But that was only compared to before he had crossed over.
By the standards of this world, he might have merely caught up to the average.
Dunn understood that very well.
Fortunately, the notification that he was rapidly transforming hadn't disappeared. That meant his body was still growing stronger.
It was likely because of the Devil Fruit. After all, its description had said that it would continuously enhance his body.
As for swordsmanship, he knew he hadn't learned any proper techniques. Still, practicing the basic cuts, thrusts, and other moves, along with honing his control and strength, had raised his rating by one level.
For the time being, he would focus on improving his strength in Shimotsuki Village.
Of course, he wouldn't get ahead of himself.
As for his physique, he was already satisfied as long as it kept improving.
He couldn't hope to master or awaken his Devil Fruit just yet, but he wouldn't stop training.
His goals in coming to Shimotsuki Village were to reach the Iron-Cutting level in swordsmanship and become a true swordsman. As for Haki, he wanted to grasp at least Two-Color Haki. He wasn't sure whether he had the talent for Conqueror's Haki.
But the confidence that came from his data-driven Panel told him that even without Conqueror's Haki, he wouldn't be weaker than anyone on these seas.
Mastering Two-Color Haki would be enough.
As the ship drew alongside the shore, Dunn stepped onto the gunwale and turned to look at the group on deck behind him.
"My employment ends here, everyone!"
With that, Dunn leaped from the ship and landed on the small pier at Shimotsuki Village.
There were a few people on the pier, but not many. They paid little attention to the arrival of a merchant ship, each busy with their own affairs.
Dunn asked where the dojo was and headed straight there.
On the merchant ship, the group watched Dunn's disappearing figure and exchanged glances.
"What are you all staring at? We're not like that gentleman. Hurry up and get ready. Buy some supplies, and I'll see if we can take on some cargo."
The captain's shout set the crew bustling about.
"Smack!"
The Bamboo Sword struck a head, sounding hollow.
With a big lump rising on his head, Zoro clutched it with both hands, but his face was full of defiance.
"That's your 1,959th loss!"
The girl, around ten years old, held her Bamboo Sword and spoke calmly.
This had happened nearly two thousand times since Zoro had joined the dojo. She was used to it by now—or perhaps she'd simply grown numb to it.
"Just you wait. I'll beat you one day."
Zoro let go of his head, picked up the Bamboo Sword he'd dropped, and stared fixedly at Kuina as he spoke, looking thoroughly fired up.
But with his face bruised and swollen and a huge lump on his head, he looked rather ridiculous.
Ridiculous enough to draw laughter from the dojo entrance.
The laughter made Zoro glare in anger.
Hearing it, Zoro turned toward the entrance with an annoyed look. There, he saw a boy of fourteen or fifteen leaning against the dojo's doorframe and watching them.
The boy wore loose white clothes. His black hair was a little long, and his features were soft and well-proportioned, with no sharpness to them. Just from his face, he seemed like an easygoing person.
But the smile on his face made Zoro think he was being mocked. Naturally, Zoro was having none of it.
"Who are you?"
Zoro sized up Dunn at the entrance and asked outright.
"I'm here to learn swordsmanship."
At the question, Dunn walked inside, looking around the spacious dojo courtyard before his gaze settled on Kuina and Zoro.
"Here to learn swordsmanship? Wait here. I'll go tell my father!"
Kuina wasn't surprised. Quite a few people came to the dojo to learn swordsmanship, though he didn't look like he was from around here.
After Kuina left, Zoro walked up to Dunn and looked up at him with a defiant expression.
"What are you looking at?"
Dunn looked down at Zoro. Comparing this green-haired brat to the vice-captain he remembered—the one who'd withstood a combined attack from the Four Emperors on Onigashima and cut down King, one of the All-Stars—Dunn couldn't help laughing again.
If he'd had a Camera Den Den Mushi, he would definitely have taken a picture of Zoro as he was now.
It would have become a legendary piece of Zoro's history.
"You're still laughing? I'm going to beat Kuina one day!"
Zoro wiped the blood running from his nose and spoke indignantly.
Dunn shook his head. Beating Kuina wasn't going to happen, but since she was still alive, there was no harm in saving her while he was at it.
As for whether that would change Zoro's fate, who cared?
"If you're joining the dojo to learn swordsmanship, then I'll be your senior."
Seeing Dunn lost in thought, Zoro quickly came up with the idea of senior and junior students and spoke up.
"Since we're both here to learn swordsmanship, the stronger one should be the boss."
Dunn shook his head.
"So that's how it works. Then if I beat Kuina, she'll have to call me senior?"
Zoro's eyes widened as he stared at Dunn in disbelief.
"Impossible! You'll never beat me!"
Before Dunn could respond, Kuina's voice rang out.
Then Shimotsuki Koshiro and Kuina came out together. Kuina looked rather annoyed.
"I challenge you!"
At her words, Zoro flew into a rage and pointed his Bamboo Sword at Kuina.
Kuina glanced at Dunn and her father, then headed straight out of the dojo. Zoro immediately followed.
It looked like another swordsmanship match was about to begin.
"I'm sorry you had to see that. My daughter and this student of mine are always squabbling."
Shimotsuki Koshiro didn't stop Kuina and Zoro from sparring. Instead, he smiled at Dunn as he spoke. While doing so, he studied Dunn, and when he looked into Dunn's eyes, a flicker of surprise crossed his own behind his glasses.
"It's all right. They're learning swordsmanship, after all. They'll keep at it until one proves who's better or the other admits defeat. Neither of them strikes me as the type to give in easily."
Dunn smiled lightly.
"You have a keen eye."
Koshiro nodded slightly, then gestured for Dunn to join him. Dunn naturally accepted.
After they entered a room in the dojo, Koshiro knelt and invited Dunn to sit. Dunn sat down casually, his expression relaxed, and studied Koshiro.
[Top-tier Swordsman (Extremely Dangerous)]
A blood-red marker hovered above Koshiro's head. Thinking of the markers he had seen over the heads of the pirates and other people before, he realized that Koshiro was the most dangerous person he had encountered so far.
"You're not from Shimotsuki Village?"
Koshiro was puzzled by Dunn's gaze, but remained courteous as he asked.
"Right. I arrived by merchant ship today. I heard about this dojo in another place, so I came here to learn swordsmanship."
Dunn nodded slightly and answered calmly.
"Then why do you want to learn swordsmanship?" Koshiro asked again.
"Does it matter?"
Dunn raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"I suppose it does." Koshiro nodded.
His attitude made Dunn fall into thought. He lowered his head slightly and considered the question. Only after a moment did he lift it and give his answer.
Before you continue