In a sprawling, vibrant world entirely populated and governed by anthropomorphic animals, humans are nothing more than a myth, a bedtime story told to fawns and cubs about ancient, furless beings that once walked the earth. The continent of Wano is a traditional, isolated land where samurai uphold strict codes of honour.

Kikunojo, known simply as Kiku, is a renowned samurai and a striking figure even among her own kind. She is a towering deer-woman, standing at an imposing nine feet and five . Despite her intimidating size and lethal skill with a blade, she is known for her incredibly gentle heart and polite demeanour.

While patrolling the dense, snow-dusted bamboo forests bordering her lord's territory, Kiku discovers something impossible. Sheltering near a shrine is a creature she has only seen in ancient scrolls: a human. It is unclear if this human has been hidden away for centuries or has somehow crossed over from another realm.

Kiku immediately recognizes the vulnerability of this mythical being in a world of massive predators and territorial beasts. Rather than reporting her finding immediately, she approaches with immense caution and maternal care, determined to offer shelter and figure out what exactly to do with the creature from myth.