Vol. 04 Ch. 44 – Father’s Love

After Kuina and Zoro made their promise, they returned home with a heart full of enthusiasm and did not want to lose. Law who watched their match returned to the Dojo first and went straight to his room. Meanwhile, Hancock and Robin listened to Arthur's story about what would happen to Kuina during the trip back to Athens.

Hancock: "Ha !? Very stupid!?" Hancock's response after finishing hearing the story about Kuina fall from the stair.

The next morning, Sabo, who had gotten his memories back, received a scolding from Hancock and Robin because of his very stupid actions. They were angry not because of Sabo's actions towards Tenryuubito, but his decision to sail even though he was still very weak and unprepared to face danger at sea. They hope that if Sabo has a problem he should go to his siblings, Ace and Luffy.

Arthur: "Sabo, what do you want to do now?" Arthur asked about Sabo's plans after they had finished breakfast.

Sabo: "I ..."

Arthur: "I can take you back to Dawn Island, or if you want to continue your journey sailing to the sea alone then I will prepare a ship for you." Arthur provides an example of the choices for Sabo.

Robin: "Or you can join us." Robin gives another choice to Sabo who looks confused.

Arthur: "We will leave this island after two or three days, think carefully. I will always support whatever you decide, I know you are a smart kid. "

After Hancock and Robin finished talking to Sabo, they went to Isshin Dojo to try to get Kuina to join. Sabo also joined them because he wanted to meet with the other ART Pirate crews. The morning at Isshin Dojo proceeded as usual, before breakfast was ready, the yard was filled with the sounds of Law's practice and the others. After the sun began to rise, the Dojo disciples also began to arrive to do routine exercises. At that moment Hancock and Robin arrived at Isshin Dojo to meet with Kuina.

Kuina: "Eh, can you please repeat that one more time?" Kuina is still confused by the situation now.

Robin: "As Hancock said, we would like to invite you to join us on ART Pirates and go sailing to the Grand Line."

Kuina: "Grand Line ..."

Hancock: "You can become stronger by training and fighting strong enemies in the Grand Line, unlike here. You need to know how small your life is here. "

Koushirou: "Can you please not ignore me as I am Kuina's father."

Kuina: "Father ..."

Arthur: "I know that you love your daughter, Kuina. But that does not mean you can lock her up next to you regardless of her dreams. If you as her father can't trust her to be able to reach her dreams then who will be the driver of her life. "

Arthur who appeared suddenly made Kuina very surprised, but she was more surprised by what Arthur said. During this time she had tried very hard to reach her dreams, but she knew that it would be very difficult and coupled with Zoro's ability to get better and almost match her abilities. Her father also said that Kuina as a woman would not be able to reach her dreams. And now, another person that Kuina met for no more than a week was very supportive of her and wanted to invite her to become a pirate. If it's as Kuina used to be, she would refuse directly when invited to become a pirate, but now she who knows Arthur from Sugar and Koala needs to think longer.

Arthur: "If you are worried whether I can protect Kuina or not, we can fight right now. I know that your abilities are no worse than 'Hawk Eyes' Dracule Mihawk who currently holds the title of the best warrior in the world. " Arthur stared intently at Koushirou's narrow eyes and took Komainu out of his storage ring.

Koushirou: "Sigh ... just say that you only want to find a sparring partner." Koushirou sighed after learning Arthur's intentions.

Arthur: "Hahaha ... looks like I'm not good at lying. So how?"

Koushirou: "When my wife died while giving birth to Kuina, I promised to keep her away from the life of the swordsman and Samurai. I want her to grow up like an ordinary girl and live peacefully in the village of Shimotsuki and have a family with someone she loves. But that seemed impossible after Kuina first held the bamboo sword and asked me to teach her. The smile on Kuina's face at that time I could not forget, how happy she was when holding a bamboo sword. I was very happy when Zoro came, I thought he would be able to give lessons that I could not give him. Defeat, a lesson that I might not have given him. But I didn't expect that it was your crew who gave that bitter taste so that Kuina was again excited to be stronger. " Koushirou began to talk about how he had felt so far.

Kuina: "Father ..." Kuina's eyes began to moisten to cry, this was the first time she had heard about this.

Koushirou: "I know that you are different from other pirates, Dragon also said that. Kuina, forgive me for not being able to be a good father to you. I will support all your decisions, Kuina. " Koushirou stroked Kuina's head affectionately.

Arthur: "So, can we fight?" Arthur's question can damage the atmosphere.

Hancock + Robin: "Arthur !?" Hancock and Robin immediately pulled Arthur and closed his mouth.

While Sabo who met with other members of the ART Pirates immediately gathered and talked a lot about what Sabo experienced. When Law and the others heard that Arthur wanted to invite Sabo to join, they immediately agreed and supported the decision.

Sabo: "But why does Sensei want you to study in this Dojo?"

Law: "Captain wants us to have more fighting experience, so he invited us here while waiting for you to recover." Law answered Sabo's curious question.

Sabo: "It turns out that, then do you know what they are talking about in that?" The curious Sabo tried to peer inside.

Sugar: "It looks like Hancock and Robin want to recruit Kuina to join us. I really agree if captain can also invite Kuina to join. "

Sabo: "Sugar, it looks like you are very close to the girl named Kuina." Hearing Sugar's words made Sabo even more curious about Kuina.

Sugar: "The four of us stayed here a few nights and Kuina got along with me and Koala."

When Sabo and the others were coolly chatting, they suddenly heard screams from inside the house. The shout that called Kuina's name made them also run inside to see what was happening. As they ran in, they found Arthur and the others gathered at the bottom of the stairs encircling Kuina lying on the floor. Kuina fell from above and now she's unconscious.