After nearly a month at sea—
Land finally appeared.
"…We're close."
Yuta said calmly as he looked ahead.
Tashigi stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the island.
"…That's it…?"
There was clear excitement in her voice.
Yuta nodded.
"…Shimotsuki Village."
As the ship got closer—
Tashigi's expression slowly changed.
Excitement…
Then nervousness.
"…I'm really going to meet her…"
She muttered.
"…What should I even say…"
Yuta glanced at her.
"…Just be normal."
He said simply.
After docking—
They stepped onto the island.
Yuta led the way.
Tashigi followed behind him.
Step by step—
They reached the dojo.
As they stood near the gate—
Tashigi slowed down.
"…This is it…"
She was still thinking—
What to say.
How to act.
Then—
A voice came from behind.
"…Zoro, you're late ag—"
It stopped.
Tashigi froze.
Slowly—
She turned around.
Standing there—
Was someone with the exact same face as her.
Kuina froze as well.
Her eyes widened.
"…What…"
Tashigi stared.
"…You…"
Both of them stood there silently.
Looking at each other.
Step by step—
They moved closer.
Carefully.
They examined each other's faces.
Every detail.
Every feature.
Perfectly identical.
"…How…"
Tashigi whispered.
Kuina didn't answer.
Because she didn't know either.
Then—
Yuta stepped forward.
"…This is Tashigi."
He looked at Kuina.
"…And this is Kuina."
Both girls looked at him—
Then back at each other.
Still confused.
Yuta turned.
"…Come."
"…We'll ask inside."
They entered the dojo.
Inside—
Koshiro was there.
Calm as always.
But the moment he saw them—
He froze.
For a brief moment—
Even he was shocked.
His eyes moved between Kuina and Tashigi.
Once.
Twice.
Then he slowly exhaled.
"…I understand…"
Kuina stepped forward.
"…Father…"
"…Why do we look the same?"
Tashigi also asked,
"…I don't understand…"
Koshiro closed his eyes for a moment.
Then spoke calmly.
"…You two are not twins."
Silence.
Both of them were stunned.
"…Then how…"
Tashigi asked.
Koshiro looked at them.
"…This is something I never told Kuina before."
A pause.
"…Her mother…"
His voice remained steady.
"…Had the same face as both of you."
Silence filled the room.
Kuina's eyes widened.
"…Mother…?"
Koshiro nodded.
"…Yes."
"…Your mother are twin that got saperated "
Then he looked at Tashigi.
"…And so you two look the same ."
Tashigi froze.
"…Then… does that mean…"
Koshiro shook his head slightly.
"…I don't know the full reason."
"…But it is possible…"
A short pause.
"…That you two are born with the same face because of your mother "
Kuina remained silent.
Processing.
Tashigi also couldn't speak.
Too many thoughts at once.
"…So…"
Kuina looked at Tashigi.
"…You're not my sister…"
Her voice was quieter now.
Tashigi shook her head slowly.
"…But… maybe…"
"…We're cousin …"
Silence.
Then—
A small step forward.
Kuina looked at her again.
This time—
Not confusion.
But curiosity.
"…What's your name?"
"…Tashigi."
Kuina repeated softly.
"…I'm Kuina."
The tension eased slightly.
They sat down together.
Still unsure.
But no longer distant.
They started talking.
Slowly.
Simple things at first.
Where they grew up.
What they trained.
And the more they spoke—
The more natural it felt.
"…This is strange…"
Tashigi said.
Kuina nodded.
"…But… it's not bad…"
After some time—
Kuina looked at Yuta.
"…You knew."
Yuta nodded.
"…Yes."
Tashigi also looked at him.
"…That's why you brought me here…"
"…So I could meet her?"
"…Yes."
Silence.
Then—
Tashigi smiled slightly.
"…Thank you."
Kuina didn't say it—
But her expression softened.
Outside—
The sun began to set.
Inside—
Something had changed.
Not just fate—
But connection.
Even if they weren't sisters—
They were no longer strangers.
And Yuta—
Just watched quietly.
Because this—
Was enough.