By the time Xia Yu stepped onto the shores of Shimotsuki Village, night had already settled in.
Although Xia Yu had read the original story and knew about a place called Shimotsuki Village, suddenly arriving in this world and walking into the village himself still left him with a faint sense of unfamiliarity.
Fortunately, there was a main road leading directly from the dock, otherwise, he would've had no doubt gotten lost.
"Kuina, this time I'll definitely defeat you!"
Suddenly, a childish voice came from the nearby beach. The moment Xia Yu heard the name "Kuina," his steps halted.
In the original story, Kuina died in an accident at the age of eleven. It was her sudden death that shook Zoro to his core, swearing to carry Kuina's dream alongside his own—until his name reached the heavens and he would become the world's greatest swordsman.
"…Let's take a look."
Xia Yu came back to his senses and turned toward the beach.
On the sand stood two small figures facing each other. They were none other than Kuina, eleven—and Zoro—only nine.
Xia Yu was extremely familiar with these two characters from the original story.
Especially Zoro. As the core combatant of the Straw Hat Pirates, his sharp swordsmanship—and his notoriously terrible sense of direction—had earned him fans all over the world.
His battles were particularly thrilling—One-Sword Style: Iai, Two-Sword Style: Seventy-Two Pound Phoenix, Three-Sword Style: Three Thousand Worlds. Every move was dazzling, sending viewers' adrenaline soaring.
Of course, all of that belonged to the future.Right now, Zoro was just a little kid who kept getting beaten to tears by Kuina.
Xia Yu walked over and sat down on a rock near the beach, while Kuina and Zoro had already begun their duel.
In the past, Xia Yu wouldn't have been able to understand the techniques used in their fight. But after integrating LV6 swordsmanship and combat experience, he could clearly follow their speed, read the trajectory of every strike, and even pinpoint the flaws in their movements.
Although Kuina was still very young, her skill was already astonishing—far beyond what her age should allow.
Every fierce attack Zoro launched was cleverly neutralized by her, and she would immediately counterattack, forcing Zoro into a desperate scramble.
Clang!!!
Suddenly, a crisp sound of collision rang out.
In the next moment, the two swords in Zoro's hands were knocked flying.
Without giving Zoro any time to react, Kuina rushed forward. Holding Wado Ichimonji, she moved like a flash of lightning, stabbing the blade into the sand beside Zoro.
"That… was my 2,001st victory."
After sending Zoro's swords flying and completely securing her victory, Kuina slowly stood up. Her delicate, youthful face carried a faint smile belonging to the victor.
"Damn it… I'm not satisfied… I'm really not satisfied!"
After suffering yet another defeat, Zoro lay on the beach and burst into loud, frustrated sobs, covering his face with both hands as he cried loudly.
Looking at Zoro crying on the ground, Kuina turned away, her expression dimmed.
"You have nothing to feel frustrated about, Zoro… Compared to you, I'm the one who feels it the most."
Her expression dimmed.
"Soon enough… you'll surpass me."
At this point, Kuina slightly raised her head, stubbornly holding back the tears in her eyes.
"Zoro, don't you always say you want to become the world's strongest swordsman? My father told me… that girls can't become the world's strongest swordsman. I know it… I've always known it. But… I refuse to accept it."
At this moment, neither Kuina nor Zoro had noticed Xia Yu sitting not far behind them.
And Xia Yu himself hadn't expected that upon arriving here, he would witness Kuina's 2,001st victory.
Which meant Kuina was already eleven.
From this, he could deduce that he had arrived in the world of One Piecea full ten years before the main story even begins.
Well then…
Since he had arrived before Kuina's accident—and happened to reach Shimotsuki Village at this exact time—perhaps… he could change this girl's future.
Thinking of this, Xia Yu finally broke his silence.
"Who says girls can't become the strongest in this world?"
"Who's there?!"
The moment Xia Yu spoke, Kuina and Zoro turned around almost simultaneously, staring toward him their gazes sharp, as if facing a powerful enemy.
"No need to be nervous."
Xia Yu stood up, brushing the sand from his clothes as he slowly walked toward them.
After arriving in front of the two, he glanced at the green-haired boy, then shifted his gaze to Kuina.
"Relax. I'm just a traveler. I just came from Windmill Village."
He paused slightly before continuing calmly,
"By the way, your fight just now was very impressive. But I don't agree with your father's statement that girls can't become the world's strongest swordsman."
Kuina relaxed her guard slightly and asked cautiously,
"A traveler? Then… you must have seen many powerful swordsmen, right?"
"Yes."
Xia Yu nodded with a smile.
"And quite a few powerful female swordsmasters as well."
"Really?!"
Hope immediately lit up in Kuina's eyes.
"C-Can you tell me who they are?"
"Who they are… isn't important."
Xia Yu smiled faintly.
"What's important is that girls can become the strongest swordsmen in this world. "As long as you never give up—just like this stubborn green-haired kid beside you—you'll succeed."
"I'm not some green-haired kid!"
Hearing Xia Yu call him that, Zoro immediately widened his eyes and shouted angrily,
"And don't call me a kid! I'm a man who's going to become the world's strongest swordsman!"
"By the way, since you've met so many swordsmen, you must be pretty strong too, right?"
Zoro suddenly stepped forward excitedly. Picking up his swords, he said with a serious expression,
"I challenge you to a duel!"
"Zoro…"
Seeing this, Kuina quickly tried to stop him. But before she could continue, Xia Yu simply smiled and nodded.
"As you wish."
After a slight pause, Xia Yu turned his head toward Kuina.
"Little girl, may I borrow Wado Ichimonji for a moment?"
"Hmm?"
Kuina's eyes tightened slightly. She hadn't expected Xia Yu to recognize Wado Ichimonji at a single glance.
However, after only a brief hesitation, she handed the sword to him.
"Thank you for trusting me, little girl."
Xia Yu accepted the blade without hesitation.
The moment his hand gripped the hilt, the combat techniques and sword comprehension he had integrated surged through his mind like a rising tide.
…Hmm.
Ah—right.
I almost forgot.
In this world, swords and blades are basically the same thing anyway.