Kuina and Zoro

East Sea, Shimotsuki Village.

This seemingly ordinary village is anything but ordinary.

The yearning for the sea was not unique to Kozuki Oden. Decades ago, Swordmaster Shimotsuki Kousaburou, Famous Sword and master swordsman from Wano Country, led a group of samurai out to sea.

He roamed the seas as a pirate, fighting against foreign enemies. Later, he came to an island in the East Blue, defeated the local bandits, abandoned his pirate identity, and lived in seclusion there, teaching the local villagers swordsmanship and establishing Shimotsuki Village.

Isshin Dojo, people formed a circle around the center, where a fierce battle was taking place, with the speed at which swords were swung so fast that it was difficult for ordinary people to see clearly.

This has become the norm; there's basically a battle like this every day. Both children possess strength far exceeding that of trainees, and even adults.

Finally, under the girl's powerful offensive, the boy revealed an opening, felt a strong force, and a wooden sword flew out of his hand, knocked away.

The next moment, a knife was pressed against the boy's neck.

"I've lost again," Zoro said, somewhat unwillingly. But he didn't give up his fighting spirit and resolved to train harder so he could win next time.

Kuina, on the other side, sheathed her wooden sword and breathed slightly.

The surrounding students stared in amazement at Kuina. "Senior Sister Kuina seems to have become even stronger. Her attacks are so fierce that Zoro didn't even have time to react."

"That's right, Kuina is improving very quickly. It seems Zoro won't have an easy time catching up."

Zoro is chasing desperately, and Kuina is getting stronger.

History has changed. Kuina has become much more confident. The spread of images and the Six Powers has had a greater impact on the East China Sea.

Especially the increase in knowledge and experience.

This vast ocean is home to so many powerful swordsmen; the limits of their abilities are truly astounding.

The kendo tournament from many years ago is still watched by countless people, with the world's top Great Swordmaster gathering together to engage in fierce battles.

The sheer ability to witness various forms of swordsmanship is a tremendous treasure.

As a result, with more people practicing swordsmanship, the number of swordsmen on the high seas has also increased significantly.

Kuina possesses astonishing talent in swordsmanship. In the past, she might have felt inferior because of her physical limitations compared to men, and felt immense pressure from Zoro's continuous progress and catching up with her. But now, she no longer feels that way.

Her goal has never changed: to become the World's Greatest Swordsman.

Her indomitable spirit drove her to train even harder, using the Six Powers of Exercise to develop her body and improve her physique.

In the forest behind, Kuina hugged her knees, her eyes glued to the battle on the screen.

The figures fighting among them are the targets that give her hope and endless motivation.

That was Esdeath, a woman who had entered the upper echelons of the Combat Pyramid. She was only four years older than him, yet she possessed extraordinary strength and was a powerful swordsman.

Kuina had been following Esdeath for a long time, and she never missed a single battle when Esdeath began to make a name for herself, whether it was day or night.

She had seen all of Esdeath's efforts, especially her improvement in strength. Regardless of victory or defeat, she would eventually return stronger.

It is because of role models like Esdeath that Kuina trains harder, more diligently, and with more motivation. She is less anxious and can focus more wholeheartedly on her training.

Therefore, with the guidance of the Great Swordmaster Koshiro, Kuina's foundation in swordsmanship was incredibly solid, both in terms of physical improvement and swordsmanship.

Her father's words did not discourage her; they only made her more determined to prove herself.

The battle in the video ended, and Kuina began her training. Holding a heavy sword, she looked straight ahead and swung the sword again and again, completely absorbed in the task.

Furthermore, she made up her mind that she didn't want to stay in Shimotsuki Village any longer; she needed greater pressure and to go to a place where she could improve her strength.

That is the Combat Pyramid. You must climb from the bottom of the Combat Pyramid to the top using your own strength, then venture into the sea to challenge various powerful swordsmen and become the World's Greatest Swordsman.

Within the dojo, besides her unfathomable father, only Zoro could fight her. What she needed was pressure, an opponent stronger than herself.

Tonight, she decided to confront her father and prove that she was capable, that women were no less than men, and that physical appearance was never the primary factor.

The vastness of the sea speaks for itself.

The heavy longsword embodies her unwavering will, and a Sword Intent is imbued within it.

In the distance, a middle-aged man quietly watched this scene. How could he not understand his daughter's feelings? Time had long since proven him wrong.

"Let go, isn't that better? Your mindset should have changed long ago." Suddenly, an elderly man in a kimono appeared, holding a fishing rod. "This isn't Wano Country, Koshiro."

