Cold wind swept across the barren trails of the Wano countryside.
Trudging through the lightly falling snow, the swordsman pulled the pink, floral-patterned haori tighter around his shoulders. Adjusting the woven straw hat to block the freezing breeze, Zoro glared at the winding dirt path ahead. The Shunsui Kyoraku disguise provided excellent camouflage among the locals, but it did nothing to keep out the harsh weather of the northern regions.
Gritting his teeth, the pirate muttered curses under his breath.
He was lost. Again.
More importantly, he was missing a third of his combat power. Tapping the right side of his dark sash, his hand met empty air where the black scabbard of Shusui usually rested.
Losing the blade stung his pride deeply. The theft had occurred three days ago in the bustling streets of the Flower Capital. Walking through a crowded market square, a massive warrior monk had bumped into his shoulder. The technique was flawless, executed with the seamless precision of a master pickpocket. Realizing the missing weight at his hip only moments later, Zoro had spotted the giant man sprinting away through the dense crowd.
Giving chase immediately, the swordsman had followed the thief around a street corner. Taking what appeared to be a logical shortcut through an alleyway, the pirate somehow exited the capital ending up in a dense bamboo forest two regions away.
Wandering the country ever since, avoiding his own crew became a top priority.
Returning to the safe house without his sword was not an option. The thought of the cook discovering the theft fueled his determination. If curly-brows found out a street thief had robbed him, the relentless mockery would easily last for a week. The blonde idiot would never let him live it down.
Refusing to ask for directions or contact the others via the Kimiyo beads, the swordsman relied strictly on tavern rumors.
Whispers among the local drunks pointed toward a specific location. People spoke in hushed tones about the 'weapon-collecting bandit of Oihagi Bridge'. According to the stories, a massive warrior monk guarded a snowy crossing in the Ringo region, challenging any armed traveler and confiscating their blades.
Following the trail of rumors, the climate shifted drastically. The dry dirt roads gave way to frozen earth and heavy snow drifts.
Cresting a steep, white hill, the destination finally came into view.
Spanning a wide, frozen river, Oihagi Bridge stood quietly in the falling snow. Wooden pillars supported the long crossing. At the very center of the bridge, a towering figure sat cross-legged on the planks. Wearing thick white robes and carrying a massive naginata, the warrior monk waited patiently. Dozens of stolen weapons sat in a pile behind him.
Stepping onto the wooden planks, Zoro drew Wado Ichimonji and Sandai Kitetsu.
Hearing the approaching footsteps, the monk stood up to his full, imposing height.
"You," the swordsman called out, resting the white hilt of his sword against his shoulder. "You took my blade in the capital. Hand it back."
Squinting through the falling snow, Gyukimaru recognized the disguised pirate. A deep, booming laugh escaped the monk's lips.
"The careless traveler," Gyukimaru noted, spinning his heavy halberd expertly. "You have come a long way for nothing. I do not have the black blade on me."
Frowning, Zoro tightened his grip on his swords. "Where is it?"
"Returned to its rightful place," the monk declared proudly. Planting the butt of the naginata onto the wooden bridge, the sound echoed loudly. "Shusui is the sacred treasure of Wano. It belongs to the Sword God, Ryuma. I have already returned the blade to his grave in the northern cemetery."
A vein popped on the pirate's forehead. "That sword was given to me by Ryuma himself. I won it in a fair duel."
Shaking his head, the monk scoffed at the claim. "Lies. A foreign thief stole it from the grave decades ago, bringing ruin and despair to our nation. Its return will appease the angry spirits. You will not touch it again."
Lowering his swords into a fighting stance, the pirate exhaled a slow, cold breath.
"I don't care about your angry spirits," Zoro stated flatly. "I need three swords. If you won't tell me where the grave is, I will just have to beat the location out of you."
"Arrogance," Gyukimaru grunted, raising his weapon. "Leave your remaining blades here, and I will spare your life."
The negotiation ended immediately.
Kicking off the snowy planks, the swordsman launched himself forward. The floral haori fluttered wildly behind him. Swinging the two blades horizontally, he aimed directly for the monk's broad chest.
