Chapter Two: The Sword's Will
After taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Kaito headed home. He needed to assure his mother before the news broke. The shutdown of the guard post would spread through the island like wildfire within hours; it was the primary source of income and prestige for many families.
"Mother, I'm home."
"You're back quickly. Is there any news?" Ino asked, her voice tight with hope.
"Yeah, Father is fine," Kaito said, weaving the lie with a calm he didn't feel. "Their ship had an encounter with a pirate crew, but they handled it. They can't contact us right now because they're still at a Marine station giving their reports."
"Good, good, good." Relief washed over her face. "As long as he's fine, that's all that's important."
"Oh, right," Kaito added, feigning casualness. "The Marines have increased their patrols all over the East Blue. Master Koshiro said that with the decrease in missions, they're going to shut down the guard post. So after Father comes back, he might not have to leave again."
"Oh, that's good news. Although the guard post enhanced the living situation for the whole island, we rarely saw your father anymore. We've made enough money; he can relax now. It's just a shame that fewer merchants will come here."
"Master said the dojo's reputation is known now. People will still come. Even if there's a problem, it won't be a big one."
"Good. Master Koshiro is so dependable. He has a family here too, so we shouldn't be worried."
Kaito offered a kind smile, relieved she seemed to have bought the lie. He listened as she chatted about lighter topics, though a knot of guilt remained tight in his chest.
A firm knock at the door interrupted them.
"I'll get it," Kaito said.
He opened the door to find a young girl with serious purple eyes, her hair tied back neatly. She held a sheathed katana with a distinct white handle.
"Big Brother Kaito," she announced, her voice brimming with determination. "I have come to challenge you."
Kaito's smile vanished the moment his eyes fell on the sword. His breath hitched.
Wado Ichimonji.
In a movement too fast for her young eyes to follow, Kaito flowed forward. Before Kuina even registered his motion, the sword was in his hand, still sheathed.
"Where did you get this sword?" he asked, his voice low and uncharacteristically sharp.
"Hey, that's cheating! You should wait until—"
"Kuina," he interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Answer me. Who gave you this?"
Stunned by his intensity—a side of him she'd never seen—Kuina stammered, "My... my mother gave it to me as a birthday gift. I liked it when I saw it in the attic."
Kaito held the sword, and a deep, unsettling resonance vibrated up his arm. It wasn't just a blade; it was a will, and it was antagonistic. Cursed.
"Kuina," he said, his voice softening with regret. "This sword isn't for you. I'm sorry, but I have to keep it for now."
"What?! You want to take my sword?!" she cried, outraged.
"It's not about wanting. I can't control it either. This isn't normal disobedience; it's a denial of your very right to wield it. This sword wants someone specific. It's a blade for a single bloodline, with specific qualifications. To wield it without that is to invite death. Even if you were strong enough to overcome its curse by force, it would never acknowledge you."
In that moment, Kaito understood the terrible truth of Kuina's original fate. A girl who could defeat grown men, dead from a simple fall down the stairs? The sword's resentment was the only explanation that made sense.
"Brother Kaito," Kuina whispered, her bravado gone, replaced by a child's fear. "Are you saying this sword is going to kill me?"
"Don't worry," he said gently. "It won't act against its holder unless it meets someone it acknowledges. It resists me even more than it resists you, which means it recognizes your potential more than mine. I don't think it will harm you. But to be safe, we should find the person it truly chooses."
Kuina frowned. "But you're the strongest person on this island. I don't think it will acknowledge anyone else."
"It's not about strength," Kaito explained. "It's about belief, will, and blood. Even though I'm stronger, it acknowledges you more. Come, I think there's someone you should meet. He's the most likely person the sword wants. In spirit, he's quite similar to you."
He led a confused Kuina through the village to a specific house. This was where Roronoa Zoro lived. In this timeline, his parents were alive and well, a disaster having been averted years prior thanks to Kaito's foresight.
After several knocks, the door finally swung open to reveal a young, green-haired boy scowling up at them.
"Eh? What are you doing here?" Zoro grumbled. "Didn't I tell you my mother said I can't join the dojo until I'm six?"
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Did you just get lost trying to find the door?"
Zoro's face turned bright red. "I wasn't lost! I was sleeping!"
"You know I can feel everything happening inside, right?" Kaito said, tapping his temple.
"You felt wrong!" Zoro yelled, his face flushing deeper.
Kuina just stared, speechless. Even with her basic understanding of Observation Haki, she had felt him wandering in confused circles inside the house.
"Okay, you'll be six soon," Kaito said, deciding to put the boy out of his misery. "I brought you a gift. It might become yours, if you have fate with it."
He offered the Wado Ichimonji.
The moment Zoro's hand closed around the scabbard, the sword's hostile aura vanished, replaced by a calm, obedient hum.
As expected, Kaito thought.
"Ooooh, it's a great sword!" Zoro said, his eyes wide.
"Glad you like it. It will be yours from now on, but you can't wield it until you're at least ten years old."
"Eeeeeh? Then why give it to me now?"
"I thought it might motivate you. But if you don't want it..."
