Naru's body had a remarkable internal clock. She always seemed to wake up at a fixed time, no matter where she was. As the first light of dawn crept in, she was already wide awake, her senses sharp and alert, ready to face the new day.
The guest bedroom she had been assigned was modest yet comfortable, connected to a small private washroom. She took a quick shower, letting the cool water awaken her senses fully, before dressing in a simple outfit consisting of a crisp white shirt and a pair of black shorts that allowed for easy and unhindered movement.
She paused in front of the mirror, giving herself a careful once-over. Seeing her neat and tidy appearance reflected back, she hummed softly in quiet approval. With that, she grabbed her sling bag, slung it over her shoulder, and stepped lightly out of the room.
In the hallway, she came face to face with Koushirou. They exchanged polite greetings, keeping the conversation light and courteous. Before they could speak further, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from behind him. A young girl with dark bluish hair appeared, her large eyes fixed curiously on Naru.
She seemed around the same age as Ace, Naru thought to herself.
"Father," the little girl greeted Koushirou with quiet respect as she stepped to his side. The man nodded and turned slightly, formally introducing them.
"Naru-san, this is my daughter, Kuina," he said warmly. At the mention of her name, the little girl gave a polite bow. "Kuina, this is Naru-san. She is a year older than you and will be staying with us for a while."
Naru blinked, caught off guard. "I am?"
Koushirou chuckled lightly, giving her a gentle nod. "Yes. Father informed me earlier. So please, Naru-san, make yourself at home here. If you need anything, do not hesitate to come to either me or Kuina."
Before Naru could respond, Koushirou spoke again. "We would like to stay longer and talk with you, but we need to head out to the dojo now."
"Oh, that's fine. I was planning to explore the village anyway," Naru replied casually, already mapping out her day in her mind.
"That sounds wonderful, Naru-san. I hope you enjoy your time here."
"Thank you. I certainly will."
Throughout the conversation, Kuina had been staring at Naru intensely, making the older girl feel slightly uncomfortable under such persistent observation.
Staring at the back of the little girl walking beside her father, Naru grimaced. What exactly is she staring at? she wondered.
Shaking her head, she decided to let it go and continued on her way to explore the village.
First things first, she thought. Let us see if the ramen stall is already open.
Fortunately, it was. By the time she arrived, the tantalizing aroma of simmering broth and fresh noodles had already filled the air. She ordered several bowls and devoured them with gusto, savoring each bite. Once her hunger was satisfied and her spirits lifted, she wandered through the village, taking in the sights and chatting casually with the locals. The people were friendly and welcoming, and through these small conversations, Naru learned much more than old man Kozaburo had ever shared with her.
She discovered that the village was named Shimotsuki because the old man, who had arrived on the island with several members of his family at least forty-one years ago, stumbled upon the small village during a pirate raid. The Shimotsuki Family saved the villagers and decided to settle there permanently, later naming the settlement Shimotsuki Village.
The Shimotsuki Family descended from Wano, a proud land of samurais, according to old man Kozaburo. Since the old man and his kinsmen were highly skilled with swords, swordsmanship naturally became a defining trait for the children and men of the village.
After hours of wandering and getting to know the villagers, Naru began to feel the weight of the day catching up with her.
During afternoons like this back home, she would spend hours with her brothers, climbing trees and lying on their backs along thick branches as they watched the clouds drift peacefully across the sky. She was uncertain when she had picked up this habit, but realizing she always felt a serene daze while gazing at clouds, she never attempted to break it.
As usual, Ace mimicked her, constantly at her side and copying her actions instinctively. Luffy, not wanting to be left behind, tried the same, although he typically fell asleep a minute after lying down, snoring while the clouds floated lazily above.
Dadan often found her siblings napping in the front yard, on rooftops, or even in trees.
Here, in this quiet and peaceful village, Naru naturally fell into the same habit. She found a tall, sturdy tree, climbed a high branch, and sank into the leafy embrace, hidden from view beneath a canopy of vibrant green.
A while later, a small figure emerged from the trees, dragging something heavy that left a long trail across the ground. The noise disrupted Naru's light slumber, and her senses gradually returned to alertness.
"Mm?" she murmured, peering downward. She spotted a boy with vibrant green hair and tanned skin, struggling to drag a large sack toward the tree she had chosen. A wooden sword was strapped to his waist, and he seemed slightly older than Luffy but younger than Ace.
