"Cough, cough!" Zoro knelt, gasping for air. His clothes and face were stained with ink, looking utterly disheveled.
The ink captain's death stunned the remaining pirates. They hadn't expected the seemingly invincible ink captain to be defeated with a single blow!
"Impossible! One strike defeated the ink captain!"
"The ink captain was invincible! How could he die?!"
"This is absolutely impossible!"
Hearing the pirates who'd been injured by the ink captain, Kuina, her eyes hidden beneath her hood, practically rolled her eyes.
"A Logia-type Devil Fruit user. Having the properties of water, yet relying on suffocation as a killing method… pathetic."
She addressed the pirates, "If you wish to follow your captain, I'll send you to join him."
Ominous flashed, leaving an afterimage. Sword energy appeared in the air, forming dozens of slashes that tore through the pirates. In an instant, their heads were severed.
The intense Death Intent made Zoro, still kneeling, tremble. He'd never felt such chilling sword energy; it sent shivers down his spine.
He felt as if he'd seen death itself smiling at him. Even knowing it was an illusion, he couldn't control his trembling.
After dispatching the pirates, Kuina ignored Zoro and walked towards Ryuya, sheathing Ominous and sitting beside him. Ryuya poured her a glass of sake.
"Looks like we can't eat here; even the owner ran away."
"Sorry, Master. If that cockroach hadn't shown up, this wouldn't have happened."
Kuina's voice echoed in the small restaurant.
"Forget it. Let's go. I saw a fruit stand; I'll get you some fruit."
"Thank you, Master."
"Don't mention it. We're family."
Ryuya affectionately stroked Kuina's hair before leaving with her.
Zoro, having recovered, stood up and called out in a hoarse voice, "Wait! Please wait!"
Ryuya's eyes narrowed. He glanced at Kuina, then said to Zoro, "Oh? What is it?" His tone was slightly playful.
Zoro asked, "How did you do that slash? That incredible slash!"
Though still feeling unwell, Zoro's unwavering pursuit of swordsmanship pushed him to ask.
Ryuya didn't answer, gesturing to Kuina. Kuina looked at Zoro with disdain.
"You're too weak. You'll understand when you're stronger."
She linked arms with Ryuya and walked away, unwilling to speak to Zoro. She saw him as nothing more than a slightly stronger thug.
But Zoro called out again, "Your voice… it's like someone I know. Can I see your face?" He seemed lost in thought.
"I always strived to surpass her, to defeat her someday. But then…" He sighed, "Unexpected things happened.
But it's okay. I'll carry on her dream. One day, I'll become the world's greatest swordsman!"
Kuina found Zoro's words naive. She looked at Ryuya, "Master, may I handle this myself?"
"Go ahead." Ryuya shrugged, clearly not taking Zoro seriously.
Kuina turned to Zoro and removed her hood!
Zoro froze, staring at Kuina in shock, his heart seemingly stopping.
"Ku… Kuina! It's really you! You're… you're not dead?!" He took a step forward, as if to confirm.
Kuina looked at him with utter disdain.
"Zoro, you don't need to know the details. From now on, we go our separate ways. Don't mention my dreams again."
"That was your dream, not mine! My dream is to be my Master's sharpest sword, ensuring every enemy who faces him falls by my blade. That's all."
Her cold words hit Zoro like thunder, stunning him.
"Kuina, you weren't like this! This man has deceived you! Being someone's sword means you'll never be the world's greatest swordsman!"
"World's greatest swordsman! That's laughable. Even if it were the most precious title, I wouldn't care. Only my Master matters to me."
Zoro tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come.
"From now on, we are strangers."
Kuina replaced her hood and walked towards Ryuya.
Zoro gritted his teeth, his temples throbbing. He lunged at Ryuya with his sword.
"You've manipulated Kuina! Kuina, I'll show you this man's true nature!"
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