Kuina: I'll Be Waiting for You at the Pinnacle, Zoro

"Reality? I remember... I fell down the stairs, the whetstone, the ladder... and then fell asleep in a warm place. I... died?"

After a long, stunned silence, the dead memories gradually resurfaced, relentlessly attacking Kuina's mind. It wasn't until quite some time later that she accepted this unbelievable reality.

"How is this possible? I should be dead, so why am I still alive?!"

Clearly, this situation, which defies common sense and logic, was enough to keep her thinking for quite some time.

"No need to be confused, no need to doubt, you are indeed living in this world now. To be precise, you have returned to reality from the Yomi."

"Who are you?"

"Good question, but that's not important. Would you like to come with me? To fulfill the vision you left unfinished in your lifetime..."

The intricate and complex patterns spun wildly, and Kuina shuddered, finding herself in a world of black and red, her eyes resolute amidst the ever-intertwining blades.

Outside the door, Zoro's lips twitched with impatience. He waited for a long time but there was no unusual sound or familiar voice, which undoubtedly exacerbated his distrust.

"Master, don't let them continue their nonsense. Don't you understand that the dead cannot be brought back to life..."

Before she could finish speaking, the door creaked open, revealing a smiling Huayue. Behind her, a white-clad figure knelt on the ground, his upright posture and resolute eyes revealing a lively spirit.

"They're... resurrected!!!"

At that moment, Noah Zoro's mouth was big enough to fit an apple, and Koushirou, who was just trying his luck, was even more shocked.

"Kuina, is it really Kuina?"

"It's me, Father. I've returned from the Yomi."

After a moment of silence, Matsushiro's eyes welled up with tears. His tone and eyes showed no trace of pretense or imitation.

Without a doubt, the child before him was indeed his only daughter, Kuina.

Clap clap clap clap!

A crisp, resounding round of applause broke the touching reunion. Hiyori to the side, wore a complex expression, lost in thought for a moment.

"Yes, yes, yes, let's postpone our reminiscing for now. It's better to close the door. Such a shocking story will only make us look like oddballs..."

"It's fine if it spreads within Shimotsuki Village, but if it gets to the ears of the Navy or the World Government and they find out that we were here, the village will be in big trouble."

That's not an exaggeration. If members of the World Government knew that Huayue's ships had stayed in the East Blue, they would probably immediately dispatch warships to destroy them.

You think you can't beat the Four Emperors? You think you can't beat me? Send ten warships over, and I'll blow up the whole village!

"Really."

Koushirou scanned his surroundings and discovered many dojo students eavesdropping and peeping from the walls, but even more were Shimotsuki Village poised to pounce at any moment.

After everyone was seated, Kuina's opening remarks left Koushirou and Zoro speechless.

"Father, I want to leave Shimotsuki Village. I want to see a wider world, I want to face stronger opponents, and I want to become the strongest female swordsman!"

Faced with Kuina's request, Koushirou hesitated for a long time before shaking his head helplessly.

"Isn't this too hasty? This isn't a goal that can be achieved in a short time, especially in the village..."

"In the village, I can no longer take another step forward. The pace of progress is getting slower and slower, and I'm almost at my limit."

"That's why I have to leave the village, fight against the strong, and kill the strong. Only in this way can I become stronger and overcome the weaknesses of female swordsmen."

"If this continues, Zoro will really surpass me, won't he?"

When Zoro saw Kuina looking at him, Zoro didn't react for a moment, but then he roared at her.

"What's wrong! So what if I surpassed you? Are you unhappy about being surpassed by me? I received the Wado Ichimonji from my master with the determination to make my name resound throughout heaven..."

"But the first thing you said after you came back to life was to leave the village. What about all my insistence all this time?!"

"Rivals and friends alike, my goal has never changed: to surpass all swordsmen and become the World's Strongest Swordsman. This is the goal I have pursued throughout my life..."

"Having already died once, how could I possibly give up!"

At this moment, the reception room was deathly silent, and Zoro's vision became blurred at some point. It wasn't until Zoro realized what was happening that he noticed the tears welling up in his eyes.

"Damn it, here's your sword back! I will never forgive you!"

"I see. I will still consider you my lifelong enemy, Noah Zoro..."

Zoro tossed Wado Ichimonji. Koushirou remained silent for a long time before speaking softly.

"A decision that has been made up?"

"Yes, if we stay here, Father and the others will also be troubled. Someone who has come back from the dead will be regarded as a complete anomaly by others. Even if they don't say it, their attitude will unconsciously change."

Kuina carefully picked up the Wado Ichimonji Zoro had thrown on the ground, offering it to him with both hands, her expression resolute.

"I'll give this sword, Wado Ichimonji, to Zoro. Please tell him for me, Father..."

Just then, Koushirou nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the languid Huayue beside him.

"In any case, thank you for bringing Kuina back from the Yomi and giving her another chance to realize her dream. I am deeply grateful."

"No need for formalities. I have my own considerations, and besides, this may not be a bad thing for the Shimotsuki Clan."

Huayue waved his hand slightly, and a black robe was draped over Kuina's body. After everyone disappeared, Koushirou sighed deeply, picked up Wado Ichimonji, and walked out of the village.

Outside Shimotsuki Village, the clear stream flowed gently, and the tranquility far from human habitation calmed the pent-up frustration in my heart.

"He's still the same as before. Whenever he encounters troubles, he comes here to wield his sword, trying to forget his troubles with Zoro."

Zoro remained silent, only swinging his wooden sword even faster, until the pure white Wado Ichimonji appeared, which startled him.

"What? Kuina didn't take her sword with her?"

"Ah, she asked me to tell you that one day in the future, you and she must stand at the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Before that, you must not fail. Kuina is waiting for you at the peak."

Upon hearing this, Zoro remained silent for a moment, then a wild smile appeared on his lips.

"Waiting for me at the peak? I'm more like I'm waiting for her at the peak. Just wait, I'm determined to become the world's strongest swordsman before I turn thirty. Be prepared to be defeated by me!"