Chapter 170: Reunion in Shimotsuki Village
Loguetown - Marine Branch Office
In Commodore Smoker's office, smoke curled in the air, the scent of cigars filling the entire space.
When Zoro, Kuina, and Tashigi pushed the door open and walked in one after another, Smoker was looking out the window with his back to them. He didn't turn around at the sound of their footsteps, simply stating calmly, "I did a double-take when I saw you this morning."
He turned slowly, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Kuina and Tashigi like a sharp blade. His tone was as calm as ever, yet filled with meaning. "I didn't expect you to meet so soon."
Zoro crossed his arms, his mouth twitching slightly. "So you knew there was a 'Copycat Kuina' in this town all along, didn't you?"
Smoker huffed lightly. "She's my subordinate. I see her all the time."
Then his gaze shifted to Tashigi. "However, she's never left the East Blue Branch, so running into you guys for the first time was indeed a coincidence."
Kuina looked at Tashigi standing beside her and couldn't help but ask, "Are we... really not related?"
After a simple inquiry and exchange, the three confirmed—they really only looked extremely similar. Their family backgrounds, upbringing, places of residence, and birthdays didn't overlap at all.
Zoro shrugged upon hearing this and sighed. "This world... sure is miraculous."
Tashigi, however, had long had her attention completely captivated by something else—
"Wait... that sword... is that Wado Ichimonji?!"
She practically shuffled up to Kuina in tiny, rapid steps, her glasses nearly sliding off, her eyes shining with the light of a "sword fanatic."
"One of the legendary 21 Great Grade Swords! The masterpiece of the Shimotsuki smithing family!"
"C-Can I touch it?! Just once! I promise to handle it gently!"
Seeing her shaking with excitement, Kuina found it both helpless and funny. She simply unbuckled the sword and handed it over. "If you like it, go ahead. Just be careful."
Tashigi took it with trembling hands, gazing at the blade as if holding a rare treasure. She mumbled terms like blade pattern, weight, balance, temper line, as if entering a weapon researcher's fanatic mode.
Zoro leaned against the wall and rolled his eyes, his tone sour. "Oi, didn't you look at my three swords just now? Why didn't I hear you praise them this much?"
Tashigi didn't even look up. "Because I've already researched your type of swords, but a legendary blade like Wado Ichimonji is something every female swordsman dreams of!"
Kuina was surprised. "You're a swordsman too?"
Tashigi's smile faded slightly, and she nodded quietly. "Mm..."
She looked at Wado Ichimonji, her voice lowering. "I... actually always felt... that a woman's strength ultimately can't compare to a man's, especially in terms of strength, speed, and explosiveness."
"Many people don't treat me as a real swordsman, just a 'weird girl who likes swords'."
She lowered her head, adding somewhat shyly, "I even... thought it would be better if I could become a man."
"PFFT—!!!"
Zoro sprayed his tea, choking until his face turned red. "Cough cough cough!! Y-You actually had that thought too?!!"
Kuina, however, froze for a moment. She walked slowly to Tashigi and gently reached out her hand—
"I... used to think that way too."
Tashigi looked up sharply, her eyes full of shock. "You too...?"
Kuina nodded, her eyes becoming exceptionally resolute. "When I was young, I heard too much of 'Why should girls practice swordsmanship,' 'You'll get married sooner or later,' and things like that. I once thought that only by becoming a man could I possibly become the strongest swordsman."
"Until—"
She pointed at Zoro. "I beat him into the dirt thousands of times with my own hands. That's when I realized—gender is not an obstacle at all."
"The true path of the sword knows no gender!"
Zoro protested immediately. "Oi! That was in the past, okay? And I was young back then!"
Kuina ignored Zoro's shouting and patted Tashigi gently on the shoulder.
Tashigi stared blankly for a few seconds, then slowly revealed a relieved and admiring smile. "Thank you... I think I understand a lot now."
The two looked at each other, their smiles carrying a tacit understanding of mutual appreciation.
Smoker sat behind his desk, puffing smoke, and said faintly, "Enough already? Save the sisterly bonding for later."
He looked at Zoro and Kuina. "Your ship sets sail in half an hour. Go to the port and assemble. Don't be late."
