Kuina

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Kuina (古伊娜)
Alias(es)	Shimotsuki Kuina; Celestial Star of the Twin Swordsmen; Empress Kuina
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Lin Qi’s forces; West Sea forces
Occupation/Role	Swordswoman; Great Swordsman; Lin Qi’s subordinate
Status	Active as of Chapter 796
First Appearance	Chapter 36

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Shimotsuki Sword Style trainee	36–37	Begins studying true swordsmanship under her father, Koshiro, alongside Lin Qi and Hina.
Peacock-Peacock Fruit user	37	Eats the Zoan-type Peacock-Peacock Fruit gifted by Lin Qi to gain strength and pursue her goal of surpassing male swordsmen.
Peacock-Peacock Fruit removed	182	Trusts Lin Qi enough to undergo the Devil Fruit Eraser process, losing her Peacock-Peacock Fruit powers.
Gravity-Gravity Fruit user	235	Receives the Gravity-Gravity Fruit from Lin Qi and develops offensive techniques alongside Tashigi’s Repulsion-Repulsion Fruit.
Mind’s Eye Observation Haki	285	Develops a 360-degree perception that slows enemies in her vision and allows her to sense emotions within people’s souls.
Rank Five Swordsmanship — Advanced	438	Merges with a swordsmanship experience package, advancing from the initial stage of Rank Five to its advanced stage.
Rank Five Swordsmanship — Peak	504	Reaches the peak of Level Five and comes within one step of Admiral-level strength.
Great Swordsman; Admiral-level breakthrough	526	Absorbs Hawk Eyes’ Soaring Heavens sword intent and becomes a true Great Swordsman, crossing the threshold into Admiral-level swordsmanship.
Newly risen powerhouse	690–738	After further growth, she can block Saint Nashuro’s First Generation Kitetsu and withstand a battle against Qiuyue Gong, the Seraphim, and CP forces.

Background / History

Kuina is the daughter of Koshiro, master of Isshin Dojo in Shimotsuki Village. As a child, she was already responsible and curious, greeting visitors, serving tea, and questioning Lin Qi about the Shimotsuki Family, powerful people, and female Great Swordsmen. She became a constant companion to Lin Qi after he began studying under Koshiro. 36

Koshiro initially believed that women could not become Great Swordsmen. Lin Qi challenged that belief and promised to help Kuina achieve her dream. Before leaving the village, he gave her the Peacock-Peacock Fruit. Kuina endured its terrible taste because she wanted to surpass boys and earn her father’s approval. She promised Lin Qi that she would become a Great Swordsman. 37

The Devil Fruit changed Kuina’s fate. After she later fell from a staircase and fainted despite possessing Zoan-enhanced strength, Koshiro realized that the staircase itself was abnormal and ordered it burned. The incident confirmed that Lin Qi’s intervention had prevented Kuina’s original tragic fate. 60

At fifteen, Kuina left Shimotsuki Village to seek Lin Qi’s guidance. She joined his forces and continued developing her swordsmanship, remaining stronger than Zoro throughout their childhood and adolescence. 124 Lin Qi later arranged for her Peacock-Peacock Fruit powers to be removed and helped her obtain the Gravity-Gravity Fruit instead. 182 235

Kuina’s progress brought her into conflict with powerful opponents, including Doflamingo, Kizaru, and Hawk Eyes. Her defeat against Hawk Eyes revealed the gap between them but also gave her a concrete goal. During their later rematch, she absorbed Hawk Eyes’ sword intent and became a Great Swordsman. 294 409 436 438 526

Appearance

Kuina is a black-haired swordswoman whose appearance closely resembles Tashigi’s. As a child, she wore a kimono and grew rapidly during her training under Koshiro. As an adult, she is repeatedly described as a beautiful swordswoman and is usually seen carrying Wado Ichimonji. 36 37 124 432 433

• Closely resembles Tashigi, to the point that Smoker initially mistakes her for her. 124
• Carries Wado Ichimonji, a Great Grade Sword forged by her grandfather. 437
• Temporarily wields Lin Qi’s Supreme Grade Sword, Dragon Abyss, during her first serious duel with Hawk Eyes. 437
• Used a black silk covering over her eyes while fighting Doflamingo, relying on Observation Haki to track his attacks. 294
• Was nineteen during her battle alongside the Empress against Smoker and twenty-one when she neared Admiral-level strength. 328 504

Personality

Kuina is intensely competitive and treats swordsmanship as the center of her life. Even as a child, she constantly challenged Lin Qi and later continued to seek stronger opponents rather than avoiding defeat. 36 283

