Power and Swordsmanship Training

Seeing how serious Koshiro looked, Kuina froze.

She had never seen her father look so serious before.

Little did she know that Koshiro was terrified—terrified of losing his only daughter.

Seeing this, Dunn glanced at Wado Ichimonji, then turned and left.

If Kuina didn't die, would Zoro still ask for Wado Ichimonji and inherit Kuina's will?

Through Observation Haki, Dunn sensed Zoro training like a madman.

He was pulling on two ropes, each tied to a rock at the other end, while holding a dumbbell between his teeth to build his strength.

"Not bad!"

Dunn walked into the yard, bent his knees slightly, and leaped onto the roof.

With Flame beside him, Dunn lay down and watched the bright, scorching sun through narrowed eyes, keeping both Observation Haki and Armament Haki active.

From now on, I'll focus on getting stronger. Koshiro probably won't hold anything back.

Dunn closed his eyes and thought to himself.

Over the next few days, Kuina seemed like a different person.

Even with Dunn around, she had always looked troubled before.

But now, she had become cheerful.

Perhaps this was more like an eleven-year-old girl.

Zoro was puzzled by the change in Kuina, but he focused on competing with her.

Then, several days later, Dunn looked at Zoro, who stood before him with three swords, staring intently at him.

"Did you beat Kuina?"

Dunn asked with his eyes closed.

"Kuina forfeited. Now you're my target."

Zoro was very serious.

Dunn turned toward where Kuina was standing.

"Mm, I lost!"

Kuina said with a grin.

"So, you've dumped this nuisance on me?"

"That has nothing to do with me!"

Kuina shook her head, then looked at Zoro.

"But my goal is still to become the World's Strongest Swordsman."

After saying that, Kuina fell silent, sat down where she was, and propped her chin up, ready to watch the fight.

"I'm no nuisance. Dunn, accept my challenge!"

Zoro stared at Dunn with wide, eager eyes, waiting for him to agree.

"Fine, fine!"

Dunn sighed. Seeing Zoro about to charge, he raised a hand to stop him.

"But wait. I haven't started training today."

Zoro stumbled and nearly fell. After managing to steady himself, he looked at Dunn in confusion.

Footsteps sounded.

Koshiro walked over slowly, carrying a sword. He didn't seem surprised by the scene before him.

"The island isn't suitable for fighting. There's a boat at the dock, and there's an uninhabited island nearby."

With that, Koshiro turned and headed toward the dock. Dunn followed.

Kuina got up and followed without hesitation. Zoro looked bewildered, but curiosity drove him to follow too.

The island was indeed close. It took only half an hour by boat to get there from Shimotsuki Village.

"Master Koshiro!"

After they stopped the boat, Zoro couldn't contain his curiosity and asked Koshiro a question.

"Kuina, Zoro, you two wait on the boat. Don't come any closer."

Koshiro turned to them and gave them a warning.

Dunn's next training session would be actual combat. Koshiro had promised him this before, and they would spar like this every day from then on.

Dunn was looking forward to it as well.

After glancing at Kuina and Zoro, who were waiting quietly, Dunn bent his knees slightly and sprang into the air.

The force of his leap made the small boat rock violently, showing just how hard he had pushed off from it.

Zoro swallowed.

He suddenly wondered if challenging Dunn was just asking to get beaten up.

The island wasn't very big and was quite desolate. The part above the sea was covered entirely in rubble, without a single blade of grass. Water stains were still visible on the rocks.

After landing, Dunn looked at Koshiro, who had also leaped over and landed nearby.

"From now on, you can try learning my swordsmanship."

Koshiro gazed calmly at Dunn and spoke in an even tone.

"Although the swordsmanship you comprehend yourself through battle is the best fit for you, there's no harm in learning more."

Dunn nodded. He naturally wouldn't argue.

Learning from the strengths of many schools was easy enough to understand.

"My swordsmanship was passed down from my father. It's the Shimotsuki Family's inherited style. Shimotsuki swordsmanship emphasizes powerful slashes. You adjust your breathing as you slash and let out a shout to increase the power of the strike."

Koshiro drew his weapon and explained.

"Like this."

Koshiro gripped the sword with both hands and took his stance. In the next instant, he appeared before Dunn as if he had teleported, raised his sword high, and brought it down hard.

"Hah!"

A fierce shout accompanied the slash.

Clang!

Dunn raised his sword to block and was sent flying.

After adjusting his posture, Dunn landed. Koshiro followed close behind and struck again, letting out another shout as he slashed.

Looking at the sword coming down toward his head, Dunn smiled, gripped his sword with both hands, and swung upward.

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing rang out. Dunn's knees bent slightly, and the ground beneath his feet suddenly cracked.

"What tremendous strength!"

Koshiro used the force of the recoil to retreat. Once he landed, he exclaimed in surprise.

He had long known that Dunn's physical abilities were far beyond those of ordinary people, and that he was growing stronger at a rapid pace.

Now, Koshiro had used seven-tenths of his strength, yet he still hadn't gained the upper hand. He knew he wasn't one of the top fighters on the seas, but he had trained in swordsmanship for decades.

And Dunn?

Of course, neither of them had used swordsmanship or any other power beyond their physical strength.

"My turn!"

Dunn didn't pay attention to Koshiro's astonishment. He pushed off hard, shattering the ground beneath him. Just like Koshiro had a moment ago, Dunn reached him in the blink of an eye.

He swung his sword horizontally with his right hand.

Their weapons clashed. Dunn could clearly feel the force of Koshiro's sword pulling his blade aside—or rather, deflecting his strength.

Dunn smiled. He could pull back even a full-powered slash, then send it sweeping horizontally once more.

This strike sent Koshiro flying. He flipped through the air several times before landing.

"Crude! You're using your strength in a crude way."

Koshiro's face darkened. He was utterly speechless.

"But it works."

Dunn didn't mind Koshiro's tone and replied with a smile.

"But sooner or later, you'll encounter someone stronger than you on these seas. Giants, for instance, and the real monsters of the ocean."

Koshiro thought Dunn relied too much on his strength.

Did Dunn think he could overpower every opponent with strength alone?

"This is only the first day. I just wanted to show you that I'm not bad."

Dunn spoke cheerfully.

"So you're showing me what you can do?"

Koshiro was taken aback, then understood what Dunn meant.

Dunn was telling him to go all out.

If that was the case, Koshiro's gaze grew dangerous.

It seemed Dunn had underestimated him.