She watched with idle curiosity as the boy positioned the sack beneath a thick branch, picked up a long rope tied to it, and with surprising precision flung it over the branch to hoist the sack into the air. Once it was suspended, he stepped back and grinned in satisfaction.
Completely unaware of Naru's presence above him, the boy grabbed his wooden sword and began striking the dangling sack with a spirited cry.
"Hiya!"
Naru noted his clumsy movements. He was clearly a beginner, but she remained perched in the tree, enjoying both the clouds above and the sporadic groans and cries of the boy below.
As the sun began to sink toward the horizon, the boy finally ceased his training. The battered sack, leaking sand from holes created by his strikes, was a testament to his effort. He grinned triumphantly.
"Hehe, guess I will need a new one tomorrow," he said proudly. "Soon, I will become as strong as Dad!"
He placed his hands behind his head and whistled as he left the clearing. A couple of minutes later, Naru planned to return to the Shimotsuki residence, but she sensed someone approaching again.
It was the boy from before, looking confused as he examined the tattered sack. "I think I have seen this place before…"
He left, only to return a few minutes later, spotting the tree and the sack again. "Huh? How many people come to this forest to train?"
After uttering those words, he left quickly, but soon returned, panting and exasperated. "This is not the same place I came to earlier, right?!"
The cycle continued. Each return left him more dumbfounded.
"Are you kidding me?"
"Seriously?"
"How can I be lost? I haven't even walked far from the village!"
"AGAIN?!"
"ARGHHH! I NEED TO GET HOME SOON!" he shouted toward the darkening sky.
Naru, thoroughly amused, had been observing the boy's terrible sense of direction for nearly half an hour before she could no longer contain her laughter.
"Who's there?!" he yelled, spinning around, unable to locate the source.
"Up here," Naru called.
"Huh?" He squinted, scanning the branches. That was when he saw her dangling upside down like a mischievous monkey, a girl he had never seen before.
"Who are you?" he asked. With the evening shadows obscuring her face, he could not get a clear view and was puzzled by her odd position.
In response, Naru executed a skillful flip from the branch, landing gracefully on her feet before the boy, a mischievous grin adorning her face.
"I'm Naru," she said casually.
Standing before him, he could now see her clearly. She had shoulder-length yellow hair and bright blue eyes. Three thin lines marked each cheek, reminiscent of a certain orange-furred cat known for stealing fish from the market.
"I'm Zoro, Roronoa Zoro," the boy introduced himself, looking at Naru with curiosity. "I have never seen you around before."
"I'm from another island. I just arrived last night," she replied.
"Last night?" His memory sparked. During yesterday's dinner with his family, his grandmother had mentioned meeting a kind girl from a distant place. He had paid little attention at the time, but now it seemed likely this girl was the one she had spoken of.
"Ah, so you are the girl my grandmother mentioned last night," he said, realization dawning in his eyes.
"Your grandmother? What's her name?" Naru asked curiously. She recalled meeting a warm and friendly older lady upon her arrival.
"Her name is Shimotsuki Furiko. My grandfather is Roronoa Pinzoro. My father is Arashi, and my mother is Tera. I got my name from my grandfather."
He rattled off the names of his immediate family without hesitation, leaving Naru blinking in surprise. She wondered why a child would recite his full lineage to someone he had only just met.
Zoro's habit stemmed from his mother's frequent reminders. In their close-knit village, if he ever got lost, he was to provide his family names so a fellow villager could recognize him and safely return him home. His mother had long accepted his hopeless sense of direction.
Naru did not know any of this. She only noticed the name Shimotsuki. While the village carried the same name, not everyone bore that surname, meaning this boy was clearly related to the old man she had met.
"I have only been here a day," she said with a light smile, "but I already know the area fairly well. Since it is getting late, why don't I walk you home, Zoro?"
Used to being escorted home when lost, Zoro nodded enthusiastically. "Sure!"
"Awesome! Shall we go now?"
"Alright!"
Naru led Zoro through the woods, building a quick, light friendship. However, despite her guidance, Zoro repeatedly veered left or right for no reason. A journey that should have been a simple stroll became a frustratingly winding expedition, testing her patience.
"Okay, we are almost—wait. Zoro? Where are you going?" she shouted.
"Oi! That's not the way!"
"Zoro-kun! Can you just walk straight? Straight, please!"
"The village is right there! Why are you heading to the bushes?"
Eventually, she had no choice but to grab his hand and guide him firmly. Her ability to sense his presence ensured she never lost track, even when he darted off unpredictably.
