Dusk fell.
Cool moonlight bathed the world in silver.
In Shimotsuki Village, most homes' lights had gone out, save for the dojo on the hillside, where the sharp thwack of bamboo swords striking targets echoed.
Thwack!
Thwack!
Thwack!
On the dragon-headed ship, a breeze stirred.
A shadow emerged on the deck. Ivankov, sensing movement, griped, "Took you long enough, Dragon! How long were you gonna keep me waiting?"
"Sorry," Dragon said, stepping from the shadows, cradling a child.
As he drew near, Ivankov squinted at the bundle, puzzled. "What's that you're holding?"
The crew gathered, gasping at the child's state.
"So badly hurt!"
"Yeah, looks like a cannon blast!"
"Gotta get him treated fast!"
One crew member gently took the child from the elder and rushed to the ship's infirmary. The others cleared a path.
Watching the child disappear into the cabin, Ivankov turned to Dragon. "Where the heck did you go?"
Dragon faced the sea, voice calm. "I went to observe a festival of the Celestial Dragons."
"You snuck off to that place alone?!" Ivankov exclaimed, shocked.
"With you there, we'd stand out too much," Dragon said.
"Ugh!" Ivankov clutched his face. "My face, my face…"
Dragon turned, addressing the crew. "We need to rally our strength now. The grain?"
"The village dojo gave us some," Ippu replied, stepping forward.
Dragon nodded, glancing at the hillside dojo, then froze as his gaze shifted to the ship's dragon-head prow.
A boy stood there, dressed in a moon-white robe, a long sword at his waist. Silver hair shimmered under moonlight, and his silver-blue eyes, flecked with fading starlight, gleamed like the cosmos.
Meeting those captivating eyes, Dragon's voice grew grave. "Who are you? Why are you here?"
Sora had zeroed in on Dragon from the start. Even cloaked in his deep green coat, Dragon's vast, sea-like aura was unmistakable. As Dragon looked up, Sora noted the red square tattoo on his left cheek and faint stubble—curiously, no eyebrows.
Grinning playfully, Sora said, "Nothing much. Just here to see friends off."
A powerhouse like Dragon was far beyond his current strength—untouchable in a single strike. Reality wasn't a manga; a vast gap could mean instant defeat. Though unharmable, Sora saw no need to provoke.
Ignoring Dragon, he turned to Ivankov. "Hey, Little Ivankov! Planning to slip away without a goodbye?"
Ivankov, touched by Sora's gaze, asked, "Little Sora, you came just to see us off?"
"Of course!" Sora roared. "Aren't we friends? Friends don't vanish without a word, you jerk!"
"Sorry," Ivankov said, bowing deeply. "My friend, bless you with fair winds. May this flower of camaraderie bloom again, bringing us back together!"
As he straightened, Sora's faint blessing lingered. Ivankov's tears flowed freely.
Dragon stood, bewildered, until Inazuma explained the day's events. A boy who controls space.
Dragon spun, barking, "Prepare to sail! Back to Baltigo!"
"Aye!" The crew scrambled.
---
Atop the dojo's sword hall, Sora stood for a while, gazing at the sea.
The massive ship beyond the harbor had sailed into the moonlight, shrinking to a black speck on the horizon. In a blink, it vanished, as if it had never been.
Yet Ivankov's faint sobs drifted across the waves, proof it wasn't a dream.
Sora hadn't planned to go, but curiosity won. He had to see.
Monkey D. Dragon.
Revolutionary Army leader, the World Government's greatest foe, a true pinnacle of power.
The gap was vast.
He shook his head. Dragon? Pinnacle? So what? He was certain he'd surpass him.
Raising his eyes to the sea, starlight swirled in his gaze. Having seen the peak, I'll climb it. That's the romance of the One Piece world, isn't it?
---
Time flew. Five years passed in a flash.
In the dojo's backwoods, the clash of blades rang out.
Clang-clang-clang!
Zooming in, two white streaks darted across a clearing, colliding and weaving.
Kuina, now sixteen, was striking, her long hair tied in a red-ribboned ponytail, clad in a tight white training outfit. Gripping her sword overhead, she slashed, unleashing a silver-white arc toward Zoro.
