The forest outside Shimotsuki Village was quiet.
Too quiet.
No clashing swords.
No shouting.
Just the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant cry of birds.
"…he's definitely lost."
Ren stood with his arms crossed, looking completely unsurprised.
Beside him, Kuina sighed.
"…he said he was training."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"…in the opposite direction of the training grounds?"
Kuina pinched the bridge of her nose.
"…idiot."
They had been walking for nearly twenty minutes now.
Following broken branches.
Footprints.
And the occasional… very obvious signs of someone who had no sense of direction.
Ren crouched down, examining a set of footprints.
"…yep. that's him."
"How can you tell?"
Ren pointed ahead.
"…who else runs in circles like this?"
Kuina stepped closer.
There, in the dirt—
A clear loop of footprints.
Going nowhere.
Ending exactly where they began.
Silence.
Then—
"…I'm going to hit him," Kuina said flatly.
Ren laughed.
"…get in line."
The Lost Swordsman
"HEY!"
Zoro's voice echoed from deeper within the forest.
"…I'M NOT LOST!"
Ren and Kuina exchanged a look.
"…he's definitely lost," they said at the same time.
They followed the voice.
A few minutes later—
They found him.
Standing in a clearing.
Completely surrounded by trees.
Looking very serious.
"…I was just checking this area," Zoro said immediately.
Ren nodded.
"…of course you were."
Kuina crossed her arms.
"…for the third time?"
Zoro froze.
"…you saw that?"
Ren smirked.
"…the footprints told us everything."
Zoro turned red.
"…that's not the point!"
Kuina walked past him.
"…you're coming back."
"I said I'm training!"
"By getting lost?"
"I'm NOT LOST!"
Ren couldn't hold it in anymore.
He burst out laughing.
Zoro glared at him.
"…what's so funny?!"
"…nothing… nothing…" Ren wiped his eyes. "just… impressive strategy."
Zoro huffed.
"…tch."
A Strange Kind of Bond
They walked back together.
Zoro in front—insisting he knew the way.
Kuina behind him—ready to correct him.
Ren in the middle—watching both.
"…you two are weird," Zoro muttered.
Kuina frowned.
"…you're the one who got lost."
"I didn't get lost!"
"You walked in a circle."
"That was intentional!"
Ren chuckled.
"…yeah, sure."
Zoro pointed at him.
"…you're annoying."
Ren grinned.
"…you're welcome."
For a moment—
It felt normal.
Not like a future filled with danger.
Not like a world of pirates and war.
Just three kids.
Walking through a forest.
Arguing about directions.
Ren's smile softened slightly.
…this isn't bad.
Training, Together
Back at the dojo—
They didn't waste time.
"Again!"
Zoro charged forward.
This time—not at Kuina.
At Ren.
"Oi—!"
Clack!
Ren barely blocked.
"…no warning?!"
"Didn't need one!"
Zoro attacked again.
Faster than before.
More controlled.
Less reckless.
Ren noticed immediately.
He's improving…
Even without guidance—
Zoro was growing.
Kuina watched from the side, arms crossed.
"…don't get distracted," she said.
Ren snapped back to focus.
Zoro's next strike came from the side.
Ren stepped back—
Too slow.
Thud.
A hit to his shoulder.
"…gah!"
Zoro grinned.
"…got you."
Ren winced.
"…yeah… you did…"
But—
He didn't fall.
Instead—
He adjusted his stance.
Lifted his sword again.
"…again."
Zoro's grin widened.
"…that's more like it."
Finding Rhythm
The fight continued.
Clumsy at first.
Then—
Smoother.
Ren started reading Zoro's movements better.
Not perfectly.
But enough.
Zoro attacked.
Ren blocked.
Zoro feinted.
Ren hesitated—then adjusted.
Kuina stepped in occasionally.
Correcting.
Interrupting.
Challenging both.
Soon—
It wasn't just sparring.
It was something else.
A rhythm.
Three people.
Three styles.
Three paths.
Slowly intertwining.
Control
Later that afternoon—
Ren stood alone again.
Behind the dojo.
Far enough from others.
Far enough to be safe.
"…let's try this again."
He took a deep breath.
Closed his eyes.
Reached inward.
That darkness responded immediately.
Faster than before.
Stronger.
The cold wrapped around his arm.
Crawling.
Waiting.
Ren clenched his fist.
"…just a little…"
Slowly—
He extended his hand toward a small patch of grass.
Carefully.
Carefully.
The darkness followed.
Thin.
Controlled.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then—
The grass trembled slightly.
Its color dulled.
Just a little.
Ren's eyes widened.
"…I did it…"
No sudden burst.
No loss of control.
Just—
A small effect.
Focused.
Intentional.
Then—
Pain.
Sharp.
Sudden.
"…ngh!"
He staggered back, grabbing his chest.
His breathing became uneven.
"…too much…"
Even that small usage—
Came with a cost.
But this time—
He didn't collapse.
He endured it.
Slowly—
The pain faded.
Ren exhaled deeply.
"…so that's the limit…"
For now.
A small smile formed on his lips.
"…I'm getting there."
Someone Watching
"…so that's your 'weird presence.'"
Ren froze.
He turned—
Kuina stood a few steps away.
Watching.
Silent.
"…how long were you there?" he asked.
"…long enough."
Her eyes moved to the patch of grass.
"…you did that?"
Ren hesitated.
Then nodded.
"…yeah."
She walked closer.
Examining it.
"…it's not normal."
"…I know."
"…is it dangerous?"
Ren didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…it can be."
Kuina looked at him.
"…then why use it?"
Ren met her gaze.
"…because I need it."
Simple.
Honest.
Kuina studied him for a moment.
Then—
"…just don't lose control."
Ren smiled slightly.
"…that's the plan."
Unspoken Understanding
They stood there in silence.
The setting sun casting long shadows behind them.
Kuina turned away slightly.
"…you're still weak."
Ren laughed.
"…yeah, I know."
"But…"
She paused.
"…you're improving."
Ren blinked.
"…was that a compliment?"
"…don't get used to it."
He grinned.
"…too late."
Three Paths Forward
That evening—
The three of them sat outside the dojo.
Zoro eating quickly.
Kuina quietly watching the sunset.
Ren leaning back, staring at the sky.
"…I'm going to beat both of you," Zoro suddenly said.
Kuina scoffed.
"…you can't even beat me."
"I will!"
He pointed at Ren.
"And you too!"
Ren chuckled.
"…looking forward to it."
Zoro grinned.
"…don't cry when you lose."
Ren smirked.
"…same to you."
Kuina shook her head.
"…idiots."
But—
There was no annoyance in her voice.
Only a faint hint of warmth.
A Quiet Beginning
As the stars began to appear—
Ren closed his eyes briefly.
Feeling that power within him.
Still dangerous.
Still unstable.
But—
Now—
It was his.
A small step forward.
A small piece of control.
He opened his eyes.
Looking at the two beside him.
This path…
I'm not walking it alone.
And somewhere deep within—
The darkness stirred.
Watching.
Waiting.