They arrived at a small residence identified by Zoro. He called out as they reached the front door. "Mom, I am home!"
A beautiful woman with long greenish hair emerged. She looked first at her son, covered in dirt and sweat, then at Naru.
Before Naru could speak, Tera gave a polite bow. "Thank you for bringing my little boy back."
"Oh, it was no trouble at all," Naru replied quickly. "He kept circling the same part of the forest, so I thought he might not know his way around."
Tera chuckled softly. "He does that a lot. Though, we are working on improving his sense of direction. It's a work in progress." She smiled internally, pleased that all her reminders to Zoro had paid off.
"Usually, someone from the village brings him home. This is the first time he came home with a girl. You must be the guest staying at the chief's house."
"Yes, that is me. My name is Naru. It is a pleasure to meet you, Tera-san." She extended her hand with a respectful nod.
Tera shook her hand gently. "A pleasure to meet you as well, Naru-Chan."
Zoro, uninterested in the conversation, looked at his mother. "Can I come in now? I am starving!"
"Wash yourself first," Tera instructed.
"Okay!" Zoro turned to Naru. "See you tomorrow! What was your name again? Oh right, Naru!"
With that, he dashed into the house.
Tera sighed at his antics, then addressed Naru. "Would you like to come in for dinner? I am sure my husband and mother-in-law would be pleased to meet you."
Naru politely declined, shaking her head. "Perhaps another time, Tera-san. It is getting late, and the chief must be wondering where I am."
The older woman nodded in understanding, offering no insistence. "Please be careful on your way back."
After exchanging polite words, Naru left the humble residence of the Roronoa family.
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The next morning, the two men of the small Shimotsuki family had already left to attend to their respective tasks. While Koushirou headed toward the dojo for training, the old man departed from the house carrying a fishing rod and a pail.
Kuina, for some reason, did not leave with her father, leaving only Naru and the younger girl alone inside the residence.
Naru did not intend to remain idle in the house either. She was just about to step outside when Kuina suddenly approached her.
"Naru-san," the younger girl called politely.
"Oh, Kuina. What is it? Do you need something from me?" Naru replied, a bit surprised that they younger girl decided to approach her.
Kuina hesitated for a moment, uncertain whether she should voice what was on her mind or keep it to herself.
Sensing the girl's hesitation, Naru smiled gently, offering the calm reassurance of an older sister caring for her junior. "It is alright. If you need my help or have a question, just ask. I will do whatever I can, alright?"
Encouraged by Naru's bright smile, Kuina gathered her courage and spoke. "I heard that you are from another island and that you sailed here on your own."
Naru nodded, confirming the statement. "That is correct."
"But you are only a year older than me!" Kuina exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. "How could you do something so dangerous entirely by yourself when you are just ten years old?"
Naru raised a brow and answered her question with a question of her own. "Would I have left my home and traveled across the sea if I did not have the ability to survive it?"
Kuina fell silent, unable to respond immediately.
"Only when you are strong enough," Naru added in a calm yet resolute tone, "can you do what others cannot."
"So you are a strong person, then?" Kuina asked, narrowing her eyes with curiosity.
"I am," Naru replied plainly, without a trace of modesty. It was the undeniable truth.
"Then spar with me," Kuina suddenly demanded, her expression filled with determination.
"…Huh?"
In a spacious clearing just beyond the house, the two girls faced each other, preparing for the challenge.
"Do you know how to use a sword?" Kuina asked, gripping a pair of wooden swords, one in each hand.
"I usually prefer short knives," Naru admitted, "but I can handle longer weapons as well."
Swing, strike, block, and dodge seemed simple enough, she thought to herself.
As Kuina shifted into a practiced stance, Naru caught the sword tossed her way, choosing to humor the younger girl.
The result was decisive.
Kuina lost.
To be fair, Naru acknowledged the younger girl's impressive foundation. Her technique and discipline were far beyond the average student back at the ninja academy. However, defeating someone like Naru, who had trained under Garp's brutal regimen and faced real combat situations, required a level of skill and experience Kuina had not yet reached.
Naru did not even need fancy jutsu or flashy tricks. Her raw strength and unnatural speed alone were sufficient to disrupt Kuina's balance and timing completely.
When Kuina's grip failed and her wooden sword slipped from her hands, she knew she had been defeated. Yet, instead of pouting or showing frustration, her face lit up with a wide, excited grin.
