Kuina

Biodata

Background

Kuina was Koshiro's daughter and Zoro's childhood swordsmanship rival. Before her death, she and Zoro competed over their shared ambition to become the world's greatest swordsman. Her former sword, the Wado Ichimonji, later remained with Zoro. 9 10 15

Moyun chose to revive her after recalling her potential as a swordswoman. After Koshiro witnessed Moyun revive a butterfly, he led Moyun to Kuina's grave. Kuina first returned as an incorporeal spirit, then accepted Moyun's terms after learning that Zoro was alive, had become a pirate, and continued pursuing swordsmanship. 8 9

Moyun restored Kuina in a seventeen-year-old body and bound her soul to his own. Although the arrangement placed her continued existence under Moyun's control, she accepted it for the chance to live and fulfill the dreams her death had ended. 9

Kuina spent the following month adapting to her restored body and rebuilding her swordsmanship before leaving Shimotsuki Village with Moyun, Olvia, and ShSh. Koshiro entrusted Moyun with her protection before their departure. 10

Olvia's death deeply affected Kuina. She asked Moyun to revive her, only to learn that his ability cannot restore someone who has already been revived once. After initially withdrawing in grief, Kuina assured Moyun that she did not blame him and addressed him as her captain. 65 66

Appearance

Kuina was resurrected in the body of a seventeen-year-old young woman with waist-length dark hair and sharp features around her brows. 9

• Often wears a cloak and mask while traveling with Moyun's group. 10 13
• Ties her long dark-blue hair up while training. 29
• Her resemblance to Marine swordswoman Tashigi is striking; without Tashigi's glasses, Kuina judges them to look roughly eighty percent alike. 41

Personality

Kuina is calm, proud, and intensely disciplined. Regaining her life did not lessen her original ambition; instead, learning of Zoro's progress immediately reignited her desire to become the world's greatest swordsman. 9 10

She values fairness in combat. When Moyun disabled a Fish-man's control over his own body, Kuina refused to attack until Moyun restored the opponent's ability to fight back. 22

Kuina can become discouraged when confronted with the distance between herself and elite swordsmen such as Mihawk, but she does not surrender. After Moyun provoked her over her doubts, she reaffirmed that she would train for as many years as necessary. 16 17

She is protective of her companions, particularly Hisoka, and takes responsibility for their safety when Moyun is absent. She also helps injured civilians, even expressing regret when she must kill Sea Kings displaced by a tsunami. 63 84 86 151

Kuina rejects claims that women cannot excel as swordsmen. Although she has killed enemies when necessary, her first killing left her distressed, and she later spared pirates after defeating them. 59 64 160

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Kuina resumed intensive training immediately after her resurrection and continues to pursue the title of world's greatest swordsman. 10 17

• Deflected multiple Fish-man Karate water droplets through speed and precision. 23
• Deflected gunfire aimed at Moyun during the bounty-hunter ambush at Reverse Mountain. 44
• Fought strategically against a Fish-man whose skin initially resisted her blade, repeatedly targeting his abdomen until his defenses weakened. 22 24
• Declined to challenge Dracule Mihawk, recognizing that her years away from swordsmanship had left her unprepared. 16
• Was told by Moyun that Zoro's swordsmanship had surpassed hers, prompting her to intensify her training. 28
• Developed snowflake-shaped sword attacks and adapted them to offense, defense, and control of the battlefield. Their strongest early application defeated Satori's Surprise Clouds during the Ball Trial. 56 58 109 110 159
• During her duel with Kaku, endured his Four Sword Style and giraffe-form techniques. Her sword aura eventually overwhelmed his strongest Rankyaku attack, though the effort left her unconscious. 159 160 161

Falcon

A self-created finishing technique used against the Fish-man at Cocoyasi Village. Kuina focuses an aura resembling a hawk at her blade's tip and drives it into her opponent's weakened abdomen. 24

• Defeated the Fish-man after an extended battle of attrition. 24
• Required her to first identify and exploit a vulnerable area rather than overpower the opponent directly. 24