Bringing the naginata up in a swift block, the heavy iron shaft collided with the dual katanas.
Sparks rained down onto the snow. The force of the clash shook the wooden bridge, cracking the ice on the river below. Pushing back against the pirate, Gyukimaru utilized his massive size and weight advantage.
Sliding backward a few feet, Zoro adjusted his footing seamlessly.
Two Sword Style: Hawk Wave.
Swinging the blades diagonally, a powerful blast of compressed air shot toward the giant monk.
Reacting with surprising agility for a man of his size, Gyukimaru spun the halberd like a windmill. Deflecting the flying slash, the air pressure diverted upward, slicing cleanly through the falling snowflakes. Stepping into the opening, the monk thrust the sharp tip of his weapon toward the pirate's stomach.
Twisting his torso, the swordsman avoided the lethal thrust by a mere inch.
Bringing Sandai Kitetsu down heavily, he trapped the shaft of the naginata against the bridge. Using the leverage, he stepped forward and swung Wado Ichimonji directly at the monk's neck.
Forced to abandon his weapon to avoid decapitation, Gyukimaru leaped backward.
Pressing the advantage instantly, the pirate did not allow the bandit a moment to recover. Closing the distance with a rapid sprint, Zoro unleashed a flurry of high-speed strikes. Without the long reach of the halberd to keep the swordsman at bay, the monk struggled to defend himself.
Dodging the first two slashes, the giant man stumbled over a snowdrift.
Reversing his grip on the cursed sword, Zoro brought the pommel down hard against the monk's temple.
The blunt impact rattled Gyukimaru's skull. Losing his balance, the bandit crashed onto his back, shaking the wooden bridge.
Stepping over the fallen giant, the pirate pointed the sharp tip of Wado Ichimonji directly at the monk's throat.
"Now," Zoro demanded coldly, his breath pluming in the freezing air. "Take me to the grave."
Before the defeated bandit could answer, a frantic voice called out from the far side of the bridge.
"Stop! Please, you cannot kill him!"
Keeping the blade steady at the monk's neck, the swordsman turned his head.
Running onto the snowy planks, a young woman in a dirty, torn kimono rushed toward the fight. A small girl with a patched bamboo hat followed closely behind her, clinging to her hand.
Recognizing the woman instantly, Zoro narrowed his visible eye. The elaborate hairpins were missing, and the pristine makeup was gone, but the face matched the high-ranking courtesan from the capital exactly.
The Oiran, Zoro thought, recalling the chaotic banquet incident. Kyoshiro cut her down in front of the Shogun. The strike was superficial, just as I suspected.
Stopping a few yards away, Komurasaki caught her breath, shielding the little girl behind her back.
"Why should I spare him?" Zoro asked, irritation coloring his tone. "He refuses to return what he stole."
Stepping forward bravely, the woman bowed her head slightly. "He is a loyal ally. Please, lower your weapon. What exactly happened?"
Sighing heavily, the pirate briefly explained the pickpocketing incident in the capital and the subsequent chase across the regions.
Listening to the story, a look of understanding crossed the woman's face. Looking at the defeated monk, she offered a gentle, reassuring smile before turning back to the dangerous swordsman.
"I understand your frustration, samurai," Komurasaki spoke clearly. "But Shusui holds deep cultural significance to the people of this country. Taking it from the grave again will cause immense pain."
"I am a pirate, not a samurai," Zoro corrected, his glare remaining harsh. "I need my weapon for the coming war against Kaido. Cultural significance doesn't win battles."
"I can offer a replacement," the woman proposed quickly, holding her hands up in a peaceful gesture.
Raising an eyebrow, the swordsman did not move his blade from the monk's throat. "A replacement? I don't use normal swords. I need a graded blade."
"It is not a normal sword," Komurasaki assured him, her voice steady. "If you leave Shusui resting peacefully at Ryuma's grave, I will give you a Great Grade Sword named Enma used by late Shogun Kozuki Oden himself."
