Chapter 20: Setting Sail

Although Ian and Zoro had always believed that Kuina would eventually wake up, they didn't expect to wait for such a long time.

Time flew by, and six years had passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Kuina remained in a comatose state.

Apart from being unable to wake up, her body showed no signs of abnormality. She continued to grow, and now, lying on the ground, she had transformed into a graceful young girl. As the dojo was mainly populated by men, taking care of Kuina was challenging. So, Master Koshiro specially invited an older woman from the village to look after her, tending to her daily meals and grooming.

Every day, Ian and Zoro would spend time talking to Kuina, with Zoro constantly boasting about how much stronger he had become each day, hoping to stimulate her to awaken. However, for some reason, this level of stimulation didn't seem sufficient. Although Kuina would react to such topics, she still couldn't wake up completely.

Zoro became even more desperate in his training, trying to relieve the anxiety building within him. He even asked Koshiro for the Sandai Kitetsu sword, starting his journey on the Three-Sword Style. He believed that if Kuina couldn't train now, he could train on her behalf and become stronger together.

As for Ian?

Currently, Ian was sitting face to face with Master Koshiro in the dojo.

Over the past six years, Ian had also grown, the intensive training giving him a robust and sturdy physique. He was now 18 years old, standing at 182 centimeters tall. His long black hair was tied into a ponytail at the back of his head. With a gentle expression and a smile on his face, he resembled Master Koshiro.

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Throughout these years, Master Koshiro had the most profound impact on Ian. Naturally, Ian looked up to him as a father figure.

The only noticeable change was that Master Koshiro's forehead now had more white hair. Despite maintaining his gentle and composed demeanor, Kuina's situation had added a touch of anxiety to his heart.

An old teacup held freshly brewed hot water, and the tea leaves danced gracefully, forming a beautiful shade of green at the appropriate temperature. As Kuina remained unconscious, it had become a daily ritual for Ian to have tea with his master at noon.

Sipping the tea gently, blowing away the foam, Ian put the cup down and said to Koshiro, "Master, I want to set sail!"

Koshiro wasn't surprised by Ian's words and smiled, "If I remember correctly, you said the same thing two years ago."

Indeed, if they talked about anxiety, Ian wasn't any less anxious than Zoro. Two years ago, Ian had wanted to set sail to find a way to cure Kuina. However, Koshiro had stopped him. A boy who had just turned 16, setting sail alone was something Koshiro couldn't allow.

Now, two years later, Ian brought up the topic again, and this time, he had already made up his mind. Even if Koshiro opposed it, he wouldn't care so much.

Surprisingly, Koshiro didn't oppose the idea after hearing it. He just sighed and said, "Ian, do you know? I have always regarded you as my own child. When I didn't want Kuina to inherit the dojo, it was not only because she's a girl but also because I wanted you to inherit it."

Ian remained silent, looking at Koshiro.

"But in these years, I've also realized that your heart is not here in Shimotsuki Village!" Koshiro continued, "Boys will be boys. Even though you're physically here, your heart is longing for the world outside."

"I'm sorry, Master," Ian apologized.

"No need to apologize!" Koshiro smiled, "I understand clearly. In this era, nothing can stop a man from setting sail. So, if you want to go, go ahead. You have your own path to follow."

"Okay!" Ian nodded.

"Have you decided on the date?" Koshiro asked.

"Tomorrow!" Ian replied.

"So soon?" Koshiro was a bit surprised.

"The sooner, the better!" Ian smiled and said, "Kuina has been asleep for so long; she must be anxious too."

Ian decided to set sail as soon as possible. One reason was to find a way to cure Kuina, and the other reason was to try to find a Devil Fruit for her. In her current unconscious state, Kuina couldn't train, and with her strong-willed personality, if she woke up and saw that Zoro had surpassed her, she probably wouldn't be able to accept it. As her older brother, Ian naturally had to consider her, and a Devil Fruit was undoubtedly the best shortcut to becoming stronger. He just didn't know if Kuina would accept it.