She was hooked.
After the sparring match, Kuina eagerly asked Naru for guidance.
Naru offered her advice simply, "Do not stop. Keep training until your sword moves faster than your opponent's eyes."
It was admittedly a rather minimalistic tip. Naru was not a kenjutsu expert, preferring kunai or relying on her fists in combat. Giving sword-fighting advice was not her specialty.
Yet Kuina took the words seriously. Even though Naru was not an expert, her words resonated deeply, striking a chord within the younger girl.
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.
Naru's stay in Shimotsuki Village lasted for several weeks. During her time there, she forged friendships with both Zoro and Kuina. She treated them as if they were her own siblings, and both Zoro and Kuina fully embraced her presence, pestering her to play and train with them every single day.
After heartfelt farewells and a promise to return for another visit, Naru eventually left the island.
Her small boat bobbed gently on the waves as she charted a course back to her own island.
This time, thanks to old man Kozaburo, who had extensive experience sailing the seas, Naru learned to read maps and navigate with a compass. As a result, her journey was smooth, lasting only a single day before she reached Dawn Island. Apparently, the island where Shimotsuki Village was located was not far from Dawn Island, which would make it easier for Naru to visit Zoro and Kuina in the future.
Upon reaching her home, she noticed some of the men were collecting firewood and stacking it in a specific spot in the front yard. Nearby, a large wooden basin held raw meat that they planned to roast and grill later.
"I'm back!" she called out cheerfully.
Her sudden arrival startled the others only briefly before they greeted her warmly, asking about her well-being. Concerned she might be exhausted from her long journey, they nudged her to enter and rest while they made preparations for a celebratory feast to honor her return.
Naru followed their suggestion and stepped inside, spotting Dadan folding clothes in her favorite corner of the house. Despite her rough exterior, the woman was diligent in maintaining the household's cleanliness.
"I'm home," Naru announced, gaining Dadan's attention.
Dadan had already heard the commotion outside, so she was not surprised to see Naru. She merely let out a small hum and remarked, "I thought you had forgotten the way back home."
"Come on, it was not that long. Where are the others?" Naru asked, noting that her brothers were not there to welcome her.
"As usual. Lately, those two have been spending a lot of time in the woods," Dadan explained.
"Really?"
"Yes, they made a new friend named Sabo, with round eyes and blond hair. They brought him here last week. He even spent a couple of nights here."
"A new friend?" Naru's eyes widened in surprise. Although she had placed a few clones during her absence to monitor her brothers, she had not kept track of who they were spending time with. She supposed it was a good thing for Ace and Luffy to have someone new to play with. After all, they could not stick to her every moment, and seeing each other alone for years must have grown dull. Having a new companion seemed natural.
"Will they bring this friend home today?" she asked, genuinely curious about Sabo.
Dadan shrugged. "Perhaps. They always return from the woods only after the sun has set."
"That late?"
"Yes."
"Well, I suppose they miss me scolding them. Then I will give them a proper one when they return," Naru said with a slight smile. "Now, Dadan, I will take a shower and rest for a while. I have been rowing the boat without a break since yesterday."
"Are you not going to look for them?" Dadan asked, noticing her heading to her room.
Naru waved dismissively. "No, they can come back on their own."
"If you say so," Dadan replied, returning her attention to the folded clothes.
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Later, when Ace and Luffy returned from hours spent playing in the woods with Sabo, the sun had already set.
Much to their delight, they saw their big sister among the people gathered around a bonfire, grilling and roasting meat. It had been several weeks since they had last seen her.
"Nee-chan! You are back!" Luffy exclaimed, grinning as he ran toward Naru, who was already savoring some roasted meat. Ace followed closely, wearing a similar grin.
Looking down at the dirty boy clinging to her waist, Naru raised her eyebrows. She then turned to Ace, equally covered in sweat and dirt, and remarked, "I see that you two had plenty of fun while I was gone."
Ace snickered. "Eheheh, welcome back, Naru!"
"Did you know that Ace and I discovered a really cool place full of junk? We met Sabo there! He claims to live alone, though I do not believe him. We became friends and played together. Sabo showed us an amazing trick with his staff! Can I get a staff too? I want a big and cool one! Ace already has one, and he told me to get my own. Yesterday, I ate a very strange mushroom that made me feel funny. It did not taste good either, and then—"
Naru slapped a hand over his mouth.
She was right
They had clearly had a lot of fun while she was away.