One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

"Welcome back, Kuina!"

On this day, the Isshin Dojo turned into a long-awaited sea of joy.

Since the birth of Kuina eleven years ago, Koushirou and his wife hadn't felt a moment as filled with happiness as they did today.

For the disciples of the dojo, today was nothing short of witnessing a miracle for the first time in their lives.

The dojo's strongest member, Kuina, had been on the brink of death, but then the dojo's legendary senior disciple had appeared out of nowhere and saved her life.

When they learned that their legendary senior brother was none other than the famed "Strongest Pirate Hunter" of the East Blue they had heard about since childhood, the disciples were utterly ecstatic.

Even Zoro, who had firmly believed their senior brother could save Kuina, was left in a daze. His mind had gone blank from the moment that man descended from the sky, radiant in golden light, to Kuina appearing completely unscathed.

"Oi! Zoro!"

Kuina walked up to the dumbfounded Zoro and knocked on his round, moss-green head. "What's the matter? Aren't you happy to see me back?"

"Ah!"

Zoro snapped back to his senses, startled. "Kuina! You're really okay?"

"Of course! Senior Brother's ability is incredible! I feel... better than I ever have!" Kuina said excitedly.

No matter how talented or exceptional Kuina was, she was still just an eleven-year-old girl. The fact that she had managed to remain composed in the face of such a miracle was already a testament to her strong will—though her moment of breaking down in tears with her parents earlier didn't count.

"Senior Brother..."

Zoro turned to the blond young man standing beside Koushirou, his master. "The legendary Pirate Hunter of the East Blue... That's incredible!"

"Wright, I haven't had the chance to properly introduce you," Koushirou said with a smile as he looked at his disciples. "This child is Roronoa Zoro. Aside from Kuina, he is currently the strongest in our dojo."

At the mention of "aside from Kuina," Zoro immediately started pouting. Seeing this, Kuina smirked and squinted at him. "What? Not convinced?"

"I'm telling you now, I feel stronger than ever… If we fought again…" Kuina tilted her head confidently. "I'd beat you in ten moves!"

"Hah? Stop talking nonsense, Kuina! While you were unconscious, I've been training like crazy! Now, even using my Three-Sword Style, I won't tire out so easily!"

Zoro erupted in frustration. "Beat me in ten moves? You're dreaming!"

"Hahaha… The junior disciples here sure are full of energy…" Wright chuckled as he watched the green-haired boy who had yet to reveal his infamous lack of direction. He thought this kid was far more amusing at a young age.

"Kuina, you've just recovered, so your perception of your strength might be a bit off due to your recent weakness," Wright explained to her with a smile. "While your condition is indeed better than ever, this sensory discrepancy might actually prevent you from fully utilizing your abilities."

"Ah… Is that so, Senior Brother?" Kuina blushed and stuck out her tongue in embarrassment. "I guess… I was a bit too full of myself…"

Zoro stared blankly—since when did Kuina ever blush like a shy little girl?!

"Kuina…" Zoro mumbled, dumbfounded. "So you can get embarrassed?"

Wright and Koushirou both facepalmed, while Kuina turned bright red. "Zoro! Do you want to lose another two thousand times?!"

Seriously, why did a steel-headed guy like Zoro end up being so popular with women?

Kuina, Tashigi, Perona, Hiyori…

No wonder that pervy cook hated him so much!

After the joyous reunion, Zoro and Kuina grew increasingly curious about Wright. A powerful swordsman, a Pirate Hunter... The two children, who had never left their hometown, were utterly captivated by his legendary exploits.

When they asked him for swordsmanship guidance, they couldn't resist also asking about his adventures at sea.

"Senior Brother, when will I be ready to set out to sea?" Zoro asked eagerly.

"Setting sail means you've mastered your basics and need to accumulate real combat experience to improve quickly," Wright replied after some thought. "For a swordsman, powerful attacks are the foundation of survival. And to have powerful attacks, stamina is the most crucial base."

"So, wait until you're sixteen or seventeen, once your body has fully matured and your stamina has stabilized, before considering setting out."

"But Senior Brother, you were already famous across the East Blue when you were only fourteen or fifteen!" Zoro retorted.

"That's because I have healing abilities and don't need to worry about the toll of battles on my body," Wright warned him. "Remember, your body is the foundation of reaching the peak. Don't be too impatient!"

"Yes… Senior Brother," Zoro muttered before suddenly perking up again. "Senior Brother! What level has your swordsmanship reached now?"

"Me?" Wright glanced at Kuina, who also looked curious, and smiled. "Come to the back mountain—bring your swords."

At the back mountain, Wright set down Kuina and Zoro, who were still thrilled from experiencing flight for the first time via his Holy Light Wings. He then drew the long blade at his waist.

"Wow! It's so beautiful!"

Zoro and Kuina stared at Wright's sword, Ashes, which radiated a golden glow. Then they glanced at their own ordinary swords…

Was that really just a sword?

"This 'Ashes' was enhanced personally by Master Koushirou. It only looks like this because of my unique abilities," Wright explained with a chuckle, noting their mesmerized gazes. "In fact, Kuina, your sword—Wado Ichimonji—is even stronger than mine at this stage."

"Huh?"

Both Kuina and Zoro looked at the simple and unassuming Wado Ichimonji in her hands. They knew it was a good sword, but how good?

"In the world of swords, those crafted by renowned swordsmiths are called Meito, or 'famous blades,'" Wright began to explain. "Among these, there are three recognized grades: the 50 Skillful Grade Swords, the 21 Great Grade Swords, and the 12 Supreme Grade Swords at the very top."

"Kuina, your Wado Ichimonji is one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, a top-class blade worth over ten million Berries!"

"And my Ashes, while it can grow stronger with my abilities, is currently still a bit short of that level."

"My father never told me any of this…" Kuina murmured, astonished. It was the first time she had learned about the grading of swords—and that her cherished blade was so exceptional.

Zoro, on the other hand, was completely dumbstruck. No wonder his sword had chips in it after losing to her for the 2,001st time…

"Your father probably didn't want to tell you about the sword's history…" Wright thought to himself but didn't say aloud. Your grandfather forged it, silly girl.

"Alright, let's set aside the sword's backstory for now," Wright said, drawing their attention back. "A great blade is meaningless without the strength to wield it!"

Pointing to a massive boulder nearby, he asked, "How much damage can you do to that stone?"

Zoro struck first, slashing the rock with all his might. His sword left a crack about five centimeters deep but with noticeable damage to the blade.

"Not bad. Kuina?"

"Got it!"

Kuina swung Wado Ichimonji with a determined shout, leaving a clean gash nearly fifteen centimeters deep. Her blade remained pristine.

Zoro's jaw dropped. Was this because he wasn't as good as Kuina, because his sword wasn't as good as hers, or… both?!

"Well done," Wright nodded approvingly.

"See that mountain over there?"

He pointed at a peak in the distance, then swung his sword.

A crisp hum echoed as the enormous mountain split cleanly in half with a deafening roar.

Kuina and Zoro stood frozen, mouths agape, as Wright sheathed his sword. "Demonstrating techniques too powerful can be a bit much. Let's leave it at that for now."

"Besides," he added with a grin, "if I chopped down a mountain, I'm sure Master Koushirou would have something to say about it."

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