"I understand, Father." Wearing glasses, Kozaburo nodded earnestly. In fact, he had already figured it out long ago: why should he let his daughter suffer so much?

In fact, he has not targeted Kuina in the export sector over the years.

In Wano Country, swordsmanship is basically passed down only to men; there are virtually no women practicing swordsmanship Wano Country.

Yes, but very few.

Although Koshiro was born in the East Blue, he was deeply influenced by the culture of Wano Country, and over the years he had come to understand this.

Now, he is waiting, waiting for his daughter to make up her mind to come to him. No matter what, he will not stop her and will let go.

Only by leaving can one grow better.

On the other side, Zoro was also training like crazy, constantly pulling a boulder larger than his body with a rope, driven by the determination to become stronger and win next time.

After a day of training, Zoro fell fast asleep at night.

Kuina arrived alone outside her father's room. The lights were flickering inside; usually, her father would have already turned off the lights and gone to bed by this time.

This made Kuina realize that her father probably already knew she had come.

I knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in," a familiar voice called out.

Kuina slowly opened the door. Her father was already kneeling in front of the small table, holding a cup of tea in his hand, facing her. It seemed that he had been waiting for quite some time.

After a moment of silence, Kuina knelt before her father. Finally, Kuina raised her head and said, "Father, I want to leave Shimotsuki Village and go to the Combat Pyramid to pursue the path of the World's Greatest Swordsman."

Looking at the daughter he had raised, with that determined gaze, what reason did Kozaburo have to stop her?

Have you thought it through?

"Yes, take an airship to the West Blue, and then go directly to the New World through the West Blue." Kuina said without hesitation. She had thought about this long ago. It was impossible to go to the New World on her own, but now there was a more convenient way.

"Then go."

"Huh? Father, you agree?" Kuina was somewhat surprised. She thought her father would stop her and discourage her, and she was prepared to object.

But to my surprise, my father agreed so casually.

Kozaburo stood up and placed a simple samurai sword in front of Kuina.

Kuina looked at the knife, Wado Ichimonji, one of the twenty-one great swordsmiths, her father's.

"Take it, this is your sword. Take it with you and make a name for yourself," Kozaburo said with a smile, looking at Kuina.

This look in her eyes, so different from any she had before, filled with a sense of relief and anticipation, deeply touched Kuina's heart, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Wipe away your tears with your sleeve.

"Hmm." Kuina took the Wado Ichimonji, but felt an immense weight in her heart. Never before had she felt such joy, because she could sense that she had gained her father's approval.

Perhaps even earlier, but she simply hadn't realized it.

"In that case, let's have a fight. This will be my last lesson for you, with the Wado Ichimonji."

With that, Koshiro stood up, picked up a knife, and walked out of the house into the yard.

Kuina held the Wado Ichimonji in both hands, looking at her father's calm face, yet she had never felt such immense, invisible pressure.

Was his own father Swordmaster, or Great Swordmaster?

That's not important now. Taking a deep breath, Kuina gritted her teeth and swung the knife at her father with incredible speed.

This is a real battle.

Despite its small size, it was as agile as a cheetah, with a sharp expression, as if it regarded its father as an enemy.

She showcased everything she had learned; this was the first time she had ever fought against her father.

The Wado Ichimonji in her hand seemed to resonate with her, Kuina could clearly feel the power contained within this famous Famous Sword.

It also makes it clear how much a good knife can enhance a swordsman's abilities.

Under the cover of night, a flash of sword light appeared, its sharp Sword Intent far stronger than ever before.

"Hey! Kuina, you're leaving!" A huge scream rang out. Zoro's eyes widened in disbelief; he Awakening up to such shocking news.

"Yes! I'm going to the Combat Pyramid to embark on my own path of swordsmanship. Staying here won't help me improve my strength much." Kuina nodded, having already packed her luggage.

"Then, what am I supposed to do?" Zoro stared blankly, mouth agape, before finally asking. He was supposed to defeat Kuina, but now that Kuina was gone, who could he fight?

"No, I'm going with you." Zoro was a man of action; once he made up his mind, he immediately set to work.

"He didn't even tell me about this, that's despicable."

The Combat Pyramid, Holy Land of battle, he wanted to go there too. He was watching the battle videos inside, and the thought of going to such a place made his blood boil.

"Zoro, where are you going?"

"Go back to your room and pack your luggage."

You're going the wrong way.

"Oh! Sorry."

Having spent so many years at the dojo, Kuina patted her forehead in exasperation. Over the years, she had long since seen through Zoro's terrible sense of direction.

A smile appeared on her face; this way, she would have company and wouldn't be too lonely in such an unfamiliar place.

