Zoro began to guide Arthur toward the town, though his attention was rarely on the path ahead.
Instead, he kept glancing back at Arthur as they walked. Specifically, his eyes were glued to the weapon hanging at Arthur's side.
The presence of the blade told Zoro that this stranger was a true swordsman, or at the very least, someone skilled enough to wield real steel.
It was an object that Zoro had been incredibly enthusiastic about, especially since he currently only had access to a simple wooden practice sword.
Arthur, who could feel the intense stares burning into him from the young boy, let out a heavy sigh. He finally decided to inquire exactly what Zoro wanted from him.
"Alright, you keep staring at me, why is that?" Arthur then said, which made Zoro finally look him in the eyes.
Zoro did not hesitate to answer the question. "How much did you buy your sword? I wanted to have one but the only real swords that are being sold here are not available for childrens," Zoro then said, explaining his desire towards Arthur.
"That's probably for the best, one look at you, I could already tell that your a brash young man that doesn't think twice before doing some action," Arthur then said, his observation making Zoro feel a little angry.
" I'm not brash, I don't even know what that is, but I know that I'm not that," Zoro then tried to defend himself, but his hasty retort only dug a deeper hole for his circumstances.
This reaction caused Arthur to smirk and laugh at Zoro, who just got even angrier at being mocked.
Arthur shook his head before offering some wisdom to the boy. " Plus, you don't want to buy any swords, if you wanted to be a swordsman, you should wait for your fated companion, specially if it's something that you tamed youtself, as real swords, like this one, have their own personalities, and if they don't like their owner, they would rebel, but if they do, trust me, it going to be your greatest partner," Arthur then said towards Zoro who just looked at Arthur completely confused.
" What's that gotta do with me wanting to buy a sword? You're weird," Zoro then said which made Arthur smile.
The two continued to converse as they walked, discussing various topics to pass the time.
Zoro was particularly inquisitive, asking repeatedly if Arthur is a swordsman, what specific kind of technique he uses, as well as what kind of rigorous training he would do.
Arthur answered everything with honesty. He did not really have any reason to hide this facts, and he was also curious to know what kind of effect his words would have on the future of Zoro, as well as Kuina.
Of course, since Zoro is the one leading the way, they had been lost more times than Arthur could count.
However, Arthur just let it happen, as he doesn't have anything else to do anymore.
When they finally reached the town, it's already noon. Considering they had met at around eight oclock, the delay was significant.
"What kind of direction senses do you have? It took us more than 3 hours just to find a town in a straight line?" Arthur then asked Zoro, who got embarrassed and tried to defend himself.
"Shut up, it's because you kept distracting me while walking, plus, it's not like you also know the way, that's why you kept following me remember?" Zoro then fired back.
"I'm not from here, from the looks of it, you are, so you don't have an excuse," Arthur then said. As he then began to bicker with Zoro, they are suddenly interrupted by a distinct female voice.
"Zoro, where did you come from? Father had been looking for you since earlier," The female voice then asked.
There was a little annoyance on her tone, in which, Zoro, suddenly looked at the source of the voice.
"Ah, Kuina, I'm just leading this stranger the way," Zoro then answered, inadvertently revealing the name of the girl who had just spoken.
Arthur already recognized who the figure is, but he didn't say anything as he knew that it would be weird if he suddenly said Kuina's name.
"Did you get lost again?" Kuina then asked towards Zoro, who then took offense once again.
" I'm not lost," Zoro then yelled but this just made Arthur smirk at him, which Kuina also laughed at Zoro.
Composing herself, Kuina then introduced herself formally towards Arthur.
"My name is Shimotsuki Kuina, I'm one of the students of the only sword dojo here, Zoro's also a student there, but he just came after making a fuss. From the sword on your side, I could tell you are a swordsman, do you want to join our dojo? I'll introduce you to the master, I'm also his daughter," Kuina then began to introduced herself, as well as discuss on Arthur being one of the would be prospect student of the Isshin Dojo.
"Oh, I'm not interested in joining the dojo, I just got here as I'm adventuring from various islands, fate brought me here, so I decided to check this island out," Arthur then said, as he then began explaining his circumstances.
"Besides, I don't think there's anything I could learn in your dojo," Arthur then bluntly added, which both Zoro and Kuina took offense to immediately.
"It may not be well known but our dojo is not something that could be easily dismissed, we took pride in ourselves as we are both students of Isshin Dojo and it's not something you should just judge without seeing it for yourself," Kuina then hurriedly defended the honor of the Isshin Dojo, while Zoro was alsi on his side, supporting her words.
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that, I'm sure you are learning swordsmanship from the dojo, but there's nothing that could replace real life battle experience, by lending your life into battle, your body would enter a period of growth that would stump the years of your hardwork," Arthur then explained, as he began to explain his side of the argument.
Seeing that both Kuina and Zoro didn't believe him, he then challenged the two into a two on one match. This further made both Kuina and Zoro angry, as they see it as Arthur looking down on them.
However, before they could even attempt to attack, Arthur, who had already detected their intent, suddenly moved. He was so fast that he became a blur in front of both Kuina and Zoro.
"Calm yourself, there's nothing much to get angry " Arthur then said to the two.
His arms are now wrapped between the two children, and at a first glance, it seemed that they are all getting along like old friends.
But if there's someone that saw the genuine reactions of both Zoro and Kuina, they have both terrified expression on their faces. They looked as if they are surely going to die in the next moment, while Arthur is just smiling pleasantly.
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A/N: This is the final chapter that I had written before deciding to drop this. Anyway, Enjoy.