"Zoro," Luffy called out with growing skepticism, "are you absolutely sure you know the way home? Because I'm pretty certain we've passed this exact same tree at least three times now!"
Gustave and his crew had been following their green-haired guide through the dense forest for what felt like hours, making virtually no progress toward their supposed destination. Luffy's patience—never his strongest virtue—was wearing dangerously thin.
"Of course I know the way to my own village!" Zoro's face flushed crimson with indignation. "What kind of idiot gets lost in his own backyard?"
"Really?" Luffy pressed, unconvinced. "Because it's going to be dark soon, and I'm starting to get a familiar feeling about this whole situation."
There was something about Zoro's confident bluster that reminded Luffy uncomfortably of his own navigation attempts—which invariably ended in disaster.
"Look, just trust me, okay?" Zoro insisted, his voice rising slightly. "The only reason we haven't reached the village yet is because this forest is... uh... really big!"
Gustave watched this exchange with growing amusement and mild concern. He'd known about Zoro's legendary directional challenges from the stories, but experiencing them firsthand was somehow even more entertaining and frustrating than he'd anticipated.
Behind them, Tom had grown so bored with their woodland wandering that he'd curled up atop Po's head for a nap, somehow managing to maintain perfect balance even while the panda navigated through underbrush and over fallen logs.
"Gustave," Po whispered, moving closer to his friend, "I could use Geppo to scout from above if you'd like. It would only take a moment to locate the village."
"Let's give Zoro a little more time to save face," Gustave replied quietly. "If we're still circling in another few minutes, then we'll resort to it."
They continued following their increasingly flustered guide for several more minutes, retracing their steps through the same familiar patches of forest, when a distant voice echoed through the trees.
"Zoro! ZORO! Where are you?"
Ace's trained observer ears picked up the sound immediately. "Hey, Zoro! Someone's calling your name!"
Zoro stopped abruptly and tilted his head, listening intently. Sure enough, a clear female voice was shouting his name from somewhere in the forest.
"That's Kuina!" he exclaimed with obvious relief. "She's my master's daughter!"
"Well then, let's head toward her voice," Gustave suggested sensibly. "She's probably looking for you too."
"Great idea!" Zoro agreed enthusiastically, then immediately set off at a determined jog—directly perpendicular to where Kuina's voice was coming from.
"Whoa, hold up!" Luffy grabbed Zoro's arm, yanking him back on course. "Kuina's voice is clearly coming from straight ahead. Why are you running off to the right?"
Zoro froze like a deer caught in headlights, his mind racing for a plausible explanation. "I... uh... well, you see... I really need to use the bathroom first!"
"Seriously?" Luffy's suspicion deepened. While Ace constantly called him stupid, Zoro seemed to operate on an entirely different level of directional dysfunction. For once in his life, Luffy felt intellectually superior to someone.
Before their debate could continue further, a girl with short black hair emerged from the underbrush. She wore a simple white t-shirt and black shorts, and her expression mixed relief with exasperation.
"There you are, Zoro!" she called out, immediately grabbing him by the collar. "You said you were going out for morning sword practice! It's nearly evening—did you get lost again?"
"I wasn't lost!" Zoro protested weakly. "I went to practice just like I said, and then I met Gustave and his friends, and I was showing them the way to our village!"
Kuina's gaze shifted to the group behind Zoro, and understanding dawned on her face. Her expression immediately transformed into one of mortified embarrassment.
"Oh no," she said, bowing deeply. "I'm terribly sorry! Zoro has an absolutely terrible sense of direction. Please accept my sincere apologies for whatever confusion he's caused!"
"No harm done," Gustave replied graciously, though he couldn't entirely suppress his amusement. "Zoro was just being helpful. We appreciate his... enthusiasm."
Gustave proceeded to introduce himself and his friends to Kuina, who listened with obvious interest to their tale of maritime adventure.
"After wandering around the forest all afternoon, you must all be absolutely starving," Kuina said apologetically. "Please, allow me to invite you to dinner at our family dojo! It's the least we can do after Zoro's... creative navigation."
"Food!" Luffy's eyes lit up like fireworks. "Yes! We've been hiking forever and I'm absolutely famished!"
Ace immediately smacked his brother upside the head. "Try to show some manners, you bottomless pit!"
Kuina couldn't help but giggle at the sibling dynamic before composing herself and leading the group through the forest with confident, purposeful steps.
To everyone's amazement—especially Zoro's—they emerged from the wooded maze within mere minutes, finding themselves on the outskirts of a picturesque village nestled in a small valley.
"Welcome to Shimotsuki Village," Kuina announced proudly.
The settlement was a stark contrast to Windmill Village's European-influenced architecture. Traditional Japanese buildings lined neat streets, their curved rooflines and wooden construction evoking the atmosphere of Japan's Edo period. Lanterns were beginning to flicker to life as evening approached, casting warm golden light across the peaceful community.
As they walked through the village, several residents noticed Zoro and called out with familiar amusement:
"Got lost again today, did you, Zoro?"
"How far did you wander this time?"
Zoro's face turned progressively redder with each teasing comment. "A swordsman doesn't get lost!" he declared hotly. "I was... conducting special directional training! And showing hospitality to our guests! It's all part of the swordman's code!"
His increasingly incoherent explanations only drew more laughter from the villagers, but it was good-natured ribbing that spoke to genuine affection for their wayward young swordsman.
The Shimotsuki family dojo dominated the village center—a impressive traditional structure that could be seen from considerable distance. Even from the street, they could hear the rhythmic sounds of training: wooden swords clacking together, instructors calling out corrections, and students practicing their forms.
"Gustave," Kuina said as they approached the main entrance, "Our dojo is just ahead. Would you mind waiting here while Zoro and I go inside to inform my father about our guests?"
"Of course," Gustave replied with a polite smile. "Take your time. We'll wait right here."
As Kuina dragged a still-protesting Zoro through the dojo's entrance, Gustave took the opportunity to study the building's impressive construction and traditional design.
"Po," he said quietly, "can you sense what's happening inside the dojo?"
Po's expression grew focused as he extended his Observation Haki, scanning the building's interior. After a moment, he opened his eyes with a thoughtful expression.
"Mostly children training," he reported in a low voice. "But there's one adult with a very unusual aura. His strength seems... inconsistent. Like he's deliberately suppressing his true power."
"Interesting," Gustave mused. "How strong would you say he is at full power? Could he give you a real challenge?"
"He wouldn't be able to defeat me," Po answered honestly, "but he's definitely much stronger than you are."
Gustave's expression immediately shifted to mock indignation. "Po! You didn't need to add that last part!"
The panda's eyes twinkled with barely suppressed mirth. Years of spending time with Tom, Luffy, and the others had certainly influenced his previously straightforward personality.
"Still," Gustave continued thoughtfully, "if Po says this person is significantly stronger than me, that puts him at least at the level of a true swordsman—possibly even approaching great swordsman status. Zoro's master is definitely no ordinary instructor."
As they waited for their hosts to return, Gustave found himself anticipating their meeting with Shimotsuki Koshiro. In a world where strength often determined survival, encountering a master swordsman in such a peaceful village setting would certainly make for an interesting evening.
The sounds of training continued to drift from within the dojo, punctuated by encouraging shouts and the steady rhythm of disciplined practice. Whatever awaited them inside, Gustave had a feeling this unexpected detour would prove far more significant than a simple dinner invitation.