One Piece: King of the World-Chapter 304: Kuina – After This Battle, Should I Go Home and Get Married?

Kuina held onto Nia, while Robin remained on the ship, choosing to continue her peaceful life as a recluse.

Meanwhile, Claudius walked beside them, chatting and laughing as they strolled.

"At least he doesn't have to worry about food and shelter. Even if he's a rookie, he can still get by in the first half of the Grand Line. Being a bounty hunter isn't bad, it's basically the same job as you, just targeting pirates," Claudius said with a smirk.

Kuina crossed her arms.

"It might sound arrogant, but leaving the East Blue is like finally stepping out of a small pond. But if he just messes around in the first half of the Grand Line, it's meaningless."

"They call it 'Paradise' for a reason. I just hope he doesn't get blinded by his own strength there."

She spoke like an old veteran, judging Roronoa Zoro's journey from a distance.

After a short pause, her brows furrowed.

"And another thing, Claudius don't compare me to him."

"I'm a Marine—an upright, righteous, lawful protector of peace and justice!"

"I love this sea, and I protect it. That's completely different from bounty hunters who only chase profit!"

Claudius chuckled at her conviction.

"I figured this out a long time ago," he teased.

"Figured what out?" Kuina asked, tilting her head.

"That you're a little too serious sometimes," Claudius laughed.

Kuina's face twitched, and she pouted.

"You're one to talk."

"Ahahahaha!" Claudius laughed, then paused, raised an eyebrow, and smirked.

"So what now?"

"What now?" Kuina frowned slightly, unable to understand his meaning.

"Wow, women really are ruthless," Claudius teased, then continued,

"Your childhood rival has spent over a decade training relentlessly just to catch up to you. He left everything behind, threw himself into the Grand Line without hesitation, following your trail.

All just to stand before you once more, proudly and on equal footing."

"Pfft." Nia couldn't help but laugh at Claudius' dramatic storytelling.

"What are you laughing at?" Claudius shot her a look of dissatisfaction.

"I'm laughing because, Your Highness, your storytelling is getting more and more ridiculous. You took a simple rivalry and turned it into some kind of love story," Nia said teasingly.

Kuina's face turned red.

She had always viewed Zoro's journey as the pursuit of a rival, nothing more. She had never stopped to think about it from another angle.

But now, hearing Claudius frame it like this… it made her feel a little embarrassed.

"Could that idiot really think that way?"

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, her face flushed even more.

"What do you mean? This is love, alright? You're still too young, Nia," Claudius said, patting her shoulder earnestly.

Nia chuckled softly, "Your Highness, I'm seven years older than you."

"Cough cough" Claudius cleared his throat awkwardly. Then, as if nothing had happened, he raised his head and said, "Oh? Is that so? Our dear Nia is so beautiful, I thought she was barely in her teens. Did I get that wrong?"

Hearing Claudius' words, a smug smile appeared on Nia's face. She playfully responded, "Oh my, how could you ever be wrong, Your Highness?"

"Hahahaha!" Claudius laughed heartily.

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Off to the side, Kuina shuddered in disgust.

"You two are absolutely nauseating," she muttered.

Claudius ruffled her hair playfully and confidently declared, "What do kids know?"

Before Kuina could protest, he pressed on,

"So, Roronoa Zoro's love story, crossing thousands of miles to find you doesn't move you even a little?"

"...Maybe, but it's unnecessary," Kuina said, tilting her chin up in a tsundere manner.

"Then I really feel bad for Zoro," Claudius sighed.

Before Kuina could retort, he suddenly smirked as if remembering something amusing.

"Ahem. But maybe I misunderstood. After all, he didn't come alone. I heard from Spandine that he brought a little beauty along with him. It seems like they have a pretty close relationship."

He turned to Nia, "By the way, what was her name again?"

Nia quickly answered, "Your Highness, it's Nami."

"Ah, yes, yes! Look at my memory. Nami. A ship sailing the seas, carrying a handsome man and a beautiful woman together, huh..." Claudius muttered in an exaggeratedly dramatic tone.

Of course, he knew full well that Zoro was the type of guy who only had eyes for swords and booze. The idea of him having any romantic feelings for Nami was ridiculous.

Kuina knew that too.

But somehow, hearing Claudius put it that way… it annoyed her.

It felt as if something that belonged to her was being taken away.

"Hmph!" Kuina snorted coldly.

Claudius smirked at her reaction. Raising an eyebrow, he asked again,

"So what?"

"...So what?" Kuina hesitated.

"Zoro has already taken 9,999 steps. If I were you, why not take just one step and see what happens?" Claudius said in a coaxing voice.

Kuina's expression became conflicted. Her fingers brushed against the hilt of Wado Ichimonji at her waist.

She wanted to say something, but the words caught in her throat.

"What if I'm wrong? What if Zoro never had those kinds of feelings for me?"

"Kuina," Nia suddenly spoke, her voice gentle.

Kuina looked up.

Nia smiled and said softly,

"At times like this, you can be a little selfish.

It's not about what he thinks. It's about what you want."

Claudius nodded in agreement, watching Kuina with a knowing smile.

Kuina lowered her head, deep in thought.

Then, a moment later, she lifted her gaze and declared,

"Fine. I'll take a step and see."

"Hahahaha!" Claudius burst out laughing.

At the same time, he thought to himself, Zoro, bro, this is the best I can do for you.

Kuina and Zoro were a perfect match.

Claudius had always thought it was a shame how things had played out before.

But now, seeing this moment, he felt genuinely happy.

"When this battle is over, I'll go back," Kuina said firmly.

Claudius' face changed instantly.

He clamped a hand over her mouth and said, "Keep that kind of thought to yourself! Saying it out loud is a death flag!

People who say 'I'll go back after the battle' usually don't make it back!"

Kuina rolled her eyes at him.

After chatting a bit longer, Claudius glanced around to make sure no one else was nearby.

Lowering his voice, he asked, "By the way, Kuina, is everything alright at G-1? No one's been giving her trouble, right?"

Kuina smirked.

"Don't worry. Do you think Sister Gion is as careless as you? Honestly, I feel bad for her and Nia, how did they end up stuck with a scoundrel like you?"

"Hey, I'm a Celestial Dragon, can you show some respect?" Claudius protested.

"Pfft. Maybe other people fear you, but I don't. And you know why?

Because you were the one who dragged me out of the East Blue."

Then, her tone shifted to something more serious.

"But, Claudius..."

"Hm? What is it?" he asked.

"For all these years, I never properly said it.

So… thank you.

Thank you for taking me seriously.

Thank you for bringing me into this different world."

Before Claudius could respond, Kuina gave him a hearty slap on the back.

"Now hurry up! Don't keep Gion waiting. That's not very gentlemanly."

"Hah, don't worry. I'm a true gentleman," Claudius chuckled.

**

This book is completed so you can read all chapters on: /Blownleaves.