The moment Don's words fell, the room sank into silence.
Kuina turned her head toward Koushirou, then lowered it slightly, as though deep in thought.
Zoro, however, kept his eyes locked straight on Don before suddenly standing up.
"Don, wait for me out on the seas. Next time we meet, I'll definitely defeat you."
"Good, that's the spirit!"
Don grinned at the declaration, showing his white teeth as he gave Zoro a big thumbs-up.
"Heh…!"
Hearing Don's praise, Zoro scratched his head in embarrassment.
Kuina and Koushirou both shook their heads at the sight.
This boy… is his brain a little loose?
"You plan to leave by merchant ship?"
Koushirou rose from his seat, his gaze shifting away from Zoro. A faint breath of relief slipped out of him.
Today's spar had revealed to him the hidden depths of Don's strength. Thinking back on all their recent bouts, Koushirou finally felt he could rest easy.
"I don't know a thing about navigation or sea charts, so I'll need to borrow a merchant ship's course for now."
Don nodded matter-of-factly.
Ever since he had come to Shimotsuki Village, he had spent nearly every day buried in training. Otherwise, Zoro and Kuina wouldn't have grown so strong so quickly.
He hadn't had the time—or the interest—to study navigation.
"That won't do. Whether in the Four Seas or on the Grand Line, anyone who sails these waters must understand navigation."
Koushirou reminded him sternly.
With Don's strength, he was unlikely to face much danger. And aside from a few special zones, most seas were filled with fish—Don would never starve. But without a navigator, he could easily drift lost across the endless ocean.
"You're right. What I need is a navigator."
Don nodded after a moment of thought.
But Nami… she should still be younger than Zoro at this point, shouldn't she?
If that were the case, then right now she'd only just begun to dream of charting the seas.
"I'll keep it in mind. For now, there are plenty of merchant ships out there. I'll make use of them until the right navigator comes along."
"That's for the best. Until you find a skilled navigator, I strongly advise against entering the Grand Line. You should understand why."
Koushirou hesitated, then added: "The Grand Line and the New World have far more violent weather than the Four Seas. No matter how strong you are, the sea can still put you in danger."
"I won't let my guard down."
Don nodded firmly.
His mind flickered back to that great battle between Golden Lion Shiki and Roger.
Both men, and their crews, stood at the pinnacle of power on the seas. Yet Shiki's massive fleet had been completely annihilated by a single New World storm.
"As long as you understand. Go prepare—merchant ships usually arrive in the afternoon or at dusk and set out the next morning. I'll speak to the captain for you."
With that, Koushirou turned and left.
Don glanced once more at Kuina and Zoro before heading out as well.
"…He left without even cleaning up!"
When Don was gone, the two were left staring at the pile of bones and dishes after dinner. Both were dumbfounded.
Still, though they grumbled, their hands moved quickly to tidy up.
It was then that Zoro noticed Kuina's distraction.
"Kuina, are you thinking about Don?"
She froze for a moment.
"Don't worry. Once we're able to set sail, we'll definitely meet him again out on the seas."
Zoro puffed out his chest, full of confidence.
"I was just wondering… if I set out to sea, what kind of things would I encounter?"
Kuina shook her head.
"Obviously, it'd be countless swordsmen who roam the seas. You'd cross blades with them all, and in the end—you'd become the world's greatest swordsman!"
Zoro threw his fist in the air as he shouted… only for the sound of shattering dishes to follow.
"You idiot, Zoro! Be careful!"
Kuina—though her temperament had changed quite a bit recently—still couldn't hold back her yell.
From his room, Don, sensing their little quarrel with Observation Haki, chuckled and shook his head.
Lying back on his bed with his arms behind his head, his eyes shone with expectation.
Up until now, he had suppressed the urge to set out, believing his strength still wasn't secure enough to face the dangers of the sea.
But men always yearn for the unknown adventure.
Don considered himself steady by nature, yet even he now found himself eager to see what awaited him.
And, of course, he longed to meet the legendary figures of this tale.
He would do only what he wanted to do.
Nine years of compulsory education and the worldview he'd grown up with ensured he'd never become a villain.
As for the Revolutionaries, the World Government, Marines, and Pirates—their endless conflicts were none of his concern.
He was just an outsider. A bystander.
What was that saying again? Something about respecting everyone's destiny.
Yes… something like that.
Don's thoughts grew muddled, his Observation Haki wavering slightly.
"Perhaps after the East Blue, I should visit the other three seas as well."
He whispered to himself.
…
The night passed swiftly.
By morning, Don stood at the docks of Shimotsuki Village, waved a casual goodbye, and boarded the merchant ship.
The crew was still loading cargo, though it looked nearly finished.
Before long, the vessel raised anchor and drifted away from the port.
"Where's Kuina?"
Watching the ship sail off, Zoro suddenly noticed Kuina was missing.
Koushirou didn't answer. His gaze lingered on the departing ship, his expression unreadable.
"Ahhhhhhh~!"
A long, drawn-out cry suddenly rang from the ship.
A petite figure came flying off the deck, hurled into the air.
"Don, you bastard!"
Kuina's furious voice followed her as she tumbled down. Don had clearly used a controlled force—she rolled across the dock before springing back to her feet, fists clenched, glaring at the shrinking ship with frustration written all over her face.
Zoro stood frozen, his jaw hanging open. He pointed at Kuina, then at the ship, then back at Kuina, repeating the motion several times without finding any words.
Koushirou adjusted his glasses.
"Kuina, it's not your time to set sail yet. Wait until you've become a true swordswoman."
Don's voice carried faintly across the waves.
Kuina scowled even harder.
"Let's go back. If Don won't take you, then grow stronger instead."
Koushirou had originally intended to stop her, but with Don's strength, he thought she'd be safe enough. After her near-fatal accident before, he'd learned to take things more lightly.
Still, he hadn't expected Don to discover her and toss her right back.
Kuina followed behind him, head hung low.
"You wanted to sneak out to sea with Don?"
Zoro finally found his voice, eyes wide with shock.
He hadn't thought… they'd promised to grow strong together, to see who'd claim the title of the world's greatest swordsman—yet here she was, trying to run ahead?
Too sly!
Whether it was his tone or Don's rejection fueling her temper, Kuina snapped back. And soon enough, the two were back at their sparring, just like old times.
…
On the merchant ship, Don leaned against the rail, Flame nestled in his arms, gazing toward Shimotsuki Village.
"Mr. Don, I'm the captain—Old Piko. You can just call me Captain Piko. The safety of this voyage will be in your hands."
A ruddy-nosed old sailor, weathered by years at sea, grinned broadly.
"…Hm?"
Don blinked, turning to face him.
"Master Koushirou said your swordsmanship is extraordinary. Rest assured, once we return safely, you'll be well compensated."
Seeing Don's look, the old man quickly explained.
Realization dawned, and Don sighed, glancing once more toward the village.
That Koushirou…
He'd thought the man had paid his passage. But no—he'd gotten him a job.
Then again, considering Koushirou's hidden ties and the possibility of quietly supplying the Revolutionaries, Don wasn't surprised.
"Leave it to me. If trouble comes, just call."
He didn't refuse. It wasn't much trouble, after all.
"Excellent! I've arranged a private cabin for you. Rest there as you please—I'll have food sent straight to your room."
Captain Piko beamed with relief.