Infront of an old cottage the boy who dreams to become the worlds greatest swordsman faces off against the man who failed to become the worlds greatest swordsman
Two who share the same path yet couldn't be more different
One denied by his own body forever stuck in his father shadow even in death his father accomplishments overshadowed his
Another reborn in failure vows to never lose again
Two souls one fueled by growth while the other has long lost it light
Seated infront of the cottage was Tera a woman with overwhelming beauty blessed by the gods with long smooth green hair yet her face shed with worry
She knew this day would come but she had hope it would not come to pass
How my boy has changed Tera thought as he grew a couple inches in height but that wasent the biggest difference no it was his eyes
"My innocent boy has…grown up"
Wiping a tear the once vibrant light in his eyes has changed….filled with an unhealthy obsession in its place
"May the gods witness this battle"
Clasping her hands she prayed while Arashi grinned towards Zoro
"So it's time"
Today meant more to him than Zoro would even know and to honor his son today they would not be dueling with wooden swords today blood will be spilled today blades will clash
father against son,son against father
"It is"
Looking towards his wife as she finished praying there eyes locked and for a brief second she hesitated before she nodded
Grabbing a fine wooden box that lay next to her she opened it as the creaking noise echoed across
Revealing three beautifully crafted katanas
lifting the box she walked slowly to Zoro in every step she faltered even more so to hand a blade to her son that will be used to combat his father hurt her deeply
Finally reaching her baby she didn't realize it but she was crying as her tears dropped on the blades
A rough hand wiped away those tears those rough hands that used to be so soft those hands that would be used to empty the saki drawer were now filled with calluses
"Don't worry mother"
Removing his hand his mother smiled to him as he grabbed the first blade
"Sandai kitetsu lll also known as the oni piercer it was a heirloom given to your father by your grandfather cherish it well"
Its Sharp thought Zoro as his face reflected of the sword before he reached for the next one
"Yubashiri the snow chaser its a present from me and your father as a token of love please take care of it son "
It's light but strangely comfortable thought Zoro while smiling to his mom and now all that was left was the last one
"Fang your father wanted you to have it"
That was all she said before she closed the wooden case Raising a brow Zoro smiled
"thank you"
Holding back her tears she nodded as she returned to the spot she was before
"Bow Before the gods"
Spoke Tera as Zoro and Arashi bowed
"Now to each other"
Bowing to each other Zoro placed fang in his mouth while yubashiri to his left and kitetsu to his right
While Arashi gripped the hilt of a sword Zoro was all to familiar with Wado ichimonji
As he unsheathed it a grin was plastered on his face
"May your sword break and shatter"
Arashi said while Zoro followed suit
"May your sword break and shatter"
She couldn't stop anymore as she cried holding her self back from looking away as Arashi made the first move
[false dawn]
Leaving a footprint in the snow Arashi propelled himself to Zoro as his blade was inches away from his sons head
Exhaling Zoro locked eyes with his father before he vanished
Where did he?!-Arashi thought before his eyes widened looking down his kimono was bloodied as three slashes stretched all over his chest
As he fell to his knees he vomited a mouthful of blood
[Three sword style-oni giri…]
[Shatter]
"Hahahahahah -cough-HAHAHAHA"
Behind him Zoro gripped on to his blades as fang shattered to pieces
"Thank you for not holding back son.... thank you for facing me like a warrior …..thank you son"
Rushing to Arashi Tera grabbed him while pounding his back
"I TOLD YOU….AND YOU DIDNT LISTEN"
Zoro body began to shake yet he didn't look back as tears welled in his eyes
"It would be dishonorable to not face you with everything I've got"
Biting on his lips as he heard the cry's of his mother
"To think I'd hear the day when my son would speak like a true warrior ~cough~ this truly is the best day "
With a bloodstained smile his vision grew weak as the cries of his wife began to fade
"…..This truly is the best day....."
"ARASHI!!!!!!!!!!"
…
Seated in front of a burning flame a young boy sat in silence
" Zoro what are you still doing up?"
Hearing the floorboard creak it was his mother as she sat next to him by the fireplace
"Couldn't sleep"
Nodding to him she placed her head in his shoulder
"It's been a month since then"
Whispering to him she began to cry
"I-"
Before she could say anything he embraced her in a hug as all the emotion she's been holding back exploded
Grabbing onto his chest she sobbed while Zoro closed his eyes in pain
Reminiscing of the old days
"Oi brat that mine!"
When his father chased him around the fields
"Heh Wado I love you "
Smiling when his father would smother Wado Ichimonji in kisses
Old man I miss you
Opening the bottle of saki besides him he drank it
There have been times where I thought I shouldn't have but he deserved to face me at my best it would be disrespectful other wise he thought
Looking towards the fire place Zoro spoke
"Old man when are you going to wake up"