Why on earth does learning the sword at this dojo cost so much money?
I wouldn't be worth that much even if I sold myself!
These were Zoro's thoughts as he walked, dazed, behind Kuina, who was carrying the heavy money bag. They eventually reached Koshiro.
Even Koshiro was visibly taken aback when Kuina placed the bag of Berries before him.
"I... I don't have any money!"
Zoro watched Koshiro count the cash, his expression struggling between pride and reality before he finally spoke up dejectedly. His words drew surprised looks from both Kuina and her father.
"You are different from him. You don't need to pay," Koshiro said, shaking his head. He had instantly read Zoro's mind.
In truth, when Koshiro had set the tuition fee, he was making a statement, and that young man named Dunn had understood it perfectly. The arrangement was purely professional—a transaction. Dunn paid for the teaching, and Koshiro provided it. There would be no deeper bonds or complications.
Koshiro found the boy's temperament contradictory; he couldn't see through him at all. As for the boy's ultimate goal, he remained in the dark.
Zoro tried to argue further, but Kuina waved him away and led him out of the room.
"Nine million Berries... quite a sum indeed," Koshiro sighed moments later, looking at the neatly stacked cash. This wasn't an amount just anyone could produce on a whim. "Strange aura, massive wealth... quite interesting indeed."
The Next Day.
Dunn woke up early and performed a warm-up routine based on his own methods before meeting the other students.
Ninety-nine percent of the students were locals from Shimotsuki Village. Most were around the same age as Kuina and Zoro; only a few were close to Dunn's age, plus two young men who looked to be in their twenties.
A group of them looked at the newcomer with curiosity. However, that curiosity turned into pure shock during breakfast when they witnessed Dunn's staggering appetite.
He didn't look like he was eating fast, yet the food before him vanished at an alarming rate. His intake far exceeded the limits of a normal human.
Koshiro, also eating breakfast, watched Dunn with a thoughtful gaze. Compared to the youngsters, he possessed far more worldly experience. This boy is truly special.
Clatter!
Zoro stared at Dunn in shock, the piece of meat in his hand falling to the table. He didn't even notice the drool escaping his mouth.
"No wonder he paid so much... is that all for the grocery bill?" Zoro muttered to himself.
Dunn paid no mind to the stares. To him, eating was essential to fuel his growth. He believed that the more energy he consumed, the better the results of his training would be. Besides, he had no intention of training on an empty stomach.
This breakfast interlude ensured that everyone in the dojo knew exactly who the new disciple was.
Shortly after breakfast, the formal swordsmanship training began. Everyone practiced the basic strikes with wooden swords, following the movements step-by-step.
Dunn showed no signs of impatience. Kuina stood beside him, acting as his instructor, demonstrating basic stances and correcting his form.
Not far away, Koshiro kept his eyes on Dunn. He could see the boy had practiced some swordsmanship before, but it looked self-taught.
He had never actually used it in real combat, and many of his movements were "off-shape." While being off-shape didn't mean a move was useless, it was inefficient. Still, it revealed the solid foundation Dunn had built.
After observing for a while, Koshiro turned and left. Kuina, however, took her role as temporary instructor very seriously, explaining the purpose of each strike and how to generate power with tireless patience.
Dunn was equally patient. He now understood why his previous self-training had felt unnatural. He realized he still had much to learn.
The morning was dedicated to fundamentals, while the afternoon was free training. The rivalry between Kuina and Zoro continued as usual. Most of the other disciples left the dojo, leaving only a few to continue their training, Dunn included. He practiced the standard strikes with relentless precision.
He stayed long after everyone else had gone home.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The rhythmic sound of the wooden sword cutting through the air echoed. Dunn's expression was calm; a full day of training hadn't even disrupted his breathing.
This level of exertion meant nothing to his current physique. However, with Kuina's corrections, he could feel his power control becoming much more refined.
As long as it provided improvement, Dunn had infinite patience.
When dusk fell, Kuina came to call him for dinner. Seeing him still practicing with perfect form, a complicated expression crossed her face.
"Training should be balanced with rest," Koshiro advised calmly during dinner. Only the four of them were left in the dining hall.
"These exercises are quite easy for me," Dunn replied. "I can feel my control over my strength improving."
Koshiro paused, glancing at Dunn before his eyes shifted to Kuina and Zoro, who were pretending to eat but were clearly eavesdropping. "Very well. If you can meet my requirements within one month, I will teach you personally."
"Deal," Dunn nodded and returned to his mountain of food.
In the days that followed, Dunn entered a mode of "frenzied grinding." He was so intense that Koshiro eventually had to suggest he train in the woods behind the dojo to avoid demoralizing the other students.
Naturally, this drive rubbed off on Kuina and Zoro, who also began training like madmen.
In the forest behind the dojo, Dunn stood with his eyes closed, holding a wooden sword to block incoming attacks. Kuina and Zoro were attacking him relentlessly with four wooden swords between them.
Dunn ignored the stinging pain when a blow landed, focusing his mind entirely on sensing the trajectory of the swords.
He didn't know if this was the "correct" way to train Observation Haki, but he recalled that Rayleigh had used a similar method to teach Luffy.
Regardless of whether it worked for Haki, it served as excellent practice for his reflexes—and gave Kuina and Zoro good sparring experience.
Huff... puff...
The two children panted heavily, exchanging a look of shared frustration. For Kuina, however, that frustration was tinged with a deep sense of resentment.
As she grew older, she felt the gap between individuals widening. More specifically, the perceived gap between men and women.
She had sensed it with Zoro's rapid improvement, but it was glaringly obvious with Dunn. She knew he was holding back at least ninety percent of his strength, yet she and Zoro still couldn't face his swings head-on.
It was a gap that felt biological. Inborn.
"The sea is full of powerful women," Dunn's voice suddenly rang out just as the bitterness in Kuina's eyes began to peak. "Even among the Emperors who stand at the very top of the world, one of them is a woman."
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