"Mr. Xia Yu, how was today's catch?"
As soon as the Revolutionary Army members left, Kuina ran over excitedly to Xia Yu's side.
"Did you catch all one hundred fish yet?"
"Let me ask you something, little Kuina."
Xia Yu looked up at the sky, which was gradually growing darker, before continuing,
"Are the fish in Shimotsuki Village always this smart…?"
"Huh?"
Kuina blinked her eyes.
"Maybe… they are?"
"They definitely are!"
Xia Yu let out a long breath and complained,
"With more than a hundred fishing rods and eight full days, I've only caught eighty-something fish. This is way too realistic…!"
"Hehe. Mr. Xia Yu could try another method, like using a net."
"That won't work. I have to fish! Fishing makes me happy."
Of course Xia Yu had thought about using a net.
But the mission specifically required fishing, so he had no choice but to clear his mind and focus on being a fishing fanatic.
"That's enough for today, Zoro. Collect the rods—then we head back for meat and drinks!"
"Got it!"
Zoro answered decisively and immediately started moving.
Compared to most lazy kids, Zoro was absolutely a man of action.
Of course, this was all because the green-haired kid had firmly come to believe that fishing could make him stronger.
After collecting all the rods, the three of them returned to the dojo.
By the time they arrived, night had already fallen completely.
Standing in the courtyard waiting for their return, Koushirou smiled and shook his head when he saw how much Kuina and Zoro liked Xia Yu.
They followed him around almost every day.
Perhaps… he had been too rigid all this time.
Although he was Kuina's father and Zoro's teacher, he rarely fulfilled the role of a father.
Most days, he simply urged them to train… train… and train again.
Because of that, he had hardly ever seen Kuina smile.
But ever since Xia Yu arrived, Kuina had been in a good mood every day.
Sometimes she even laughed out loud while practicing.
"Mr. Xia Yu, you're back."
Koushirou stepped forward to help take the fishing rods.
"I've already prepared food and wine. We've been waiting."
"Haha! Thank you for your hard work, Master. Come on—let's eat and drink!"
Xia Yu laughed heartily and pulled Zoro along toward the living room.
However, with Koushirou present, Zoro didn't dare sit down and drink with them.
His master definitely wouldn't allow someone his age to drink alcohol.
So Zoro quickly made up an excuse about going to the back mountain to continue training and slipped away.
Seeing this, Koushirou simply smiled and sat down across from Xia Yu.
Just as the two raised their cups—
Kuina's voice suddenly came from the distance.
"Father, have you seen my sharpening stone?"
"It's upstairs in the main hall."
"Okay! Thank you, Father!"
"That child…"
Koushirou smiled gently before raising his cup toward Xia Yu.
"Mr. Xia Yu, please."
"Sharpening stone?"
Just as Xia Yu lifted his cup, his pupils suddenly shrank.
"Not good!"
The moment he spoke, Xia Yu shot to his feet shot toward the main hall at top speed.
"Huh? Mr. Xia Yu?"
Koushirou froze for a moment in confusion when he saw Xia Yu suddenly dash away.
Although he didn't understand what was happening, he immediately got up and followed him.
At that moment—
"Ah—!"
A startled cry echoed from the front hall.
It was clearly Kuina's voice.
Hearing the sudden scream, Koushirou's face changed drastically as he rushed forward even faster.
But when he burst into the hall—
He froze on the spot.
Xia Yu had already arrived.
And at that moment, Xia Yu was holding Kuina securely in his arms.
Kuina, still shaken, was clutching tightly onto him.
"Kuina!"
Koushirou hurried over anxiously.
"Are you alright?!"
"Father… I'm fine!"
Kuina looked up at Xia Yu, still shaken.
"I slipped while trying to get the sharpening stone… Mr. Xia Yu caught me!"
"Mr. Xia Yu… thank you!"
Xia Yu didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked up toward the direction Kuina had fallen from, his brows slightly furrowed.
Kuina had fallen from the third floor.
At that height, if she had landed headfirst, it could have been fatal for someone her age.
However, Kuina was no ordinary girl.
Even at eleven years old, she was already stronger than most adults.
With her training, she should have been able to reduce the damage significantly even if she fell.
Yet somehow…
In the original story, such a simple fall from the stairs had taken the life of this bright and hardworking girl.
Was it really just because the story needed to push the plot forward and awaken Zoro's potential?
Damn…
Making Shanks lose an arm was understandable.
But letting such a wonderful girl like Kuina die like that?
Didn't that hurt your conscience at all…?
"It's good that you're safe."
Xia Yu returned to his senses and gently set Kuina down.
"Kuina, listen to me. From now on, don't place sharpening stones or other things so high."
"Anything you need should be kept within reach. Understood?"
"Okay!"
Kuina stuck out her tongue playfully, bowed deeply to Xia Yu, and ran off.
After watching her leave, Koushirou also bowed deeply.
"Mr. Xia Yu… thank you."
"No need to thank me."
Xia Yu waved his hand and added seriously,
"Master, please remember what I said. Don't let Kuina go to dangerous high places again."
"Yes. I will remember your advice."
Koushirou bowed once more.
Although he accepted Xia Yu's warning sincerely, a trace of doubt flashed through his eyes.
He was certain of one thing.
Just moments ago, Xia Yu had been drinking with him.
Yet suddenly he ran out—
Right before Kuina fell.
Which meant…
He must have sensed it in advance, rushed out, and caught Kuina in time.
Could it be…
…Mr. Xia Yu can see the future?