Kuina and Zoro

On the afternoon of the third day, their destination, Shimotsuki Village, finally came into view.

Before the ship reached shore, Van gathered Elena and her group together.

"We'll be staying on this island for a long time. We won't be going anywhere else for now, and we won't be taking you with us anymore."

"Here are five million Berries. Consider it your wages. From now on, you can go wherever you want. It has nothing to do with me."

As soon as he finished speaking, a small pouch appeared by Elena's feet.

She knew Van had already made up his mind, and no one would plead for them now, so she bent down and picked up the pouch.

"Thank you, Lord Van!"

Elena bowed, and the others bowed along with her.

"Reiju is the one who owes me a favor. You don't need to thank me." Van waved his hand. "Pack your things and get ready to disembark."

Elena said nothing more and led her companions into the lower hold.

By the time they came out with their belongings, the ship had already docked, and Qiangbalu had just dropped the anchor.

"Goodbye!"

Before leaving, Elena said farewell to Law and the others.

The children bore her no ill will and all smiled as they said goodbye.

"Captain, those people aren't going to settle here too, are they?" Qiangbalu frowned. "If they join that Shimotsuki Dojo, we'll still run into them later."

"It has nothing to do with us. As long as they don't get any crooked ideas, there's no need to pay them much attention."

Van could roughly guess that Elena was after something and wanted to seek help nearby.

If she could offer enough benefits, he would not have minded lending a hand. But the woman insisted on keeping things hidden and even seemed to be trying to freeload. There was no way he would go out of his way to help her.

"Are we getting off the ship now?" Qiangbalu asked uneasily. "This place looks pretty safe, but shouldn't someone stay behind to guard the ship?"

"You stay on the ship for now. I'll find a place to live on the island, then come get you once everything is arranged."

Van did not wander around. After disembarking, he asked the villagers for directions and went straight to the Shimotsuki Dojo.

No one was standing guard at the entrance, but he could hear shouts of "Hup! Hah!" coming from inside. At this time of day, they were probably holding lessons.

"Are you here to study swordsmanship under a master?"

A crisp voice sounded behind him. Van turned around and found a short-haired little girl.

She wore a simple, practical training outfit. Her eyes were lively and bright, giving her a clean and capable impression.

"Kuina... The accident caused by the 'Supreme Staircase' or 'Supreme Whetstone' seemed to be next year. There's still time."

Thinking of the original story's ridiculous death scene, Van could not help feeling emotional.

Kuina's cause of death was far too absurd, a plot point that had left countless One Piece fans unable to let go.

As someone who had completely overwhelmed Zoro, Kuina might have been young, but her physique could never have been so weak that falling from an attic would kill her.

All he could say was that Oda had deliberately sacrificed Kuina to strengthen Zoro's resolve to become the world's greatest swordsman, just like Shanks had used his lost arm and the Straw Hat to lure Luffy in.

"Why aren't you answering my question?"

Kuina blinked, looking somewhat puzzled.

Van was about to answer when she continued, "Can't you speak?"

As soon as she finished speaking, another green-haired boy came panting over from behind her.

"Kuina, I just had a new realization. I'm challenging you now."

"Zoro, you challenged me for the 998th time just this morning." Kuina said helplessly. "Can't you see we have a visitor?"

"Then this is the 999th time!"

Zoro took his stance and challenged Kuina with a serious expression.

No woman in his heart, and his sword would rise like a god. That was so like him!

Van nearly laughed out loud. Just as he was about to ask whether Koshiro was around, he saw Kuina draw the bamboo sword at her waist.

"Then are you ready for your 999th defeat?"

"This time, I'll definitely beat you!"

Zoro gripped his two bamboo swords tightly. As he declared his determination, he took the initiative and charged forward.

Kuina's little face turned serious. She lowered her stance and immediately launched her counterattack.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang..."

The bamboo swords clashed continuously, like two streaks of light meeting in midair. The force they unleashed was hardly any weaker than that of real blades.

Kuina's attacks came in swift, unbroken waves, and her footwork was even more agile. Every swing targeted Zoro's weaknesses.

Meanwhile, with his unyielding will and excellent reflexes, he defended while constantly looking for chances to strike back.

Neither was willing to yield, and both wanted to knock the other down.

The commotion alerted the people inside the dojo. Koshiro was the first to emerge, followed by several adult disciples.

"It's those two again. Children really are full of energy!"

"Haha, I wonder when Zoro will finally beat Kuina."

"No one can say what the future holds, but he definitely won't win this time..."

Perhaps the discussion distracted him, but Zoro soon made a mistake. He put too much force into a swing and failed to recover his defense in time.

Kuina seized the opportunity, knocked both his bamboo swords away, then pressed her sword down against his face, leaving a bright red mark.

The winner had been decided. The dojo disciples all teased Zoro, but Koshiro's attention was on Van.

Wasn't this man in the North Blue? Why had he suddenly appeared in the East Blue?

"This is my 999th victory over you, Zoro."

Kuina panted as she lowered her bamboo sword, her mood complicated and heavy.

"I know, quit nagging!"

Zoro covered his face, his tone unwilling.

"Father!"

Kuina ran to Koshiro's side and pointed at Van. "This man seems to want to join the dojo."

"Don't talk nonsense."

Koshiro gently shook his head, then stepped forward and shielded Kuina behind him.

His action gave Zoro the wrong idea. He immediately blocked Van's path and said excitedly, "Here to challenge the dojo? Let me take you on!"

"He's just a child. I hope Mr. Van won't take offense."

Koshiro walked down the steps and held back the eager Zoro.

"You're too polite, Mr. Koshiro. I came here today to discuss two matters with you." Van smiled.

A trace of surprise flashed through Koshiro's eyes, but his tone remained calm. "Please, go on."

"I have several companions who are a few years older than Kuina. They wish to join the dojo and train."

"Also, I'd like to find a quiet, comfortable place on the island to build a house. I hope you can help coordinate it. I'll settle all expenses on time."

Hearing Van's words, Koshiro fell silent.

Out of caution, he did not really want people carrying great trouble with them to remain in Shimotsuki Village. But the dojo had existed for many years and had never kept its teachings to itself.

Before Van showed any hostility or posed a threat to the village and dojo, he could not directly refuse.

"They're still underage. They need a stable living environment."

Van bowed solemnly and promised, "If I disturb the village's peace, I can leave. I definitely won't make things difficult for you, sir."

With matters put that way, Koshiro could not bring himself to refuse no matter what.

"It's getting late today, and I need to make some preparations here as well. Bring them to the dojo tomorrow."

"There is plenty of wasteland on the island. As long as you don't occupy the villagers' land, you may choose any place to build your house. I'll arrange for disciples to help."