During these six years, Ian had also attempted to contact Ivankov again, but strangely, he couldn't reach them. Thinking back to the last time Ivankov mentioned being arrested in the Karmabakka Kingdom, Ian recalled that in this timeline, Ivankov seemed to have been apprehended by the Marines! they had been thrown into the Impel Down prison with fabricated charges... It seemed that he couldn't rely on them anymore.

Regarding Ian's plan to find a Devil Fruit for Kuina, Koshiro was aware of it. Ian had mentioned it to him before, but he didn't take it too seriously. In his view, Devil Fruits and the like were all evil paths. A swordsman's true reliance should be their own sword.

However, Ian's intentions were well-meaning, and Koshiro didn't oppose it. He asked, "What about the ship? What are your plans for the ship?"

"I've asked Mr. Heru from the village! He let me have his old fishing boat!" Ian smiled, "Mr. Heru is a good man; he didn't take any money from me and even gave me a map to nearby towns."

"The sea can be unpredictable. Be careful on your own!" Koshiro cautioned.

Ian wasn't too worried about that. He had grown up by the sea, so his water skills were quite good. Even if he encountered storms at sea, he had the ability to protect himself.

"Since you've made up your mind, then go!" Koshiro said, "You're going alone, so I won't see you off."

Not seeing him off was to avoid the sadness of parting. Ian naturally understood this and didn't say anything. He simply bowed down to the ground to show his respect and then stood up to leave the dojo.

The next day, at the Shimotsuki Village beach.

Master Koshiro didn't come, but there were still many people there to see him off. Apart from Zoro, the other junior disciples from the dojo were all present.

These kids, who used to be mischievous brats, had grown up over the years and improved their appearances significantly. They were now much more pleasing to the eye.

"Ian Senior Brother, remember to come back and see us!"

"Ian Senior Brother, we'll miss you!"

The junior disciples gathered around Ian, talking non-stop. Ian had been taking care of them on behalf of Kuina, who couldn't wake up. So now that Ian was leaving, they naturally felt reluctant to part with him.

Ian patted their shoulders reassuringly, feeling somewhat emotional. If it weren't for the system, with his aptitude, he would probably be similar to these junior disciples by now. Seeing them was like looking at himself before the age of ten.

Feeling someone's gaze, Ian turned his head and saw Zoro standing with his arms crossed.

When Zoro first came to the dojo, he was about nine years old and fought against Kuina for a year, with a record of 2001 losses and 0 wins. Now, after six years, he was 16 years old and had begun to show the form of the future "Swordsman of the Sea." His green algae-like hair was still eye-catching. He cut his hair with a sword, making it messy like a dog had bitten it. He had taken off the dojo's uniform and put on a short-sleeved T-shirt. He had a waistband around his waist and three long swords slung across his body. The only fortunate thing was that he hadn't pierced his ears with earrings yet, probably worried about Koshiro scolding him.

Seeing Ian looking at him, Zoro snorted and turned his head away, ignoring Ian.

"You think you're so cool!" Ian couldn't help but laugh. "I told you I'm not taking you, and I won't!"

Ever since Ian mentioned that he was setting sail, Zoro had been clamoring to go with him. However, Koshiro didn't allow it. Just like when Ian wanted to set sail two years ago, Koshiro worried that Zoro was too young. Naturally, Ian listened to Koshiro's words and rejected Zoro's request to travel together.

All this had caused Zoro to be angry all night yesterday.

When he heard Ian's words, Zoro called out to stop him and handed him a white-sheathed long sword, saying with his head turned, "This is the Sandai Kitetsu. Why don't you take it with you?"

Although he acted tough on the surface, wasn't he worried about himself? Otherwise, why would he want Ian to take a good sword with him?

Ian smiled but didn't take it. He said, "No need. This sword doesn't suit me. You keep it, and when Kuina wakes up, you can give it to her!"

Walking towards the shore, Ian untied the rope, tossed it into the boat, and then pushed the small fishing boat into the sea with all his strength. After taking a leap, he landed inside the boat.

"Goodbye, I'm leaving!" Ian waved to the people on the shore.

Amid the tearful farewells from the crowd, he picked up the oar, paddled the small boat, and slowly sailed away...