After Commander Saint Roselith Seraphina concluded her sparring match with Shimotsuki Kōshirō, Fran had been following closely behind her.
One moment she was there.
The next
Gone.
Fran froze.
"…Eh?"
A cold spike of panic shot through him.
Commander Seraphina had vanished as if swallowed by the wind itself.
His thoughts tangled instantly.
If I return now… I can't exactly report that I lost track of my commanding officer, can I?!
But another thought struck him.
What if the Commander already returned to the ship?
Fran's heart twisted into knots.
Should I head back to the warship… or search the island?
He clenched his fists.
I promised I'd keep pace with the Commander…
Fran, thinking quickly, arrived at what he believed was a clever solution.
"I'll… wait right here."
Surely she would pass by again.
Surely.
Morning stretched on.
Then late morning.
Fran sat atop a roadside rock, plucking petals from a small wildflower.
"She didn't go back… She did go back… She didn't go back… She did go back…"
His voice trembled with mounting anxiety.
By the time footsteps finally approached
Fran looked half-dead.
"Hm?"
Commander Seraphina stopped.
"…Why are you still here?"
She stared at Fran, genuinely puzzled.
Fran slowly lifted his head.
His eyes were hollow.
Utter despair radiated from him.
Seraphina blinked.
Then struck a fist lightly into her palm.
"Oh…"
A sheepish pause.
"I forgot to tell you I was going sightseeing."
Fran nearly collapsed.
The utterly defeated Fran and the faintly amused Seraphina returned to the Marine warship.
"Commander!"
The logistics sergeant snapped to attention.
"Resupply operations are complete! Shall we proceed?"
Seraphina glanced once toward Shimotsuki Village.
"We'll remain here for a few days."
Fran's eye twitched.
It was rare to encounter a swordsman of Shimotsuki Kōshirō's caliber.
Seraphina had no intention of wasting such an opportunity.
Night fell upon Shimotsuki Village.
Silence reigned.
If one listened carefully, faint croaks of frogs echoed beneath the moonlit sky.
Without the noise of commerce or conflict, the village belonged to the creatures of the night.
Peaceful.
Still.
Within the dojo
Candlelight flickered softly.
Shimotsuki Kōshirō sat across from an old friend.
"It's only been a year since he began training," Kōshirō said thoughtfully.
"Zoro's growth has been astonishing."
"His dedication is undeniable."
A pause.
"And yet…"
"He still cannot defeat Kuina."
His friend nodded.
"Kuina is exceptional."
Kōshirō's expression darkened slightly.
"…But the world is rarely kind to female swordsmen."
"Given current realities…"
"I cannot yet allow her to inherit the dojo."
Outside the sliding door
Kuina's eyes widened.
Her breath hitched.
"Father!"
She burst inside.
"Kuin"
Kōshirō's voice sharpened.
"Eavesdropping is improper."
Kuina's fists trembled.
"I will become the world's greatest swordsman!"
Kōshirō's gaze hardened.
"Kuina…"
He spoke quietly.
"…A girl cannot become the world's strongest swordsman."
Silence.
Kuina's voice cracked.
"…Then what about Commander Seraphina?"
Kōshirō froze.
Words failed him.
For Seraphina was a contradiction to everything he believed reality dictated.
Her talent.
Her presence.
Her overwhelming power.
A force of nature clad in Marine white.
Kuina's eyes burned.
She turned and stormed out.
Anger surged through her chest.
But beneath it
Doubt.
Pain.
Frustration.
Lost in thought, Kuina nearly collided with someone.
"Kuina?!"
Zoro stared.
"Why are you out so late?!"
"I should be asking you!"
Kuina snapped.
Zoro's eyes blazed.
"I came to challenge you!"
"Our 2001st duel!"
"This time…"
He gripped his hilts tightly.
"We fight with real swords!"
Kuina's eyes widened.
Then
"…Fine."
Moments later, she returned carrying Wado Ichimonji.
Moonlight bathed the clearing.
The night breeze stirred the grass into gentle waves.
Steel flashed.
Their duel erupted with raw intensity.
Zoro swung both blades with everything he had.
Kuina's strikes were sharp, controlled, decisive.
The superior craftsmanship of Wado Ichimonji quickly became apparent.
Zoro's swords scraped, strained
Tiny chips forming along their edges.
They fought relentlessly.
Neither yielding.
But Zoro was still a child.
Fatigue soon claimed him.
Breathing ragged.
Movements slowing.
"Two swords are heavy, aren't they?"
Kuina taunted.
"Your stamina is lacking."
"Shut up!"
Zoro roared.
Kuina seized the opening.
One swift strike
The duel ended.
Winner:
Kuina.
"Damn it…!"
Zoro covered his eyes.
Kuina stared.
Then spoke softly.
"I'm the one who's frustrated."
"Girls grow up weaker than boys."
"You'll surpass me someday…"
"I know you will."
Tears streamed down her face.
"I wanted to become the greatest too…"
Zoro's voice cut through the night.
"That's stupid."
Kuina blinked.
"You're my goal."
"Man or woman…"
"When I defeat you…"
"It will be because I earned it."
Kuina's breath shook.
"Let's promise each other," Zoro declared fiercely.
"One of us…"
"…will become the world's greatest swordsman!"
Kuina stared at him.
Then smiled through tears.
Under the witness of the full moon
They spoke together.
"It's a promise."