Shimotsuki Village, Isshin Dojo.
"Eh eh eh~"
"What? It's now Sea Circle Calendar 1519? This is the world 9 years later!"
"I... I... I already died 9 years ago, fell to my death from the stairs!"
"This... this this this... this kind of thing..."
The girl's shocked exclamations continued endlessly.
This was naturally to be expected.
Anyone who heard news of their own death and learned they had long been dead would be unable to remain calm.
At this moment.
Having learned the entire truth from her father Koushirou's mouth.
Kuina was completely stunned, falling into extreme shock and disbelief, unable to extricate herself.
She felt that what was happening to her was too dreamlike, lacking any sense of reality.
For a long time.
For a long time.
Feeling her old father's large hand tightly gripping her own.
Only then did Kuina finally recover from her extremely incredulous emotions.
She pursed her small lips and looked at Sora, who was dining nearby under the care of maid Tohru.
"Papa, if I'm already dead, then how am I appearing here now?"
Kuina asked this crucial question.
"This..."
Koushirou showed a hesitant expression.
Regarding the reason behind this, he was equally clueless.
Sensing the gazes of the father and daughter, Sora wiped his mouth and put down his chopsticks.
"Just think of it as my ability!"
"Ability? Devil Fruit ability?"
Koushirou asked subconsciously.
Sora smiled without answering.
Koushirou didn't continue pressing.
After all, this involved Sora's secrets, and further questioning would be impolite.
Regardless of the reason, Sora, who had 'revived' Kuina, was their father-daughter duo's great benefactor.
"Papa, could you take me to see... my grave?"
Kuina spoke up to change the topic, equally not obsessing over the reason.
"Of course!"
Koushirou nodded.
"Sora-san, the guest room has been prepared..."
"I understand. Go take care of your business!"
Sora waved dismissively.
"Yes!"
Koushirou bowed and left with Kuina.
The large dojo was left with only Sora and Tohru.
"Kobayashi~"
Tohru opened her bright, sparkling eyes, looking at Sora with a face full of hope.
Dragons, by nature, are...
Since experiencing the beauty of that aspect, Tohru had already developed a taste for it.
Whenever there was an opportunity, she would want to...
Unfortunately, since arriving at Shimotsuki Village, Sora had been completely absorbed in fishing, seeking to maximize the use of his lucky card time, never having time to respond.
Until now...
Regarding Tohru's longing gaze, Sora naturally understood perfectly.
With a sweep of his large hand, Sora directly carried Tohru princess-style toward the guest room.
After three days of rest and recuperation, Sora felt he could definitely do it this time.
Dragon Rider 2.0, activate!!!
...
(Tedious process omitted~)
...
Shimotsuki Village, back mountain.
Koushirou brought Kuina to stand before a gravestone.
Gently brushing away the dust in front of the gravestone and pulling out weeds, father and daughter knelt together.
"Father, Kuina... has returned!"
Koushirou held back hot tears, kowtowing heavily.
"Grandpa!"
Kuina also bowed and kowtowed to Grandpa Kozaburo's gravestone.
After successively paying respects to Grandpa and Mother.
Koushirou and Kuina came to another adjacent grave.
—Beloved Daughter Kuina's Grave!
Looking at her own grave, Kuina couldn't help but feel a strange sensation in her heart.
For a long time.
"Kuina, what are your plans for the future?"
Koushirou suddenly asked.
"Ah... I... I..."
Kuina shook her head awkwardly.
In fact, her head was still a complete mess, not knowing what to do.
"Then would you like to go see your former little companions next?"
Koushirou said.
Hearing this.
Kuina's eyes immediately brightened.
"Zoro... where is Zoro now? That guy will definitely be shocked if he sees me!"
"As for Zoro, he set sail half a year ago and has now made quite a name for himself in the East Blue..."
Koushirou immediately told Kuina about Zoro's affairs over these years.
In fact, this was precisely why Koushirou had mentioned little companions.
For Kuina, the most important companion was naturally Zoro.
"Working hard with my share too, to become the world's greatest swordsman? He's clearly just a kid, clearly couldn't even beat me, yet he talks so big... Three Sword Style Pirate Hunter? What an exaggerated title..."
The corners of Kuina's mouth unconsciously curved upward slightly, genuinely happy for Zoro's growth.
The father-daughter conversation that had been separated for nine years continued until sunset.
Koushirou went to the village to purchase tonight's ingredients and notify the villagers that the dojo would rest for three days.
Kuina returned to the dojo first, preparing to thank Sora once more.
Just entering the courtyard, hearing the sounds from the guest room.
Kuina first froze, then her small face suddenly flushed red.
Although only eleven years old, Kuina wasn't completely naive.
She naturally knew what was happening in the room.
Until Koushirou had prepared dinner, Sora still hadn't appeared.
Kuina had no choice but to bite the bullet and knock on the door to interrupt.
It was also thanks to Kuina that Sora finally avoided being dominated by Tohru.
In the blink of an eye, another three days passed. It had been a week since Sora and Tohru arrived at Shimotsuki Village.
"Papa, I've decided. I want to go to sea with Big Brother Sora!"
Kuina spoke firmly.
Koushirou suddenly gripped the chopsticks in his hand tightly.
To be honest, having just reunited with his daughter, he naturally didn't want to separate again.
"Zoro is like my little brother. Now that little brother is carrying my share while adventuring on the sea, as his big sister, I naturally can't fall behind him. I've decided to meet Zoro at the pinnacle of the sea!"