After hearing Kaoru Tsubasa's words, Robin quietly left the Going Merry.
The next day, aboard the Merry—
"Ah, the wind's stopped again."
"I just wanted to keep going until we reached Little Garden."
"Guess it's another break," Nami muttered, glancing irritably up at the motionless sails.
Since the Merry was a sailing ship, they could only rely on the wind to move forward—and right now, there wasn't a single breeze in sight.
"Even if we stop here, time keeps slipping away…" Vivi said softly, her brow furrowed with worry.
Her homeland was still trapped in the chaos of war. Every second she spent stuck here might mean another innocent life lost in Alabasta.
"Don't worry," Nami said, turning to her. "I know you're in a race against time to get back to your country."
Though Nami had initially agreed to help Vivi because of her payment, after spending these days together aboard the Merry, she had come to understand Vivi's desperation. Having lived through the occupation of Cocoyasi Village by Arlong, Nami could sympathize more than most.
"Alright, let's go fishing!" Luffy suddenly cheered, breaking the tension. "Fishing time!"
"Does anyone know where the bait is?" Sanji asked, walking toward the small iron bucket where he'd stored it earlier. When he peeked inside, his expression froze—empty.
"Bait?" Luffy tilted his head. "Oh, I ate that."
Kaoru Tsubasa's mouth twitched.
"You… ate the bait?"
Usopp burst out laughing. "Luffy can eat anything! No surprise there."
Kaoru thought about it for a moment. He supposed that was true. There really wasn't anything Luffy wouldn't eat.
"Really? It tasted fine to me," Luffy said nonchalantly, popping the last wriggling worm into his mouth.
Kaoru felt his stomach turn at the sight. He didn't mind insects—but only roasted ones, not… that.
"What am I supposed to do now?!" Sanji shouted, glaring as Luffy swallowed. "You ate all the bait! How are we supposed to fish?"
"Use this!" Luffy grinned, holding up a furry ball.
Sanji stared. "That's what you're using for bait? Are you serious?!"
Kaoru sighed. Sometimes, Luffy's ideas were so absurd it was almost impressive. But before he could comment, he noticed something darting by the deck at full speed—a small animal, fleeing for its life.
"Well," Kaoru muttered, "maybe that thing would make better bait than whatever Luffy's holding."
"Can't I just use this?" Luffy protested. "Fine! Then I'll use that one instead!" he said, pointing straight at the running creature.
Kaoru quickly reached into his system's storage space and pulled out a sealed pouch. "Hold up. Use this instead."
He handed the bag to Sanji, who opened it to find it filled with fresh worms—more than enough for everyone.
"Finally! Something that actually works," Sanji said, relieved. But before he could drop the bait into the bucket, a rubbery arm stretched out toward him.
"Hey! That looks tasty!" Luffy shouted, trying to grab it.
"Not a chance!"
"Hands off, idiot!" Sanji and Usopp yelled in unison, whacking Luffy across the head before he could steal anything.
Luffy slumped to the floor, rubbing his head. "Ow… fine, I'll fish properly."
Soon after, the crew sat around the deck, lines dangling in the still water. Usopp peered through his telescope, eyes gleaming.
"Hey! I see it! I see it!"
"What do you see now?" Nami asked dryly.
"I see hundreds—no, millions—of people on Little Garden, cheering for the great Captain Usopp! Girls waving! Kisses flying! The crowd chanting my name!"
Kaoru couldn't help but sigh. "Usopp, Little Garden is an ancient island. There probably isn't anyone there."
"What?! No one?" Usopp's dream shattered instantly, his telescope drooping along with his shoulders. "I was just starting to picture my heroic welcome…"
"Kaoru," a familiar voice called. Zoro walked over, looking puzzled.
"What's up?"
"Do you know what's wrong with Bloodthirster?" Zoro asked, glancing at the demon blade hanging from his hip. "I've been calling to her for ages, but she's not responding."
Kaoru frowned. That was strange. By now, Bloodthirster should've fully awakened.
'System,' Kaoru thought. What's going on?
[Ding. Bloodthirster has triggered a special memory within her consciousness. She is currently trapped in a Memory Vortex.]
"Memory Vortex? What's that supposed to mean?"
[Ding. The Memory Vortex exists within all beings and objects that possess memories. It is the deepest recess of the mind, where suppressed or painful memories are sealed away. Typically, these are memories so traumatic that the subconscious hides them completely.]
[In some cases, special techniques can also be used to bury a memory deep within one's consciousness. Normally, these memories remain dormant forever—but once triggered, the individual's consciousness becomes trapped within the vortex.]
Kaoru's eyes narrowed. "So… Bloodthirster got trapped because I mentioned Kuina earlier?"
Bingo.
[Ding. Correct. When the Host mentioned Kuina, Bloodthirster was reminded of her own sealed memories and became ensnared in the vortex.]
Kaoru's expression hardened. "But what connection could she possibly have with Kuina? Bloodthirster's a weapon from another world…"
[Host, please view Bloodthirster's detailed information.]
The system didn't elaborate further, prompting Kaoru to inspect it himself.
"Show me."
Taking the sword from Zoro, Kaoru whispered, "View information."
A glowing panel appeared before his eyes.
[Name]: Bloodthirster
[Type]: Weapon
[Description]: A demon sword forged by a dark cultivator in another realm, created using the blood of an entire city and a massive magic crystal.
[More Info] → [Open]
Kaoru tapped "Open."
New text appeared:
[Special Information]:
The magic crystal used to forge Bloodthirster was formed from the reincarnated soul of Kuina in that immortal world. After being forged, her spirit merged with the sword, becoming its weapon soul.
When the demon cultivator who created Bloodthirster was slain by a righteous hero, the hero discovered that a faint light of justice still lingered within the blade. To preserve it, he used a secret technique to purge the demonic essence from Kuina's soul and sealed her memories deep within the sword's consciousness.
If Bloodthirster's spirit ever falls into the Memory Vortex, only someone deeply connected to Kuina can enter her mind and awaken those memories—bringing her back from within.
Kaoru's grip on the sword tightened.
So… Kuina wasn't gone after all.
She was right here—trapped, lost inside the memories of her own pain.
And now, it was up to him to bring her back.
...
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