Expectations and Tuition! Zoro: I Didn't Pay Anything!

"Maybe I'll be able to live freely in this world."

His clear, decisive voice rang through the room.

Dunn's answer seemed to surprise Shimotsuki Koshiro. His astonishment showed plainly on his face.

"Living freely in this world isn't easy."

Shimotsuki Koshiro seemed to understand what Dunn meant and spoke with a hint of emotion.

"That's why I want to learn swordsmanship, grow stronger, and gain the power to protect myself."

Dunn continued calmly, "So, Master of the dojo, are you satisfied with my answer?"

"I am. Actually, no matter what answer you gave, I would have taught you. After all, you need to have your own convictions when you wield a sword.

"Only a sword wielded with such conviction can possess greater strength."

Shimotsuki Koshiro spoke with a warm smile.

Dunn naturally didn't take Shimotsuki Koshiro's words as a lecture.

After all, he knew next to nothing about swordsmanship, while Shimotsuki Koshiro, the master swordsman in front of him, was far more knowledgeable about it—at least for now.

Besides, becoming a true master swordsman seemed to require a certain conviction.

That included Haki, too.

"Since you're here to learn swordsmanship, let's discuss the fee."

As Dunn was thinking, Shimotsuki Koshiro, seated across from him, spoke again.

"All right!" Dunn nodded. He remembered that Zoro hadn't paid anything to learn swordsmanship, and had even been allowed to eat and live at the dojo for free.

But Zoro—and perhaps the people of Shimotsuki Village as a whole—were probably related by blood.

Besides, this was for the best.

"Five hundred thousand Beli a year."

Seeing Dunn nod, Shimotsuki Koshiro thought for a moment and named a price.

Dunn shook his head immediately.

At the gesture, Shimotsuki Koshiro assumed Dunn was going to haggle, so he waited for him to speak.

"One million Beli a year!" Dunn named his own price, leaving Shimotsuki Koshiro momentarily stunned.

He realized he'd guessed wrong.

"One million Beli. In return, I want you to teach me everything without holding back."

Dunn stated his request.

"That's fine. But I'll only teach you more once your swordsmanship reaches a certain level."

Shimotsuki Koshiro met Dunn's steady gaze. After a moment of silence, he nodded.

Relieved that Shimotsuki Koshiro had agreed, Dunn smiled and was about to speak when two children poked their heads in through the doorway.

"Kuina, go and..." Shimotsuki Koshiro started to say, then remembered he hadn't asked Dunn's name.

"Dunn."

"Right. Kuina, find Dunn a place to stay. He'll be learning swordsmanship at the dojo from now on."

"Okay!"

Kuina looked at Dunn curiously and nodded.

On the other side of the doorway, Zoro, more bruised and swollen than before, stared at Dunn as he stood up.

"You come along too. I'll need you to carry some things later."

Kuina said to Zoro, then led the way.

Dunn cupped his hands toward Shimotsuki Koshiro, then followed Kuina.

After the three of them left, Shimotsuki Koshiro remained seated, looking puzzled.

He could tell what Dunn's gesture meant, but it seemed unusually formal, like some kind of ritual.

"Could my guess really be right?"

Shimotsuki Koshiro murmured to himself.

They had only just met, and hadn't spoken for long, but Shimotsuki Koshiro had sensed arrogance—or perhaps pride—in Dunn.

No!

Shimotsuki Koshiro frowned and shook his head.

It looked like arrogance or pride, but it was more like a certain air of superiority.

Dunn had seemed perfectly polite, yet that was still the impression he gave.

Was he a noble?

Shimotsuki Koshiro felt there were many contradictions in Dunn.

Dunn, meanwhile, wasn't thinking about any of that.

He was holding Zoro by the back of his collar and carrying the boy along behind Kuina.

"So, he can get lost even in a dojo this small?"

Dunn sounded genuinely curious.

He knew Zoro was hopelessly directionally challenged, but the dojo wasn't that big, and Zoro had been here for a long time. Could he really still get lost?

"Yes!" Kuina answered briskly without looking back.

"Impossible! How could I get lost?"

Zoro struggled with all his might, but the hand gripping the back of his collar didn't budge. It didn't even shake.

"If I hadn't grabbed you, you'd have turned around and wandered off somewhere just now."

Dunn's words brought Zoro's frantic struggles to a halt.

Then he slumped limply, looking thoroughly dejected.

"Speaking of which, you lost again."

Dunn needled Zoro, who had just given up struggling.

Zoro sprang back to life and started struggling again.

"Ahhh! What did you say?"

Zoro glared at him furiously.

"So you won?" Dunn asked, looking at the angry Zoro with a strange expression.

Zoro's face stiffened.

"I didn't win, but I will next time!"

Zoro lowered his head and muttered.

"Tch!" Kuina didn't even turn around.

"This is your room. I'll have Zoro bring you what you need in a moment... Never mind. I'll bring it over myself."

Kuina pushed open the door to one of the dojo's rooms and stepped aside.

Dunn set Zoro on the floor, walked into the room, and looked around. He nodded.

"If you're joining the dojo to learn swordsmanship, you'll train with me first. Once you've mastered the basic moves, my father will teach you."

After speaking, Kuina looked up at Dunn, who was much taller than she was, then turned to Zoro.

"Come with me to get the things."

Zoro followed Kuina with his head lowered, looking dejected. Dunn's words had clearly hit him hard, and he still hadn't recovered.

After watching the two leave, Dunn turned back to the modest room.

He didn't have high expectations for where he lived. The room was small, but clean enough.

He walked over to the little table in the middle of the room and sat down cross-legged.

"The first step is done. Now I'll see how much I can learn."

Dunn propped his arm against his face and thought.

He was looking forward to his lessons.

He had already eaten a Devil Fruit, but the next stage would be the real beginning of his introduction to this world's powers.

Kuina and Zoro returned quickly.

Zoro carried a large bundle of basic household supplies.

"Here."

After watching Zoro set down the bundle, Dunn placed a small bag on the table in front of him.

Kuina and Zoro both looked at it in confusion.

"What's that?"

Kuina was curious.

"Tuition and living expenses."

Dunn's answer only confused Kuina further. She came over and opened the bag, her eyes widening.

"So much money!"

Zoro froze, then came over and peeked inside. He immediately swallowed.

"You have to pay this much to learn swordsmanship at the dojo?"

Zoro was dumbfounded.

He hadn't paid anything!