A week ago, Kuina accidentally overheard a conversation between her father, Genzo, and an acquaintance.
"Zoro has been at the dojo for a year now, and his progress is truly astonishing."
"Given his training volume, it's only natural, but he still can't beat Kuina."
Hearing the man's praise for Kuina, Genzo paused, his narrowed eyes unreadable, but his tone became several shades heavier.
"A female swordsman has a huge disadvantage; for now, I cannot let her inherit the dojo."
Just then, Kuina pushed open the door, but Genzo showed no surprise.
"Eavesdropping is not good behavior, Kuina!"
Kuina looked at Genzo with firm resolve: "I will definitely become the Worlds Greatest Swordsman!"
The night wind stirred the candlelight, and Genzo, who usually always smiled, was not smiling now. His expressionless face gave off a sense of seriousness.
"Kuina, women cannot become the world's strongest."
Kuina's pupils trembled violently, losing focus for a moment: "What about Nero? She is currently known as the Worlds Greatest Swordsman, and everyone says even Hawkeye Mihawk is no match for her."
"..." Genzo was speechless.
He had met Mihawk before; when he was challenging various swordsmen, he had sparred a few moves with him.
Strong! Pure strength!
Yet, even such a man was defeated by that Empress.
Although he couldn't imagine how strong Nero truly was, he heard from Mihawk that there was a cliff-like gap between him and Nero.
For some reason, Genzo didn't want Kuina to pursue the so-called strongest, so he changed his approach.
"Kuina, you don't have the same talent as that Empress. A genius like her only appears once every many years, who knows how long."
This time, Kuina didn't argue further, she lowered her head and ran off.
After Zoro's 2001st challenge, and winning a real sword match, the two promised each other they would become the Worlds Greatest Swordsman.
Returning to her bedroom, Kuina stared for a long time at Nero's old wanted poster on the wall.
The person on the wanted poster, the rose emperor Nero, was both the ruler of a nation and the strongest woman in the world.
After making the promise with Zoro, she also became her own goal, and Kuina trained even harder after that.
Her previously slow progress became even faster; she no longer needed to be confused.
And now, Kuina was lying in the arms of this world's strongest woman, sniffing, and could still smell a pleasant rose scent.
"Hmm, little brat! To start craving a beauty like me at this age, you're a hundred years too early!"
Nero teased, looking at Kuina's reaction. Submitting to her charm was a biological instinct.
This was perfectly normal; the Empress never thought it was a problem.
One sentence instantly brought Kuina back to her senses, while her face turned crimson.
"S-sorry! Um... could you please put me down first?"
Zoro watched this scene with great surprise; did that Kuina actually have such a side to her?
Especially since he had already realized that besides being someone he needed to surpass, Kuina was also a young girl.
"Hmm, why? Is my body uncomfortable?"
Reaction — Kawaii!
Nero, who was about to put her down, lifted her up higher, and her face moved even closer.
"Comfortable... no!...Uncomfortable... that's not right either! Anyway... just put me down first!"
Sure enough, Kuina's movements became even more flustered, her limbs started to become uncoordinated, and her pale neck was tinged with a faint blush.
It seems this is as far as it goes, it's the limit.
The experienced Nero naturally saw that if this continued, it would be too much, and she regretfully let go of the person.
"Hmm, little girl, it seems you know me?"
Nero patted the dust off Kuina's clothes, and also ruffled her little head.
"Of course! No swordsman could possibly not know you, the Worlds Greatest Swordsman! The first person in history to be crowned a Celestial Dragon, the rose emperor who reigns over the world!"
Kuina answered without hesitation, her expression instantly changing like that of a fervent fan.
"Mwahahaha! Is that so? Is that so? Has my fame spread this far already?"
Nero, with hands on hips, threw her head back and laughed, then looked down at Zoro beside her: "Hmm, but that line about 'any swordsman' seems to need further consideration!"
Kuina looked at Zoro with shock and speechlessness: "You... no way?"
"So noisy! Who has time to get to know this person!"
This time it was Zoro's turn to blush, especially as he felt Kuina's eyes held a look of seeing a bumpkin.
"Besides, this person isn't the Worlds Greatest Swordsman! She's just the strongest among girls, right?"
Listening to Zoro frantically trying to justify himself, Kuina's gaze moved back to Nero, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of imperceptible hope.
"Wrong! I am the Worlds Greatest Swordsman, even without the 'female' part, and even without 'Great Swordsman' it's still true."
A feeling of joy filled Kuina's entire chest, joy that the world's strongest was a woman, meaning her father's problem might just be his limited knowledge.
But to be even more certain, Kuina still asked: "What about Hawkeye Mihawk? Many people say he and you are both strong contenders for the Worlds Greatest Swordsman."
"Hmm, Mihawk, huh~ Only in small places like the Four Seas do people think that. People on the Grand Line all know that Mihawk has always been a challenger to me."
"Eh? I don't believe it! You're bragging, aren't you?"
Zoro squinted, not believing that this flamboyant woman was the Worlds Greatest Swordsman.
"red bean paste! My combat score against Mihawk has now accumulated to fifty-three to zero!"
"No way?" Zoro's suspicion immediately dwindled a lot upon hearing Nero's precise numbers.
He turned to look at Kuina, and their gazes met. Mihawk and Nero's duels were somewhat similar to theirs.
The same relentless challenges, the same never-ending victories, except his number of challenges was much higher than Mihawk's.
Kuina, on the other hand, relaxed. She basically already believed that her father Genzo's words were merely based on his lack of understanding.
She just needed final confirmation: "Then... then do you think someone like me has a chance to become the world's strongest?"
Her eyes were full of anticipation, like a wet chick seeking the protection of a larger bird.
"Hmm, no!"
Without hesitation, Nero answered decisively, making an immediate judgment.
"Eh?"
"What?! Hey! What are you saying, you damn woman?!"
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