The merchant vessel creaked gently as it drifted away from the harbor, its sails catching the wind, pulling it further into the open sea.
Jin stood quietly at the railing, his arms folded, watching Kuina's small figure at the bow. She hadn't moved since the ship departed, her eyes locked onto the shrinking silhouette of Shimotsuki Village.
He let out a soft sigh.
"Family… it really is the safest harbor. Even after you leave, it still anchors you somewhere warm."
Behind them, a small green-haired boy sprinted along the portside path, his voice cracking with effort and emotion.
"Kuina! I swear I'll set out to sea one day… and I'll beat you!"
"Ah… aah! Kuina! I'm going to surpass you!"
Zoro's voice rang out, over and over, until it broke into a sob.
Kuina's shoulders trembled, but she didn't turn around. Tears streamed silently down her cheeks, but she clenched her jaw and refused to let them turn into sobs.
Jin exhaled again and turned away.
"Let's go below deck, Kuma."
"But… Boss, Kuina—"
"She'll be fine. She just needs a moment," Jin said simply, cutting him off before heading below.
Kuma hesitated, looking at Kuina, then at Jin's back, before reluctantly lumbering after his captain.
Half a day passed.
Kuina remained by the bow, her hands gripping the railing, her hair fluttering in the sea breeze.
"You'll be fine," Jin said softly, stepping up beside her. "If you want to stand at the summit of the world, this was always going to be your path. And when you're ready, you can always go home and see him."
"…I'm okay now," Kuina said, her voice steady but quiet. "It just… caught me off guard. I'm fine. Really."
"Good. Then let's start. You wanted to train, right? Go ask the captain about nearby towns or islands with bounty targets—bandits, pirates, scum like that. We'll clean them up, claim the reward. It'll be good experience."
He patted her on the shoulder, a smile curling his lips—wicked and reassuring all at once.
Two days later, the ship reached a small island village. On the bounty board: a wanted mountain bandit with a 2 million beli price tag.
"Alright," Jin said, standing at the railing. "Go on then. Your first real job. Take Kuma with you. If you don't want to kill, just knock them all out. The leader's the only one we need alive—tell Kuma to haul him back. I'll be right here waiting."
He ruffled her hair casually. "Don't come back hurt, alright? I don't want to see my little Kuina bleeding all over the deck."
"Oi! Knock it off!" she huffed, slapping his hand away. "It's just a two million bounty. Don't insult me!"
She turned on her heel and whistled for Kuma. "Let's go!"
"Yay! Finally off this boat!" Kuma whooped, bounding after her down the ramp.
Jin watched the two—one tall and furry, the other small and determined—until they vanished into the forested road.
He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the treeline. "Twenty-three bandits total. Yeah… pretty rough for a first trial."
Then he vanished.
"Hey, Kuma," Kuina said as they made their way through the island path. "Do you think all bandits are really that evil?"
Kuma scratched his head. "Boss said anyone with a bounty like that has spilled innocent blood. Bandits survive by robbing, hurting, and killing. They're scum."
"…Got it." Kuina nodded. That was all the reassurance she needed.
A moment later—
"That's the place!" Kuma whispered, pointing toward a rundown shack perched on the hilltop.
"You wait here," Kuina said, already stepping forward. "This won't take long."
About thirty meters away, nestled in the branches of a large tree, Jin crouched silently, watching.
Kuina stood outside the creaking shack, took a deep breath, and shouted, "Come out, bandits! I'm here for you!"
Voices erupted inside.
"The hell was that?!"
"Some brat?"
"Boys! Come out and see which idiot came to die!"
The door slammed open.
A gaunt, scarred man holding a massive blade strutted out, followed by a gang of crooked-nosed, greasy-looking thugs.
"Pfft—A girl? HAHAHA!"
"Boss, she's cute. Let's tie her up and—"
"Heh heh, yeah, let's keep her for some fun!"
Disgusting laughter filled the air. Their gazes roamed over her body, their words dripping with filth.
Kuina's fingers tightened around her katana. That flicker of uncertainty? Gone. Her eyes blazed with cold fury.
"You bastards… You all deserve to die."
With a flash of steel, she charged.
"Hah! Come on then, little girl!" the gang leader roared, swinging his blade.
Clang!
Steel rang against steel. Sparks exploded as their blades clashed. Kuina gritted her teeth, and in that single moment, her heart blazed with battle-lust.
She twisted her stance, deflected the man's blade, and with a roar—stepped in and cleaved straight across his chest.
Shlick!
Blood sprayed.
The man stumbled back, howling in pain.
"Get her! Kill the little bitch!"
The rest of the bandits surged forward.
High above, Jin leaned against the tree trunk, a grin tugging at his mouth.
"…Not bad. She's already growing into a real monster.
This story is inspired from various fanfics i have read from around the world so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you
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T/N :
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