Zoro and Kuina were childhood friends and rivals, and second cousins. The two started off on hostile terms due to their competitive nature with one another, however, they grew to have great respect for each other. They saw one another as rivals and contenders for the title, "World's Greatest Swordsman", and promised each other that they would work to achieve this dream.They first met when a young Zoro wandered into a dojo owned by Kuina's father. Zoro, who made a frequent habit of defeating a dojo's best swordsman and taking their banner, requested to face the best swordsman they had to offer. Kuina stepped up and effortlessly defeated Zoro. As a result, Zoro chose to join the dojo and train until he could defeat Kuina. Despite his great improvements, and his determination in his training, Zoro still lost to Kuina, frustrating him. Eventually, Zoro called her out in the middle of the night to face him once again, this time with real swords, and once more, he was defeated. Kuina then confided in Zoro the reality of being a female swordsman and how he would inevitably surpass her. Angered, Zoro made Kuina promise him that they would both work hard to become the best swordsman they could and reach the number one spot. The next day, however, Kuina died after falling down a set of stairs.
