Chapter 20: Setting Sail
Ian and Zoro had always firmly believed that Kuina would wake up, but what they hadn't anticipated was just how long they would have to wait.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, another six years had passed. During these six years, Kuina remained unconscious.
Aside from her inability to wake up, her body showed no abnormalities; she continued to grow. Now lying on the ground, she had transformed into a graceful young woman. Since the dojo was almost entirely filled with men, taking care of Kuina was quite inconvenient. So Master Koushirou specially hired a village auntie to look after her, feeding her and washing her every day.
Ian and Zoro would set aside time each day to talk to Kuina. Zoro, in particular, constantly brought up how much stronger he was getting each day, hoping to stimulate her into waking up. But for some reason, perhaps because the stimulation wasn't strong enough, Kuina would show some reaction whenever she heard such topics, yet she could never truly wake up.
Zoro trained more desperately than ever, as if trying to alleviate the anxiety deep within his heart through this method.
He even took the Wado Ichimonji from Master Koushirou and began his path of the Three-Sword Style. He believed that since Kuina could no longer train, he would grow stronger on her behalf as well.
And Ian?
Ian was currently sitting in the dojo, facing Master Koushirou directly.
Over the past six years, Ian had gradually grown up. Long-term training had given him a sturdy and tall physique. Now 18 years old, standing at 182 centimeters tall, he had long black hair tied into a ponytail at the back of his head. His expression was gentle, and a faint smile often lingered at the corner of his mouth, much like Master Koushirou himself.
Over the years, the person who had influenced Ian the most was naturally Koushirou, who was both his teacher and a father figure. So it wasn't surprising that he resembled him.
However, Koushirou now had quite a few white hairs on his forehead. Although he remained gentle and calm in his dealings with others, Kuina's condition had secretly added to his anxiety.
An old teacup held freshly poured hot water, and the tea leaves gradually unfurled at the right temperature, forming a beautiful green color. Since Kuina couldn't wake up, having tea with his master every afternoon had become one of Ian's daily routines.
Lifting the teacup, he gently blew away the foam, took a sip, set the cup down, and said to Koushirou, "Master, I want to set sail."
Koushirou wasn't surprised by Ian's words. Smiling, he said, "If I remember correctly, you said the same thing two years ago."
Indeed, if it came to anxiety, Ian was no less than Zoro. Even two years ago, Ian had wanted to set sail to find a way to treat Kuina. But back then, Koushirou had stopped him. A boy just turned 16, setting sail alone—Koushirou absolutely couldn't rest easy about it.
Now, two years later, Ian brought up the old matter again. This time, he had made up his mind. Even if Koushirou opposed it, he wouldn't care anymore.
Strangely enough, Koushirou didn't object after hearing him. He just sighed and said, "Ian, you know? I've always regarded you as my own child. Back then, the reason I didn't want Kuina to inherit the dojo wasn't just because she was a girl; it was also because I actually wanted you to inherit it."
Ian didn't speak, just quietly looked at Koushirou.
"But over the years, I've come to see clearly that your heart isn't in Shimotsuki Village!" Koushirou continued. "Boys will be boys. Even if your body is here, your heart yearns for the outside world."
"I'm sorry, Master!" Ian bowed his head and apologized.
"No need to apologize!" Koushirou smiled. "I understand very well. In an era like this, there's no force that can stop a man from going to sea. So go if you want. You have your own path to walk."
"Yeah!" Ian nodded.
"Have you decided on the time?" Koushirou asked.
"Tomorrow!" Ian said.
"So soon?" Koushirou was a bit surprised.
"The sooner, the better!" Ian also smiled. "Kuina has been asleep for so long. She must be anxious too."
Ian was determined to set sail as soon as possible, first to find a way to treat Kuina, and second, to try to find a Devil Fruit for her.
In her unconscious state, Kuina naturally couldn't train. Given her strong-willed personality, if she really woke up and saw that she had fallen behind Zoro, she probably wouldn't be able to accept it. Ian, as her older brother, naturally had to think for his sister. A Devil Fruit was undoubtedly the best shortcut to becoming stronger, though he didn't know if Kuina would accept it.
Actually, over these six years, Ian had tried to contact Ivankov again, but strangely, he couldn't reach him.
Recalling what Ivankov had said last time about being in the Kamabakka Kingdom, Ian remembered that on this timeline, Ivankov seemed to have been arrested by the Marines! Under a fabricated charge, he was thrown into the Impel Down underwater prison... He was completely unreliable now.
