The next morning, the dojo was shrouded in mist.
Luffy was still sound asleep in bed.
In a clearing some distance away, Zoro walked slowly, approaching a stone monument.
"Kuina… if it were you, what would you choose…"
Zoro sat before Kuina's grave, leaning back on his hands, gazing at the pale sunlight filtering through the morning fog.
The damp air pressed slightly on his lungs.
Gradually, Zoro felt as if he had been transported to a strange place—back to the moment before his final battle with Kuina.
The duel began.
But this time, the outcome was different.
Facing Kuina's fierce strikes, the experienced Zoro blocked her attack with one sword while countering with his other hand, slicing at her wrist.
"Clang…"
Kuina's sword fell to the ground.
Zoro looked at her, stunned at her loss.
But Kuina, smiling through tears, said: "Zoro… you've grown stronger."
Zoro glanced at his hands, then back at her, whispering, "I… really got stronger?"
Kuina nodded gently. "You have, but not enough. You need to become even stronger."
She stepped forward, lightly touching his forehead. "You must grow strong enough that even in Heaven, I can hear your voice."
"Heaven? What do you mean, Kuina?"
Kuina retracted her hand, her smile tinged with sadness. "I must go, Zoro."
Zoro, confused, cried out: "You're leaving? Where?"
A strange feeling filled him, as if he already knew the answer but didn't want to accept it.
Suddenly, a monstrous creature appeared—three heads with bone-white faces and nine scythe-like arms.
Kuina stood behind the beast, waving at Zoro with a tearful smile.
"No! Kuina! Where are you going!"
Zoro fell to his knees, trying to reach her.
But Kuina drifted further away, and he wailed in despair.
The monster raised one scythe-arm and slashed downward.
In an instant, the world collapsed, splitting into two halves around Zoro, gradually turning to ash.
In the darkness, Zoro pounded the ground with his fists, screaming.
"Clatter… clatter…"
Zoro opened his eyes.
"Awake?"
Luffy stood holding a paper umbrella, shielding both himself and Zoro from the drizzle.
"Is it raining?" Zoro asked, looking out at the world, unsure if he spoke to Luffy or himself.
Luffy stepped closer, calm. "Yes. Your face is soaked from the rain."
Zoro wiped his cheeks. "I see…"
"Let's go back."
Luffy had come for him earlier, as the clouds gathered, already holding the umbrella. He knew the wetness on Zoro's face wasn't from the rain alone.
Zoro glanced at Kuina's grave, then at his own feet.
The dream lingered vividly in his mind.
"Luffy!" Zoro called out.
Luffy turned to face him.
Zoro asked, confused: "Can you really make me stronger?"
Luffy smiled: "That depends on you."
Zoro gave a faint smile, nodding.
"Then… what will we do next?"
"We're pirates!" Luffy declared.
He handed the umbrella to Zoro, who was taller, making it awkward for Luffy to hold.
Zoro hesitated briefly, then whispered, "Pirates… huh? Even if we become villains, I'll be the strongest among them!"
Thinking back to the monstrous creature in his dream, Zoro felt both powerless and strangely familiar.
He took the umbrella and followed Luffy back.
Luffy, however, noticed something odd: despite Zoro's decision, the system hadn't activated any prompt.
Is it because he hasn't officially agreed yet…?
Inside the dojo, Goshiro sat calmly, observing Luffy and Zoro approaching.
"He was bound to come sooner or later," Goshiro sighed.
Originally, Goshiro had planned to let Zoro mature before venturing out, but Luffy's strength and invitation changed his mind.
Entering the main building, Luffy led, and Zoro placed the umbrella aside.
Luffy walked ahead; Zoro followed closely.
Heh… this feels good.
"Tomorrow we set out. There's some preparation to do today," Luffy said.
"Tomorrow… understood."
Zoro's calm personality put Luffy at ease. Despite being a child, he seemed mature and grounded.
Part of it was Luffy's surprising strength, and part of it was Zoro's grief and the strange morning dream that had deeply affected him.
They entered the main room. Goshiro knelt gracefully, with two floor cushions, three delicate cups, and a pot of tea.
"Master," Zoro greeted.
"Senior Goshiro," Luffy followed with a bow.
Goshiro, smiling as always, gestured to the two cushions. "Sit here for a while."
They sat facing Goshiro. Luffy always felt a subtle unease when seeing Goshiro's eyes squint like that.
"Zoro, you've decided?" Goshiro asked knowingly.
Zoro fixed him with a solemn gaze. "Yes, Master. I've decided to follow Luffy and continue training."
"I apologize, Master. I've chosen to go pirate with Luffy."
Zoro had rarely addressed Goshiro so formally, and never performed such a deep bow.
Goshiro lifted a cup of hot tea, blowing the steam across his glasses, making his eyes appear even more profound.
"A pirate… Zoro, remember this: whether pirate, navy, or civilian—you are a swordsman first."
"Yes, Master! I will remember!" Zoro answered without looking up, tears still flowing.
Goshiro rose, taking down the large sword and Wado Ichimonji from the wall.
"Zoro, this belonged to Kuina. I believe you'll need it."
"…Kuina…"
Zoro's tear-streaked face lifted toward his master, focusing on the Wado Ichimonji.
"I understand." He took the sword, gripping it firmly.
Zoro drew the blade, nearly as tall as himself, feeling its weight and history.
Luffy and Goshiro continued speaking.
"Zoro is the most gifted child I've seen. I don't know how he became so strong at this age, but I won't let his talent go to waste. If we did nothing, he would stay here, safe but limited. With you, he will grow faster."
"Senior Goshiro, I can promise. Trust me—I, Monkey D. Luffy, will astonish the world."
Nearly two hundred points of spiritual power, less than half of what would later become Conqueror's Haki, was already enough at this age to emit a commanding aura. Goshiro was shocked and impressed.
"Then I leave Zoro to you."
"Don't worry!"
[Ding! The host has obtained the first partner. Partner system requirements met. Partner system activated.]