"Kuina…"
Zoro stared blankly at the blood-soaked figure gripping him, for a moment believing he was seeing his long-lost friend.
But as his focus cleared, he realized it wasn't Kuina at all—just a figure made entirely of blood.
"Why… why did you become like this?" Zoro muttered, confusion flickering across his face.
The entity said nothing. Instead, it dissolved soundlessly back into the blade, the Bloodthirster.
Kaoru Tsubasa's eyes narrowed as he heard Zoro's whisper. He remembered the form that had just emerged from the weapon—it really did bear some resemblance to Tashigi.
"It couldn't be Kuina… could it?" Kaoru thought for a moment before dismissing the idea.
The Bloodthirster was a weapon from the world of immortal cultivation. There was no way it could truly be Kuina.
"Roronoa Zoro," Mihawk said calmly, watching the young swordsman regain consciousness. "You're quite strong… How about becoming my disciple?"
Zoro blinked in disbelief. "Your… disciple?"
Even Kaoru was taken aback. He hadn't expected Dracule Mihawk—the greatest swordsman in the world—to offer to train Zoro himself.
In the original course of events, Zoro would only seek out Mihawk as his teacher after the death of Ace, desperate to become stronger. But now, with Kaoru's interference changing everything, Mihawk's offer came early.
"Sorry," Zoro said after a long pause. "I refuse. I still have to follow my captain—to the Grand Line."
Though he admired Mihawk deeply, Zoro had already made his choice. He had promised Luffy he would sail with him, and that promise meant everything.
"It's fine, Zoro," Kaoru interjected with a faint smile. "You can still acknowledge Mihawk as your master without abandoning Luffy."
Zoro hesitated, considering his words. Finally, he nodded. "Then… I'll take you as my teacher."
Mihawk's eyes gleamed faintly with approval. "Good."
He spent the next few hours giving Zoro pointers—refining his grip, sharpening his sense of intent, and even demonstrating several advanced sword techniques. But soon after, Mihawk boarded his small boat once more.
Before departing, he handed Zoro a small scrap of paper—his Vivre Card.
"We'll meet again," he said before disappearing into the horizon.
Kaoru watched him go and nodded quietly. "Yes… we will."
"Hey, Sanji! Join my crew!" Luffy shouted cheerfully, immediately turning his attention to the blond cook.
"I refuse," Sanji said flatly.
Despite everything he had just seen—Zoro's duel, Mihawk's sheer strength—he still couldn't abandon Zeff and the Baratie.
Zeff understood his hesitation. So, with a heavy heart, he and the rest of the Baratie chefs began mocking Sanji's cooking, pretending to belittle him.
They wanted to drive him away—to set him free.
Later, as Sanji leaned against the wall outside, he overheard Zeff speaking. He realized what the old man was doing… that Zeff wanted him to chase his dream.
Sanji's fists clenched. He couldn't let Zeff's sacrifice go to waste—not after everything.
That night, Sanji packed his small bag.
"Boss Zeff," he called softly.
From the second floor, Zeff looked down. "Don't catch a cold, Sanji."
The young cook froze. Tears filled his eyes. He thought of Zeff's missing leg—of the man starving himself so Sanji could eat.
"Boss Zeff…" Sanji knelt down, pressing his forehead to the floor. "Thank you… for everything. I'll never forget your kindness."
The other chefs wept openly. Zeff, standing silently above, felt his chest tighten. He had always seen Sanji as a son.
"Kaoru Tsubasa!" Zeff called out. "I'm leaving my boy in your care!"
Kaoru smiled faintly. "You have my word."
Luffy grinned. "Hee hee hee!"
From the ship's cabin, Zoro's lips twitched upward as he listened to the voices outside.
"…Kuina…" he murmured under his breath.
The Bloodthirster, resting quietly in the corner, trembled ever so slightly.
"Set sail!" Luffy shouted, throwing his arms wide.
"Yeah!" Kaoru stood beside him, smiling faintly.
"Our next stop—bring back our navigator."
"Navigator?" Usopp and Sanji asked at once, having joined later and unaware of Nami's story.
Kaoru explained everything that had happened.
When Sanji learned that their navigator was a beautiful woman, he immediately brightened.
"So we're heading to Cocoyasi Village—Arlong's old turf?" Johnny said.
