Just after the news that Doflamingo had become a Shichibukai was reported, another invited Shichibukai also set sail.
Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea who had inherited the Sun Pirates, had also been invited to become a Shichibukai.
The two might have set out one after the other, but the Navy may have announced it all at once, or perhaps the news simply hadn't gotten out before.
Dunn looked at the newspapers laid out side by side in front of him, propping his chin on one hand, his gaze somewhat unfocused.
Kuina and Zoro, who were each a year older now, crept up behind Dunn.
"Take this!"
The two attacked together. Without even turning around, Dunn swung his left hand back and rapped them both on the head.
"Ow!"
They both cried out in pain.
Dunn's Armament Haki knuckle raps quickly raised big bumps on their foreheads.
They stared at Dunn with tears in their eyes.
It wasn't that he'd made them cry.
It was just that Dunn's blows really, really hurt, and they couldn't help it.
"I'm sure I taught you not to shout when you attack. You're just warning your opponent to be on guard."
Dunn spoke calmly without turning around, his eyes never leaving the newspaper.
"I'm a swordsman! I'm going to become the World's Greatest Swordsman!"
Zoro held his forehead and raised his voice.
Kuina hugged her forehead and looked at Dunn through teary eyes.
"So that's why you came up with all those flashy names for your techniques?"
Zoro's retort made Dunn turn around, a warm smile on his face.
But when Zoro saw Dunn smile, he instinctively backed away several steps, watching him warily.
Sure enough, the knuckle rap came right on cue.
Before Zoro could react at all, Dunn's finger had already struck the gap between Zoro's hands, right on his forehead.
Thump!
A hollow sound rang out, and a bump the size of a bird's egg quickly appeared.
Zoro grimaced in pain, but still wore his usual defiant expression.
"Looks like I'll have to teach you to respect your senior."
Dunn pressed his knuckles together, making them crack sharply.
Seeing this, Zoro swallowed and edged backward.
"I'm the senior!"
The couple of steps he'd retreated seemed to convince Zoro he was at a safe distance. He lifted his chin slightly to argue, but kept his eyes fixed on Dunn's fingers.
Hmm?
Dunn struck again. This time, Zoro tilted his head slightly.
Zoro's reflexes still weren't good enough to evade Dunn, but he really had dodged.
Dunn withdrew his hand and sat back down.
All that effort he'd put in lately hadn't been for nothing.
Then Dunn looked at Kuina.
"I didn't argue with you!" Noticing Dunn's gaze, Kuina instinctively took half a step back. Then she sensed danger and jerked her head back.
The knuckle rap grazed her nose as it came down on her forehead.
Her nose stung, and her vision blurred.
Tears clouded her sight.
Hmm, it was taking shape.
Dunn nodded in satisfaction, sizing them both up.
Aside from people born with powerful Observation Haki, awakening it at eleven or twelve should make them geniuses.
Of course, he deserved some credit too.
The pain from a blow reinforced with Armament Haki was intense.
"I'm leaving."
Dunn returned to the table and picked up the two newspapers.
The two of them, still clutching their heads and streaming with tears, both stiffened at his words.
"Are you running away? I still haven't beaten you!"
Zoro raised his voice.
Normally, if he talked like that, Dunn wouldn't let him off. Zoro knew it too, so he braced himself for a fight.
This time, though, Dunn turned to look at him and shook his head.
"I'll make time to come back and see you. And we might even run into each other somewhere else on the sea someday."
Dunn smiled.
"Why? Didn't you say you still needed to get stronger?"
Kuina forgot her tears and stared at the two gleaming bumps on her forehead as she asked urgently.
She'd heard from her father that Dunn would leave Shimotsuki Village, but this was so sudden.
She'd thought Dunn would stay in Shimotsuki Village for a long time.
"I'm going to save someone."
Dunn said it casually.
"Huh?"
Zoro and Kuina both froze.
Save someone?
The two of them simultaneously imagined Dunn had a tragic past: his family had been kidnapped, and he'd come to Shimotsuki Village to train before returning to save them.
"Is it your family?" Kuina asked.
"I'll help you!" Zoro shouted, clenching his fists.
Hmm? Dunn looked at the two kids' expressions.
"Did you misunderstand something? I'm saving a stranger."
Dunn rubbed his chin and thought for a moment before answering.
"Huh? A stranger?"
The two froze again, unable to figure out what kind of trick Dunn was pulling.
"Why?" Zoro asked, puzzled.
"There's no reason. I just wanted to save them, so I'm going to. Why does everything need a reason?"
Dunn shook his head.
Then he waved and walked past them, leaving the two staring at each other in bewilderment.
Not long after, Dunn sat facing Koshiro.
"So, you're leaving?"
Koshiro looked at Dunn. He, too, thought Dunn's departure was rather sudden.
"Yeah. I've learned what I needed to, but I won't stop working to improve my strength. Before I leave, though, let's have a real fight."
Dunn's expression grew earnest.
"Master Koshiro!"
He called out. Koshiro stiffened and stared at Dunn in surprise.
Dunn had always called him "Instructor."
Dunn knew that Koshiro's guidance over the past while had already been worth far more than nine million Beli.
Or rather, having a top swordsman train with him for so long was beyond price.
And that wasn't even counting the fact that he'd awakened Observation Haki and Armament Haki here.
Dunn wasn't one to take such kindness for granted.
"All right."
Koshiro fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
Kuina and Zoro, who had followed them over, were just about to speak when Dunn turned to look at them.
"You two can't come this time."
"Why?"
Zoro asked in reply.
"You ask so many questions. You can't even block my finger."
Dunn pursed his lips disdainfully.
Zoro's forehead immediately bulged with veins, and he glared fiercely at Dunn.
But when he noticed Dunn's gaze fall on his forehead, Zoro swallowed and hid his expression.
Not worth messing with!
"Then get ready. Kuina, take Zoro into the village to buy some food."
Koshiro turned and spoke to them, then looked back at Dunn.
"Shall we go now?"
"Sure." Dunn got up and left. A short while later, he returned with the long sword Flame in hand, then left with Koshiro.
Kuina and Zoro watched them go. They didn't come back to themselves until the two had disappeared from sight.
"Where is Dunn going, anyway?"
Kuina asked, reluctant to see him go.
"Who knows? He's going to save a stranger, and he doesn't even have a reason. He just wants to save them, so he does. What a selfish guy!"
Zoro folded his arms, putting on a grown-up air.
Before you continue