"Zoro-kun, I like you."
Hearing Kuina's direct confession, Zoro was completely stunned.
For a moment, he thought he had misheard.
"You... what did you say?!"
"I said, I! Like! You! Zoro!"
Zoro froze in place, disbelief written all over his face.
This was Kuina, the girl who had been the brightest memory of his childhood, an unreachable dream he had carried in his heart for years.
Yet they had not seen each other for more than a decade.
How could feelings like this have developed?
More importantly, he still struggled to accept that the woman standing before him was truly Kuina.
Naturally, Kuina understood what was going through Zoro's mind.
She glanced around.
The battlefield was shrouded in smoke, and the scent of blood lingered heavily in the air.
Clearly, this was neither the time nor the place for such a conversation.
What she wanted to tell Zoro might take an hour, a day, a year, or perhaps even a lifetime.
Once this war was over, they would have all the time they needed.
Waving a hand in front of his eyes, she said softly, "Zoro-kun, I'll explain everything later. Right now, let's deal with the enemies in front of us."
Although countless questions filled his mind, Zoro understood the situation.
There were more important matters to deal with first.
Suppressing the emotions threatening to burst from his chest, he steadied himself and slowly walked toward the square.
Seeing this, Kuina frowned.
She immediately reached out and grabbed his hand.
Concern filled her eyes.
"Zoro-kun, your stamina and Haki are nearly exhausted. If you can't keep going, stay here and rest."
Zoro turned around at her words.
A determined expression appeared on his face.
"Who says I can't? I'm feeling great right now!"
Kuina blinked in confusion.
"But aren't you completely spent?"
Through her Observation Haki, Zoro's aura had already weakened considerably.
Compared to the overwhelming presence he had displayed earlier on the battlefield, the difference was immense.
Zoro rolled his eyes.
What kind of question was that?
As a proud swordsman, the one thing he hated most was someone doubting his ability.
Without another word, he took out a Senzu Bean and tossed it into his mouth.
In an instant, his depleted stamina recovered completely.
Although his Haki remained close to empty, it was more than enough.
After all, he was the World's Greatest Swordsman.
Dealing with the remaining enemies on the battlefield would not be difficult.
Most importantly, he could stand proudly in front of Kuina.
Kuina watched as Zoro immediately straightened his back and regained his vigor.
A look of surprise flashed across her face.
As expected of Zoro-kun.
To recover so quickly was truly incredible.
At the same time, a gentle smile appeared on her lips.
To her, Zoro still seemed like the stubborn little boy who always wanted to prove he was stronger than everyone else.
Even if he had not fully recovered, that part of him had never changed.
Smiling brightly, she said, "Good! Then let's go together!"
...
"Big Sister Gion, who is that woman?!"
An angry voice echoed through Peach Garden high above the New World.
Perona stared at the image on the screen before her.
Her delicate face looked like an enraged kitten.
The screen displayed the moment Kuina grabbed Zoro's hand.
Perona had always been extremely possessive of the things she considered hers.
Especially when it came to men.
She had already experienced a similar situation because of Gion.
Gion, meanwhile, was quietly watching the pair on the screen.
The handsome swordsman radiated confidence and Haki.
The beautiful swordswoman stood beside him with elegance and strength.
Even Gion had to admit that they looked exceptionally well matched.
Seeing that Gion remained silent, Perona grabbed her arm and shook it repeatedly.
"Big Sister Gion, look! That woman is holding Mosshead's hand!"
Gion glanced at Perona.
"I saw it. What's wrong?"
Perona stared at her in disbelief.
"What's wrong?! That's Mosshead, our man! You're just going to let another woman hold his hand like that?!"
She felt as though grass was already growing on her head.
Despite that, Gion's expression remained composed.
"It's only a woman holding his hand. There's no need to make such a fuss, little Perona."
Truthfully, she felt a little jealous as well.
However, unlike Perona, she was older and far more experienced.
Because of her past experiences, she could view the situation more rationally.
Naturally, Perona couldn't understand her perspective.
"Big Sister Gion, you..."
"Zoro-kun is an outstanding man. As his women, we should trust him. Didn't you always say trust is the most important thing in a relationship?"
Perona was left speechless.
She knew Gion's words made sense.
But knowing that and accepting it were two entirely different things.
"Hmph! When he gets back, I'll make him pay for this!"
Perona crossed her arms and snorted.
...
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.
Koushirou watched the scene unfolding on the screen.
A helpless expression appeared on his slightly aged face.
"This... this..."
For a moment, he did not know what to say.
He simply felt that his daughter had given her heart away far too easily.
After a long silence, he sighed softly.
"I hope the two of you won't end up like Ann and me. I hope you can truly find happiness."
His thoughts drifted back to the tragedy of his past.
Years ago, when the Celestial Dragons arrived in East Blue, one of them happened to see Ann.
She was already exceptionally beautiful, and her gentle, mature charm only made her more captivating.
That ugly Celestial Dragon became obsessed with her at first sight.
He intended to forcibly bring her to Mary Geoise and make her his wife.
Rather than submit, Ann chose to end her own life while being taken there.
Now, the enormous obstacle standing between Kuina and Zoro was still the World Government.
If Peach Garden emerged victorious in this war, Koushirou believed the two of them would have a happy ending.
But if they lost...
...
Holy Land Mary Geoise, Room of Authority.
A figure suddenly appeared.
"Damned insects!"
Saint Mars sat heavily on the sofa, rage filling his face.
This was the first time he had been beaten back so thoroughly.
At the moment, he was the only one inside the Room of Authority.
The broadcast from Brown Square continued to play on the giant screen.
Clearly, he had become the first member of the Gorosei to suffer defeat.
To him, this humiliation was completely unacceptable.
Moments later, another figure materialized.
Saint Warcury.
Saint Mars looked at him.
There was no trace of mockery in his eyes.
Only shock.
Saint Warcury's brows were tightly furrowed.
His gaze remained fixed on the screen.
"Kuro! Arrogant insect!"
His voice was filled with fury.
Although the Gorosei were separate individuals, they could communicate telepathically.
Saint Mars already knew that Saint Warcury had been defeated by Kuro, the strategist of the Ion Pirates.
And the defeat had come at the hands of overwhelming Conqueror's Haki.
"What a disgrace!" Saint Mars growled.
"As the highest authorities in this world, this is the greatest humiliation we have ever suffered!"
His furious voice echoed throughout the empty chamber.
Saint Warcury continued staring at the battlefield.
The anger and regret in his eyes were impossible to hide.
"It seems my decision was wrong. Otherwise, we would never have been reduced to this state."
He regretted opposing the proposal to eradicate the Ion Pirates at any cost.
Had the World Government committed its full strength back then, the Ion Pirates would never have been able to withstand the assault.
"There's no point talking about that now," Saint Mars said coldly. "We should be thinking about how we're going to explain this to Lord Imu."
At that moment, a voice suddenly echoed directly within their minds.
"You do not need to blame yourselves."
Both men immediately lowered their heads.
"Lord Imu, you won't punish us?"
However, the voice that followed felt like icy water being poured over them.
"You two will no longer need to fight!"
===
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