Kuina

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Kuina (古伊娜)
Alias(es)	“Rain-Cutting Swordsman” 87; “Gale Swordsman” 167
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Curtain Call; Vice-Captain and First Mate 155 306
Occupation/Role	Swordswoman; senior combat executive and Combat Corps leader 111 362
Status	Active 385
First Appearance	Chapter 25
Age	11 when she first met Xianuo 26

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Swordmaster	62	Comprehended the Breath of All Things two months earlier; states that she can cut gold, silver, copper, and iron.
Wind-based sword techniques	129	A single sword strike can create multiple tornadoes and wipe out an attacking pirate fleet.
Wind Control Sword Art, fully mastered	157	Its completion lets her hold Shichibukai Donquixote Doflamingo to a standstill.
Great Swordsman	196	Fights Marine swordswoman Momousagi in a high-speed clash of Great Swordsmen; uses Forward Slash for rapid repositioning.
Conqueror’s Haki awakened	275	Awakens Conqueror’s Haki during her battle with Smoothie; she has not yet mastered Conqueror’s Haki infusion by her later duel with Mihawk 344.

Background

Kuina is Koshiro’s daughter and grew up at Isshin Dojo in Shimotsuki Village, where she trained in swordsmanship alongside Zoro. Their childhood rivalry was intense; Zoro repeatedly lost to her, while Kuina remained focused on becoming the world’s greatest swordsman. 24 26 64

She became an enthusiastic admirer of Xianuo after hearing of his deeds on Asagiri Island. Although initially shy around him, she immediately asked for swordsmanship guidance and joined Zoro in sparring him. The two were swiftly defeated, but Kuina encouraged Zoro to keep training so they could pursue stronger goals together. 25 27

During Xianuo’s stay, Kuina admitted that she could not properly follow the speed of his sword strikes because her eyesight was poor. Xianuo identified her severe nearsightedness and pressed her to obtain glasses for her safety. 27 28

Xianuo later invited Kuina and Zoro to sail with him once they were older, arguing that a claimant to the world’s greatest swordsman title could not remain in a small dojo forever. Kuina eagerly secured the promise with a pinky swear. 28

After a year of intensive training, Kuina entered the Asagiri Island Kendo Tournament and won it undefeated. Her progress was driven both by her desire to catch up to Xianuo and by her determination to prove herself through swordsmanship. 53 57

Appearance

Kuina is a black-haired swordswoman who commonly wears her hair in a high ponytail. Her attire is simple, and she is usually seen with a sword at her waist. 87

• Black hair worn in a high ponytail. 87
• Carries herself with a composed, sharp presence when fighting. 26 129
• Her hands have calluses across the knuckles and thumb base from years of sword practice. 384
• Closely resembles Marine swordswoman Tashigi, though their demeanors and sword auras differ. 76 344

Personality

Kuina is reserved, disciplined, and direct. Her shyness around Xianuo contrasts sharply with her combat demeanor: once a sword is in hand, she becomes focused, stern, and decisive. 26

She is deeply committed to the path of a pure swordsman. Although tempted by a White Tiger Devil Fruit that would have enhanced her physical abilities, she refused it because it was not her chosen path. 144

As Vice-Captain, Kuina is pragmatic and demanding. She assigns combat roles calmly, keeps order among unruly allies, and expects subordinates to act with discipline. 111 249 Her leadership in Wano is especially uncompromising: she rejects the Kozuki Clan’s claim to authority, condemns its failure to protect the country, and orders Denjiro and Hiyori to leave rather than restore their family’s rule. 361 362

Despite her severity, Kuina cares for her comrades. She supports Zoro after defeat, protects the crew in battle, and continues pursuing strength so that she can remain Xianuo’s sharpest sword. 27 268

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Kuina is a high-level swordswoman whose style combines refined blade work, extreme speed, and wind manipulation.

• Comprehended the Breath of All Things, allowing her to cut metals and other materials that ordinary blades cannot. 62
• Defeated pirate captain Pal with a single strike and rapidly overcame Krieg despite his armor and weaponry. 62
• Uses wind-infused slashes capable of forming tornadoes and destroying fleets. 129
• Employs Forward Slash to alter her position continuously and sustain rapid offensive pressure. 196
• Uses Wind Slash Through Heaven, a cyan sword-energy attack strong enough to destroy Kizaru’s photon clones. 297
• Can contend with opponents such as Doflamingo, Momousagi, Smoothie, and Mihawk. 157 196 275 344

Haki

Kuina possesses powerful Haki suited to high-level sword combat.

