The Sky Temple loomed ahead.
Enel's oppressive presence draped over the floating island like a thunder-clad crown, his mantra sweeping across the entire battlefield with terrifying precision.
Kaito's crew had broken through the forbidden thunder zones, defeating Enel's elite guards.
On a parallel path, the Straw Hat Pirates carved their way through, moving to challenge Enel directly.
But before they reached the final confrontation—
There was a promise that needed to be fulfilled.
A promise that had lingered since the dojo days.
A promise between two swords.
Between Kuina and Zoro.
They found each other on a high plateau—a field of compact white clouds suspended dangerously close to Enel's domain but hidden just beneath the arc of his mantra.
The storm raged overhead.
Lightning danced in the sky like serpents preparing to strike.
It was the perfect stage.
Zoro stood at one end of the plateau, his swords resting against his shoulder, his gaze steady.
Kuina approached from the opposite side, the faint crackle of thunder humming along her blades.
Kaito's crew and the Straw Hats hung back, giving them space, understanding that this was a duel that belonged to no one else.
Luffy watched with his usual wide grin, excited for the clash.
Kaito crossed his arms, his expression calm but sharp, as if weighing every movement before it even began.
The air between Kuina and Zoro was charged—not just with electricity, but with years of rivalry, memories, and words left unsaid.
Zoro tilted his head slightly. "You look different."
Kuina smirked faintly. "You still look as stubborn as ever."
His grip on his swords tightened. "Back then, I couldn't beat you. I swore I'd surpass you. And now—"
"You're still chasing that," Kuina finished, stepping forward. "But this time, I won't hold back."
Her twin blades sparked with living thunder, the current pulsing in rhythm with her heartbeat.
"I want to see if you can keep up with me now, Zoro."
Zoro's grin sharpened. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Without another word, they moved.
Kuina vs. Zoro – The Duel Begins
Their first clash sent a resounding shockwave across the plateau.
Steel rang against steel.
Zoro's overwhelming strength met Kuina's fluid, lightning-charged speed.
Zoro swung with raw, monstrous power, his three swords carving through the air like tearing winds.
Kuina weaved between his strikes, her thunder-laced blades trailing arcs of electricity, her footwork impossibly light.
Each of Zoro's slashes dug deep craters into the cloud ground.
Each of Kuina's strikes crackled, snapping inches away from his guard, forcing Zoro to twist his body at the last second to avoid being sliced.
"You've gotten faster," Zoro admitted, his breath steady, his eye sharp. "But I can't lose here."
"Neither can I."
Kuina's thunder surged, and her next combination came in like a storm.
Zoro's Santoryu roared as he intercepted, his swords parrying each electrified strike, but Kuina's rhythm was relentless.
She wasn't attacking with brute strength.
She was using the unpredictability of thunder—flickering, feinting, accelerating with sudden bursts, forcing Zoro to rely on instinct alone.
A brief smile tugged at her lips.
This is it. This is the fight I've always wanted with you.
Zoro pushed back, slamming his foot into the ground to anchor his stance.
His next attack came with crushing force—a direct, spiraling slash aiming to split her guard.
But Kuina's lightning flared.
She sidestepped with a flash of thunder, twisting midair, her blade sweeping across his defense.
Sparks erupted as her sword kissed the edge of his katana.
Zoro grunted, his body absorbing the jolt of electric backlash.
He's adapting fast.
Kuina's grin widened.
But she pressed harder.
Her Thunder Sword Style flowed like water, but struck like lightning.
Zoro's swords answered with sheer dominance—unshaken, unbroken.
The two of them blurred across the plateau, their duel igniting the skies with each clash.
The storm above echoed their fight.
Raindrops began to fall—fat, heavy beads that sizzled as they touched Kuina's charged blades.
Kaito's system chimed in his mind.
[Thunder Resonance: Full Synchronization Achieved]
[Warning: Power Surge Risk – Recommend Controlled Release]
But Kuina didn't pull back.
Her body knew this rhythm.
Her heart sang in it.
She wasn't just using thunder.
She was the thunder.
Zoro's grin widened as his muscles tensed.
"You've become strong, Kuina."
"You too."
"But I'm not done yet."
His next move was brutal—a wide, surging slash that created a cutting gale across the battlefield.
Kuina's eyes flashed, her body flickering with lightning as she spun through the attack, her blade carving a silver arc that met his strike head-on.
The collision sent a deafening crack through the sky, scattering the storm clouds momentarily.
Both fighters were knocked back several paces.
Their breathing was ragged.
Their grips never faltered.
Zoro sheathed one sword briefly, holding the remaining two with renewed focus.
"You're not the girl I chased back then."
Kuina smiled, lowering her stance, her thunder steady now, fully under her control.
"And you're not the reckless boy I left behind."
Zoro's voice dropped to a quiet growl. "When we meet again, I'll surpass you."
Kuina's lightning flickered gently along her fingertips.
"I'll look forward to it."
They charged one final time—not to finish the fight, but to etch the memory of this battle into their blades.
Their swords crossed in a perfect clash.
Neither gave way.
But both stepped back simultaneously.
It was enough.
They didn't need a winner today.
Their rivalry would stretch across the Grand Line.
The next time would decide it.
For now—this was their promise.
The Final Alliance – Preparing for Enel
The two crews reconvened as the storm grew heavier.
Luffy approached Kaito, grinning widely. "That was awesome! Your swordswoman is amazing!"
"She is," Kaito agreed.
"We'll head to the upper temple now," Luffy said. "You coming?"
Kaito's smirk deepened. "Wouldn't miss it."
Luffy's crew and Kaito's crew would ascend the final cloud layers together, racing against the storm toward the Sky Temple where Enel waited with his golden staff and godly power.
Kaito's crew gathered near the helm.
Kuina tightened the wrap around her sword hilts.
Khalifa adjusted her gloves, her cold efficiency never once shaken.
Carmen sharpened her cooking knives—not for battle, but because she liked them ready.
Aisa perched near the mast, her Observation Haki sweeping the skies.
"Enel knows we're coming."
"Good," Kaito said. "Let him wait."
Nojiko set the ship's course, her steady hands guiding them through the narrow sky paths.
Kaya managed supplies and emergency kits, always prepared for whatever chaos awaited.
Conis's harp played a rising battle tune, soft but steady, carrying their resolve forward.
The storm cracked violently as their ship pierced the final cloud barriers.
Enel's voice echoed across the heavens, dripping with disdain.
"You dare climb to my throne? You insects. I will erase you all."
Kaito grinned, stepping forward as the wind howled around him.
"We're coming to tear your throne apart."
Lightning slammed across the sky as both crews surged toward the Sky Temple.
The final battle awaited.
The thunder roared.
But Kaito's crew would meet it head-on—with blades honed by friendship, by rivalry, by the life they chose to live.