The girl in front of Kuina was happily recounting her adventures with Luffy, clearly enjoying herself.
But Kuina was focused on something else—how could this girl possibly defeat a "monster" like Luffy?
How? Looking at her, she seemed soft and untrained.
Kuina grabbed Uta's hand, examining her closely, then curiously reached out to touch Uta's slim, pale legs exposed beneath her skirt.
Her legs were straight and toned, but not excessively. There was some evidence of training, but not much.
This delicate body—there was no way it could defeat someone like Luffy.
"What are you doing?" Uta tilted her head, staring curiously at Kuina, who still had faint traces of tears on her face.
"How did you do it?" Kuina asked.
"How did you defeat someone like Luffy? With a body like yours, it should be impossible."
"Oh, that's what you meant?" Uta giggled, then began to sing softly, her voice soothing and enchanting.
A wave of drowsiness swept over Kuina, her eyelids growing heavy. She wanted to say something, but her eyes closed, and she collapsed forward.
"Like this—I defeated him!" Uta caught Kuina before she hit the ground, curious as she held her steady.
She gently took Kuina's hand and placed it against her own smooth leg.
"When girls touch each other, it doesn't feel weird at all, does it?" Uta examined Kuina's hand, noticing the thick calluses from sword practice. It was nothing like her own soft, delicate palms.
"You've worked hard too, huh?"
Uta's hand gently covered Kuina's, offering a small comfort.
...
The dreamscape was a vast, green meadow.
Books, musical instruments, weights measured in tons, and drawing supplies were scattered across the grass.
The sun shone brightly overhead, filling the air with a refreshing warmth.
Kuina wandered through this peaceful world, her curiosity piqued by the soothing atmosphere. Gentle music seemed to echo faintly around her.
"This is how I beat Luffy," a familiar voice spoke near her ear.
Uta strolled barefoot across the vibrant grass, her hands clasped behind her back. She hadn't altered the dreamscape to save energy, so it stayed as it was—a simple, grassy field.
"And you are…?" Kuina looked at the girl before her, both familiar and unfamiliar.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Uta, musician of the Red-Haired Pirates, age nine, and a Devil Fruit user! My dream is to become the world's greatest musician, spreading happiness wherever I go!"
Uta beamed and gave a playful twirl.
"As for that idea that 'girls can't reach the top'? I have no clue what that's about. Just wait—my name, Uta, will echo across the seas!"
"I'll be the best in the world, just you watch!" She struck a proud pose, hands on her hips.
"Turns out your goal is also to be the best, even if it's not in swordsmanship…" Kuina murmured, remembering the girl's introduction and noticing how strange it all seemed now.
She had been home… yet she was standing here, on this endless grassland, under a bright sun, even though it was nighttime.
Everything about this place felt off, but she hadn't realized it until now.
Is this some kind of sorcery?
Kuina didn't really understand what being a Devil Fruit user meant.
"My name's Kuina, and I'm going to be the world's greatest swordsman!" Kuina announced firmly.
"Then you'd better work hard! Luffy's working really hard to become a king, too!" Uta's bright smile and cheerful tone made Kuina smile as well.
Happiness and laughter were contagious; something about Uta's optimism was infectious.
"Is that so? That boy's goal is to be a king?" Kuina found the idea strange. "That must be a challenging dream to pursue."
"Tell me more about your lives," she said, sitting down cross-legged.
"More importantly, you should clean up and change into something nice for the party!"
The endless meadow faded into darkness once more.
Kuina opened her eyes, finding herself still leaning on Uta.
"Our story is long, and we can chat all about it here on the island. But first, it's time to freshen up and put on something nice for the party!" Uta said gently, smiling down at Kuina.
"...Alright," Kuina murmured, nodding.
...
Back at the dojo.
"Koushirou," the elder nodded, signaling him to prepare the ingredients for oden.
Shimotsuki Koushirou's father rarely involved himself in village affairs, preferring to spend his time fishing.
"You've raised an exceptional talent here. That boy already knows how to use Ryou," the elder noted to Shanks.
"I almost want to train him myself. Such a promising young talent—and you let him join another dojo!"
"Haha, we didn't train him," Shanks replied with a laugh. "The kid's talent and hard work are something else."
"Forty-three years ago, a pirate crew of twenty-five samurai from Wano journeyed across the seas. Their exploits made the name of Wano's samurai famous, even attracting the interest of the Pirate King, Roger. But after a while, that crew vanished from the seas…" Shanks explained, studying the elder.
This man was the true origin of Shimotsuki Village's samurai spirit. Though he no longer carried a weapon, his presence was unmistakable.
Having met Oden, Shanks could easily recognize a true samurai.
Compared to this elder, others in the village were merely swordsmen—even the dojo's master, Shimotsuki Koushirou, lacked that samurai's air.
The elder nodded in acknowledgment of Shanks' words. "I didn't expect anyone to remember. Yes, I am Shimotsuki Kozaburo, a samurai and swordsmith from Wano. Forty-three years ago, I left Wano with others and sailed across the vast seas…"
"The same man who forged the Wado Ichimonji?!" The pirates gasped in shock, staring at the small elder with disbelief. This man was truly a legendary swordsmith?
"I'm curious, how do you know so much about Wano?" Kozaburo asked, impressed by Shanks' knowledge.
Hearing this, the Red-Haired Pirates stood a little straighter, as if preparing for a grand announcement.
Shanks smiled.
"I once journeyed across the seas with Oden himself."
"O-Oden?!" Kozaburo's reaction was instant, his usual calm shaken.
"You… were a member of the Pirate King's crew?"
The elder shouted, astonished.
For Shanks' crew, this was immensely satisfying—meeting someone in the East Blue who knew the weight of such a title was rare indeed.
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