Expectation and Tuition! Zoro: I Didn't Pay!

"Perhaps, I would be able to live freely in this world."

A very crisp voice echoed through the room.

Clearly, this answer from Dunn caught Shimotsuki Koshiro by surprise, which was immediately reflected on his face.

"Living freely in this world is not a simple matter."

Shimotsuki Koshiro seemed to have understood the meaning behind Dunn's words and spoke with a hint of emotion.

"That is why I must learn the sword, become stronger, and possess the power to protect myself."

Dunn continued with a calm expression, "So, Dojo Master, are you satisfied with my answer?"

"Satisfied. In fact, no matter what answer you gave, I would have taught you. After all, when one swings a sword, one must have their own conviction."

"Only a sword like that can possess greater power."

Shimotsuki Koshiro spoke with a gentle smile on his face.

Dunn naturally did not take Shimotsuki Koshiro's words as a lecture.

After all, he knew very little about the sword, while the Shimotsuki Koshiro before him was a top-tier master swordsman; at the very least, in terms of understanding the sword, the other party far surpassed him.

Moreover, to become a true master swordsman, it truly seemed that one needed the support of some kind of conviction.

This also included Haki.

"Since you have come to learn the sword, let us discuss the fees."

Just as Dunn was thinking this, Shimotsuki Koshiro, who was sitting cross-legged opposite him, spoke again.

"Alright!" Dunn nodded, although in his memory, Zoro did not pay any fees to learn the sword and was even allowed to eat and live in the dojo for free.

However, Zoro, or rather all the people in Shimotsuki Village, were likely related by blood.

Besides, this was better.

"Five hundred thousand Beli per year."

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

Dunn shook his head immediately upon hearing this.

Seeing this gesture, Shimotsuki Koshiro assumed Dunn was going to haggle, so he waited for him to continue.

"One million Beli per year!" Dunn then stated his own price, which left Shimotsuki Koshiro stunned for a moment.

He realized he had guessed wrong.

"One million Beli, and I want you to teach me without holding anything back."

Dunn stated his requirement.

"Very well, but I will only teach you more advanced things once your swordsmanship training reaches a certain level."

Shimotsuki Koshiro looked into the eyes Dunn had fixed upon him, and after a moment of silence, he nodded.

Seeing Shimotsuki Koshiro agree, Dunn felt a sense of relief in his heart. He smiled and was about to speak when two children poked their heads in from outside the door.

"Kuina, go and..." Shimotsuki Koshiro was about to speak, then remembered he hadn't asked for Dunn's name.

"Dunn."

"Right, Kuina, go and arrange a place for Dunn to stay; he will be learning the sword at the dojo from now on."

"Oh!"

Kuina looked at Dunn with curiosity and nodded.

On the other side of the door, Zoro, whose face was even more bruised and swollen than before, stared at Dunn as he stood up.

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

Kuina said directly to Zoro, then led the way.

Dunn cupped his hands in a salute toward Shimotsuki Koshiro, then followed behind Kuina.

After the three of them left, Shimotsuki Koshiro did not stand up, his expression filled with confusion.

He could tell what Dunn's gesture meant, but it seemed like a standard, formal etiquette.

"Could my guess be true?"

Shimotsuki Koshiro muttered to himself.

Although they had just met and not much time had passed, Shimotsuki Koshiro saw arrogance, or perhaps pride, in Dunn.

No, that wasn't it!

Shimotsuki Koshiro frowned and shook his head.

Although it seemed like arrogance and pride, it was actually more of a condescending attitude.

Even though he appeared very polite, that was the distinct impression he had.

Is he a noble?

Shimotsuki Koshiro felt that there were many contradictory things about Dunn.

Dunn, on the other hand, didn't think that much about it.

At this moment, he was holding Zoro by the back of his collar, carrying the kid along as he followed Kuina.

"So, even in a place as small as this dojo, he still manages to get lost?"

Dunn's voice was full of curiosity.

He knew that Zoro was an extreme pathologically lost soul, but the dojo wasn't that big, and Zoro had been here for a long time; how could he still get lost?

"Yes!" Kuina answered crisply without turning her head.

"Impossible, how could I possibly get lost?"

Zoro struggled desperately, but the hand gripping the back of his collar remained rock-steady, not even swaying.

"If I hadn't grabbed you, you would have turned around and wandered off to who knows where just now."

Dunn's words made the struggling Zoro freeze.

He then slumped his body dejectedly, looking rather crestfallen.

"Come to think of it, you lost again."

Seeing Zoro give up on struggling, Dunn gave him a sudden, sharp jab.

Zoro, who had just stopped struggling, instantly snapped back to reality and began to fight again.

"Ahhhhh, what did you say, you guy?"

Zoro looked furious.

"So, did you win?" Seeing the angry Zoro, Dunn asked with a strange expression.

As soon as these words were out, Zoro's face stiffened.

"I didn't win, but I will win in the future!"

Zoro muttered with his head down.

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

"This is your room. I'll have Zoro... never mind, I'll bring the things you need over in a bit."

Kuina pushed open a room in the dojo and stepped aside to speak.

Dunn dropped Zoro onto the floor, stepped into the room to look around, and nodded.

"To join the dojo and learn swordsmanship, you have to learn from me first. My father will only teach you once you are proficient in the basic sword moves."

After finishing, Kuina looked at Dunn, who was much taller than her, and then turned to look at Zoro.

"Come with me to get the supplies."

Zoro followed Kuina with his head down, looking dejected; clearly, Dunn's words from earlier had left him too stunned to recover.

Watching the two leave, Dunn turned back to look at the small room.

He didn't have many requirements for his living environment; although it wasn't big, it was clean enough.

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

The first step is complete; next, it's time to see how much I can learn.

Dunn propped his face up with his arm, thinking to himself.

Dunn was quite looking forward to the upcoming training.

Although he had already eaten a Devil Fruit, this was truly the beginning of him coming into contact with the power of this world.

Kuina and Zoro returned quite quickly.

Zoro was carrying a large bag filled with various simple daily necessities.

"Here!"

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

Both Kuina and Zoro cast curious glances his way.

"What is this?"

Kuina was somewhat curious.

"Tuition and living expenses for the future."

As soon as Dunn spoke, Kuina became even more confused. She walked over, opened the pouch, and her eyes widened.

"So much money!"

Zoro was stunned; he walked over, peeked inside, and immediately gulped.

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

Zoro was dumbfounded.

He hadn't paid a cent!