She is determined to disprove the belief that women cannot become Great Swordsmen. Lin Qi’s faith in her becomes one of the strongest influences on her development, while her promise to surpass men and gain Koshiro’s approval drives her training. 37 526

Despite her combat-focused personality, Kuina is curious, emotionally sincere, and initially innocent about relationships. She becomes deeply attached to Lin Qi and trusts him during dangerous events, including the removal of her Devil Fruit powers. 36 37 126 182

In battle, Kuina is disciplined and increasingly calm. She can acknowledge an opponent’s superiority without losing her fighting spirit, as shown after Hawk Eyes defeats her. Her resolve is strong enough that she continues to rely on Lin Qi’s teachings even while critically wounded. 438 526

Abilities & Skills

Shimotsuki Swordsmanship

Kuina trained under Koshiro for six months and developed the Shimotsuki Sword Style into a highly individual fighting system. Her techniques combine traditional swordsmanship with Devil Fruit manipulation and the Six Powers. 36 37 294

• Uses One Sword Style techniques including Calamity Gale, Gravity Slash, Tiger Hunt, Mishashin Blade, and Butterfly Dance. 248 294 738
• Can attach gravity to her blade, forcing enemies toward the sword’s trajectory. 437 294
• Uses Wado Ichimonji as her principal weapon.
• Reached advanced Rank Five swordsmanship after receiving Lin Qi’s experience package. 438
• Became a true Great Swordsman after absorbing Hawk Eyes’ Soaring Heavens sword intent. 526
• Her foundation was initially insufficient to defeat Doflamingo or Hawk Eyes, but she improved rapidly through repeated battles and guidance from Lin Qi, Fujitora, Gion, and Hawk Eyes. 294 437 504 526

Gravity-Gravity Fruit

After her Peacock-Peacock Fruit powers were removed, Kuina received the Gravity-Gravity Fruit from Lin Qi. Its power greatly expanded the offensive reach and control of her swordsmanship. 182 235 236

• Uses Universal Pull to draw enemies and objects toward her. 294 796
• Applies gravity directly to Wado Ichimonji or another weapon.
• Can redirect incoming attacks by manipulating the gravitational pull around her blade. 294
• Combines her gravity with Tashigi’s repulsion to produce destructive attacks capable of tearing targets apart. 236 248
• Used Universal Pull against Im after determining that Im could no longer dispel the gravitational force. 796

Observation Haki and Mind’s Eye

Kuina possesses an unusual form of Observation Haki resembling the perception associated with Queen Otohime. Her Mind’s Eye allows her to perceive her surroundings without ordinary blind spots. 285

• Maintains a complete 360-degree view around herself.
• Perceives enemies as moving roughly one-third slower within her field of awareness.
• Senses emotions within people’s souls, including indications of good and evil. 285
• Detected Doflamingo’s nearly invisible Parasite Thread while her eyes were covered. 294
• Her reflexes and Haki underwent a major transformation before her confrontation with Qiuyue Gong. 738

Six Powers

Kuina uses Six Powers techniques in combination with her swordsmanship.

• Uses Shave to close distance rapidly during attacks. 294
• Uses Geppo for aerial movement.
• Lost the ability to use Geppo temporarily after losing sensation in her legs during the battle surrounding Poseidon. 794
• Combined movement techniques and Observation Haki allow her to fight in the air and respond to attacks from multiple directions.

Ryou

Kuina can infuse her sword strikes with Ryou. She used a Ryou-infused slash to destroy Qiuyue Gong’s transformed weapon during their battle. 738

Former Peacock-Peacock Fruit

Kuina ate the Zoan-type Peacock-Peacock Fruit gifted by Lin Qi when she was a child. The fruit strengthened her and helped prevent her fatal staircase accident, but Lin Qi later removed its powers with a Devil Fruit Eraser. 37 60 182

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Wado Ichimonji — A Twenty-One Great Grade Sword forged by Kuina’s grandfather and her principal weapon. 36 437
• Dragon Abyss — Lin Qi’s Supreme Grade Sword, temporarily lent to Kuina for her first serious battle against Hawk Eyes. The sword had eaten the Poison Dragon Fruit and could recover from damage after resting. 437
• Black silk eye covering — Used during her battle with Doflamingo while relying on Observation Haki. 294

