Vol. 04 Ch. 43 – Promise

Zoro: "Damn, why can't I beat them? In the future, I will set sail to sea and become the number one swordsman in the world. I should have been able to win from Kuina too. Tonight… "

On the day Sabo regains his memories, Zoro, who was training was annoyed at being defeated by Law and the others until he felt himself very weak. Finally, he decided to challenge Kuina using a real sword in their 2001st fight. Kuina who looked calm during training also had the same feelings as Zoro, she felt very upset because she lost to Law. Kuina always hates herself who was born as a woman, since childhood she has a dream of wanting to be the number one swordsman in the world. But because she was born as a woman, Kuina felt discouraged and started giving up on reaching her dream. When the full moon was visible in the night sky, Zoro who went to the Dojo carrying 2 katana met Kuina was sitting beside the road near the Dojo.

Kuina: "Zoro ..." Kuina raised her head when she saw a shadow moving in front of her.

Zoro: "What are you doing here?" Zoro was a little surprised to see Kuina sitting alone with a reddened nose even though he didn't care.

Kuina: "That's what I want to ask you. What do you want to do here at this late hour? " Kuina wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks.

Zoro: "I came to challenge you in 2001st our match. This match will be our last match. Let's end this, fight me using a real sword. You have a real sword, don't you? " Zoro showed the real sword he brought to Kuina.

Kuina: "Against me ... alright."

After a bit of thinking and seeing Zoro's expression, Kuina agreed to Zoro's challenge. Kuina returned home to retrieve the sword her father had kept for her in the storage room. Wado Ichimonji is one of the 21 O Wazamono, this sword has a pure white handle with a circular hand protector, and the scabbard is also painted white so that it displays a magnificent sword. Kuina and Zora went to the grass field to do their match and they immediately stood ready with the real sword that had come out of the sheath. The night with the full moon had a fairly strong wind and was accompanied by the occasional owl sound.

Kuina and Zoro looked at each other and after a while, Zoro ran swinging the sword in his left hand which Kuina could block with her Wado Ichimonji. Zoro sees his first attack could be easily blocked by Kuina, he immediately swung the sword in his right hand towards Kuina's head. Seeing the sword approaching her face, Kuina immediately moved backward to avoid Zoro's attack. Kuina who did not want to lose swinging her sword too that was blocked by Zoro and jumped backward to make a distance between them. They again ran and swung the slash after slash, parry, and screams enlivened the quiet night.

Kuina: "Two real swords must be heavy, right? It looks like you are still weak. " Seeing Zoro who was out of breath and panting made Kuina mock Zoro a little.

Zoro: "Shut up!" Zoro shouted in exasperation at Kuina's words.

Seeing Zoro off guard, Kuina immediately ran fast and swung Wado Ichimonji towards Zoro's sword so that the two swords slipped from Zoro's hand and flung into the air. Zoro lost his balance and fell backward immediately and saw the tip of Kuina's sword approaching his face but missed and made Wado Ichimonji stuck right next to Zoro's ear. The night was quiet again at the end of their match.

Kuina: "This is my 2001st victory." Kuina immediately pulled her sword back.

Zoro: "Damn ... Damn ... I can't accept this." Zoro covered his face and cried over his defeat.

Kuina: "I was the one who wants to cry because I can't accept it. A woman... when growing up will be weaker than a man. I will definitely be surpassed by you soon. You always say that you want to be the best swordsman in the world. Father told me, it is not possible for women. I know that ... I already know about that. But I cannot accept it. Zoro, it must be nice because you're a man. I also want to be the best swordsman in the world. My breasts have started to grow big. If only ... If only I was born as a man ... " Kuina began to cry and Zoro who heard Kuina's words made him speechless and stunned but also increasingly annoyed.

Zoro: "After defeating me, how can you whine like that. That's cheating, you were my goal from the start. " Zoro who did not accept Kuina's words immediately shouted

Kuina: "Zoro ..."

Zoro: "Man or woman, do you think I would say about that if I won? It's like not because of the ability we possessed. It makes me who practice hard look like a fool. Don't say things like that. Promise me, one day, you or I will be the number one swordsman in the world, we will compete who will succeed. " This time it was Kuina who was stunned and stopped crying after hearing all Zoro's words.

Kuina: "Stupid, say that even though you are weak." Kuina immediately smiled when she saw Zoro's expression but they immediately shook their hand.

Kuina + Zoro: "Promise."

Law: "How stupid." Said Law quietly behind a tree and walked away.

Kuina and Zoro did not know that their battle had audiences, besides Law, Arthur along with Hancock and Robin also watched the fight. Arthur only smiled as he saw firsthand the important scenes for Zoro's journey in the One Piece anime. In contrast to Arthur, hearing the whimper from Kuina upset Hancock and Robin. They both want to approached Kuina and teach her a lesson but they stopped by Arthur. He asked them to see the continuation of this scene which ended quite satisfactorily for Hancock and Robin.

Hancock: "Arthur, I want to invite Kuina to join us, I don't care what your plans are." Hancock immediately gave a firm statement on her wishes.

Robin: "Fufufu ... don't expect to sleep in the bed if you refuse." Now Robin is threatening Arthur.

Arthur: "For the start, I wanted to take her to Dragon and make her join the RA where she could grow strong. But if you two want Kuina to join us, I'm just saying good luck inviting her. " Arthur did not obstruct them but he wanted to leave the decision to Kuina herself.

Hancock: "But you haven't told me how you will save her from her destiny?"

Arthur: "Huff ... Robin, you can save him when he will fall down the stairs with your ability. So keep an eye on our prospective new members as you persuade her to join us. " Arthur gave a brief explanation.