Gifting a Sword and a Black Blade! Learning Observation Haki First

What Shimotsuki Koshiro said was naturally the truth.

After all, there are differences even among geniuses.

Although Dunn had only been at the Isshin Dojo in Shimotsuki Village for a month, the talent he had revealed was enough to leave Shimotsuki Koshiro in awe.

That was why he had given that answer.

"Searching for a sword style that suits me?"

Dunn whispered, a ball of flames appearing in his mind.

The power of the Flame-Flame Fruit was the strongest power he currently possessed, so he naturally thought of fire.

And a gaunt old man wreathed in flames surfaced in his thoughts.

With a temperature comparable to the sun, using his full power for too long could even destroy a world.

He had not been negligent in the development of his fruit, and he had also tried to use all his knowledge to create some powerful moves.

Perhaps it was worth a try.

Dunn's eyes lit up.

No man could resist a move that was both cool and powerful.

"It seems you already have some ideas, but before that, I will teach you my philosophy on swordsmanship. This is my understanding of the sword, and you can use it as a reference."

Shimotsuki Koshiro, who had been observing Dunn, smiled when he saw the look on his face.

"No problem. I do have some ideas, though they are very difficult, I am indeed willing to try."

Dunn felt no sense of urgency and was willing to spend time experimenting with it.

"Basic swordsmanship training cannot be neglected. From now on, you will practice on your own every morning, and in the afternoon, I will guide you in the training of Haki and swordsmanship."

After speaking, Shimotsuki Koshiro looked Dunn over a few times, stood up, and walked to the wall to the side. He pulled on it, and the wall slid open to reveal rows of sword racks.

"You may choose a sword. Although I don't recommend beginners use real blades, you are different."

Dunn did not stand on ceremony upon hearing this and stood up to make his selection.

They all looked like fine pieces of craftsmanship.

Dunn knew that Shimotsuki Koshiro's father, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, was a master swordsmith from Wano Country, and Enma, one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, had been forged by his hands.

Dunn picked up every sword, and finally, he grabbed one that was longer, wider, and heavier than the rest.

Dunn was now over 1.8 meters tall, and this sword was already longer than he was.

Seeing Dunn return with this unusually long sword, Shimotsuki Koshiro was a bit surprised, but he didn't say anything.

As the door slid shut, the two sat down once again.

Glancing at the long sword resting by Dunn's side, Shimotsuki Koshiro felt a wave of emotion.

"These are all swords my father forged in the past, though he hasn't forged any in a long time. You can give it a name yourself; perhaps one day it will become a true Black Blade and make a name for itself across the seas."

"A Black Blade?"

Dunn asked in return.

He knew what a Black Blade was, and he knew that a Black Blade was forged by its wielder, which seemed to have something to do with Haki.

"A Black Blade is a form of a sword. When a wielder goes through countless battles and countless instances of Haki infusion, the very nature of the sword in their hand will change.

Its material will become much sturdier, and one could even call it indestructible."

Seeming to have taken an interest, Shimotsuki Koshiro looked straight at Dunn.

"And right now, that Hawkeye who has just become the world's greatest swordsman, the Yoru in his hand is a Black Blade."

He thought that when he said this, Dunn would show some reaction.

But when Dunn heard about the Black Blade Yoru, his expression didn't seem to fluctuate at all.

"Do you not want to become the world's greatest swordsman?"

Shimotsuki Koshiro asked with a chuckle.

"I don't have that thought right now. After all, I should still be quite a distance away from that great swordsman."

Dunn shook his head. "Besides, my goal has always been to live a stable life in this world. If that great swordsman stands in my way in the future, perhaps this title will change hands."

Hearing Dunn say in a calm tone that he would make the title of the world's greatest swordsman change hands, Shimotsuki Koshiro burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, good! I would actually quite like to see that day. After all, I could say I taught you swordsmanship, and I would share in the honor."

"So, I'm not even a swordsman yet. Isn't it a bit too early for us to be talking about this?"

Looking at the laughing Shimotsuki Koshiro, Dunn was a bit speechless.

"I believe you have the talent."

"Alright, thank you for your trust, but I would like to learn Observation Haki first."

"Very well!"

Although he didn't know why Dunn wanted to learn Observation Haki first, Shimotsuki Koshiro did not refuse.

"Then I shall take my leave."

Dunn finished speaking, stood up, grabbed the sword beside him, and departed.

Shimotsuki Koshiro watched Dunn leave, and after a long while, a short old man slowly walked out.

"He knew I was here; he may have already awakened Observation Haki, though he cannot yet use it freely."

The old man, clutching a pipe, sat in the seat Dunn had just vacated.

"What does Father think?"

"If you cannot see through him, then an old man like me certainly cannot either."

Shimotsuki Kozaburo shook his head.

Although he was a master swordsmith and knew some swordsmanship, his skill was not on par with his son's.

"However, perhaps it really is possible to forge a Black Blade; I did not expect him to choose that one."

Thinking of the sword Dunn had taken, Shimotsuki Kozaburo felt deeply moved.

"That sword is no worse than a Great Grade Sword, but when I forged it, my stamina was already failing, so it is quite rough, and it is very heavy."

The sword Dunn had taken was indeed more than ten times heavier than an ordinary blade.

"He has a special talent; this weight is nothing to him."

Shimotsuki Koshiro was well aware of Dunn's strength.

Or rather, Dunn's strength was directly proportional to his appetite.

"Hmm, focus on teaching him; he likely won't be staying here for very long."

Shimotsuki Kozaburo stood up as he spoke and began to walk away, but after a few steps, he turned back, his dim, aged eyes fixed on Shimotsuki Koshiro.

"And Zoro!" He paused, a hint of nostalgia flashing in his eyes, "Zoro's talent for swordsmanship is inherited from his grandfather and father, and even that Dragon-Slaying Swordsman; you must teach him well."

"Understood!"

Hailing from Wano Country, Shimotsuki Koshiro actually believed deeply in the concept of bloodlines.

Since Zoro's ancestors included several great swordsmen, Zoro surely possessed that same potential.

Dunn had indeed vaguely sensed that someone was nearby and hidden while he was speaking with Shimotsuki Koshiro.

But he did not dwell on it.

It was enough to just focus on his own affairs.

After returning to his room, Dunn raised his hand and drew the sword he held.

The dull luster was not particularly bright, and wave-like patterns covered the entire blade; it was much thicker than an ordinary sword, yet the sharpness of the edge was not the least bit inferior.

Holding the hilt, he leveled the sword before his chest, and a flicker of flame emerged from Dunn's hand, spreading along the blade until, in an instant, the fire completely engulfed it.

However, for now, this flame was merely for show.