There, they were also rivals chasing each other.

"Father, are you going too?" Kuina and Zoro finished packing their luggage and saw that Koshiro was also ready.

"You overestimate yourselves. Crossing several seas will involve unpredictable dangers. How could I possibly trust you to go on your own?" Koshiro was indeed somewhat worried about them. He wasn't surprised by Zoro's joining them. In the past few years, they had learned almost everything they needed to. Their future path still depended on themselves.

At this time, the other students in the dojo had already received news that Kuina was leaving, and now Zoro was also going to be there.

People gathered around, including both adults and children.

"Zoro, Kuina, you two must become famous!"

"We will also be watching your fight."

"Do not disgrace the name of our Isshin Dojo."

Although they were somewhat worried about Kuina and Zoro's departure, they expressed their support.

"Don't worry, our names will resound throughout the seas, and we will become the World's Strongest Swordmaster," Zoro said earnestly, as he had promised Kuina.

"Please take care of the gym and the village while we're gone." Koshiro gave some instructions and then led Zoro and Kuina out of the village.

Because of his instructions, only the temple knew about this matter; he didn't want too many people to know, otherwise it would be troublesome if the villagers gathered.

I walked through the fields and greeted the residents I passed.

An old man sat by the roadside ahead, wearing a kimono and smoking a pipe.

Koshiro stopped in front of him and bowed respectfully.

"Kid, your name is Roronoa Zoro, right? If you don't have a sword of your own, take this one." The old man glanced at Zoro and laughed, then with a wave of his hand, he tossed a katana to Zoro.

Zoro caught it hastily, seemingly caught off guard.

This is a black katana. Both the scabbard and the hilt have dark, reflective patterns on the blade, which is very sharp and clearly a fine sword.

Happiness came too suddenly, and Zoro couldn't help but look at his teacher.

"Take it," Koshiro said with a slight smile.

Reassured, Zoro looked at the old man and asked, "Excuse me, what is the name of this sword?"

"It!" The old man couldn't help but raise his head, close his eyes, as if reminiscing, "Its name is Moro, remember to treat it well."

"Moro?" Zoro stroked the sword. It was clearly a high-quality sword; having seen Wado Ichimonji before, Zoro felt this sword was quite formidable.

"Please deliver this letter to that person for me." The old man took a letter out of his pocket. "He will help look after these two little ones when they are in the New World."

Not long after passing the old man, Zoro couldn't help but ask, "Master, who is that old man?" He had seen this old man many times in the village, and now he felt that this old man was no ordinary person.

"He is my father, Kozaburo." Koshiro did not hide anything; Kuina had no idea she had a grandfather.

Then, under the wide-eyed gazes of Zoro and Kuina, Koshiro recounted the history of the founding of Shimotsuki Village.

They never imagined that the village had such a connection with Wano Country, or rather, that they were all descendants of the Shimotsuki Family of Wano Country, and that the village was named after the Shimotsuki Family.

Many families within the village still retain the clothing customs of Wano Country.

"My father was a famous swordsmith in Wano Country. He forged Wado Ichimonji and Kozuki Oden's sword Enma."

"Of course, there's also this Moro; you should be its first owner."

As he spoke, Koshiro earnestly reminded him, "Perhaps Father valued some quality in you, which is why he entrusted Moro to you."

"However, Zoro, you must remember one thing: don't use it for now. Like Enma, it's a demonic sword with a demonic nature, and it's not something you can handle right now."

"Understood." Zoro nodded, keeping it in mind. He couldn't yet fully grasp the terror of Moro.

"What about that letter? Who is it for? Father?" Kuina wondered who would take care of them in the New World.

"That was a swordsman, as you should know," Koshiro said with a smile, "He was Mr. Genryuusai Shigekuni."

"What!" This news shocked them even more than the origin of Shimotsuki Village. Genryuusai Shigekuni, one of the world's top swordsmen, had once shone brightly in the swordsmanship competition.

The World's Strongest fire- Great Swordmaster, Zoro and Kuina couldn't hide their excitement that this letter was being sent to Genryuusai Shigekuni. To them, this was undoubtedly a legendary figure.

"I don't know the specifics either. It must have happened when my father was young. Mr. Yuan Liu is now living in seclusion in the Night Sea Domain, maintaining relations with the Night Pirates. With his protection, you won't encounter any accidents, so we can rest assured."

"Mr. Yuan Liu's two disciples are now both Great Swordmaster. If you can receive his guidance, you will definitely gain a lot."

Now, Kuina and Zoro were even more excited about the journey ahead.