After a little more than ten minutes, Kuina finally stopped and walked back, cheeks a bit flushed with embarrassment. She hadn't felt this light in her body for a long time, got carried away, and it felt rude to make the two of them wait.
"Mr. Amon, I'm sorry to have kept you."
"Heh, it's fine. I get how you feel." Amon laughed, waving it off. "By the way, you still have two very good items left."
Kuina had drawn three in total and had only used one. The other two were still waiting, and one of them could change her fate, precious beyond words.
"Oh, right, there were three. I wonder what the other two are."
"One of them is extremely important." Amon's expression turned serious. "Kuina, to be honest, I can do a bit of divination. I calculated that you'll face a calamity soon. If handled poorly, it could be fatal."
Having met Kuina, he wanted even less to see anything happen to a girl this strong and sensible.
"I'm going to face a calamity?" Kuina was starting to trust Amon by now, and her face changed at his words. She was still a child. Death should have been a distant thing, but his tone said the danger was close.
"Yes, but don't panic. There is always a thread of hope. As long as you carry this doll on you at all times, you can turn danger into safety."
Amon produced the little thread-woven figure.
"Mr. Amon, what is this?"
"It's called a Substitute Doll. You just drew it from the jar. If you suffer a fatal blow, it will take the damage in your place. Single use. Remember this, keep it on you at all times. Don't forget."
He stressed each word. He dreaded the thought that she might dismiss his warning as superstition. If she did, he couldn't save her.
"I understand, Mr. Amon. I believe you. I'll keep it with me."
Kuina gripped the doll tightly and nodded. She could feel that his words came straight from the heart.
"Good. If you carry it, you'll be fine. Honestly, with your physique strengthened, even that trouble might not turn lethal anymore."
"Mhm. With this doll, I'm not afraid."
Seeing that she had taken it to heart, Amon nodded and continued. "You've already claimed the second item. The last one is this card."
"This card teaches a combat technique with almost no effort. It's one of the Marine Six Styles, called Shave. It boosts your movement speed and will pair nicely with your swordsmanship."
He held out the final card.
"There's a Marine Six Styles technique in here? Shave? It can make me faster?" Kuina ran her fingers over the small card. It felt too miraculous for something so tiny.
"Yes. Using it is simple. Just hold it in your hand."
"Like this?" She closed her fingers around it and squeezed.
The card vanished the moment her palm shut. At the same time, a clean, complete method of movement bloomed in her mind. She pushed off with both legs and blurred across the clearing.
"So fast, incredible."
"What speed..."
Zoro's eyes went glassy with envy again.
"Well? I didn't lie to you, right. These jars are absolutely worth it."
Even now, Amon didn't forget to pitch his product.
"Mhm, these jars are amazing. Alright, Zoro, I'm done. Your turn."
Kuina eased to a stop, catching her breath. Her body still wasn't conditioned enough to sustain Shave for long.
"Me, too?" Zoro had been itching to try ever since he saw what Kuina pulled, but when it was his turn he suddenly felt a little lost.
"Of course. Kuina already paid for you." Amon flicked the stack of berries lightly.
"Thank you, Kuina. Thank you, Mr. Amon."
Zoro bowed to both, then started scanning the choices. Seeing how good Kuina's draws were made him want to pick the right one.
"Have you decided?"
"Mhm." He pointed at a red jar. "Mr. Amon, that red one, please."
"Red, got it. Good luck, Zoro."
Amon raised his hand and the red jar settled into his palm.
Zoro accepted it without a word. He was desperate to crack it open, but fear that the contents might disappoint left him tense.
"Go for it, Zoro. You'll get something good."
Sensing his nerves, Kuina cheered him on.
"Mhm. I'll pull something great."
Bolstered by her encouragement, Zoro clenched his fists and brought one down hard.
Clang.
The jar split cleanly. With a shimmer of gold, three fresh items rolled into view.