Shimotsuki Village didn't change.
—
And that was exactly why it felt different now.
—
Morning came without urgency.
No danger.
No pressure.
—
Just wind moving through wood.
—
Kevin stood outside the dojo early.
Watching.
—
Footsteps approached.
—
Nami.
"…You don't sleep like a normal person, do you?"
—
Kevin answered calmly.
"…I do now."
—
Nami leaned beside him.
"…Barely."
—
A pause.
—
"…It's peaceful here."
—
Kevin nodded.
"…Yes."
—
Kaya stepped out slowly behind them.
Holding the door for balance for just a second—
then letting go.
—
Kevin noticed.
He didn't move immediately.
—
Kaya smiled.
"…I'm getting better."
—
Nami glanced at her.
"…You still shouldn't push too much."
—
Kaya shook her head gently.
"…Just a little more each day."
—
Kevin spoke:
"…That is the correct pace."
—
Carina's voice came from inside.
"…Wow. Everyone's being responsible. I hate this arc already."
—
Tashigi walked out.
"…Routine stability is important."
—
Kuina followed.
"…We begin light preparation today."
—
They stepped into the yard.
—
And then—
—
someone else was already there.
—
A boy.
Green hair.
Three swords at his side.
—
Roronoa Zoro
—
He was mid-training.
Swing after swing.
Heavy.
Determined.
—
Kuina stopped.
—
For a moment—
—
she just watched.
—
"…His form is rough," she said.
—
Tashigi adjusted her glasses.
"…But persistent."
—
Zoro noticed them.
—
He lowered his sword slightly.
"…You're new."
—
Kuina stepped forward.
"…No."
—
A pause.
—
"…I trained here before."
—
Zoro studied her.
Then grinned slightly.
"…Then fight me."
—
Carina whispered loudly:
"…Oh he's THAT type."
—
Nami sighed.
"…Of course he is."
—
Kuina didn't hesitate.
"…Fine."
—
Tashigi stepped aside.
Watching.
—
Kevin stayed still.
Observing.
—
They took position.
—
Zoro rushed first.
—
Direct.
Unrefined.
Power over precision.
—
Kuina moved.
—
Clean.
—
One step.
One angle.
—
Block—
—
counter—
—
tap.
—
Zoro's sword stopped mid-motion.
—
A wooden blade pressed lightly against his side.
—
Silence.
—
Zoro blinked.
—
"…That was fast."
—
Kuina stepped back.
"…Your movement is predictable."
—
Zoro grinned wider.
—
"…Good."
—
No frustration.
—
Only excitement.
—
"…Then I'll get stronger."
—
Kuina didn't respond.
—
But she didn't dismiss him either.
—
Tashigi spoke calmly:
"…Your foundation is incomplete."
—
Zoro looked at her.
"…You fight too?"
—
Tashigi nodded.
"…Yes."
—
Zoro smirked.
"…Good. More targets."
—
Carina pointed.
"…I like his energy. Not inviting him though."
—
Nami crossed her arms.
"…We're not collecting swordsmen."
—
Kevin finally spoke.
—
"…He will improve."
—
Zoro looked at him.
"…You fight?"
—
Kevin answered simply.
"…Yes."
—
A pause.
—
Zoro grinned.
"…Then I'll beat you later."
—
Kevin didn't react.
"…Train first."
—
That answer made Zoro laugh.
—
"…Yeah. I will."
—
The moment passed naturally.
—
No rivalry.
—
No tension.
—
Just paths crossing.
—
Later—
—
training continued.
—
Kuina and Tashigi moved through forms.
More aligned than before.
—
Zoro trained separately.
But watched them occasionally.
Learning silently.
—
Nami observed from the side.
"…So this is where it started."
—
Kevin nodded.
"…Yes."
—
Kaya sat under shade.
Breathing steady.
—
Stronger than yesterday.
—
Kevin stayed near.
—
Not close.
—
But present.
—
Kaya looked at him.
"…You always stay just enough."
—
Kevin answered:
"…It is intentional."
—
Kaya smiled.
"…I know."
—
Silence followed.
—
But softer now.
—
Evening came.
—
The training slowed.
—
Zoro picked up his swords.
—
"…I'll get stronger," he said again.
—
Kuina nodded once.
"…Do that."
—
Tashigi added:
"…Refine your basics."
—
Zoro smirked.
"…Yeah, yeah."
—
He walked off.
—
Not part of them.
—
But not forgotten either.
—
Carina watched him leave.
"…He's definitely coming back stronger."
—
Nami shrugged.
"…Not our problem."
—
Kevin looked toward the horizon.
—
"…Everyone moves forward."
—
Kaya followed his gaze.
"…At their own pace."
—
Kevin nodded.
"…Yes."
—
Night settled over the village.
—
The first day passed quietly.
—
Training hadn't begun yet.
—
But something had already started.
—
Not strength.
—
Not power.
—
Understanding.
—
Of themselves.
—
Of each other.
—
And of the path ahead.
—
One month.
—
To prepare.
—
Before the Grand Line.
—
And before everything changed again.