• Awakened Conqueror’s Haki in her battle against Smoothie. 275
• Her Haki and swordsmanship allow her to fight Shichibukai-level enemies and Marine Vice Admirals. 157 196
• Has not mastered Conqueror’s Haki infusion, which Mihawk identifies as a major area for future growth. 344

Leadership

Kuina acts as one of Curtain Call’s principal battlefield commanders.

• Assigns combat roles and directs allies during Marine engagements. 111
• Leads the Combat Corps during Curtain Call’s occupation and restructuring of Wano Country. 361 362
• Maintains discipline among recruits and allies, including Zoro and Sanji. 249

Equipment

• Wado Ichimonji — Kuina’s longtime sword and the blade she used through her rise as the Rain-Cutting Swordsman. It eventually became insufficient for her growing strength. 62 306
• Sakura Snow — A Supreme Grade Sword given to Kuina by Xianuo. She immediately felt a strong compatibility with it and suspected a connection to Shimotsuki Azuki, its creator. 306
• No Devil Fruit — Kuina deliberately rejected Devil Fruit powers to continue on the path of a pure swordsman. 144

Relationships

• Xianuo — Captain, benefactor, mentor figure, and the object of Kuina’s long-held romantic feelings. His invitation allowed her to leave Shimotsuki Village and pursue swordsmanship across the seas. 28 384 385
• Koshiro — Her father and the master of Isshin Dojo. Kuina trained under him from childhood. 25 29
• Zoro — Childhood rival and fellow dojo disciple. Kuina repeatedly defeated him in their youth, but also pushes him to train and pursue the world’s greatest swordsman title. 24 27 64
• Nami — Crewmate who addresses Kuina as “Sister Kuina” and relies on her guidance in swordsmanship. 73 154
• Tashigi — A Marine swordswoman who closely resembles Kuina. Kuina introduced her to the crew and has discussed swordsmanship with her. 76
• Robin — Crewmate aware of Kuina’s feelings for Xianuo; encourages Kuina to confess before Robin does. 384 385
• Dracule Mihawk — A formidable swordsman Kuina has challenged more than once. Mihawk recognizes her as a qualified opponent and believes she may surpass him after mastering Conqueror’s Haki infusion. 344 351
• Denjiro and Hiyori Kozuki — Wano figures whose request to assist Curtain Call is rejected by Kuina; she forces them to confront the Kozuki Clan’s failures. 361 362

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Shimotsuki Village — Meets Xianuo, spars him with Zoro, learns of her poor eyesight, and receives a promise that she can sail with his future crew. 25 28
• Asagiri Island Kendo Tournament — Wins the tournament undefeated after a year of training. 53 57
• Early Curtain Call voyages — Sets sail as a swordswoman, earns a 75 million Belly bounty, and receives the “Rain-Cutting Swordsman” epithet. 87
• Krieg conflict — Reveals her Swordmaster realm and defeats Krieg’s forces. 62
• Kuraigana Island training — Defeats sword-wielding baboons and trains with the crew at Mihawk’s abandoned castle. 154
• Doflamingo conflict — As Vice-Captain, holds Doflamingo to a standstill after mastering Wind Control Sword Art. 156 157
• Marine and Whole Cake conflicts — Battles Momousagi and Smoothie, awakening Conqueror’s Haki during the latter fight. 196 275
• Wano Country — Oversees Combat Corps operations and denies the Kozuki Clan any restored political role in the country. 361 362
• Mihawk rematch — Fights Mihawk with Sakura Snow and earns his acknowledgment as a genuine opponent. 344
• Grand confession plan — Confronts her fear of rejection and resolves to confess her feelings to Xianuo directly. 384 385

Notable Quotes

“If you take your chosen sword path to its extreme, nothing is impossible!” 344

“Sir, to me, you are not just a Captain, a benefactor, or a comrade.” 385

Trivia

• Kuina’s full name is implied to be Shimotsuki Kuina. 306
• Her similarity to Tashigi is close enough to confuse others at a glance, but Mihawk distinguishes them through their entirely different sword auras. 76 344
• Before deciding to confess directly, Kuina unsuccessfully tried conveying her feelings to Xianuo through a cake message and a letter. 384
• Kuina’s younger self appears in a dream to challenge her hesitation, framing emotional fear as an obstacle that must be cut down like any enemy. 384