"Mr. Kairo D. Arashi, how was today's catch?"
As soon as the Revolutionary Army mbers left, Kuina ran over excitedly to Arashi's side.
"Did you catch all one hundred fish yet?"
"Let ask you sothing, little Kuina."
Arashi looked up at the sky, which was gradually growing darker, before continuing,
"Are the fish in Shimotsuki Village always this smart…?"
"Huh?"
Kuina blinked her eyes.
"Maybe… they are?"
"They definitely are!"
Arashi let out a long breath and complained,
"With more than a hundred fishing rods and eight full days, I've only caught eighty-sothing fish. This is way too realistic…!"
"Hehe. Mr. Kairo D. Arashi could try another thod, like using a net."
"That won't work. I have to fish! Fishing makes happy."
Of course Arashi had thought about using a net.
But the mission specifically required fishing, so he had no choice but to clear his mind and focus on being a fishing fanatic.
"That's enough for today, Zoro. Collect the rods—then we head back for at and drinks!"
"Got it!"
Zoro answered decisively and imdiately started moving.
Compared to most lazy kids, Zoro was absolutely a man of action.
Of course, this was all because the green-haired kid had firmly co to believe that fishing could make him stronger.
After collecting all the rods, the three of them returned to the dojo.
By the ti they arrived, night had already fallen completely.
Standing in the courtyard waiting for their return, Koushirou smiled and shook his head when he saw how much Kuina and Zoro liked Arashi.
They followed him around almost every day.
Perhaps… he had been too rigid all this ti.
Although he was Kuina's father and Zoro's teacher, he rarely fulfilled the role of a father.
Most days, he simply urged them to train… train… and train again.
Because of that, he had hardly ever seen Kuina smile.
But ever since Arashi arrived, Kuina had been in a good mood every day.
Sotis she even laughed out loud while practicing.
"Mr. Kairo D. Arashi, you're back."
Koushirou stepped forward to help take the fishing rods.
"I've already prepared food and wine. We've been waiting."
"Haha! Thank you for your hard work, Master. Co on—let's eat and drink!"
Arashi laughed heartily and pulled Zoro along toward the living room.
However, with Koushirou present, Zoro didn't dare sit down and drink with them.
His master definitely wouldn't allow soone his age to drink alcohol.
So Zoro quickly made up an excuse about going to the back mountain to continue training and slipped away.
Seeing this, Koushirou simply smiled and sat down across from Arashi.
Just as the two raised their cups—
Kuina's voice suddenly ca from the distance.
"Father, have you seen my sharpening stone?"
"It's upstairs in the main hall."
"Okay! Thank you, Father!"
"That child…"
Koushirou smiled gently before raising his cup toward Arashi.
"Mr. Kairo D. Arashi, please."
"Sharpening stone?"
Just as Arashi lifted his cup, his pupils suddenly shrank.
"Not good!"
The mont he spoke, Arashi shot to his feet shot toward the main hall at top speed.
"Huh? Mr. Kairo D. Arashi?"
Koushirou froze for a mont in confusion when he saw Arashi suddenly dash away.
Although he didn't understand what was happening, he imdiately got up and followed him.
At that mont—
"Ah—!"
A startled cry echoed from the front hall.
It was clearly Kuina's voice.
Hearing the sudden scream, Koushirou's face changed drastically as he rushed forward even faster.
But when he burst into the hall—
He froze on the spot.
Arashi had already arrived.
And at that mont, Arashi was holding Kuina securely in his arms.
Kuina, still shaken, was clutching tightly onto him.
"Kuina!"
Koushirou hurried over anxiously.
"Are you alright?!"
"Father… I'm fine!"
Kuina looked up at Arashi, still shaken.
"I slipped while trying to get the sharpening stone… Mr. Kairo D. Arashi caught !"
"Mr. Kairo D. Arashi… thank you!"
Arashi didn't answer imdiately.
Instead, he looked up toward the direction Kuina had fallen from, his brows slightly furrowed.
Kuina had fallen from the third floor.
At that height, if she had landed headfirst, it could have been fatal for soone her age.
However, Kuina was no ordinary girl.
Even at eleven years old, she was already stronger than most adults.
With her training, she should have been able to reduce the damage significantly even if she fell.
Yet sohow…
In the original story, such a simple fall from the stairs had taken the life of this bright and hardworking girl.
Was it really just because the story needed to push the plot forward and awaken Zoro's potential?
Damn…
Making Shanks lose an arm was understandable.
But letting such a wonderful girl like Kuina die like that?
Didn't that hurt your conscience at all…?
"It's good that you're safe."
Arashi returned to his senses and gently set Kuina down.
"Kuina, listen to . From now on, don't place sharpening stones or other things so high."
"Anything you need should be kept within reach. Understood?"
"Okay!"
Kuina stuck out her tongue playfully, bowed deeply to Arashi, and ran off.
After watching her leave, Koushirou also bowed deeply.
"Mr. Kairo D. Arashi… thank you."
"No need to thank ."
Arashi waved his hand and added seriously,
"Master, please rember what I said. Don't let Kuina go to dangerous high places again."
"Yes. I will rember your advice."
Koushirou bowed once more.
Although he accepted Arashi's warning sincerely, a trace of doubt flashed through his eyes.
He was certain of one thing.
Just monts ago, Arashi had been drinking with him.
Yet suddenly he ran out—
Right before Kuina fell.
Which ant…
He must have sensed it in advance, rushed out, and caught Kuina in ti.
Could it be…
…Mr. Kairo D. Arashi can see the future?
User Comments
0 comments from readers