Koshiro's doubt, won't get hurt?

The battle between the two lasted for an entire afternoon.

By the time the sky turned dark, a low-HP Dunn and Koshiro returned to the ship.

Kuina and Zoro on the ship were already petrified.

The previous battle between Dunn and Koshiro had clearly exceeded anything the two of them could have imagined.

The entire island looked as if it had been plowed over, covered in crisscrossing sword marks.

Dunn was in a more disheveled state, but Koshiro didn't look much better; he was even missing one lens from his glasses.

As he steered the ship to prepare for their return, Koshiro looked at Dunn, who was resting in a corner of the deck, and felt a pang of regret.

He had previously thought that although Dunn was progressing quickly, it hadn't been long, so his practical guidance shouldn't be too strenuous.

But a monster is a monster.

He realized he had still underestimated Dunn.

He could imagine what it would be like to continue guiding Dunn's battles in the future.

Should he refuse?

But this was only the first day.

Yet Dunn was like a monster; in this battle, aside from looking a bit exhausted, he hadn't even sustained any superficial injuries.

He had clearly seen some sword qi land on Dunn's body.

It seemed this guy still had many secrets.

"Zoro, once we get back and have a full meal, I'll accept your challenge."

Dunn's voice suddenly rang out.

Zoro, who had been petrified, heard Dunn call him. After snapping out of it and understanding what Dunn meant, Zoro swallowed hard, then turned his head to look at the island that had been plowed over.

Zoro really wanted to refuse.

He was reckless, not stupid.

The battle he had just witnessed with his own eyes made Zoro realize that the gap between him and Dunn was currently too vast.

If Dunn were serious, there wouldn't even be a fight.

He would be defeated in a single blow.

But with Kuina right beside him, Zoro gritted his teeth and nodded in agreement.

Koshiro steered the ship while his eyes scrutinized Dunn.

The clothes on his body were, of course, damaged in many places.

But there really wasn't a single wound on Dunn's body, or rather, not even a scratch.

What terrifying defensive power.

It seemed he was born with such a constitution; could it be like that flame, an innate ability of his?

Koshiro speculated inwardly.

He now suddenly felt that Dragon not continuing his invitation earlier had been a mistake.

He had still vastly underestimated Dunn's talent.

Dunn naturally didn't know that Koshiro had mistaken his digitized body for a special constitution.

But then again, the external manifestation of this digitized body was indeed very similar to the constitution of certain monster-level beings, such as an Iron Balloon.

The powerful effect of not taking damage until his HP hit zero was still in full swing.

After returning to Shimotsuki Village, Dunn restored his HP in a very short time by eating, and he also discovered a situation.

That was, the amount of food he needed to eat to recover his health had increased.

Previously, maintaining Two-Color Haki caused a continuous drain on his HP, but that drain was relatively small and not very obvious, easily compensated for by daily meals.

But after being reduced to low HP this time, he felt it very clearly.

Not only did he feel it, but Koshiro, Kuina, and Zoro also noticed it.

Now, the three of them had their eyes bulging and their mouths wide open.

Koshiro felt that if he had taken nine million Beli from Dunn, and if Dunn stayed in Shimotsuki Village for a long time, he might end up losing money and having to pay out of his own pocket.

As for Kuina and Zoro, they watched in shock as Dunn consumed an amount of food heavier than himself.

"Let's go!"

Dunn put down the bone in his hand, then stood up and spoke directly to Zoro.

Zoro recovered from his daze, understood what Dunn was about to do, turned to look at Koshiro and Kuina, then grabbed his three swords and followed Dunn outside.

The expected outcome of being defeated in one move did not happen.

Dunn treated it as a bit of exercise to digest his meal after a hearty feast, holding his sword in one hand and trading blows back and forth with the three-sword-wielding Zoro.

Occasionally, he could even apply the techniques he had mastered during his sparring session with Koshiro today.

Of course, he didn't use full force.

After all, the current Zoro couldn't withstand a single strike from him at full power.

The sparring lasted until late at night.

Dunn didn't speak to end it, and given Zoro's temperament, he naturally wouldn't ask to stop either.

In the end, Zoro was so exhausted he couldn't get up, and Dunn carried him back to the Dojo.

For the time that followed, every day basically followed this routine.

In the morning, he practiced basics with the students of the Dojo; in the afternoon, he sparred with Koshiro; and after returning, he would tidy up Zoro.

Day after day, it was quite fulfilling.

Of course, there were also some interludes.

"It has finally begun."

Dunn looked at the newspaper in his hand, feeling quite sentimental.

Kuina leaned over, curious about what Dunn was reading.

Perhaps because she had been saved by Dunn, Kuina's attitude toward him had changed, becoming much closer.

Of course, this had nothing to do with anything else; it was just a simple, friendly closeness.

Koshiro knew that Dunn would go to the village every few days to pick up a newspaper, and he was also curious about what Dunn was talking about.

"The Three Admirals of the Navy have officially taken office, and the former Admiral Sengoku has been promoted to Fleet Admiral. I estimate the Navy will have some major movements soon."

Dunn said softly, his eyes fixed on the World Economic News report regarding the matter.

"The Navy?" Hearing this, a trace of worry flashed in Koshiro's eyes.

"Are these people very strong?"

Kuina looked at the photos in the newspaper, very curious.

"Of course they are very strong; they are all top-tier powerhouses on the sea."

Dunn gave an objective assessment.

"But it has nothing to do with the East Blue; the Navy's focus remains on the Grand Line."

Dunn rubbed his chin as he spoke, glancing at Koshiro.

"Hmm, the Four Blues are already under the control of the Navy, and there aren't many Pirates with high bounties, so the Navy indeed won't commit too many forces."

Koshiro nodded.

The Revolutionary Army's focus was not on the Grand Line, so there was no need to worry about facing the Navy directly for the time being.

"Let's go, Master Koshiro, today's battle hasn't even started yet."

Koshiro, who was deep in thought, was stunned, then showed a bitter expression.

This Dunn really has endless energy.

But having said that, he naturally wouldn't refuse.

Kuina and Zoro were already used to it, so they didn't follow this time.

When late night arrived, Koshiro, feeling incredibly tired, didn't rest, but instead took out a Den Den Mushi.

Before long, Dragon's deep voice came from the other side of the Den Den Mushi.

"Koshiro? Is something the matter?"

"The Navy's situation, you should know about it by now, Dragon."

"This matter? I am indeed paying attention to it."

Dragon remained silent for a moment before answering, clearly taking the matter very seriously.

"It wouldn't be targeting the Revolutionary Army, would it?"

"There's no need to worry about that; our opponent right now is the World Government. As for the Navy, they are more concerned with Pirates."

Hearing this, Koshiro breathed a sigh of relief. "That's for the best. And you're right, the Navy can't spare any more forces."

"Hmm, so, is there anything else?"

Dragon clearly had things to do on his end and was already preparing to end the call.

"Yes, there is one more thing, and it concerns Dunn."