Days turned into months, months and eventually a year had passed . Every morning before sunrise, Zoro was out in the yard lifting heavy stones, running with buckets of water balanced across his shoulders, swinging his swords until his arms felt like they would fall off. But every time he challenged Kuina, whether it was with more swords than before, she beat him. Every. Single. Time.
By the time they reached their 999th match, Zoro's jaw ached from clenching his teeth so often in frustration.
The Match 2000
The field on which they stood was quiet that night with the full moon shining on them as they prepared to duel . Toning it would be different because they would be using real blades .
"Don't hold back," Zoro said.
"I never do."
They clashed — steel against steel — and for a moment Zoro thought he had her. But her movements were too clean, her footwork too perfect. With a sharp twist, she sent his blade spinning from his hand.
He fell on his back as Kuina drove her sword down to the ground next to his face "Dammit…"
"You've gotten stronger," Kuina admitted. "But not strong enough."
Later that night, they sat outside under the moonlight. Zoro stared at his calloused hands, frustration gnawing at him.
"One day, I'll beat you," he muttered.
Kuina was quiet for a moment before saying, "It might not matter."
Zoro looked up sharply. "What are you talking about?"
"You're lucky Zoro being born a man ,all I ever wanted was to be the greatest swordsman " she said bitterly as tears flowed down her eyes "That no matter how hard I train, I'll be left behind. If only I had just been born a man "
"Don't wine like that after you beat me," Zoro snapped." Because its not fair you are my goal , do you know this makes."
She glanced at him with tears still running down her face, she was surprised by the force in his voice.
" Now promise me " Zoro said as he looked Kuina straight in the eyes "Promise me that one day one of us will be the greatest swordsman , we'll see who gets there." Zoro held out his hand
For the first time that night, Kuina smiled and shook Zoro's hand .
"it's a promise"
The Day Everything Changed
The next day, the sun rose on tragedy. Whispers spread through the village before Zoro even stepped outside: Kuina was gone. She had fallen down the stairs in her home during the night. The news hit Zoro like a blade to the gut .
At the funeral, he stood frozen, staring at her still form. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. They had promised.
Afterward Zoro immersed himself in training . He trained non stop from sunrise till sunset .
Days later Zoro went to see Koushirou, he bowed low until his forehead touched the floor. "I ask that please let me have that sword , The Wado Ichimonji. I'm going to get strong , stronger than she ever was , strong enough that my name reaches to the heavens. I am going to be the greatest swordsman, I promised her . "
When Koushirou heard this ,he turned his body from facing the wall to face Zoro . He studied the boy intently for some time before nodding abd smiling as he picked up the sword laying next to him handing it to Zoro
That evening, Zoro stood at her grave, gripping the white-sheathed blade.
"I'll become the greatest swordsman " he said, voice steady despite the storm inside him. "For me. For you. I swear it. I promise."
The wind rustled the grass, but the world gave no reply. Still, Zoro turned away certain of one thing — from that day forward, he carried not just his own dream, but Kuina's as well
Koushirou looked at him from a distance and determined himself to train the boy as hard as he can