Thou Shall Not Die

After Bonney arrived in Shimotsuki Village, she spent her days playing and running around the island, introducing herself to almost every resident. She quickly made friends her age, no longer shy like she had been when confined to the church in her old home. For the first time, she was truly enjoying her childhood. Her cheerful, innocent nature blossomed, and she saw Shimotsuki Village as her true home, despite only being there for a week.

Meanwhile, Taiyo, Kuina, and Zoro continued their daily sparring sessions. Both Kuina and Zoro were growing stronger with each passing day. Taiyo, however, began to feel that his own growth had plateaued. This only solidified his decision to leave after a year. He had learned everything he could from Kouzaburou and Koushirou's teachings. Kouzaburou had become reclusive after passing down his swordsmithing knowledge and overseeing the forging of a Saijō Ō Wazamono blade. These days, he only comes out of seclusion to play with Bonney for an hour before returning to his solitude. Still, Taiyo could sense his grandfather's strength—his body remained solid and powerful, a testament to his enduring might.

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Time passed, as it was now a year since Bonney moved into Shimotsuki Village, and Taiyo was already getting ready to leave. He had already prepared everything as he had a stock of food and barrels, so that he would not die of hunger. His boat, though, did not have any sails as it would only work for rowing, as Taiyo believed that it was also a form of training—to be able to row a boat faster than some sea beast that would be chasing him. We can see Kuina, Zoro, Koushirou, and Bonney standing on the beach, while Bonney was crying profusely. She was sad, as Taiyo was in the boat getting ready to sail.

"Brother, don't go. Who would play with us anymore? I don't like playing with Zoro, he's just a Mosshead," Bonney said as she was crying and pleading for Taiyo not to go, while also insulting Zoro in the process, which made Zoro angry.

"What? You brat!" Zoro said as he snapped at Bonney, and Bonney immediately hid behind Kuina, still crying, while she was concerned with being shielded by Kuina, as Zoro would really smack her in the head if she did something wrong.

"Don't worry, Bonney. We'll meet again in the future. Now I must leave to see the world, and if I find the Sky Island, I'll take you there," Taiyo said as he comforted Bonney, who was still crying. When Bonney heard Taiyo's statement, she looked up at him, seeing the smile on his face—something that would always calm Bonney. Seeing the smile, Bonney stopped crying.

"Really? You promise?" Bonney asked, as it was her dream to go to the Sky Island, something she thought was where Nika was residing, as it was incredibly close to the sun. It was her lifelong dream.

"Yes. And don't worry about Zoro—Kuina will take care of him if he dares to bully you again," Taiyo then said. Kuina then turned towards Bonney and showed her invisible biceps as she was trying to indicate that she would protect Bonney from Zoro. Koushirou then spoke to Taiyo, as it was the first time Koushirou had talked after a full week of silence.

"Take care of yourself. The sea is a dangerous place where dangerous people meet and gather. You are naturally strong, but always firm your will to what's coming," Koushirou said, as some tears left his eyes—something that shocked Taiyo. It was the most emotion that Koushirou had shown in the full seventeen years that Taiyo had lived with him. This also shocked both Kuina and Zoro.

"Zoro, Kuina, don't slack off on your training, alright? I'll be waiting for you on the sea, so don't keep me waiting. Bonney, always listen to Father, alright? As well as Sister Kuina. And Father, thank you for taking care of me. I will take your advice to heart and always be cautious. I will not let you down. GOODBYE, EVERYONE!!!!" Taiyo said his final goodbyes to everyone as he started rowing his boat. While his back was turned, Kuina's tears started flowing, as she was only showing a strong face because she did not want to be seen as weak by Taiyo.

But what she did not know was, while Taiyo was rowing, tears were also flowing from his eyes. Though his expression remained serious, he did not know when the tears had started, but he just allowed himself to cry as he left the home he had known for the past seventeen years. Yet he was also excited for the new adventures he would have and the companions he would meet.

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"Did the boy already leave?" Kouzaburou then asked Koushirou, as they were drinking sake that Taiyo had created using the process Kouzaburou had taught him.

"Yes. It seems that he is the incarnation of the Sword God, but what I am confused about is that he did not seem to want to become the strongest swordsman. Both Kuina and Zoro know what they want to be, but Taiyo has never explicitly said that he wants to become the strongest swordsman," Koushirou said to Kouzaburou.

"Isn't Zoro the son of Arashi? Perhaps he is the one who is the real incarnation of the Sword God," Kouzaburou suddenly said, making Koushirou think.