"That's right," Kaoru confirmed.
At the mention of "fishmen," Sanji's eyes lit up. "Fishman Island… one of my dream destinations!"
Johnny blinked in confusion. "Uh… sure?"
"Colorful pervert," Zoro muttered from his bunk.
As they sailed, Joseph and Johnny began explaining the Grand Line's balance of power.
"There are three great forces maintaining order at sea," Joseph said gravely. "One of them is the Shichibukai—the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"The what?" Sanji frowned. "Pirates… recognized by the Navy?"
"That's right," Joseph continued. "Currently, they are: Hawkeye Mihawk, the swordsman who trained Zoro; Crocodile, wielder of the Sand-Sand Fruit; Doflamingo, ruler of the Donquixote Family and user of the String-String Fruit; Gecko Moriah, master of shadows; Jinbe, captain of the Fishman Pirates; Boa Hancock, the Snake Empress with the Sweet-Sweet Fruit… and Buggy the Clown, the man who killed Arlong."
Sanji blinked, then frowned. "Wait, that clown? He's one of them?"
"Yeah," Joseph said. "And he's also Luffy's brother."
"Nani!?" both Usopp and Sanji shouted in disbelief.
Luffy, oblivious to their surprise, emerged from the deck rubbing his stomach. "Sanji, I'm hungry."
"Yes, yes, Captain," Sanji sighed, heading for the kitchen.
Kaoru watched them, his expression thoughtful. Teaching Luffy Armament Haki hadn't gone as smoothly as expected. Was it Luffy's lack of aptitude—or his own inability to instruct?
He recalled how, in another timeline, Luffy learned Ryuo under Kaido in mere days. Perhaps he just needed the right push.
Kaoru decided he'd teach them all again—once they reached Cocoyasi.
Soon, the Merry entered Arlong's former waters.
"BOOM!"
A massive Sea King burst from the waves—Moo the cowfish.
"Whoa, it's huge!" Luffy's eyes sparkled.
"Hmm… could make a fine meal," Sanji mused, puffing on his cigarette.
Kaoru tilted his head. "Didn't Buggy run into this thing before? …Never mind."
After a short scuffle, Luffy tamed Moo and hitched him to the ship. With the giant creature pulling them, they soon reached Cocoyasi Village.
"Nami! We're here to pick you up!" Luffy shouted.
Nami emerged from the crowd of villagers, hesitation in her eyes. The village was safe now—peaceful. The thought of returning to the sea, to a life of piracy, frightened her.
Kaoru could read her heart. She wanted to draw a world map, but she didn't yet trust them—not after everything Arlong had done.
"Miss Nami!" Sanji twirled dramatically toward her.
"Tch. Damn love-cook," Zoro muttered.
"Can we rest here for a few days?" Kaoru asked gently.
Before Nami could respond, Ajian stormed forward. "Pirates! What more do you want from her!?"
Kaoru ignored him, meeting Nami's eyes. "You have a dream, don't you? To map the world. That's why you'll sail again—someday."
Nami hesitated, then sighed. "…Fine. You can stay for a few days."
The villagers didn't trust them, forbidding the crew from entering the town except to buy supplies. Kaoru didn't mind. They had been tormented by pirates for years—it was natural to be wary.
Later that evening, Kaoru gathered them all. "Luffy. Sanji. Zoro. Usopp."
"What's up?" Zoro asked, sensing the seriousness in his tone.
Kaoru's eyes narrowed. "How much do you know about the Grand Line?"
"Zero," Luffy answered without hesitation.
Kaoru sighed. As expected.
"The Grand Line has All Blue—and plenty of monsters," Sanji said dreamily.
"Strong swordsmen," Zoro added quietly, touching his blades.
Kaoru rubbed his temples. "You're not wrong… but there's something else. Something vital."
He raised his hand, coating it in black.
"This… is Haki."
"Haki?" Zoro echoed.
"There are three types of Devil Fruits," Kaoru continued. "Paramecia, Zoan, and Logia. Most can be hit with enough strength. But Logia types… their bodies are made of elements. You can't touch them—unless you know Haki."
He knelt, tracing figures in the dirt to explain.
"The power to turn will into strength. That's what separates survivors from the rest on the Grand Line."
Kaoru's voice grew low, steady—like a teacher before a storm.
"And you're all going to learn it."