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Seeing this, Zoro's nerves tightened further. After so many battles with Kuina, he was well aware of her ultimate trump card—an ability reminiscent of Hawkeye Mihawk's piercing insight, but even more mysterious and challenging to counter.
It was a skill that allowed her to discern every flaw, every vulnerability, no matter how minor.
"The you of now," Kuina said, her voice cold but resolute, "is still the same as before—full of flaws."
Whoosh!
A sharp whistle of air cut through the tension as Zoro unleashed his Charm Demon Sleepless Night Ogre Cutter, a technique he had been building up with fierce momentum. Yet, in an instant, Kuina stopped the attack with a single, precise sword strike.
"This is where your technique is weakest," she said, her tone calm as her sword absorbed the impact. With a swift counter, she shattered the rhythm of Zoro's Three-Sword Style and broke through his offensive.
Realizing he was in immediate danger, Zoro quickly retreated to gain distance. At the same time, he unleashed a tornado-like Slash Wave toward Kuina, hoping to force her back.
But Kuina's advance was relentless. With her heightened insight, she identified the flaw in the attack and struck with precise timing, cutting through the tornado with a single elegant swing. Her blade struck true, disarming one of Zoro's swords.
"Then... this time, I win again," Kuina said, sliding Wado Ichimonji back into its scabbard.
"Damn it!"
Zoro smashed his fists into the ground in frustration. Despite the defeat, his eyes burned with determination as he locked his gaze on Kuina. "Next time! Next time I'll definitely defeat you!"
Before Kuina could reply, the onlookers—retainers of the kingdom—had already started their chatter.
"Ah... I really thought this time might be different, but Zoro lost just as easily."
"Here comes the classic loser speech again. I swear, I hear that line every month."
"To be honest, I thought he had a chance this time, but it's clear—Kuina's still the best."
"Forget it. Zoro's used to losing. It's worth a thousand defeats, though. I bet he'll cry himself to sleep under the covers tonight, like always."
"Huh? No way... Zoro? Crying? At his age?"
Hearing their jabs and snide remarks, Zoro turned toward the group outside the arena, his face flushing red with both anger and embarrassment. Ignoring the urge to challenge Kuina again, he barked at the spectators, "What nonsense are you all spouting?! I haven't lost a thousand times—it's only been a few hundred!"
His frustration didn't stop there. Turning his ire on Law, who was off to the side holding his cursed blade, Kikoku, Zoro snapped, "And you! You cry in bed when you lose to me, so don't act all high and mighty, you bastard!"
Law, whose composure was shattered by Zoro's accusation, looked ready to retort. "I lost to you...?" he began, his voice heavy with disbelief. But Zoro's words had already struck a nerve. "You make it sound like I've been a loser like you all this time! For the record, those are mixed victories between us!"
Frustrated, Law activated his Op-Op Fruit ability, switching places with a nearby stone. Holding Kikoku tightly, he lunged toward Zoro, his irritation palpable.
Zoro, expecting this reaction, was already prepared. With his Observation Haki and Armament Haki fully active, he stepped forward, matching Law's attack with an angry slash of his own.
Meanwhile, Nami sighed at the escalating chaos. Turning to Shirahoshi, who watched the scene with wide eyes, she said, "Don't look too closely, Shirahoshi... You'll just end up influenced by their idiocy." With that, she gently ushered Shirahoshi, whose towering presence rivaled even Maria's, away from the scene.
"Big brother doesn't seem to be denying that he cries," Lami remarked, picking up on a specific implication in the conversation.
Meanwhile, Ulti was focused on the battle between Zoro and Law. Glancing back at her younger brother, who had been stuck in competitions for three years without advancing much, she couldn't help but let her annoyance surface. "Pay-tan, this is a battle between men! Don't just stand there—do something and stop embarrassing me!"
Despite his mediocrity in the rankings of retainers, Page One had earned a spot in the group purely because of Ulti's privilege as his elder sister. At Ulti's outburst, he scratched his head awkwardly and muttered, "This isn't exactly a man's fight... And even if I wanted to join, I'm no match for those two seniors. If I step in now, I'd only get beaten."
"Pay-tan..." Ulti's eyes widened in shock, taking a half-step back before her expression twisted into one of frustration. "You're such a coward! I've been away from you for a few years, and your masculinity has dropped! What have you been doing while I've been gone?!"
Her anger boiled over, and with zero hesitation, Ulti grabbed Page One by the neck, shaking him fiercely as though to physically rattle some courage into him. "No way—I'm fixing this right now! You need to relearn what it means to be a man!"
Page One groaned under the assault, his protests drowned out by Ulti's relentless scolding. Watching the siblings squabble, the others couldn't help but chuckle internally.
"Sure enough," someone muttered with amusement, "a little brother who's weaker than his sister is bound to be bullied."
Another observer added with a grin, "Especially when it's Ulti—she's got that bad habit of picking on Page-one just for fun."
"It's lively as ever," said Toki, smiling warmly at the chaotic scene. Ever since she'd joined Alex, this familial atmosphere had become one of her favorite parts of life in the Sky Kingdom. Watching the playful arguing brought back memories of her childhood, reminding her of how things had been years ago.
Time had certainly flown by. Nami, once just a baby, had blossomed into a bright and capable young woman. Hiyori, who had been a child not so long ago, had matured into a stunningly beautiful and elegant lady, radiating charm and grace befitting her status as a princess of the Sky Kingdom. She had even begun attracting the attention of numerous young suitors vying for her hand.
Yet Hiyori showed little interest in these suitors. She spoke warmly with Alex's retainers, particularly Law, Zoro, and Lafitte, but her bond with Alex himself seemed far deeper and more personal. This closeness occasionally worried Toki. Though she didn't want to jump to conclusions, she couldn't help but wonder if Hiyori's attachment to Alex might grow into something more complicated.
Alex's charisma was undeniable. Even Gion, whom Toki had once thought of as untouchable, had fallen for him. The thought made her head spin, as Alex seemed entirely unaware of the deeper implications of his charm.
At that moment, Alex sat in a nearby corner, engrossed in the latest newspaper Robin had handed him. His expression shifted suddenly, his eyes widening as he exclaimed, "Huh?! It's appeared?!"
The curiosity of Hancock and Yamato was immediately piqued, and they leaned closer to see what had caught his attention. Behind them, Maria, towering over everyone else, peered over their shoulders, eager to read as well.
In bold letters, the headline declared:
"Top-Level Logia Mera-Mera Fruit! The Captain of the Spade Pirates! The Strongest Rookie King in East Blue is Born!"