"No, no, no! I like it! I promise I won't wield it until I'm ten!"
"Wait, Kaito," Kuina interjected, her hands on her hips. "You mean this green-haired shrimp is the one the sword recognizes? I refuse! And how is he similar to me?"
Zoro looked at her, annoyed. "Hey, who are you calling a green shrimp? This is a gift from Kaito to me! It's none of your business!"
"I'm the owner of this sword!" Kuina shot back, her face darkening. "I'm not giving it to you, even if I don't use it!"
Kaito saw Zoro's confused look and nodded. "That's true. She is the current owner. I brought it here because the sword is dangerous."
"Dangerous how?" Zoro asked, his curiosity overriding his annoyance at Kuina.
Just as Kaito opened his mouth to explain, a woman's voice, gentle but laced with a natural authority, cut through the children's bickering.
"Kaito? Is that you at the door? And what is all this talk about danger?"
They all turned to see Zoro's mother, Pinzoro, standing in the doorway. She wiped her hands on a cloth, her sharp eyes taking in the scene: her son bristling with indignation, Kuina with her arms crossed in a huff, and Kaito holding the pristine white sheathe of Wado Ichimonji. Her expression, initially warm at the sight of Kaito, became guarded and serious as her gaze fixed on the sword.
"Mrs. Pinzoro," Kaito said, slightly bowing his head in respect. "My apologies for the disturbance. We didn't mean to wake you."
"Nonsense, I was already awake. But it seems you've brought quite the storm to our doorstep. Come inside, all of you. Whatever this is about, it's best discussed over tea, not shouted on the porch."
She ushered them into a simple, clean living room. Once they were seated, she turned her attention to Kaito. "Don't think I didn't see that sheathe, Kaito. Did Master Koshiro agree to this? That blade belongs to the main family line. You know this."
"It's not that simple," Kaito explained. "This sword has a will. It can only be wielded by someone it recognizes."
"I don't care what a sword thinks!" Kuina interjected, glaring at Zoro. "I know I'm stronger than this green shrimp, so he's not taking my sword!"
Kaito felt a headache brewing. "Okay, how about this: In exchange for this sword, Zoro will be required to give a sword of equal value to Kuina in the future."
Pinzoro immediately frowned. "Kaito, equals to this blade aren't found on the ground. They are won through great trial or luck."
"That's true. Their wielders are all immensely strong people. But I don't think Zoro will be afraid. What do you think, Zoro?"
"Of course I'm not afraid!" Zoro declared, puffing out his chest. "I'm going to be the world's greatest swordsman. I'll have to defeat them all anyway!"
Kaito smiled. Kuina just laughed.
"Hah! You? The world's greatest? That's hilarious, you green shrimp! I'm going to be the world's greatest swordswoman! Big Brother Kaito himself said I have more talent than my father! You could never defeat me!"
"What?! Let's duel, then! I'll beat you right here, right now!"
"Zoro, wait," Kaito said calmly. "Kuina is the best student in the dojo. You haven't even started formal training yet. Let's wait until you join."
"No! I've been training my Three-Sword Style! I'll defeat you! You'll be surprised how strong I am now!"
"Hah! Defeat Big Brother Kaito?" Kuina jeered. "You're not a shrimp, you're a frog at the bottom of a well! Big Brother Kaito can defeat my dad! You think you can beat him? That's the funniest joke I've ever heard!"
Enraged, Zoro gritted his teeth, ran inside, and returned moments later with three wooden swords.
"Come on! I'll show you my strength!"
Kaito shook his head and looked at Pinzoro, who gave a slight, amused nod. With a sigh, he acted as referee. "Begin."
The fight was over in an instant.
Zoro lay on his back, staring at the sky in a daze, all three of his swords scattered around him.
"Told you," Kuina said, sheathing her practice blade. "And I've decided I don't want that sword anymore. If it's a blade that recognizes weakness, then I'll find one that recognizes strength. Hmph!"
Zoro didn't reply. He just looked at her for a long, hard moment before turning to his mother. "I'm not waiting for my birthday. I'm joining the dojo tomorrow."
He then marched back into the house without another word, leaving Kaito smiling and Kuina looking surprised.
Pinzoro watched her son go, then turned to Kaito, her expression deeply concerned. "Kaito, the will in that sword may carry my ancestor's wish, and it is a more dangerous burden than you can imagine. I am eternally grateful for what you did for our family, but I cannot let my son carry such a heavy mission. Please, take back the sword. It is not a legacy I want for him."
Kaito seemed to ponder her words. "Ma'am, I don't know your full history, but you must know that I felt it. The moment Zoro held the sword, it recognized him. It's best to leave some things to fate."
Pinzoro looked at him, then shook her head firmly. "I'm sorry. This is one thing I cannot allow. I will not let my son be shackled by that destiny. Not until he is old enough to choose it for himself. That sword is not to stay in this house."
Kaito was quiet for a moment, then nodded in acceptance. "I understand. Then I will keep it safe until Zoro is old enough to decide for himself."
"Thank you," Pinzoro said, her voice full of relief and gratitude.