One Piece: From Picking Up Red Hair's Broken Arm

Chapter 375 (Final Chapter 1): Kuina's Confession Operation [Part 1]

"Kuina."

Who are you……

"Kuina?"

Who?
“Kuina…”

Who is it?

Who is calling me?

Why does that voice sound so familiar...?

Despite the sharp pain in her forehead, Kuina opened her eyes in a daze and found herself standing in a familiar dojo courtyard.

Tatami mats, wooden stakes, falling cherry blossoms... faintly, you can still hear children shouting to each other outside, and the crackling sound of bamboo swords striking each other.

This is Shimotsuki Village, the Isshin Dojo, my home, and the place where I practiced swordsmanship as a child.

Sunlight filtered through the treetops, creating a warmth that felt almost unreal.

"Kuina."

The voice rang out again.

Guina turned her head blankly and saw a girl walking out of the morning light.

It was herself.

Or perhaps, two years younger, with her ponytail tied high and a bamboo sword casually held in her hand, which she hung on the wall.

What are you still hesitating about? What are you waiting for?

The other person stared at the bamboo sword on the wall and spoke coldly.

"what?"

Guina instinctively asked a question in return.

Looking at herself, both familiar and unfamiliar, she felt a strange sense of panic.

"Playing dumb is pointless."

The other person finally turned their head, stared at her, and curled their lips into a slightly mocking smile. "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about, don't you? Do you really want me to repeat that name... Xia, Nuo, Da, Ren?"

Hear these four words.

Kuina's body trembled, her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively took a step back in a panic.

"Look at what you look like now!"

The girl, with her hands behind her back, approached with a cold smile, her nose almost touching Kuina's.

"Cowardly, hesitant, pitiful and pathetic, where is the Kuina who once vowed to become the world's greatest swordsman and dared to draw her sword against any formidable enemy? You don't even dare to face your own inner feelings. Do you still deserve to wield a sword?"

"It's not that I'm afraid!"

Guina blurted out almost immediately, but quickly became bewildered, "I, I just, I just don't know what to do."

She lowered her head, looking at her hands with a touch of melancholy.

These hands have wielded the Supreme Grade Sword, slain countless powerful enemies at sea, and even clashed with the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk, without ever being at a disadvantage for a short period of time.

But they were so rough, with calluses all over the joints and the area between the thumb and forefinger, not like a girl's hands at all.

"The Lord... is the new King of the World, the most dazzling existence in this era... no, it can even be said to be the most dazzling existence in the entire Sea Era."

Kuina stared at the calluses on her hands, her voice growing softer and softer, "I'm just a swordsman, an officer under him. Being able to follow him and watch him change the world little by little is already my greatest fortune. How could I... how could I have such unrealistic thoughts?"

Ever since that year in Frostmoon Village of the East Sea, when that black-haired boy stepped into the One Heart Dojo, cured her hidden ailment, and reached out his hand to her, her fate has been completely changed.

She followed him out to sea, witnessed him create miracles time and time again, and watched him climb to the top step by step... Her gaze could no longer be taken off that figure.

But the more this is the case, the clearer that sense of distance becomes.

He was a leader, a banner, a light that countless people looked up to. The number of beautiful women who wanted to throw themselves at him could stretch from Mary Geoise to the East China Sea and be too many to count.

And she.

It's true that she's been with Lord Xia Nuo for a long time, but putting that aside...

In the end, she was just a swordsman, a clumsy girl with calloused hands and a personality that was hardly gentle, who only knew how to fight with a sword.

Emotions are a million times more complicated than swordsmanship, and she's really not good at them.

Just like how she's not very good at taking care of her hands.

As a partner and a subordinate, she considered herself qualified, but what right did she have to dream of the most intimate position by the adult's side?

"Huh? Unreasonable thoughts?"

The girl in front of her poked her forehead hard, saying with exasperation:

"In my opinion, it's clearly a natural progression, and it's time to take it a step further! So, you really do like Lord Xia Nuo the most, that's undeniable, but because his aura is too dazzling, you feel inferior and think you're not worthy?"

"It's not just because of low self-esteem, is it?"

