There is nothing more despairing in this world than this. Even an adult would struggle to accept it, let alone Kuina, an eleven-year-old girl.
You could imagine the mix of helplessness and unwillingness in her heart.
Beside her, Zoro stopped crying when he heard Kuina's confession. He looked at her, at a loss for words.
He wanted to speak, yet he did not know how to comfort her.
"Kuina, I'm sorry."
"It's alright, Zoro. Even if I can never be the world's greatest swordsman, I won't give up training."
She wiped her tears with the back of her hand. When she turned back, she was all smiles again. That sensible smile made the heart ache.
Watching from the side, Amon could no longer stay seated. He rose to his feet.
"Who says a girl cannot become the world's greatest swordsman?"
"Who's there?" Neither of them had expected someone to be so close, eavesdropping. They tensed at once. Zoro snatched up his fallen twin swords, and Kuina lifted Wado Ichimonji, ready to strike.
"Easy. I'm just a passing Jar merchant."
Seeing how on edge they were, Amon smiled and raised the pack of cans on his shoulder to show he was a trader.
"A merchant?" They glanced at each other and let out a breath. Anyone who could approach so close without them noticing had to be a master. They had thought he was an enemy. Hearing he was a merchant, they relaxed, though they still watched Amon with some caution.
"Yes, a Jar merchant. I am planning to sail around the world." Amon smiled with a friendly look. "I did not mean to spy on your duel. I had just come ashore and heard the sounds of fighting, so I came to see. I did not expect that you, at such a young age, would already be this skilled. Truly surprising. Given time, I believe both of you can become true great swordsmen."
"Really? But Father says a girl can never become a great swordsman." Kuina's eyes brightened, then dimmed again.
Her father's words were like a shackle that bound her tight.
"Who says a girl cannot become the world's greatest swordsman? I have been to many places, met many people, and seen many powerful female swordsmen. Quite a few have achievements no less than men."
Kuina's expression pinched at Amon's heart, and he hurried to reassure her.
"Thank you. I know you are trying to comfort me, but I'm still happy."
Kuina smiled and bowed to Amon. She believed he was only offering kind words.
"I'm not comforting you. I am a swordsman too, and I can tell your talent is outstanding. You are even stronger than the green moss head next to you. If you keep working, you can definitely become a great swordsman."
"Who are you calling green moss head!" Zoro's mouth flew open at the nickname and he shouted.
Kuina ignored him, eyes widening. "Wait, you are a swordsman too? But I don't see a sword on you."
In her mind, a swordsman should never be without a blade.
"A swordsman does not have to wear a sword at all times, just as a girl does not have to be barred from becoming a great swordsman." Amon's lips curled. "Watch."
He lifted a finger. Under their puzzled stares, he flicked it lightly toward the nearby trees. A fierce blade of flying slash sprang from his fingertip and ripped into the grove.
Crack.
The trees caught by the sword aura were severed cleanly at the waist, as if cut by a perfect blade, the cross sections smooth as a mirror.
"So strong."
Seeing Amon do that with a single raised finger, both of their expressions changed. Their eyes burned with respect.
For a swordsman, meeting a master of this level demanded reverence.
"Well? I didn't lie to you."
Amon was quite satisfied with the effect. His goal was to earn their trust.
"Mhm, mhm. You are really strong. You even feel stronger than my father." Kuina nodded hard, and hope returned to her gaze.
Noticing that light in her eyes, Amon nodded. If he could help Kuina find her confidence, it was worth stepping in.
"Umm, can I challenge you?" While Amon was speaking with Kuina, Zoro burst out.
His dream was to become the world's greatest swordsman. Meeting a master like Amon, he could not contain the itch to test himself.
"Oh? Interesting." Amon had not expected Zoro's fighting spirit to be this intense at such a young age. As expected of the future world's greatest swordsman.
"Zoro, what are you doing?"
"It's alright, Kuina. I know my limits." Amon lifted a hand to reassure her.
"If you don't mind, may I borrow your weapon for a moment?"
"Okay." Kuina did not overthink it and offered him Wado Ichimonji.
"A fine blade." Amon tapped the flat lightly and nodded. "Come then, little green moss head. Show me your strength."
"I am not green moss head. My name is Zoro, the future world's greatest swordsman." Zoro clearly disliked the nickname.
"Haha, Zoro, is it? Alright then. Show me the strength of the world's future greatest swordsman."
Amon spoke, and his sword intent surged. A terrifying pressure washed over Zoro.
Pinned beneath that pressure, Zoro's face went pale. Sweat poured down like rain.
It felt as if a mountain had settled on his shoulders, crushing his breath, let alone letting him lift his blades.
In that instant, he understood the gulf between himself and Amon.