The awakening of a Devil Fruit could elevate its power to terrifying new heights.
For Zoan-types, awakening granted monstrous improvements to physical attributes. Recovery, attack, and defense all underwent a qualitative transformation.
On the way back to Isshin Dojo, Don replayed fragments of memory in his mind.
Most details about this world had already blurred with time, but certain crucial facts still remained vivid—such as the truth of Devil Fruit awakening. Up to the point his memory reached, only a handful of people had ever achieved it, the majority being Zoan users.
It seemed Zoans had a greater chance of awakening compared to Paramecia and Logia types.
Still, there were Paramecia awakenings: Doflamingo's String-String Fruit, Katakuri's Mochi-Mochi Fruit.
And Zoans? There were plenty more. Beyond the likes of the Five Elders and King Luffy, even within Impel Down there were five jailers whose Zoan Fruits had awakened.
They had simply failed in the process.
If he followed the prompts on his [System Panel] to push the Mera-Mera no Mi's abilities, there might actually be a chance to trigger awakening.
And if he succeeded, perhaps he could even replicate the methods of that old man Yamamoto—the fire-wielding captain from another world—whose flames could scorch at tens of millions of degrees.
After all, being strong was temporary. Looking cool was forever.
Smiling with newfound determination, Don returned to Isshin Dojo.
Before the eyes of other students, Kuina and Zoro were engaged in their two-thousandth duel.
Compared to their earliest matches where Kuina had completely overwhelmed him, she was now finding it much harder to maintain her edge.
Through relentless training, Zoro had steadily narrowed the gap between them in swordsmanship.
Just as Koushirou had once said, Kuina could no longer defeat him cleanly with ease.
Don stood watching for quite a while until Zoro finally revealed a flaw. Kuina seized the moment, striking his bamboo sword out of his hands.
"Damn it, just a little more!"
Zoro grit his teeth in frustration.
The other students sighed in unison, disappointment written across their faces.
"Lost again!"
"What a shame!"
Most of them had already tasted defeat at Kuina's hands. Unlike Zoro, however, they hadn't had the iron will to keep challenging her after losing.
Don followed Kuina with his gaze as she lifted her chin and walked away, not looking back until her figure disappeared.
He wondered whether his arrival in this world would change her fate, sparing her from the kind of deadly accident that should have awaited her.
Still, with his Observation Haki always active, he would be able to sense it immediately if such a moment came.
In truth, Don was genuinely curious: if Kuina lived, would the seas gain another female swordmaster?
As things stood, the only notable female swordswoman he could think of was Gion, "Momousagi," a future candidate for admiral.
But what he hadn't expected was for fate to arrive so soon.
"Challenge number 2001!"
Zoro stood solemnly, three real swords in hand, fixing his eyes on Kuina.
That day's battle had shown him the possibility of victory, and he wasn't willing to wait any longer.
First defeat Kuina, then challenge Don.
Kuina, carrying Wado Ichimonji, readily accepted.
Steel clashed through the forest.
Don extended his Observation Haki over the Dojo grounds, sensing even as far as Shimotsuki Village. He watched their every exchange with perfect clarity.
The outcome didn't change.
Even with real swords, Zoro still lost.
Yet this time, he didn't explode with temper. And Kuina, her inner doubts dispelled thanks to Don, once again rekindled her burning desire to pursue the summit of swordsmanship.
Both declared their dreams anew—to one day stand as the world's greatest swordsman.
"What a fine age to be," Don murmured.
Even with his matured mind, tempered by another lifetime, he couldn't help but feel his own blood stir at the sight of those two brats fighting for their dreams.
Though this body was only fourteen years old, the heat of youthful passion was something he thought long extinguished.
"Should I set myself a goal too…?"
He whispered, then quickly shook his head.
"No, let's leave it to Zoro and Kuina. I'll just keep getting stronger at my own pace. Why bother forcing a goal on myself? That's just unnecessary pressure."
After all, once in a lifetime, it was best to live freely, following one's heart.
With that thought, Don nodded to himself.
Unaware of being observed, Kuina and Zoro eventually drifted apart.
The next day, after spending the night training with Wado Ichimonji, Kuina went upstairs to fetch a whetstone.
Her foot slipped on the staircase.
Wado Ichimonji slid free of her grip, spinning through the air.
The keen blade angled downward—straight toward her exposed throat.
Boom!
A sudden burst of flame erupted, engulfing the air. The downward slash of Wado Ichimonji was blasted aside, the sword tumbling end over end before its blade drove deep into the wooden floorboards.
Kuina lay flat on her back, dazed, staring at the quickly fading sparks above her. Slowly, her gaze shifted to the half-buried sword.
Shhh!
A figure appeared, exhaling in relief at the sight.
Flames.
Don had acted just in time.
Kuina sat up slowly, stunned, then turned her head as Koushirou appeared.
"Father!"
Koushirou nodded, his eyes narrowing as he turned to the embedded Wado Ichimonji.
That blade was no cursed katana.
Yet Don's Observation Haki had clearly sensed Kuina's death looming under its edge.
Legends in Wano often spoke of swords that devoured their wielders. As descendants of swordsmiths, Koushirou's family had always believed them.
Seeing Kuina about to retrieve the sword, Koushirou's sharp voice cut through the air.
"Wait, Kuina!"
He stepped forward, pulling the blade free. Its white sheen glimmered coldly as his expression grew complex.
"This sword has become an ill omen for you. A blade that devours its master."
Though fate had been averted this time, in Koushirou's eyes, the verdict was sealed. If Kuina kept wielding Wado Ichimonji, it might still one day claim her life.
Footsteps approached. Don, carrying his flame-forged sword En, strode forward.
"No need to thank me. You both know my Observation Haki is always active."
He smiled at their gaze, before letting his eyes fall upon Wado Ichimonji.
"This sword was left for Kuina by my father. But now… it seems it may not suit her. So, would you like to test it yourself?"
Koushirou regarded Don with solemn gratitude. Don had saved his daughter's life—there was no measure of thanks great enough.
But Don only raised his hand, showing the long, blazing blade he already wielded.
"Forget it. If I accepted, En here would sulk."
"Perhaps it was just coincidence…" Kuina whispered, hesitant at the thought of giving up her treasured sword.
Her father's voice cut firmly through her doubt.
"Until you awaken Armament Haki, you'll use nothing but a bamboo sword."
Hearing that, Kuina's heart sank. But the matter was settled.