Koushirou knew about Ian's plan to find a Devil Fruit for Kuina. Ian had mentioned it in front of him, but Koushirou didn't take it seriously. In his view, Devil Fruits and such were all crooked paths! A true swordsman could only rely on his own sword.
But since it was Ian's good intention, Koushirou wouldn't oppose it. He just asked, "What about the ship? How will you get one?"
"I asked Uncle Hell from the village! He gave me his old fishing boat!" Ian said with a smile. "Uncle Hell is a good man. He didn't take my money and even gave me a sea chart to a nearby town."
"The conditions at sea are unpredictable. You need to be careful when you're alone!" Koushirou advised.
Ian wasn't too worried about that. He was now a child who had grown up by the sea, so he was a good swimmer. Even if he encountered storms at sea, he had the ability to protect himself.
"Since you've decided, then go!" Koushirou said. "Go on your own. I won't see you off!"
Not seeing him off was to avoid the sadness of parting. Ian naturally understood this and didn't say anything. He just bent down, prostrated himself on the ground, gently kowtowed to Koushirou, then stood up and walked out of the dojo.
The next day, at the Shimotsuki Village seaside.
Master Koushirou didn't come, but there were still many people to see him off. Besides Zoro, all the other junior disciples from the dojo had come.
These kids, who used to have runny noses back then, had gradually grown up. Their appearances had improved a lot, and they looked much more pleasant now.
"Senior Brother Ian, remember to come back and see us!"
"Senior Brother Ian, we'll miss you!"
The junior disciples crowded around Ian, chattering noisily. That hadn't changed much. The youngest one was even on the verge of tears.
Although Ian was usually a bit mischievous and often played pranks on Zoro—like tricking him, tricking him, and tricking him about various things—he was quite good to these junior disciples. Since Kuina couldn't wake up, he had taken over her responsibility of caring for them. So now that Ian was about to set sail, the junior disciples were naturally reluctant to see him go.
Ian comfortingly patted their shoulders, feeling a bit emotional. Without the system, given his own talent, he would probably be no different from these junior disciples now. Looking at them was like seeing himself before the age of ten.
Sensing a gaze, Ian turned around and saw Zoro standing to the side with his arms crossed.
When Zoro first came to the dojo, he was about nine years old. He had dueled with Kuina for a year, racking up a record of 2001 losses and 0 wins. Now, another six years had passed, and he was 16. He had already taken on the rough shape of the future Zoro. That green algae head was still so conspicuous. His hair had grown long, and he cut it himself with a sword, so it was a mess, looking like a dog had chewed it. He had changed out of the dojo uniform and was wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt with a waistband around his waist, and he carried three long swords. The only good thing was that he hadn't gotten earrings yet, probably worried that Master Koushirou would scold him.
Seeing Ian look at him, he snorted and turned his head away, ignoring Ian.
"What are you so cocky about?" Ian couldn't help but laugh. "I said I'm not taking you, and I'm not taking you!"
Zoro, when he found out Ian was going to sea, had been clamoring to go with him. But Master Koushirou didn't allow it. Just like when he had stopped Ian from leaving early, Koushirou was also worried that Zoro was too young. Ian naturally obeyed Koushirou's words, so he refused Zoro's request to go together.
Because of this, Zoro had been angry all night.
Walking over to him, Ian patted his shoulder and said, "Wait a bit longer. I'll go first to find a way to treat Kuina. If I haven't come back in two years, then you can set sail yourself!"
"Shut up! I know that without you telling me!" Zoro still turned his head away, not looking at Ian, but said, "As for you, if Kuina wakes up during this time, don't blame me for badmouthing you!"
"Ha! Say whatever you want!" Ian winked at him. "Don't forget, I'm Kuina's brother, and you're her rival. Who do you think she'll believe?"
With that, Ian pressed down on his bear-ear hat, which was about to be blown off by the wind, and smiled. "Alright, I'm off!"
"Wait!" Zoro's voice called him back. He reached out and handed over a long sword with a white scabbard, turning his head away. "This is the Wado Ichimonji. Take it with you!"
Talking tough, but he was actually worried about Ian, wasn't he? Otherwise, why would he think of letting him take a good sword?
Ian smiled but didn't take it. "No need. This sword isn't for me. Keep it. When Kuina wakes up, give it back to her."
Walking to the shore, Ian untied the mooring rope, tossed it into the boat, then pushed the small fishing boat, running a few steps to shove it into the sea before leaping aboard.
"Goodbye, I'm off!" Ian waved to the crowd on the shore.
Amid the reluctant farewells of the group, he picked up the oars, rowed the small boat, and gradually drifted away...