One Piece: Infinite Treasure Chest System.

Zoro wasted no time stating his purpose—he wanted to become stronger.

He had to defeat Kuina.

That was his driving force, the reason he trained relentlessly.

Right now, aside from Kuina, Koushirou, and the recent arrivals—Ben and Pomux—no one else in the dojo could challenge him anymore.

That was why he had set his sights on Ben.

A Duel with Zoro

Ben had always known Zoro was a battle junkie, but seeing this attitude at such a young age? It was impressive.

"Alright," Ben said, gripping his wooden sword. "But what happens if you lose?"

"Whatever you want!" Zoro declared with unwavering determination.

Ben smirked. "That's a bold offer—considering you don't own anything."

He tapped his chin.

"Alright, then. If I win, you become my little brother from now on."

Of course, he wasn't trying to recruit the future right-hand man of the Pirate King.

He just wanted to mess with him a little.

"Fine!" Zoro agreed instantly, drawing his two wooden swords.

Seeing him ready, Ben adjusted his stance.

Zoro attacked first.

The moment their swords clashed, Ben's expression grew serious.

The greatest respect you could give a swordsman was facing them at your best.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Their movements were fast—but neither of them had formal training.

Their techniques were self-taught, refined only through personal experience.

"AHHH!"

With a loud cry, Zoro raised both swords and slashed down toward Ben.

BAM!

Ben spotted the opening instantly—

He crouched slightly and executed a simple upward strike, knocking both of Zoro's swords into the air.

Zoro blinked, his hands now empty.

He lost.

Ben grinned.

"You lost. Which means… you're my little brother now."

Zoro clenched his fists, his pride clearly stung.

"As your big brother, I should give you a present," Ben continued. "But I don't have anything useful for you right now… so here—take this."

He pulled out a bottle of Guojiao 1573, an expensive liquor from Earth, and handed it to Zoro.

Zoro stared at the bottle.

"...Is this alcohol?"

Training Continues

Over time, Ben settled into life at the dojo.

His daily routine became:

Mornings & Afternoons – Training to cut stone.Nights – Treasure hunting for loot chests.

At this point, he had looted every treasure chest on the island—except for Kuina's.

Which was a problem.

Because Kuina was still a girl.

With Koushirou constantly watching over her, Ben couldn't just sneak into her room.

"If I get caught… I'm dead."

"Ben, what are you thinking about?"

A soft, youthful voice pulled him from his thoughts.

Turning, he saw Kuina watching him curiously.

"Ah, nothing. Let's keep practicing," Ben said. Then, as an afterthought—

"By the way… do you know how to cut stone with a wooden sword?"

It had been a month, and he had made zero progress.

Kuina hesitated for a moment.

"...I don't know either," she admitted.

"My father never supported my dream of becoming a swordsman. He always said it was 'a man's role' and that I didn't need to train.

"But I love the sword. I've been working so hard, trying to prove to him that I can become strong, that even if I'm not a man… I can still be the world's greatest swordsman."

Her grip tightened on the Wado Ichimonji, her expression filled with determination.

Ben sighed internally.

It was painful to hear this.

This strong-willed girl, who should have become one of the world's greatest swordsmen…

Yet in the original story, she died by falling down the stairs.

Many fans still refused to believe that was the truth.

But until Oda confirmed otherwise, the world still thought Kuina was dead.

"...I believe in you, Kuina," Ben said, lifting his wooden sword.

"You will become a great swordsman."

Kuina wiped away her tears and smiled.

She drew her sword, raising it toward him in response.

Their wooden swords touched.

"WOONG!"

At that moment, Ben suddenly felt something.

It wasn't from Kuina.

It was from her sword—Wado Ichimonji.

It felt… like it was thanking him.

Was it because he had encouraged Kuina?

Or was it because he had acknowledged her dream?

No… this isn't just that.

His eyes widened.

Koushirou once said:

"When you understand what cannot be cut… that is the moment you will be able to cut iron."

Could it be…?

Was I relying too much on my own strength?

Was I forgetting… to trust the sword itself?

The Moment of Truth

"Ben, are you okay?" Kuina asked, noticing his sudden change in expression.

Ben shook himself from his thoughts.

"I think… I just realized something," he said.

"I need to test it. Want to watch?"

Kuina smiled and nodded.

Together, they walked toward a large stone.

"Partner… I'm counting on you."

