After coaching Kuina, Amon wandered the village at ease. In two days his ship would depart for the Baratie, so he meant to enjoy the lull, strolling and playing while he could.
Time slid by. Two days passed quickly.
Amon's little ship was ready to head for the next destination. Before leaving, he said his farewells to Koushirou and the others.
At the pier, Kuina looked at the departing Amon with a dimmed expression. They had only spent a few days together, yet his tall figure had rooted itself in her young heart. Without Amon's arrival, her life might have been spent in unending frustration.
She paused, then lifted her face. "Mr. Amon, will we meet again?"
"Of course. Next time we meet, you must be stronger. Do not give up on becoming a great swordsman." Amon ruffled her hair and encouraged her.
"And you, mosshead, work hard too. Don't let me down." He turned to Roronoa Zoro with a grin.
"Mm. I'll train hard. When I grow stronger, I'll follow in your footsteps, Mr. Amon, travel every corner of the world, and make the name of the great swordsman Kuina ring across the Grand Line." Kuina's eyes shimmered.
"And me, and me." Zoro refused to be outdone. "Mr. Amon, one day I'll defeat you. I will be the world's greatest swordsman."
"Good, good. Then it's a promise."
"Mm, it's a promise."
Both nodded hard.
"Koushirou, thank you for your hospitality these days. I hope we meet again, and when we do, we'll drink until we drop."
"Mr. Amon, you flatter me. I should be the one thanking you." Koushirou's voice carried real feeling.
Just yesterday, Kuina had gone up to the attic to fetch something and slipped. The blade of Wado Ichimonji was pointed straight upward. Koushirou had frozen in terror, certain his daughter was done for. At the critical instant, Kuina's body vanished, and in her place appeared a doll made of thread.
Both of them broke into a cold sweat at the sight of the substitute doll pierced on the tip of the sword. If not for the doll Amon had given her, Kuina would have been the one on the blade.
When Koushirou learned the origin of the doll, his gratitude toward Amon only grew deeper. His wife had died young, and Kuina was the last bond she left him. If anything happened to Kuina, he did not dare imagine it.
"Haha, I'm fond of Kuina. No need to make too much of it," Amon said lightly. He understood what Koushirou meant.
He turned to Dragon, who had come to see him off. Dragon met his eyes and smiled. "Mr. Amon, I know you will refuse, but I will invite you once more. If someone like you joined us, the Revolutionary Army could truly overthrow the Celestial Dragons."
"Come on, not again. This makes the seventh time in a few days, right." Amon could only give a helpless smile. Every time they met, Dragon tried to recruit him. He had thought so many refusals would kill the idea, yet here they were again.
"Haha, one must try. It might work one day." Dragon was unruffled.
"I'll pass. If you truly want a lead, go take a look in the Goa Kingdom. You might find a surprise."
Since Dragon would not let it go, Amon pointed him toward the right place. At this time, Sabo should still be in the Goa Kingdom. A trip there would not be wasted.
"The Goa Kingdom?" Dragon blinked.
"That's right."
"Very well. Once I finish gathering supplies, I'll go." He did not think Amon would say this for no reason. The Goa Kingdom was his homeland besides. Luffy should be about seven now. Time flew. Thinking of that kid, Dragon let a rare smile show.
"All right, in that case I'll be off. Until fate brings us together again."
Amon waved to them all. The little ship slid away, and before long, it vanished from sight.
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