Kuina whispered, "I...I'm scared. How should I bring it up? What if he doesn't mean it that way? Wouldn't it be awkward if we didn't? Can I still stay by his side naturally and fight for him like this?"

Yes.

She was scared.

This was her deepest fear.

I'm afraid that if I say it out loud, I'll lose even the companionship and trust I have now.

She absolutely, positively didn't want to lose that thing, not even a tiny bit.

"You still have to give it a try, you idiot!"

The girl in front of him suddenly raised her voice, angrily saying, "The way of the sword pursues the ultimate, cutting off all obstacles. Isn't emotion the same? Your hesitation, your inferiority complex, your fear of the future—these are the obstacles you need to cut off!"

She reached out and abruptly pulled Sakura Snow from Kuina's waist:

"Look at your sword! It doesn't tremble because the opponent is a Yonko or a Marine Admiral; it only becomes tarnished because the wielder's will is weak! Kuina, where is your swordsmanship? That swordsmanship that dares to draw its sword no matter how strong the enemy, that belief that the blade in its hand can cut through everything—is it so vulnerable in the face of emotions?"

“I…” Kuina stared blankly at her sword.

"Don't let the fear of losing your existing relationship stop you from moving forward. True bonds won't be easily broken by a single honest confession. If he distances himself from you because of something like that, then he's not someone you can entrust your life to. But based on what you know about him, hey, let me ask you, is Lord Shano that kind of person?"

The image of Shano appeared in Kuina's mind.

He was always so composed, with a faint smile, and treated his partners with sincerity and openness, never changing his attitude because of changes in status.

He would patiently instruct her in martial arts, remind her to rest when she overdid it, and proactively offer her towels and water. At banquets, he would put his arm around everyone's shoulder and laugh without any airs...

Yes.

His arrogance and conceit were always directed at those invincible enemies and at the so-called gods high above the world government.

He is proud of his superiors but does not humiliate his inferiors.

He was never the kind of person who would distance himself from his partners over something so trivial.

"But what should I do?"

Kuina bit her lip, gazing at the girl in front of her.

His voice still carried uncertainty, but his eyes held less confusion and more searching.

"Hey, you've finally figured it out." The teenage version of Kuina finally smiled.

"It's very simple. Just like when you practice swordsmanship, first make a plan in your mind, and then firmly carry it out."

She counted on her fingers, "First, confirm your feelings, which you've already done. Second, choose the right time and place to confess!"

"The war has just ended, and the World Government has been destroyed. Didn't Lord Shano mention before that he would only consider his feelings after his ideals were realized and he had no worries about the future? So there's no need to wait! Now is the best time!"

"As for the occasion, that's even simpler. Just make sure the scene for the confession isn't too shabby. Oh, by the way, there's going to be a celebration banquet in Mary Geoise in a few days, right? Find a place that's not too formal, but quiet enough for you two to be alone, and invite Lord Shano there!"

"Third, and most importantly, tell him your feelings directly and honestly. Don't beat around the bush, don't test or suspect. Just like when you use your sword to kill an enemy, go straight for the kill. Tell him you like him, tell him you are willing to continue to protect him with your sword, but also hope that the relationship can go further!"

"Even if we take a step back and ultimately fail, at least you let him know your feelings. That's like finally cutting off your inner hesitation and cowardice, and being true to your sword heart. That in itself is a kind of growth and victory."

The girl paused, gazing at the dojo outside the door, her voice suddenly softening:

"Kuina, when you were training in swordsmanship here as a child and teaching that stupid green-haired guy a lesson, you told him, didn't you? Hesitation leads to defeat."

"Now you should put this statement back on yourself, and the same goes for relationships."

"If you don't even have the courage to take the first step and just wallow in self-pity, what will you have left besides regret when you finally see someone else standing next to him someday?"

……

The wind in the courtyard stopped.

The cherry blossoms seemed to stand still in the air.

Kuina slowly raised her head, and the girl's figure in front of her began to blur and become transparent, as if it would be scattered by the wind at any moment.

But before disappearing completely, the girl gave her an encouraging smile, raised her fist, and whispered:
"So, cast everything aside and charge forward, Kuina!"

