Behind the dojo, Leno lay on the grass with Nami and Nojiko, letting the breeze wash over them.
"Between Kuina and her father… their relationship feels kind of… I don't know—flat? Or—"
"'Distant,'" Leno finished for her.
"Right, that's it. How did it end up like that?"
Leno told them about Kuina's past. When he finished, the sisters were full of heartache for Kuina—and displeasure toward her father. Still, they said little; it was a family matter.
Inside the dojo, Kuina and her father, Koshiro, sat facing each other.
"You're setting sail?"
"Yes. I came back to say goodbye," Kuina said.
After a quiet moment, Koshiro spoke again. "Kuina… I owe you an apology. I knew how much you loved the sword and how hard you worked.
For me to say something so insulting—denying your effort and your dream—I'm sorry.
Seeing you now, I'm grateful to Leno. And I'm happy for you."
Kuina shuddered; her eyes grew moist as she stared at her father in disbelief. It was hard to accept that those words came from him—the man who'd once declared, with finality, that a woman could never reach the GrandMaster Swordsman level.
"To see you carve your own path with the blade… it comforts me as your father. I hope you keep walking it, unwavering, as you always have."
Kuina bowed deeply. "Thank you, Father," she choked out, then rose and headed for the door.
"Kuina!" She halted…
"You will break through to GrandMaster Swordsman." His words followed her. She didn't answer and left.
Koshiro stared after her until she vanished around the corner, silent for a long time.
"Hey, Leno—are you really taking Kuina to the sea?" Zoro's voice came from behind.
"Yup. But we're not taking you," Leno said with a mischievous grin.
"Like hell I need you! I'll sail on my own," Zoro snapped.
Leno scratched his head in mock distress. "That's rough… If you sail alone with that sense of direction, we'll never find you again once you get lost at the sea."
"Pfft!" Nami and Nojiko burst out laughing.
"Leno, you jerk—say that again!" Zoro gripped a hilt, ready to charge. Just then Kuina's voice floated over from afar: "Leno, Nami, Nojiko—let's go!"
"Coming!" Leno took a few steps, then paused and tossed a sword to Zoro. Nojiko already had Withered Wood, and he didn't need this one—so why not give it to Zoro?
Zoro caught it, blinking. "This is…?"
"Sandai Kitetsu. A cursed blade—it suits you," Leno called as he walked off.
"Shing!" Zoro drew it, admiring the steel. "Good blade. Thanks!" Leno waved without looking back.
"Leno! Kuina! Just you wait—I'll surpass you both!" Zoro shouted after them.
They turned; Kuina gave him a nod. Leno cupped his hands and yelled, "Go for it, Zoro—and try not to get lost when you come looking for us!"
The group burst into laughter and took a while to recover. They then shot a reproachful glare at Leno. Far behind, Zoro hopped madly, cursing as he watched them go.
Nojiko glanced back. "Who knows when we'll meet again."
"Don't worry—it'll be sooner than you think," Leno replied.
Goa Kingdom, in a corner of the Gray Terminal—Windmill Village.
A peaceful village tucked away in a corner of the scrapyard. Today, it welcomed some unfamiliar guests! A ship with no sails silently docked at the shore.
"It's a tiny village. Come on, let's look around," Leno said, jogging ahead—curious to see the protagonist's hometown.
"Weird. Why would a Marine warship be in a place this small?"
"Hey! Leno, you big oaf—slow down and wait for us!" Nami yelled.
As they walked, a child's wail rose ahead.
"Ahhh! Grandpa, that hurts—how can it hurt so much? I'm rubber!"
A rough laugh followed. "Hahaha! Because this is Grandpa's fist of love! Hahaha!"
Up ahead stood a big man and a small boy. The boy clutched the massive bump swelling on his head and bawled his complaint.
'So that's the protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy… and Garp.' As Leno watched them, the big man suddenly turned around.
"Hm? Strange brats. What are you doing in this village?"
"Oh! Hello, old man. My friends and I were just passing by on our ship and decided to stop for a visit."
"You kids pirates?" Garp's eyes narrowed.
"Nani?!" Luffy's eyes lit up.
Leno waved frantically. "Don't say that, Old man—we're not pirates. We're adventurers with dreams!"
"Aww… not pirates?" Luffy pouted.
Nami and the others walked up. "What's wrong, Leno? Is there something wrong with this old Marine?"
"It's fine. He just thought we were pirates," Leno chuckled.
"If you're not pirates, come on then. I'll show you around," Garp said, turning to lead the way.
They walked, taking in the surroundings. "So peaceful… but everything's so old," Nami muttered, eyeing the moss-covered windmill and buildings.
"The folks here are people who couldn't survive in the Goa Kingdom proper, so they formed this village. Things are already much better than before," Garp's voice floated back.
A small tavern came into view. Two Marines snapped to attention. "Vice Admiral Garp!"
"No need to be so formal here," Garp waved them down, then glanced at Leno's group. "Come in."
"Wait—this Marine grandpa is the Vice Admiral Garp, the Marine Hero?!" Nami and the others went pale.
"Why the fuss…" Leno said, digging at his nose.
"Stupid Leno—you knew already?"
"Sure. Recognized him at a glance. Isn't it obvious?"
"Then why didn't you say so?!" Nami fumed.
"What for? We're not pirates. Nothing to fear," Leno said, unbothered.
"That's not the—"
"Enough, Nami. Listen to Leno—it's fine," Nojiko cut in, stepping into the tavern. Nami stamped her foot and followed.
"Vice Admiral Garp, welcome," a green-haired beauty in an apron greeted, polishing a glass.
'So this is Makino, the ageless goddess. No wonder she's the village beauty—she's stunning,' Leno thought.
"It's pretty spacious in here. Old man, did you bring us to buy us drinks?" Leno asked as they sat.
"Vice Admiral Garp, and they are…?" Makino asked.
"Adventurers passing through, or so they say," Garp said, ordering a juice for Luffy.