Relationships

• Koshiro — Kuina’s father and swordsmanship teacher. He initially believed women could not become Great Swordsmen but eventually accepted her path and came to trust her ability. 36 37 304
• Lin Qi — Mentor, protector, and the first person to openly believe that Kuina could become a Great Swordsman. He gave her the Peacock-Peacock Fruit, later guided her training, and supplied her with the Gravity-Gravity Fruit. 37 124 182 235
• Roronoa Zoro — Childhood rival. Because Kuina survived and continued training, Zoro never defeated her and retained a personal goal of surpassing her. 124 433
• Tashigi — Close friend and near-identical counterpart. The two become close after meeting and frequently fight together using gravity and repulsion. 124 126 236
• Hawk Eyes — Rival, evaluator, and eventual swordsman mentor. He defeated Kuina before acknowledging her talent, later helped her cross into Great Swordsman territory, and protected her from attacking Marines. 436 438 526
• Doflamingo — Former opponent. Kuina nearly defeated him during their first battle, later saved him from a fatal attack, and described the rescue as her duty. 294 345
• Kizaru — Opponent who defeated Kuina with Yata no Kagami and Flash Kick. 409
• The Empress — Battle ally who joined Kuina against Smoker. Their combined Fruit abilities helped them withstand Smoker’s large-scale attack. 328
• Im — Enemy targeted by Kuina’s Universal Pull during the final confrontation. 796

Story Role / Major Arcs

Shimotsuki Village

Kuina’s introduction establishes her as Koshiro’s daughter and a gifted student of Isshin Dojo. Her curiosity indirectly helps convince Koshiro to teach Lin Qi, after which she becomes Lin Qi’s constant tagalong and fellow student. 36

Altered Fate

Lin Qi’s gift of the Peacock-Peacock Fruit prevents Kuina from meeting her original fate. After the staircase accident, Koshiro recognizes that the fruit saved her life and destroys the staircase. 37 60

Return to Lin Qi’s Forces

At fifteen, Kuina seeks Lin Qi’s guidance and joins his forces. She continues defeating Zoro, trains with Lin Qi, and later develops a new combat style around the Gravity-Gravity Fruit. 124 126 235 236

Dressrosa

Kuina helps Lin Qi investigate Dressrosa and uses her developing Mind’s Eye to detect emotional abnormalities among the citizens transformed into toys. She later challenges Doflamingo, using One Sword Style and gravity to counter his threads, but struggles against his healing, control, and long-range abilities. 285 294

Summit War and Kizaru

During the conflict against the World Government, Kuina fights alongside Hina and Robin against Kizaru. Kizaru defeats her with Yata no Kagami and Flash Kick, prompting Hina to enter Beast Transformation and attack him in Kuina’s defense. 409

Swordsmanship Legacy

Kuina intervenes when Hawk Eyes is about to finish Zoro and challenges him herself. She initially loses badly, but the defeat strengthens her resolve. Three months later, she fights Hawk Eyes again and absorbs his Soaring Heavens sword intent, becoming a Great Swordsman. 436 438 504 526

Later Battles

Kuina continues fighting as one of Lin Qi’s principal swordsmen. She blocks Saint Nashuro’s First Generation Kitetsu after reaching the next stage of her development and later battles Qiuyue Gong while facing the Seraphim, CP elites, and other controlled forces. 690 738

During the confrontation with Im, Kuina suffers a serious leg injury but continues contributing to the battle. After the group confirms that Im can no longer dispel Devil Fruit effects, Kuina uses Universal Pull to drag Im toward them. 794 796

Notable Quotes

“I believe you’ll definitely become a female Great Swordsman.” — Lin Qi 37

“Next, I’ll be your opponent, Hawk Eyes!” — Kuina 436

“I’m still a little inferior to you.” — Kuina, after her rematch with Hawk Eyes 526

“Women can become Great Swordsmen too, right?” — Kuina 526

“Of course women can become Great Swordsmen. You have already done it.” — Hawk Eyes 526

“Don’t worry about me! Go do what you need to do!” — Kuina 794

Trivia

• Kuina and Tashigi are so alike that Smoker mistakes Kuina for Tashigi when they first meet. 124
• Kuina’s survival creates a major divergence from the expected history of Shimotsuki Village and allows her to continue surpassing Zoro. 60 124
• Her first Great Swordsman breakthrough occurs while she is critically wounded and unconscious soon afterward. 526
• Hawk Eyes protects Kuina from Marines after acknowledging her as a true Great Swordsman. 526
• Kuina’s primary fighting style combines Shimotsuki swordsmanship, Observation Haki, Six Powers movement, and gravity manipulation. 285 294 437