Snow Techniques

• First Form: Snowfall — Creates sharp snowflakes that cut exposed targets. Kuina first used it against Second Brother's shell without effect, but later used it to wound a group of pirates and Kaku. 56 64 159
• Second Form: Blade of Snow — Forms a massive spinning snowflake. With Hisoka restraining Second Brother's exposed neck, Kuina used it to inflict a fatal wound; the technique exhausted her so severely that she could not stand. 58 59
• Third Form: Snowfall Across the Sky; Dance — Fills an area with razor-sharp snowflakes, then lifts the fallen flakes into a swirling storm. Against Satori, the flakes detonated his Surprise Clouds and trapped him in the resulting attack, winning Kuina the Ball Trial. 109 110
• Second Form: Defensive Mode, Snow Shield — Creates a large snowflake to block an incoming strike. Kuina used it against Kaku's Four Sword Style. 159

Other Sword Techniques

• One-Sword Style: Dragon Palm — An attack that left a claw-shaped mark on Kaku's nose. 160
• One-Sword Style: Dragon Tail — A red-glowing slash whose damage manifested after a delay, causing Kaku to cough up blood. 160 161
• Hundred Sword Style: Night Parade of One Hundred Demons — A breakthrough technique that manifests a faint, ghostlike sword aura. It consumed Kaku's Amane Dachi and defeated him, but drained Kuina physically and spiritually until she fainted. 161

Haki

Kuina quickly learned the basics of Observation Haki when Enel began instructing the crew. The extent of her mastery has not been established. 205

Power Progression

Equipment

• Yubashiri — One of the Fifty Skillful Grade swords. Kuina found its weight and handling suitable, and Moyun purchased it for ten million Beli in Loguetown. Enel's lightning later shattered it during the Skypiea conflict. 41 111
• Black Snow — A sword Kuina obtained in Water 7. She used its sword aura to break out of a false dream involving Zoro. 185
• Unnamed sword — A high-quality blade Kuina acquired after Yubashiri broke. Initially mistaken for a worthless sword because it was unsharpened, it was in her possession when she challenged Kaku. 152
• Dagger — Carried on her calf; used to help Olvia pry open a corroded underwater stone door. 35
• Cloak and mask — Used while traveling with Moyun and Olvia. 10 13

Relationships

• Moyun — Her resurrector, captain, and traveling companion. He bound her soul to himself as a condition of her revival, encourages her development, and respects her decision to handle battles on her own. After Olvia's death, Kuina came to recognize his suffering and assured him that she did not blame him. 9 10 23 66
• Koshiro — Her father and former dojo master. Their reunion after her resurrection was deeply emotional; he later entrusted her safety to Moyun. 9 10
• Roronoa Zoro — Her childhood rival and fellow claimant to the world's greatest swordsman title. Kuina deliberately avoids reclaiming the Wado Ichimonji from him and intends to surpass him on her own merits. Even when a dream presented her with victory over him, she recognized that its depiction of his reaction was false. 9 10 13 185
• Nico Olvia — A crewmate who clothed Kuina immediately after her resurrection, praised her after her Fish-man battle, and worked alongside her during the Sea Root Island expedition. Olvia's death devastated Kuina. 9 24 35 65 66
• Tashigi — A Marine swordswoman whose appearance closely mirrors Kuina's, leaving Kuina unsettled after seeing her in Loguetown. 41
• Hisoka — A fellow member of Moyun's group. He clings to Kuina's scabbard when frightened during the Sea Root Island expedition. The two later fought together to defend the ship, and Kuina has repeatedly protected and reassured him. 32 33 58 63 64 97
• Tony Tony Chopper — Kuina helped look after Chopper while searching for Moyun in Rainbase. Chopper treated her injuries after the group encountered Baroque Works agents, and she praised his care. 79 84 87
• Kaku — A CP9 agent and swordsman whom Kuina challenged after he attacked civilians in Water 7. She found their duel an opportunity to test herself, but rejected his claim that a woman could never become an outstanding swordsman. She ultimately defeated him. 151 152 159 160 161
• ShSh — Found Kuina unconscious after her battle with Kaku and moved her to safety. 161
• Lillianlo — Greeted Kuina with apparent hostility after identifying her as a possible romantic rival for Moyun's attention. Kuina responded politely. 239 240

Story Role / Major Arcs

Baratie Arc

Kuina observes Zoro from behind her disguise rather than revealing herself. Zoro senses that the cloaked woman is familiar, while Kuina chooses to watch his progress from a distance. 13

Moyun brings her to watch Zoro challenge Mihawk, intending for her to understand the level required to reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Kuina does not challenge Mihawk, but Zoro's defeat initially shakes her confidence. 15 16

Arlong Park Arc

Kuina witnesses the oppression of Cocoyasi Village and condemns the Fish-men's abuse of civilians. 21

