord Xianuo, worry. We're talking about me, why don't we chat about you too?"

"Me? What's there to talk about with me?"

Xianuo shrugged and sat down beside her.

"I haven't officially set sail yet, so there's nothing much to share. I only did that one thing on Asagiri Island, and you know the details better than I do."

"Haven't officially set sail?"

"Yeah, I'm only thirteen. What kind of sailing would I do? It's more appropriate to go adventuring around when I'm seventeen or eighteen, right?"

"Eh? Thirteen?!! You mean you're only two years older than me!"

"I don't look it?"

"No! Your appearance... it's not just about looks, mainly it's that you, Lord Xianuo, seem so composed, and at such a young age, you already have such a great reputation!"

Kuina made a sword-drawing gesture. "Seeing injustice and stepping in to uphold justice – no matter how you think about it, it's too cool! When you officially set sail, if you join the military, you'll definitely become a remarkable Marine!"

"Marines?"

Xianuo thought for a moment and shook his head. "Not interested."

Perhaps if he had transmigrated a few years earlier, he might have considered joining the Marines. After all, in his eyes then, even the worst order was better than chaos and turmoil.

And the Marines' white cloak of justice was, honestly, really cool.

But he happened to be reincarnated after finishing the God Valley arc, and when he thought back on it, he felt utterly disgusted.

If he were assigned a mission to escort Celestial Dragons or something, he feared he'd throw up his dinner.

Kuina blinked in surprise. "Huh? Then are you a bounty hunter? Wait, you're not a pirate, are you?"

"As long as I can maintain my freedom, does it really matter what it is?"

Xianuo spread his hands. "The world is so big, I definitely have to go out and explore. Otherwise, I'd have trained all my skills for nothing and lived my life in vain. But... do I really have to define myself with a specific identity beforehand?"

"If pirates come to rob me, I'll just rob them back. If the Marines disgust me, I won't be polite either. Whatever identity they slap on me is their business."

"I'm still me; I won't change my stance just because of a label. Those who are on the same path are still on the same path, and those who aren't will remain not on the same path... Do you understand what I mean?"

"I think I get it."

Kuina tilted her head. "But I've only heard of the Marines putting bounties on pirates. I've never heard of the reverse. So if you fight back against both sides, won't you ultimately be classified as a pirate?"

"That's exactly right!"

Xianuo burst into laughter. "If that day ever comes, I won't hold back either. I'll just draw a skull flag, form a pirate crew, and beat up anyone who messes with me!"

"Until the Marines and pirates see my ship from afar and tremble, not daring to come near. Then I can disregard everyone and continue adventuring happily!"

"Hey, Kuina!"

He suddenly lowered his head. "Didn't you make a promise with Zoro to compete and see who becomes the World's Greatest Swordsman first? How about you both join my ship then?"

"Wanting to be the world's greatest swordsman, staying in a small place like Isshin Dojo won't cut it. If you don't travel the seas, how can the world acknowledge that title!"

"With you, Lord Xianuo?"

Leaving this small Shimotsuki Village to venture across the entire sea?

Kuina stared blankly towards the distant horizon, her breathing suddenly becoming rapid.

She tightened her grip on her bamboo sword and abruptly stood up. "N-now?! It's a bit sudden, but it's fine. But Father isn't back yet, should I get his permission first..."

"What are you thinking!"

Xianuo lightly smacked her head, saying exasperatedly, "Are you really in such a hurry to leave? Who said we're setting sail now? I don't even have a ship yet!"

"That hurt!"

"Anyway, just consider it a promise. Keep it in your heart for now, no rush. Train a few more years with Zoro, Koshiro-san will be sad if you leave at such a young age."

Xianuo stretched and stood up, smiling. "Don't worry, when it's really time to set sail, I definitely won't forget to come find you all."

Silence from behind him.

He turned back in confusion and saw Kuina staring intently at him.

"Pinky promise?"

"Uh... that's not necessary, is it? You're not as childish as Zoro, are you?"

"Pinky promise! Otherwise, you won't be able to shake me off tonight. I'll follow you even when you go to sleep!"

"...I really can't do anything about you."

Koshiro returned the next morning.

Xianuo, having rested for a night, woke up feeling refreshed and energetic. He was doing handstand push-ups in the courtyard, doing bodyweight training, when he suddenly saw Koshiro leading two figures inside.

Before he could see who they were, the two of them knelt down with a thud.

"Benefactor!"

Xianuo quickly flipped back upright and helped Zeff and Sanji up from the ground.

"What are you doing? You can barely walk, and you're already doing this? I really don't deserve this. Besides, old man, didn't you already thank me a few days ago?"

"Haha, a life-saving grace is greater than heaven, one thank you isn't enough."

Zeff grinned, pointing to his right leg. "Moreover, Benefactor, you actually saved me twice. If you hadn't rowed desperately to speed us up and brought me to Shimotsuki Village, how could I have met Koshiro-san and Doctor Shiran to get this leg healed?"

Leg?

Xianuo followed his gaze and noticed that where Zeff's right knee should have been empty, a sturdy wooden leg had appeared.

Its craftsmanship was exquisite, and the joints could bend freely. If he pulled down his pant leg, one wouldn't even know he was disabled.

It was far better than the toilet plunger-like stick in the original timeline.

"In my youth, I followed my father in blacksmithing, but my aptitude was dull, and I couldn't learn the true art."

Koshiro pushed up his glasses and smiled. "Instead, I became more interested in woodworking in private and spent a lot of time studying it. I never expected it to be useful today."