Ben gently ran his fingers along the wooden sword's surface before slowly raising it.

At that moment, he felt something—a strange energy within the blade.

It wasn't Haki.

But it carried the same presence as Haki.

"Is this… Isshin-ryu? Cut!"

His sword fell.

No sound.

And yet, the stone in front of him…

Split cleanly in two.

Kuina gasped, covering her mouth with both hands.

A Sword's Journey Ends

As Ben moved to slide his wooden sword into his belt, the blade crumbled into dust.

It had completed its purpose.

"This is where you rest, my friend."

Instead of discarding the broken hilt, Ben stored it away in his inventory.

It was proof of his growth, a milestone he wasn't willing to throw away.

"Ben, can I… learn that too?" Kuina asked, her eyes filled with longing.

"Of cou—"

"No."

Koushirou's voice cut through the air like a blade.

Neither of them had noticed when he had arrived.

His usual gentle demeanor was gone—his face was cold, unreadable.

"Father!"

"Sensei!"

"Ben, leave us. I need to speak with Kuina."

For the first time, Ben saw Koushirou like this.

He opened his mouth but couldn't find the right words.

In the end, he nodded and left.

A Sleepless Night

Back in his room, Ben tossed and turned.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't sleep.

The image of Kuina's desperate, helpless gaze as he left wouldn't leave his mind.

No. I have to find her.

Making up his mind, Ben got up and headed back to the training grounds.

But when he arrived—

Both Kuina and Koushirou were gone.

Damn…

Thinking quickly, he changed course and headed for Kuina's room.

A Mysterious Treasure Chest

Outside Kuina's room, Ben stopped.

Something was wrong.

Where there had once been a Bronze Chest, there was now—

A Pink Chest.

Wait… what?

This was the first time he had ever seen this color.

Pushing the door open, he stepped inside.

A clean, neatly arranged room greeted him, carrying a faint, feminine fragrance.

So this is Kuina's room, huh?

At that moment—

[Perk Chest detected. Unlocking new system function. Confirm activation? Yes/No?]

"...Perk Chest? What the hell is that?"

[Perk Chest Explanation:

Unlocking a Perk Chest increases Charm by +50.Each Perk Chest grants a special item to enhance affection with a specific person.]

Ben stared at the system prompt.

"...What does any of this even mean?"

So it… increases Charm? And boosts affection?

What was this, some dating sim mechanic?

"...Is this supposed to help me pick up girls?"

Even as he muttered to himself, he still selected—

"Open Perk Chest."

[Unlock Condition: Kiss Kuina and say, "I need you. Come to sea with me." Three times.]

"...Huh?"

Unlike his usual chests, this one came with a special condition before it would open.

Ben blinked.

Then he blinked again.

Then… he grinned.

Damn… what kind of perverted, yet amazing, system is this?

He had always wondered what Kuina would look like grown-up.

No need to guess. Just copy and paste Tashigi's face.

Interrupted Thoughts

"Ben, what are you doing here?"

A calm yet imposing voice spoke from behind him.

Shit.

Turning around, he saw Koushirou standing at the doorway.

"Ahaha… sensei. Kuina… you're back."

His eyes flickered toward her—and the moment he saw her face, he felt guilty.

"Mm." Koushirou simply nodded. "Go rest."

"Sensei," Ben hesitated, then made his decision. "I want to talk to Kuina for a bit."

Koushirou's expression didn't change.

Then, after a pause—

"...Very well. You two are young. Talking is fine."

With that, he left.

The moment he was gone, Kuina's red-rimmed eyes filled with fresh tears.

"Ben… do you think I'm useless?" she whispered.

She slid down against the wall, her voice hollow.

"I tried so hard. I trained every day, trying to prove myself. But… I knew this day would come. I knew my father would one day forbid me from training.

"But why? Just because I'm a girl, I can't be a swordsman?"

Her hands clenched into fists as she glanced down at her growing figure.

Her voice was filled with bitterness.

Ben's expression darkened.

He had always hated this part of the story.

Even after all these years, Oda had never confirmed if Kuina truly died.

Many fans believed she was still alive somewhere.

But for now—

For now, she was still just a girl robbed of her dream.

He didn't let her continue.

Before she could say another word—

Ben leaned in and hugged her.

Quest Completion

Kuina froze.

Ben held her close, "Come to the sea with me."

[1/3 Conditions Fulfilled.]

Ben grinned internally.

This system… wasn't bad at all.