Soft. Quiet. Peaceful.

Sunlight filtered gently down through leaves, casting delicate patterns over Zoro's closed eyes. Slowly, he became aware of warmth and quiet stillness, as though the world itself held its breath. He stirred, slowly opening his left eye. His vision cleared—sharp, vivid—but the right remained closed, sealed by a smooth, painless scar.

Before him stood a familiar figure, shimmering gently, her presence calm and radiant.

"Kuina…" he whispered, voice raw with grief and regret as he sat up. "I'm sorry—I wasn't strong enough…"

She smiled softly, kneeling and wrapping her arms around him gently, embracing him like she used to long ago. "You've always been stronger than me, Zoro. Always. Stay strong…she needs you still."

"Kuina…" His voice broke, but before he could speak again, she rose gracefully, dissolving into the golden glow of the sun, her spirit free at last.

Blinking against the brilliance, Zoro drew in a sharp breath, fully awakened now. He looked at the world around him—no demons, no ruins, just lush grass, fresh air, and a majestic, towering tree whose branches stretched endlessly into the sky.

His heart stirred. "Adam…?" he murmured.

A gentle voice spoke beside him, unfamiliar yet comforting. "No. It's the Sunlight Tree Eve. Or I suppose, now we should call it the Sunlight Tree Nami."

Zoro turned sharply, instantly alert, and found himself facing a woman with soft, lavender-blue hair and deep, familiar eyes. Her expression was gentle yet tinged with sadness, and tears glistened on her cheeks.

"Who…are you?" Zoro asked cautiously, sensing kindness rather than danger.

She smiled softly through her tears. "I'm Nojiko. Nami's older sister."

Understanding flashed in Zoro's gaze, and his heart tightened painfully. "Her sister…" His voice softened, filling with quiet respect. "I'm—"

"Zoro," Nojiko finished warmly, stepping closer. "I know who you are. Nami told me so much about you. She would've loved seeing us meet." Her voice trembled gently as she turned her gaze upward, lovingly admiring the great tree stretching toward the heavens.

She placed one hand over her heart and another on the massive tree as another tear came down her face.

"She wants you to know how much she loves you."

Zoro followed her gaze, a pang of grief tightening his chest. "Nojiko, you said she spoke to you...where...where is she?"

Nojiko sighed softly, tears coming faster as she knelt and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "She chose this, Zoro. Nami decided to become…the good that this world was missing."

His brows furrowed in confusion as he tried to stand. "What are you talking about?"

His hand grazed his chest, smooth, healed - a mark visible from where Doflamingo had struck him. The memories were coming back: her tears, her kiss, her promise.

Nojiko took a deep breath, absorbing the calming breeze rustling gently through the greenery.

"I am...an apothecary. I can sense the spirits, the souls, the energy of what comes from the earth."

Zoro was not getting clarity, and suddenly, Nojiko placed a palm over his good eye. Then he saw it as he turned to the tree—the energy of her...of Nami.

Anger flashed hotly within him, desperation rising sharply. "No, that's not fair—"

She took her palm back and squeezed his shoulder gently, calming him. "Then guard her while you can," she encouraged softly, voice steady despite her sorrow. "Maybe in the next life, you'll meet again."

Pain tightened his chest, grief threatening to overwhelm him. But just then, a breeze rustled gently through the tree, carrying a familiar voice—soft, teasing, achingly close.

"Why are you crying?"

Zoro closed his eyes instinctively, and suddenly, there she was, smiling gently. When he opened them again, she vanished. He reached up slowly, touching the sealed scar over his right eye, suddenly understanding that it was tied to her—an unbreakable bond.

"I'm not…" he whispered, a gentle smile breaking through his sorrow. He rose slowly, gathering his swords, and sat quietly beneath the great tree, feeling her arms wrap gently around him in the rustling leaves.

Nojiko nodded, wiped her tears, and stepped away. "I'll give you two a moment."

Zoro nodded as he leaned against the trunk just as footsteps approached lightly, accompanied by a familiar laugh. Luffy stood quietly beside him, gazing upward with a fond smile.

"Well, it seems you have a duty in this life…" Luffy chuckled warmly.

Zoro's voice tightened with sadness, turning to his friend apologetically. "Luffy…I'm sorry—I know I'm your right hand, but…"

Luffy laughed gently, floating effortlessly upward, admiring the sprawling branches. "Zoro, don't be mad, but this had to happen for our journey to continue. You needed her just as much as she needed you."

Zoro frowned slightly, crossing his arms. "You knew?"

Luffy grinned brightly, spinning upside down. "I still have my friends...like you! And…as long as I live, there are infinite chances for our adventures! Because I wanna live in a world where all my friends can eat!"

He gazed warmly at the great tree—Nami—once again. "And now the world can eat…thanks to Nami. Though I did not know the outcome...I knew she was important. Anyone who tries to make everyone happy is admirable."

He saw Zoro's lingering sadness, floating down softly and pressing his forehead affectionately against his best friend's. "If you don't take risks, you can't create a future. Now, Nami's sacrifice would be in vain if you keep crying." He looked upward, eyes brightening, and his voice playful yet firm. "So, don't you dare make my navigator cry!"

"Your navigator?" Zoro's voice held a faint tinge of jealousy, playful beneath his sadness.

"Oi oi, Zoro, you know this already…" Luffy pouted dramatically. "I'm pretty sure I can't live without being helped...by you all!"

Zoro hesitated quietly, searching for guidance—from his friend and Nami. "So…what now?"

"Say you want to live!" Luffy shouted enthusiastically, fists raised high. His eyes filled with tears, yet his smile remained fierce and unwavering. "Don't have any regrets, no matter what happened…"

Zoro snorted softly, shaking his head. "Sounding like a true king…"

Luffy picked his nose casually, floating lazily. "I don't want to rule anything…" His expression softened, reaching down to ruffle Zoro's hair affectionately. "I just…if it's a boring adventure, I don't want to do it. And I think...you will look forward to the next adventure."

"Now you sound like a true idiot," Zoro scoffed fondly.

Luffy smirked gently, eyes warm with wisdom beyond his youthful grin. "Being alone is more painful than getting hurt." He reached out and tugged gently at the air, revealing the scarlet thread that stretched from Zoro's finger, looping endlessly around the great tree—Nami. "You're not alone anymore, Zoro. Whenever you—" he turned and shouted upward playfully, "either of you are in trouble...call me!"

Zoro exhaled softly, a quiet smile spreading as he leaned back, closing his eye. The gentle breeze returned, carrying the sweet scent of mikan blossoms—of Nami herself.

"Thank you…my King," he whispered sincerely.

Luffy bowed his head with a gentle smile, bounding up toward the vast sky above. "Always, my friends."

Silence settled again beneath the great tree, where Zoro sat vigilantly, guarding Nami's spirit with unwavering devotion. His soul was finally at peace.