…………

The light and shadow before my eyes receded suddenly like a tide.

The dojo, cherry blossoms, and the girl's figure all blurred and disappeared.

Kuina opened her eyes, panting heavily. What came into view was the familiar ceiling of the Dawn Island Castle room.

Morning light streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

It was just a dream.

Kuina sat up, rubbed her still slightly aching temples, and looked at the letter on the table with a complicated expression.

It was because her previous two attempts to confess her feelings had both failed, and the tower of confidence and courage she had painstakingly built was crumbling.

So, after tossing and turning until three or four in the morning last night, I had this dream?
………………

The first confession operation dates back to half a year ago, when the Fallen Ones had just conquered the Land of Ten Thousand Kingdoms.

Having just been provoked by Smoothie, she struggled for a long time, but still went to Uncle Zeff early in the morning.

Please ask Zeff to make a delicate orange cupcake.

Lord Shano doesn't particularly like desserts, but he generally won't refuse anything with an orange flavor.

"Lord Shano, the moonlight is beautiful."

She carefully carved a line of small words on the surface of the cake with icing, then gently placed it on the seat where Xia Nuo usually ate, while she hid behind the restaurant door, her heart pounding like a drum.

But it's a pity.

As luck would have it, the next person to push open the door and come in for breakfast was a sleepy-eyed Bonnie.

The result was, of course, predictable.

This is a sad story.

………………

As for the second confession operation, it was yesterday.

After holding the first World Conference following the victory in Mary Geoise, Lord Shano temporarily returned to Dawn Island, intending to deal with the backlog of political affairs there.

This was another opportunity, and she finally mustered up her courage to write her confession neatly on a letter with a fountain pen, intending to place it on Xia Nuo's desk during the lunch break.

But as soon as they arrived at the door, they heard a faint noise coming from inside.

I carefully pushed the door open and took a look.

Robin was standing by the desk, his right hand rubbing his chin, and his left hand holding a light purple letter, seemingly hesitating whether to put it down.

Their eyes met, and they both froze.

"I'm here to submit the new book purchase list for the Ohara Grand Library."

"I'm here to inquire about the future deployment and mobilization plans for the combat corps."

The two blurted out almost simultaneously, and the scene became unbearable to watch. They turned their faces away, but the next second they couldn't help but grit their teeth, saying with some embarrassment and annoyance:

"Oh, who asked you!"

"Hmph, who asked you!"

The result, naturally, was predictable.

No one dared to leave their letter in person, and no one left it in the office.

I wonder if Robin also tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep well, just like me.

It doesn't matter.

Guina picked up the letter, hesitated for only a second, then tore it into pieces and threw it into the trash can.

I'm such an idiot! What was I thinking?!

When it comes to confessing your feelings, just like the other self in my dream said, you must do it face-to-face, formally, with courage, and wear your feelings on your face and in your eyes so that the other person can clearly feel it. You must never seek shortcuts or beat around the bush.

Writing such a sneaky love letter deserves to fail.

So, next...

Guina glanced at the calendar; there were only two days left until the celebration banquet.

Everything is ready, let's begin the final assault, Kuina!
……

Two days passed in a blink of an eye.

The central square of Dawn Island has been completely renovated.

Colorful flags fluttered, lights shone brightly, and long tables were laden with all kinds of delicious food and wine. The air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat, the fragrance of desserts, and the melody of cheerful music.

People dressed in formal attire or neat uniforms chatted and laughed in small groups.

People from different islands and different races gathered together to discuss the recent war that shook the world and to celebrate a bright new era ahead.

Kuina wore a light purple yukata, her hair was carefully combed and tied up with a cherry blossom hairpin.

She rarely dressed like this; even at the grand banquet she hosted with the Whitebeard Pirates, she always wore her usual clean and sharp swordsman attire.

Standing at the edge of the banquet hall, looking at the bustling crowd, her palms began to sweat slightly. She placed her hands on her chest, took a few deep breaths, and barely managed to return to normal.

"You look beautiful today, Kuina."

A gentle voice came from beside me.

Kuina turned her head and saw Robin holding a glass of red wine, smiling at her.

(End of this chapter)