Zoro, shirtless, his chiseled muscles gleaming, wore a green headband. A sword in each hand and one in his mouth—he'd embraced Three-Sword Style. He countered the arc with a triple slash.
"Demon Slash!"
Clang!
The arc veered skyward, slicing through leaves.
Seizing the moment, Kuina sheathed her blade, stomped the ground, and shot forward.
"Shave: Razor Slash!"
Zoro barely crossed his swords in time to block.
Clang!
After a brief stalemate, the force sent him flying, crashing into a massive tree with a thud.
Kuina twirled her sword in a flourish, sheathing it with a crisp clink.
Sora's voice rang out. "One point. Match over. Winner: Kuina. Ten thousand wins, zero losses."
Hearing Sora, Kuina turned, her cold demeanor melting into a radiant smile. She hurried to his side, beaming.
At seventeen, Sora had shed all traces of youth. His chiseled, resolute face bore a gentle smile, his silver-blue eyes swirling with silver mist, exuding a magnetic, masculine charm. Standing 1.9 meters tall, his lean, muscular frame was clad in a moon-white robe, Zankuu and a wine gourd hanging at his left waist.
In the pirate world, not drinking was a liability. Ships couldn't store much freshwater, so low-proof rum was a staple, available on nearly every island.
As Kuina approached, Sora draped a pink kimono embroidered with white flowers over her shoulders. On her 1.7-meter frame, it was breathtaking.
Kuina gazed softly at Sora as he tied the kimono's belt, murmuring, "Sora, Father and the others are waiting at the harbor."
"Mm," Sora said, meeting her eyes with a tender glint. He brushed sweat from her forehead with his right hand. "Gotta say bye to Zoro first."
Kuina grabbed his hand, pulling it into her embrace.
Feeling her touch, Sora sighed inwardly. I've become what I swore I'd never be—my favorite kind of guy. He'd completed the "raising" arc.
Turning to Zoro, he teased, "Zoro, lost again? You've gotten stronger, though!"
Zoro stared calmly, immune to the jabs. He knew his physique likely surpassed Kuina's—only his swordsmanship lagged slightly. Soon, he'd overtake her. But Sora? An unfathomable abyss.
He'd hoped to see Sora's true strength before he sailed, but Sora insisted he face Kuina for one final bout, earning a "ten thousand defeats" badge.
"Satisfied now? Show me your real power!" Zoro said.
"Alright, you asked for it," Sora replied, glancing at Kuina. She nodded, releasing his hand and stepping back.
Sora gripped Zankuu with his left hand, striding to the clearing's center. A whirlwind swirled around him, scattering leaves.
He stopped, crouching slightly, eyes locked on the sky's clouds. His right hand grasped the hilt, a purple-black Armament Haki coiling around Zankuu. As his aura peaked, he slashed.
"God Slash!"
The world stilled. He stood, retracting his aura, as if he'd never moved.
Clink!
The sword sheathed, breaking the silence.
A purple-black slash rocketed skyward, slicing the clouds with unmatched speed.
At the harbor, Koshiro and the crowd looked up as winds surged.
Crack!
The sky split open, lightning flashing, clouds pouring into the rift like water.
The onlookers gaped.
"The sky's torn! Is it the end of the world?"
Iku turned to Koshiro, staring toward the hills. "It's Sora, isn't it?"
"Mm," Koshiro said, eyes fixed. "He's grown this far."
Sora looked at the stunned Zoro, recalling Mihawk's words to Zoro, and roared, "Zoro, know yourself, know the world, and get stronger! Surpass my blade, and you'll be the greatest swordsman!"
Zoro snapped back, eyes resolute. "You sit on that throne and wait. I won't lose again. Wait until I stand before you!"
He never doubted Sora could claim the top, just as he believed he would.
"Good," Sora said, satisfied, turning with Kuina toward the harbor.
Without Kuina's death, would Zoro still chase his dream so fiercely? Sora didn't know. But this pact, he believed, Zoro would keep. Because he was Zoro—unyielding, driven to achieve his goals.
(End of Chapter)