Tashigi reluctantly returned Wado Ichimonji to Kuina, whispering, "If there's a chance in the future... can I spar with you once?"
Kuina nodded. "Whenever you're ready, I'll be waiting."
Tashigi's eyes became firm again.
As Zoro walked out of the office, he looked back twice, muttering, "One was already troublesome enough... now there are two..."
"This world is ridiculously crazy..."
East Blue - Shimotsuki Village
The sunset slowly dipped below the horizon. The evening glow was like fire, spilling over the quiet village in East Blue. The sparkling sea surface seemed plated with gold.
A small Marine warship docked slowly, its sails fluttering in the wind.
On the pier, two figures walked steadily down the gangway, stepping onto this familiar yet long-unvisited land.
17-year-old Kuina walked in front. Her dark blue ponytail was tied neatly, her posture under the uniform tall and slender. Her height of 1.7 meters, combined with the calm temperament inherited from the Shimotsuki clan, made her look like a famous unsheathed blade—quiet but impossible to ignore.
The Wado Ichimonji at her waist refracted a faint glow in the setting sun, as if whispering: "I have returned."
Following behind her was Zoro, now 15 years old. He had reached a height of 1.8 meters, his body sculpted into a blade-like silhouette by the high-intensity training at Marine Headquarters.
Three swords hung securely at his waist, swaying slightly as he walked, steady and powerful.
He looked around, gazing at the familiar village, the beach, even the wild grass swaying in the breeze. A long-lost emotion slowly welled up in his heart.
"I wouldn't get lost going home, would I?" Zoro shrugged, his tone teasing, but his eyes filled with genuine nostalgia.
Kuina chuckled without looking back. "That's hard to say. After all, someone once circled the mountain behind the dojo for a whole day..."
"That was when I was a kid!" Zoro couldn't help but mutter. "...Right?"
Kuina didn't comment, just quickened her pace slightly, walking along the familiar path toward the dojo.
The two walked side by side. Familiar trees and fields lined the mountain path. The wind blew through the branches and leaves, bringing the fresh scent of earth and grass.
Gradually, the immature shouts of children came from ahead:
"Hei!"
"Ha!"
"Again!"
Mixed with the clack-clack of wooden swords colliding, a vibrant vitality carried on the wind.
Zoro stopped in his tracks, tilting his head to listen, his expression softening considerably.
He even instinctively lightened his steps, as if afraid to disturb this purity and peace belonging to his hometown.
Kuina tilted her head slightly. "What, not going in to take a look?"
Zoro responded in a low voice, "I want to listen a bit longer."
Kuina reached out and pushed open the familiar wooden gate—
Creaaaak—
The Shimotsuki Dojo came into view.
Over a dozen children in training uniforms were focused on practicing swordsmanship. Every move was slightly rusty but executed with full force. Sweat dripped down their cheeks. In the waving of wooden swords lay dreams and persistence uncontaminated by the world.
At the far end of the dojo, Koushirou sat upright on the tatami, his back straight and temperament steady as ever.
He seemed to have sensed their arrival long ago, but he quietly watched his disciples practice until all the little brats finished their forms. Only then did he slowly look up.
Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, those gentle eyes looked toward the door, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Welcome home."
Kuina stepped forward, her tone gentle and quiet, as if telling that always silent but gentle father of the peace in her heart. "I'm back, Father."
Koushirou nodded, responding softly. "This time... you look more like a sword than before."
Kuina didn't speak, just smiled slightly, her eyes warming.
Zoro also walked forward slowly, putting down the duffel bag on his shoulder. Looking at the familiar wooden floor, the dojo beams, and his master's unchanged face.
The corner of his mouth also unconsciously lifted into a smile. "I'm... back too."
Koushirou nodded slightly, looking at this once impulsive and hot-blooded boy who had gradually grown into a true swordsman, his tone gentle. "Mm, it's good that you're back."
"...The sword is for protection, and also a way to constantly correct oneself while moving forward."
He paused. "The path you've walked is farther than I ever imagined."
Kuina stood beside Zoro. Both their gazes turned simultaneously to the little brats in the dojo who were seriously wiping their wooden swords.
Once, they were among them.
And now, they were the light that could illuminate the path for others.
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