''Baratie Arc'' episode 19

Episode 19 is a back returning episode revealing Zoro's past. In the East Blue, Shimotsuki Village Zoro was a boy running around calling himself a dojo breaker. He stood up and challenged the female swordsman Kuina to a match betting the dojo's sign and lost. As a result to his loss Zoro had to become a member of the dojo he attanded to break. Keeping up hard and harsh training Zoro thought of nothing but to defeat Kuina, however as if all his efforts were in vain he kept losing to her and with a single strike each time. Increasing the number of swords he uses, from one to two from two to three. Increasing the amount of time of practice and doubling his efforts. Defeating all the adults, and gaining more and more strength. Unfortunately it was all futile in front of Kuina's single strike. Her saying was always: '' you're as weak as ever Zoro''. It became his obsession, his goal beating Kuina.
At late night walking the corrider, Kuina heard her father and one of the dojo's man talking about the noticeable progress of Zoro and a the sad truth of not letting Kuina inferit the dojo because she's a girl. Then Zoro came on to Kuina challenging her on their 2001th match with a real sword. Under the prevision of the owl the fought and Zoro lost for the 2001th time. Crying out of frustration, Kuina stated that she's the one who actually wants to cry, for she is a girl. Girls when they grow into adults they become weaker than boys. She told Zoro all about how much she envies him for being born a boy. Even her father broke her heart and her spirit by telling her can never fullfil her dream of becoming the world's stongest swordsman because she is a girl. However Zoro told her that she should not whine about all that even though she won against him. Stating that she's his goal, they promised that one day they will compete over that title.
At one evening, while Zoro was doing his stamina training three of his friends came to tell him the most shocking tragic news. ''KUINA IS DEAD''. She lost her footing on the stairs in the storage room while she went to find her katana's wheststone. Later Zoro met up with his teacher, while talking about Kuina Zoro demanded her sword from her father to get stronger on her behalf and rise above with both their dreams. With the words '' Kuina's soul and dream are now entrusted to you'' Zoro got past his years of training, gaining immense power he then set off on his journey to fulfill his promise.