At Isshin Dojo!
Kuke sat across from Kuina's father, Koshiro.
Kuke had already stated his intention: to take Kuina to sea.
Kuina looked firmly at her father, "I must go out to sea. I want to follow the captain. I want to beco the strongest swordsman."
Koshiro looked at his stubborn daughter with a mix of apology and concern. Finally, he sighed deeply, "Go ahead."
His gaze shifted to Kuke, filled with a father's plea. He had already recognized Kuke's identity.
He opened his mouth to speak, but ultimately turned his words into a long sigh, saying nothing more.
"Don't worry. Kuina will be safe with . I will protect her," Kuke understood Koshiro's concern.
"Then I leave her in your hands, Mr. Kuke." Koshiro bowed deeply to Kuke as a father entrusting his daughter.
At that mont, a commotion erupted outside the door. A young voice could be heard shouting, "Out of the way, let through!"
A green-haired kid rushed in—Zoro.
Zoro looked anxiously at Kuina, "Kuina, I heard you're leaving with pirates. No way! I haven't beaten you yet. You can't leave!"
"Zoro, this is my dream. Are you going to stop from pursuing my dream?"
Zoro's voice caught in his throat. He looked at Kuina's resolute expression and silently lowered his head, unable to say a word to make her stay.
After a mont of silence, Zoro looked up, staring directly at Kuke, "Please, take with you too! I want to beco the greatest swordsman!"
Kuke rubbed his temples. Another one?
Ace and Sabo were already enough, and now Zoro too?
"Mr. Kuke, if possible, please take Zoro along as well. He has imnse talent in swordsmanship and could be of great help in the future," Koshiro spoke up on Zoro's behalf.
As a teacher, he knew better than anyone Zoro's talent in swordsmanship—his potential was limitless.
Zoro: "Please take aboard!"
Kuke: "No!"
"Kid, your path isn't with . I'll be waiting for you at the peak of the sea," Kuke said, almost by reflex now.
Zoro was stunned. At his young age, he couldn't quite grasp the deeper aning of those words.
Kuina, excited, added, "Zoro, our captain is a great swordsman."
"A great swordsman?" Zoro's eyes lit up.
"I challenge you!" Zoro drew his bamboo sword.
"Are you an idiot? You can't even beat , and you want to challenge my captain? Want to throw you out now?" Kuina's words did nothing to quell Zoro's determination.
His gaze unwavering, Zoro stared directly at Kuke.
"Go ahead," Kuke decided to grant Zoro this small wish.
Zoro held his sword with both hands, his young face serious, trying to muster his best.
"Why aren't you drawing your sword? Why aren't you standing up?" Zoro asked, confused, seeing Kuke still sitting there.
"This finger will be my sword," Kuke said, extending a single finger.
"Are you kidding ?!" Zoro was furious, feeling belittled.
He charged at Kuke, swinging his bamboo sword with all his might.
"Clang!"
Kuke lightly blocked Zoro's strike with his finger.
Then, with a simple flick, the bamboo sword disintegrated into dust, leaving Zoro staring at the handle, stunned.
What just happened?
Koshiro's pupils contracted at that mont. Even though Kuke was just playing with a kid, he could see the incredible level of control Kuke had over his strength.
"So strong."
Strong to the point that Koshiro couldn't even comprehend it.
"Captain, what was that move? I want to learn it," Kuina asked, her eyes shining.
"If you want to learn, I'll teach you."
Zoro looked on enviously, his eyes practically turning green.
Kuke took Kuina to gather her things, preparing to depart.
Zoro stood there, seemingly soulless, for a long ti. Even after Kuke and his group left Isshin Dojo, he chased after them desperately. When he reached the shore, the ship was already sailing away.
"Just you wait! I'll defeat you soday!"
"Defeat my captain? You're still far from that, Zoro. You need to get through first." Kuina waved her prized Wado Ichimonji, "Oh, and the captain said you're better suited to the Three-Sword Style."
"Three-Sword Style?" Zoro was struck by sudden realization.
He stood there for a long ti, even after the Tomorrow had disappeared from sight, still in a daze.
He kept muttering, "Three-Sword Style... Three-Sword Style..."
It was like a bolt of lightning had struck his soul.
Without a second thought, he rushed back to the dojo and grabbed three bamboo swords.
He held one in each hand and stared at the third.
With only two hands, how could he hold the third sword?
Then it ca to him.
He clenched the third sword in his mouth.
"This is the Three-Sword Style."
Zoro felt an unprecedented sense of clarity.
Standing in the stance of the Three-Sword Style, he knew—this was the style ant for him.
"Is this what it ans to be a true swordsman? To see my future at a single glance..."
The young Zoro's soul was thoroughly shaken.
...
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