"Mr. Amon, how is it?" Kuina watched his cheerful face with hopeful eyes. Before smashing the jar, he had said the contents might change her physique. She had pinned her hopes on that.
Beside her, Zoro stared at the items in Amon's hands, curiosity written across his face. He wanted to know what Kuina had pulled.
"Heh, very nice. All three are excellent."
"Really? That's wonderful." Kuina, who had been holding her breath, finally let it out. She had feared the money would be for nothing.
"Yes. First, this vial. It's a tonic that enhances your physical attributes. With it, Kuina, you won't need to worry about being weaker than boys."
"Not only that, it improves your constitution, so your training speed goes up too."
Amon knew the power of a body-refining tonic from experience. He had been an ordinary man. After taking a dose, his entire body had transformed. Kuina's elixir was a tier lower than his, but it should still change her condition and make up for her innate shortfall.
"Congratulations, Kuina." Zoro was genuinely happy for her. He didn't want his future rival to lose because of something she was born with.
"Mr. Amon, can this really change my body?" Kuina stared at the vial, voice trembling. Ever since her father had told her that girls could never become the greatest swordsman, the words had pressed on her chest every day. Now Amon said this little bottle could lift that weight. How could she not be moved.
"Of course. Believe me, Kuina, you will become a great swordsman. Go on, drink it." Amon took her shaking hand and placed the body-refining elixir firmly in her palm.
"Thank you, Mr. Amon. I will become the world's greatest woman swordsman." The tremor faded from Kuina's gaze. She bowed, uncorked the vial, and downed it in one go.
Cool clarity spread from her mouth. Unlike the blazing agony when Ace had been reshaped by the Magic Flame, this medicine felt purely comfortable. Under its work, her body felt washed clean, and her control over strength became more precise. Most surprising of all, her power swelled as if from nowhere, and the softness in her frame toughened into resilient muscle.
"Kuina, how do you feel now?"
Seeing her open her eyes, Zoro stepped forward, concerned.
"Zoro, I feel full of strength. Truly. Mr. Amon didn't lie. I think I can build my body like a boy can. I can become a great swordsman." As she spoke, tears of joy slid down her cheeks. At last, she no longer had to fear starting adulthood already behind at the starting line.
"That's great, Kuina. Really, congratulations. But I'm still going to defeat you one day." Zoro was, as always, blunt, even at a moment like this.
"Good. I'll be waiting, Zoro." Kuina's fighting spirit surged. Freshly strengthened, she brimmed with confidence. She would never shrink from his challenge.
"Congratulations, Kuina. Become a great swordsman, alright?" Amon was genuinely happy to see a smile that shone from her heart. The girl had carried a hard fate. Now, at last, the tide turned.
"Mm." Kuina did not speak further, only nodded hard. Great debts are not paid with thanks alone. She understood that, even as a girl. What Amon had given her could not be repaid with a single word.
"Oh, Mr. Amon, may I test my strength?"
She could feel the power surging inside and wanted to try it.
"Of course."
Amon grinned at her restless energy. He could feel her joy and excitement. If she didn't let it out now, it might choke her.
"Alright."
With his permission, Kuina could no longer hold back. She drew Wado Ichimonji and sprinted into the grove. Her blade flashed, and wherever her sword traced, trees toppled. The force behind her cuts exceeded many grown swordsmen.
"So strong," Zoro murmured, eyes going wide with envy, and happiness for her all the same.