The moment Kevin stepped onto the island—
He didn't look around.
He already knew it.
The path.
The trees.
The training ground ahead.
Nothing had changed.
Carina noticed immediately.
"…You've been here before."
Kevin didn't deny it.
"…Yes."
They walked inland.
Past the same narrow trail.
Past the same wooden fences.
And then—
The dojo appeared.
Exactly as it was.
The sound of wooden swords echoed across the field.
Students training.
Voices steady.
Carina looked around.
"…This isn't just a stop for you, is it?"
Kevin replied calmly.
"…No."
They stepped into the training ground.
Some students noticed them.
Curious.
Then—
A familiar voice.
"…You came back."
Kevin stopped.
Kuina stood a short distance away.
Holding a wooden sword.
Older than before.
Stronger.
Sharper.
But still the same.
Kevin looked at her.
"…Yes."
Carina blinked.
"…Wait—you actually know her?"
Kuina walked closer.
No hesitation.
No distance.
"…You disappeared."
Her tone wasn't angry.
Just direct.
Kevin replied simply.
"…I left."
Kuina stopped in front of him.
"…Without saying anything."
A short silence.
Carina looked between them.
"…Okay… I'm definitely missing something here…"
Kuina glanced at Carina briefly.
"…Who's she?"
Kevin answered.
"…Carina."
Carina raised a hand slightly.
"…Hi… I guess…"
Kuina nodded once.
Then looked back at Kevin.
"…You got stronger."
Kevin replied.
"…Yes."
Kuina tightened her grip slightly.
"…Then fight me."
Carina sighed.
"…At least this makes more sense now…"
Kevin didn't refuse.
He stepped toward the training ground.
Picked up a wooden sword.
Not unfamiliar.
Natural.
They stood across from each other.
This time—
No introduction.
No testing.
Just continuation.
"…Start."
Kuina moved first.
Faster than before.
Sharper.
More controlled.
Kevin blocked.
Then countered lightly.
Their movements flowed.
Not strangers.
People who had trained together before.
Carina watched closely.
"…They're not testing each other…"
"…They already know how the other moves…"
Kuina attacked again.
Kevin stepped in.
Their blades clashed.
Stronger this time.
But Kevin still held back.
Not out of arrogance.
But control.
Kuina noticed immediately.
"…Don't hold back."
Kevin replied.
"…You are not ready."
She frowned.
"…Then make me ready."
Kevin's eyes shifted slightly.
Then—
He adjusted.
Not full power.
But enough.
The pressure changed.
A faint trace of the Death Reaper Fruit.
Not overwhelming.
But present.
Kuina felt it instantly.
Her movement slowed for a split second.
"…That… feeling…"
Kevin stepped forward.
And broke her stance.
Clean.
Precise.
Her sword was pushed aside.
Match over.
Silence.
Kuina didn't fall.
Didn't complain.
She just stood there.
Thinking.
"…You changed."
Kevin lowered his blade.
"…Yes."
Carina muttered quietly.
"…That was different…"
Kuina looked at him again.
More serious now.
"…Where did you go?"
Kevin paused.
Then answered—
"…The sea."
Kuina's eyes sharpened.
"…Then I'll go too."
Her voice didn't waver.
"…I won't stay behind."
Carina raised an eyebrow.
"…She's serious…"
Kevin looked at her.
For a moment—
He saw the future he remembered.
Then—
He spoke.
"…Then don't lose before you leave."
Kuina smirked slightly.
"…I won't."
The wind moved across the training ground.
Nothing dramatic changed.
But everything had shifted.
This wasn't a new meeting.
This was a continuation.
And this place—
Was where everything had started.