I sparred with both Zoro and Kuina. I made sure I never won—especially against Kuina—even when I knew I could. I could sometimes tag Zoro with speed, but he was stronger than me in terms of strength.
At night I went to the shore to duel Bayyako.
Bayyako (Yako) — Stats
Strength: 35
Agility: 60 ·
Perception: 35 ·
Vitality: 20 ·
Intelligence: 5 ·
Luck: —
Skills (Active): Bite, Pounce
"You're really all bite and no bark, kitty—aren't you, Yako?"
"Purr?"
Yako rushed me at alarming speed, jaws wide.
"Let's test this. Ghost Step. One‑Sword Strike."
I stopped the blade a hair from his muzzle. "Okay, that's enough. Let's head back." My whole body throbbed. As we walked, I noticed a faint line carved into the sand, five feet long, where Yako had braced.
Even if Yako was "killed," he would revert to spirit form and need time to heal inside me.
On the way back, Koushirou stepped from the shadow of the engawa, eyes calm, hands tucked into his sleeves.
"So—you ate a Devil Fruit?"
I was caught off guard but not surprised he'd noticed. "Yes, sensei."
His gaze dipped to the five‑foot groove in the sand, "What does it do?"
"It lets me enlist the spirits of the dead as allies."
A tiny nod, almost nothing. "That sounds powerful. Use it well," he said quietly, and moved on. The post‑lantern light caught the ghost of a smile; then it was gone.
—
Year 1513 — Spring, Full Moon
A full moon washed the spring night silver. Birds settled into their roosts, their soft calls fading.
Two swordsmen stood atop the hill, while one watched from afar.
A blue‑haired girl gripped a white‑handled katana—the Wado Ichimonji.
A green‑haired boy a year younger, held two swords, sweat beading on his brow.
A black‑haired boy with crimson eyes watched, a breeze cutting the tension.
Zoro rushed forward with a shout, forcing courage out of his lungs.
Kuina waited—still and ready.
Right blade—Zoro chopped; Kuina met it. His left flashed—she hopped back; a few strands of blue hair drifted down. She launched—he crossed both blades; clash—they separated.
Sweat ran faster down Zoro's temple. They met again, and again, under the white coin of the moon.
Each break left Zoro heaving harder, while Kuina stood proud and steady—no sweat in sight.
"Two swords are heavy. You still lack strength," she said with a thin smirk.
"Shut up!" Zoro barked.
She dipped and surged—Wado rising. Zoro barely caught it; his strength was flagging. His blades flew, and he toppled.
She set Wado in the ground beside his head. "My 2,001st win."
"Damn it… this sucks," Zoro hissed, frustration raw.
Kuina's voice cracked. "I'm the one who should be crying. When girls grow up, we get weaker than men… You'll catch up soon. You always say you'll be the world's greatest swordsman. My father told me a girl can never be that. I know—but it's frustrating! You're lucky, Zoro—you're a boy. I want to be the world's greatest swordsman, too. If only… if only I'd been born a man." Tears streaked down her cheeks.
Zoro bristled at the sight. "Don't whine like that after beating me! That's not fair. You're my goal! 'Boy this, girl that'—are you gonna say that when I beat you someday? You act like none of it is skill! You're insulting all the training I've done! So don't say that. Promise me. Someday one of us will be the world's greatest swordsman. We'll compete to see who gets there!"
He held out his hand.
"Dummy. You're so weak," she said—but she shook his hand. The full moon burned white behind them.
I stepped from the shadows. "I'd like to see one of you become the world's greatest swordsman—for sure." My crimson eyes glowed in the dark.
"You heard all of that?!" they yelped, embarrassed.
"I did. And I agree with Zoro. Kuina—don't let the world hold you back. Challenge it and win. I believe in you."
She nodded once. "I will."
After that, she worked even harder—fast enough to surprise every sensei in the dojo. More tells from Koushirou followed: a brief pause at her foot pressure during cuts; a fingertip brushing the edge alignment of a bokken; a glance to my stance when our lines overlapped. He was watching—measuring—without a word.
—
That afternoon, Kuina and I finished training under Koushirou.
"Father, do you know where the sharpening stone is?" she asked.
"In the storehouse," Koushirou said.
"Thanks, Father," she called, hurrying out.
Koushirou and I were just stepping outside when a crash thundered from the storehouse.
We looked at each other and ran.
She had slipped on the stairs and struck her head on the way down. Blood soaked her bangs and pooled on the floor. Koushirou rushed forward, dropped to his knees and lifted her.
"I'll call for help!" I said, turning for the door.
His voice was flat—and broken. "It's… too late. She's passed."
The mask fell from his face. Tears cut thin lines down his cheeks.
"I will save her."
[SYSTEM LIMIT] Warden of Spirits: Spirit tether available for 3 minutes after death.
My pulse spiked. The clock had started.