"Enma," the woman continued, watching his reaction carefully. "It is the only weapon in history to have ever successfully wounded the Emperor, Kaido."
Silence fell over the snowy bridge. The claim was massive.
Pressing the edge of his sword slightly closer to the monk's skin, Zoro stared directly into the woman's eyes.
"Why would Kozuki Oden pass his sword down to a courtesan?" the pirate demanded, testing her resolve. "Don't try to lie to me. I can tell when people are hiding the truth. Your comrade's life is on the line right now."
Flinching slightly at the threat, the woman did not back down. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture, shedding the submissive persona of the Oiran entirely.
"I am not lying," she declared, her eyes shining with quiet, fierce pride. "I am the daughter of the late Shogun. My true name is Kozuki Hiyori."
The revelation landed heavily.
Lowering his sword slowly, Zoro stepped back from the fallen monk. Sheathing Wado Ichimonji, the pirate processed the information. The sister of Momonosuke had survived the burning of the castle, hiding in plain sight in the capital for two decades.
Reaching into the pocket of his floral haori, the swordsman pulled out a small, glowing Kimiyo bead tied to a string.
"We will verify that right now," Zoro stated, tapping the beads and contacted Kinemon.
The bead pulsed with bright light. A few seconds passed as the connection established.
A three-dimensional hologram projected into the snowy air, displaying the confused face of Kin'emon.
"Zoro-dono?" the samurai asked, his voice echoing from the bead. "Where are you? We have been looking for you for days."
"I got held up in Ringo," the pirate answered casually. Stepping aside, he adjusted his wrist to ensure the hologram's visual field captured the young woman standing on the bridge. "I found someone who claims to know you."
On the other side of the connection, the samurai looked at the projection.
At first, confusion clouded Kin'emon's face. The woman looked unfamiliar to him. However, as he stared at her eyes and the structure of her face, the resemblance to Lady Toki became undeniably clear.
Standing on the bridge, Hiyori covered her mouth with her hands. Tears immediately spilled over her cheeks.
"Kin'emon," the young woman sobbed, her voice breaking.
The hologram froze. The samurai's eyes widened in shock.
"Princess Hiyori?" Kin'emon gasped, dropping to his knees. "Is it truly you? You survived the fires?"
Nodding frantically, the princess wiped the tears from her face, though they continued to fall. "Yes. Kawamatsu protected me. He carried me out of the castle through the waterways. We hid together for years, until we were separated."
A heavy, emotional silence settled over the conversation. The samurai wept openly, overcome by the miraculous survival of his lord's daughter.
Sitting up from the snowy planks, Gyukimaru stared at the glowing hologram in disbelief, recognizing the legendary leader of the Akazaya Nine instantly.
For the next ten minutes, the war against Kaido faded into the background.
Hiyori recounted the painful years of hiding, surviving on the streets, and eventually adopting the identity of Komurasaki to protect herself under the watchful eye of Kyoshiro. Kin'emon listened intently, praising her incredible resilience and apologizing repeatedly for failing to protect the family twenty years ago.
Listening to the exchange, Zoro crossed his arms, satisfied with the confirmation.
Eventually, the emotional reunion ran its course. Assuring the princess that her brother, Momonosuke, was safe and healthy, Kin'emon promised to arrange a meeting as soon as the battle preparations allowed.
Disconnecting the call, the hologram flickered and vanished from the air.
Wiping her eyes one final time, Hiyori looked at the disguised pirate with immense gratitude.
"Thank you," she whispered softly. Turning her attention back to the fallen monk, she repeated her earlier request. "Will you spare his life? And will you accept the exchange? Enma for Shusui?"
Rubbing the back of his neck, the swordsman let out a resigned sigh.
Fighting a loyal retainer of the Kozuki family felt like a waste of energy, especially after verifying their identity. Furthermore, the prospect of wielding a blade capable of cutting the King of the Beasts sparked a deep, familiar thrill in his chest. A legendary sword for a legendary sword. The trade felt balanced.
"Fine," Zoro agreed, offering a small, confident smirk. "I will leave Shusui at the grave. Lead the way to Enma."