"Come on—let's make a pact! Together, we'll charge toward the title of the world's greatest swordsman!"
Zoro was practically trembling with excitement, so fired up it looked like he might faint from sheer passion.
…But no one shared his enthusiasm.
A cold breeze swept through, rustling the trees in the grove. Even Zoro began to feel a little embarrassed.
"I never said I wanted to be the world's greatest swordsman."
Don stroked his chin, lost in thought.
"What? You're learning swordsmanship, aren't you? Don't you want to be the strongest?"
Zoro's eyes widened as he clenched his fists, unable to believe what he had just heard.
Even Kuina looked curious.
"I'm not the same as you two. You both have clear ideals, but I don't. Maybe by the time you two become the world's greatest swordsmen, I'll still just be some nobody.
And when that happens, if someone bullies me, I'll just say my junior brother or junior sister is the world's number one swordsman. That way, I can eat and drink for free without ever paying."
Don's grin stretched wide as he spoke.
Zoro and Kuina, however, both gave him looks of pure disdain.
"That's pathetic!"
Zoro said, half furious, half disappointed, as if watching a good blade rust away. Then he suddenly frowned.
"Wait a second. I'm the senior here!"
It finally hit him.
"Your swordsmanship was taught by me. That means you should be calling me 'senpai.'"
Kuina crossed her arms and nodded in agreement.
"Look at the two of you. Both aiming to be the greatest in the world, and yet you're squabbling over titles. What's the big deal? I'm older than you, so calling you my juniors is perfectly reasonable, isn't it?"
Don sighed in mock exasperation.
"Reasonable?" Zoro scratched at his messy green hair, glancing at Kuina.
"Uh…" Kuina scratched her cheek awkwardly, offering no clear answer.
"And besides, since we're so close, it's only natural for me to use your reputations to get free meals in the future, right?"
Don added cheerfully.
Zoro and Kuina exchanged blank stares. They both felt something was terribly off with his reasoning, but neither could find the words to refute him.
"Fufufufu! You've got a sharp tongue, brat. The two of them are already lost in your nonsense."
A sudden voice cut in. Don whipped his head around.
From behind a tree near the dojo peeked a figure—his head so absurdly large it looked bigger than the rest of his body.
"A m-monster!"
Zoro's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"Don't spout nonsense!"
Don smacked the panicking boy flat to the ground with one palm.
"This man belongs to a special race of the sea—the Big-Head Clan."
He declared with a perfectly serious face.
Zoro looked shocked, while Kuina's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"So this is one of the strange races of the sea… it really is mysterious."
She sighed in wonder, her imagination running wild.
Meanwhile, Emporio Ivankov, who had been eavesdropping, was left speechless.
Dragon was still inside discussing matters with Koushirou, so Ivankov had wandered off on his own. Hearing voices, he'd crept over and found three kids talking big about becoming the strongest on the seas.
Their spirit was impressive, sure—but then he'd heard the older one spouting utter nonsense, stringing the younger two along.
And now… he was being called part of some made-up "race."
"Fufufu! Brat, I'm not from any 'Big-Head Clan.' I'm human."
Ivankov stepped out from behind the tree, drawing curious stares from Zoro and Kuina.
"How do you know you're not?"
Don asked flatly, his eyes steady.
"What if your ancestors were? What if your people dwindled away over the ages, and you're the last one left?"
Zoro and Kuina both nodded along instantly. To them, it made perfect sense.
"My parents were both human."
Ivankov blurted, almost on reflex.
"That doesn't rule it out. I told you—the Big-Head Clan nearly died out over countless years. Maybe they married into humans, and the bloodline was hidden until it resurfaced in you."
Don's tone was grave, as if lecturing them on absolute truth.
"I see! That makes sense!"
Zoro exclaimed, enlightened.
"Don't believe him! He's clearly just making this up."
Ivankov snapped, utterly exasperated.
This brat was so good at talking circles that even he was starting to doubt himself.
"If you say I'm lying, then prove it."
Don leaned back casually, lips quirking into a smirk.
Zoro and Kuina turned to Ivankov expectantly, as though waiting for him to present evidence.
"I… I don't have proof."
Ivankov hesitated, then shook his head.
And really, how could you prove something like this?
"See? No proof means there's still a chance you really are from the Big-Head Clan, right?"
Don spread his hands.
Ivankov froze for a moment… then reluctantly nodded.
"Wait. Isn't this whole race just something you made up? I know a lot about history, and I've never heard of them."
Another voice cut in, sharp and commanding like steel striking steel.
A tall man in a hooded cloak stepped forward. Above his head glowed three blood-red question marks.
Dragon.
He studied Don closely.
Just moments ago, he had finished discussing supplies with Koushirou, who had mentioned a boy who had only just arrived at the Isshin dojo—yet already displayed extraordinary talent.
Naturally, Dragon's curiosity had brought him here. His Observation Haki had picked up everything, from Don's trickery to Ivankov's shaken confidence.
"Never hearing of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist."
Don's gaze swept over Dragon, lingering briefly on the dusty footprint still visible on his cloak.
"…Fair point."
Dragon nodded slightly.
"Chief!"
Ivankov looked embarrassed. He knew Don was full of it, but couldn't figure out how to counter him.
"Have you ever thought of going out to sea?"
Dragon waved Ivankov aside and turned his sharp eyes on Don.
"Out to sea? No way."
Don immediately shook his head.
Whether it was Dragon's invitation or simply the idea of leaving now, he had no intention of doing it.
"So your dream is to just wait until they become strong, then freeload off their reputations for free food?"
Dragon chuckled.
Of course he didn't believe it. After all, Koushirou had supplied more provisions than anyone for the Revolutionaries' cause this time—and the reason was the money this boy Don had provided.
"Why not? Zoro, you wouldn't mind, right?"
Don tilted his head toward him.
Zoro scratched his hair awkwardly.
Honestly, it didn't sound right. But then again, if he really did become the world's greatest swordsman, what harm was there in letting his junior take advantage once in a while?
"…S-sure!"
He nodded.
Dragon's eyes flicked toward the green-haired boy. It was clear—this one had already been completely fooled.
"I heard from Koushirou that you've been learning to guide Armament Haki?"