Chapter 4: Death Penance

Zoro continued his training and sparring sessions against Kuina for about a week, and in every single session, he lost. Desperate to improve, he kept training and added more exercises to his routine. While Zoro was doing everything he could to surpass Kuina, Kuina was working even harder to surpass Taiyo.

Taiyo was the epitome of someone favored by the gods. He was born with unparalleled talent and strength, and despite not putting in as much effort as Kuina, he remained someone whose shadow she couldn't even see. He was the one Kuina aimed to defeat before becoming the greatest swordswoman the sea had ever known.

Kuina's training included expanding her stamina and endurance by swimming and diving in the sea for more than an hour before surfacing for air. She also began eating more, following Taiyo's advice on how to make the body stronger, one of the key factors being the nutrition it received. This became her daily routine. Not only did it enhance her endurance and stamina, but it also made her more attuned to her breathing style. As she grew more in harmony with the sea, each of her strikes carried the force of a crashing wave, and every movement flowed seamlessly like a river.

Meanwhile, Taiyo was following a different path from other swordsmen. Kouzaburou had already begun teaching him the principles behind Ryou, the Wano term for Armament Haki—something Kouzaburou knew intimately. Taiyo was focusing harder than he ever had in his life. It wasn't an easy task. He had been stuck at the beginning stage for an entire week. He had not yet awakened basic Armament Haki and was attempting to leap straight into Ryou. Despite Kouzaburou's advice to master the basics first, Taiyo chose to learn both simultaneously.

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As the days passed and their skills continued to improve, both Kuina and Zoro gained the confidence to challenge their limits. Kuina, knowing where Taiyo usually trained, was already waiting at the cliffside. She longed to fight him again—to prove to herself that she was steadily progressing toward her goal.

A few minutes later, Taiyo arrived at the cliffside, where Kuina stood in quiet anticipation. Huginn and Muninn perched on his shoulders, chatting with each other as usual, while Taiyo silently observed his sister.

"The little girl wants to be defeated again," Huginn cawed mockingly, announcing Kuina's presence with a teasing tone.

"The sister wants to surpass the master," Muninn added.

"That's enough," Taiyo said firmly, casting a glance at the two ravens. "Don't discourage someone's will to surpass someone stronger."

The two ravens then flew off from Taiyo's shoulders, not wanting to interfere with the duel. But as they soared above the clearing, their sharp eyes caught sight of a child hiding nearby, peering through the foliage like a sneaky observer.

"THERE'S A PERVERT!" Muninn suddenly screeched.

"THERE'S AN IDIOT!" Huginn added, and without hesitation, both ravens dove at the peeping figure.

"OY, STOP IT!" shouted the boy, waving his arms wildly as the two birds relentlessly pecked at him. It was then revealed to be none other than Zoro.

A Few Minutes Earlier

After his daily training, Zoro was eager to challenge Kuina once more. He first checked the dojo, but she wasn't there. Curious and determined, he asked the other students if they knew where Kuina had gone.

One of them mentioned that Kuina was somewhere along a forest path, waiting for her brother, but gave no further details.

With that clue, Zoro rushed off to find her. After navigating through the wooded trail, he finally spotted Kuina kneeling on the ground, seemingly focused or preparing. Just as he opened his mouth to call out to her, Taiyo arrived on the scene, prompting Zoro to duck behind some foliage, hesitant to interrupt what seemed like an important moment.

And that's when the ravens spotted him.

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"Are you here to challenge me as well?" Taiyo asked directly, having recognized Zoro.

"No, I came to challenge Kuina—but I can challenge you too," Zoro replied, as if Taiyo were merely an afterthought.

"Zoro, not now," Kuina said firmly, her eyes locked on Taiyo. "I'm challenging the biggest wall in my path. Don't interrupt me."

Zoro was stunned. It was the first time he had ever heard Kuina speak with such seriousness. The tone of her voice told him she meant every word. Reluctantly, he backed off and watched as Kuina and Taiyo both drew their swords.

Zoro's eyes widened. These weren't wooden swords—they were real blades.

Kuina took a deep breath, then moved.

She launched herself at Taiyo with speed Zoro had never witnessed before. Her form was flawless—fluid like water and striking with the force of a crashing wave. Yet in the blink of an eye, something happened.

Suddenly, Kuina was on the ground.

Zoro didn't even see what Taiyo did. One moment, Kuina was mid-attack; the next, she was lying motionless in the dirt.

"Did you just kill Kuina?!" Zoro shouted as he rushed toward her. When he reached her, he could see Kuina bleeding heavily, crimson staining her clothes, while Taiyo stood silently over her.

"Why aren't you doing anything?! Call for help!" Zoro yelled at Taiyo, panic rising in his voice.

But Taiyo simply knelt beside Kuina, gently placing a hand on her head. Suddenly, glowing butterflies emerged from Taiyo's body and fluttered toward Kuina's wounds. They glowed faintly as they landed on her, slowly mending her injuries.

Moments passed. Then Kuina stirred, breathing heavily, the blood no longer flowing. She slowly sat up, her expression shaken.

"What happened to you?" Zoro asked, confused and concerned. He noticed something unusual—Kuina looked terrified.

"That's the face of someone who just faced death," Taiyo said calmly.

"The greatest hurdle a swordsman must overcome is the fear of death. If you can't move past it, no matter how strong your body becomes, you'll never reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship."

With those words, Taiyo turned and walked away. Huginn and Muninn flew down and perched once more on his shoulders, their wings rustling in the silence as they were about to leave—when suddenly, a loud shout cut through the air.

"I'M NOT DONE YET!" Kuina's voice rang out with defiance.

She had recovered from the death sentence she had just experienced. For the first time, she had truly faced death—and instead of breaking, she overcame it. Her burning desire to become the strongest swordsman in the world fueled her will to stand again, to keep going. Despite being only eight years old, she had taken her very first step toward true greatness.

Seeing this, Taiyo smiled. He knew this was the moment Kuina's growth would explode. Her ambition was no longer shackled by insecurity or fear. Unlike in the original timeline he theorized, where Kuina had died from falling down the stairs—likely from injuries she lacked the will to overcome—this Kuina had faced a much harsher trial and survived. Just like Zoro and Luffy, who had danced on the edge of death countless times, she had endured because her dream refused to let her die.

"Good," Taiyo said, unsheathing his sword once again to meet her determination.

The spar resumed. Taiyo's expression remained calm and unreadable as he met Kuina's every attack with perfect precision. Kuina, in contrast, was visibly intense—her eyes burning with focus, her breathing deep, every movement driven by purpose.

Standing at the side, Zoro watched in awe. He had never seen anyone fight like this. Taiyo wasn't just powerful—he was overwhelming, yet graceful. Every move he made was a lesson in itself.

"Are these the kinds of opponents I'll have to face on my path?" Zoro thought, a grin slowly spreading across his face.

He didn't feel intimidated.

He felt excited.