At Moyun's order, she duels a Fish-man who had been rampaging through the village. After refusing to exploit his helpless state, she fights him fairly, endures his Fish-man Karate, and ultimately defeats him with Falcon. 22 23 24

Sea Root Island Expedition

Kuina is overcome by the island's disorienting fog and falls unconscious after inhaling too much of it. Moyun carries her while Olvia protects her from further exposure. 30

After recovering, she accompanies Moyun, Olvia, and Hisoka into the island's caverns. She helps Olvia force open an underwater chamber containing a Poneglyph. 31 35

Loguetown and Reverse Mountain

In Loguetown, Kuina receives Yubashiri after determining that other swords in the shop did not suit her. She later encounters Tashigi and is disturbed by their close resemblance. 40 41

At Reverse Mountain, Kuina protects Moyun from gunfire and defeats the bounty hunters assigned to attack his group. 43 44

Whiskey Peak Route

Kuina chooses to remain aboard the ship with ShSh at Sunshine Town so she can continue training with Yubashiri. 46

While Moyun and the others investigate the island, Kuina and Hisoka defend the ship against Second Brother, a Turtle-Turtle Fruit user. They exploit an opening at his neck to defeat him, though the killing unsettles them both. Heishui subsequently captures Kuina with a Seastone net and steals the fruit left after Second Brother's death. Freed by Hisoka, she confronts Heishui, prevents him from taking Hisoka, and drives back the pirates he leaves behind. 55 56 58 59 63 64 65

After learning that Olvia has died and cannot be revived again, Kuina withdraws in grief. She later reassures Moyun and joins the crew's journey to Chaos Island, where she trains for two months while seeking inspiration for new techniques. 65 66 67 68 69

Alabasta Arc

Kuina travels with Moyun's group through Alabasta and warns Hisoka against wasting water during their desert crossing. She keeps a low profile when Smoker and Tashigi arrive at the same restaurant. 74 75

When Moyun goes missing in Rainbase, Kuina leads Hisoka and Chopper in a search for him. Miss Merry Christmas and Mr. 4 ambush them; their underground attacks and explosives injure the group. Kuina is ashamed that she could not protect the two children, but Moyun arrives and defeats their attackers. 79 84 85 86 87

Kuina later helps the Straw Hat Pirates and their allies identify Baroque Works spies among Alubarna's citizens. After the conflict, she comforts Hisoka over parting from Chopper. 93 97

Skypiea Arc

Kuina accepts Moyun's plan to let the four priests capture the crew and is assigned to Satori's Ball Trial. His Mantra and Surprise Clouds initially prevent her from landing a decisive blow, but she counters by turning her snowflakes into a storm that detonates the clouds and defeats him. 104 105 109 110

After the trial, Enel strikes Kuina with lightning. She attempts to block the attack with Yubashiri, but the sword shatters and she falls. 111

Water 7 Arc

With Yubashiri destroyed, Kuina asks Moyun for money to repair or replace her sword. During Aokiji's confrontation with the crew, she and Hisoka care for the injured Sabo; without a sword, she cannot help in the fight. 133 135 137

After a destructive tsunami floods Water 7, Kuina kills Small Sea Kings threatening civilians and uses cloth from her coat to stop an injured man's bleeding. Kaku then confronts her and attacks a civilian. Kuina sends the bystanders for medical help and challenges him to a duel away from them. 151 152

Kuina and Kaku exchange sword techniques throughout a prolonged fight. His claim that women cannot become outstanding swordsmen enrages her, and her Dragon Tail wounds him after an apparent delay. When Kaku attempts to finish her with Amane Dachi, she unleashes Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, defeating him before collapsing from exhaustion. ShSh subsequently finds her and moves her to safety. 159 160 161

Dreamscape and Later Training

Within Dreamscape, Kuina experiences a false future in which she has become the world's greatest swordswoman. She recognizes that the dream's version of Zoro does not behave like the rival she knows, then cuts through the illusion with Black Snow's sword aura. Later, she checks on Palo after his distressing experience there. 185 194

During the crew's subsequent voyage, Enel teaches Observation Haki. Kuina learns its basics quickly and tries to comfort Hisoka when he grows frustrated with his own training. 205

After Moyun's crew rescues Kuina, they accompany Sabo to the Revolutionary Army's base to gain experience before entering the New World. 240

Notable Quotes

“I will never give up! If not one year, then five; if not five, then ten! I am definitely going to become the world's greatest swordsman!” 17