Shimotsuki Koshiro was telling the truth, of course.
After all, even among geniuses, there were different levels.
Although Dunn had only been at Isshin Dojo in Shimotsuki Village for a month, the talent he had displayed was enough to amaze Shimotsuki Koshiro.
That was why he had given that answer.
"Find a sword style that suits me?"
Dunn murmured softly, a ball of flame appearing in his mind.
The Mera Mera no Mi's power was the strongest power he currently possessed, so it was only natural that he thought of fire.
Then a gaunt old man, wreathed in flames, appeared in his mind.
His heat rivaled the sun's, and if he fought at full strength for too long, he could even destroy a world.
He had never slacked off in developing his Devil Fruit, and he had tried to use everything he knew to create powerful techniques.
Maybe he could give it a try.
Dunn's eyes lit up.
No man could resist a cool, powerful technique.
"Looks like you already have an idea. Before that, though, I'll teach you my principles of swordsmanship. This is how I understand the sword. You can use it as a reference."
Shimotsuki Koshiro had been watching Dunn closely. Seeing his expression, he smiled as he spoke.
"No problem. I do have a few ideas, though they'll be difficult. I'm still willing to try."
Dunn felt no need to rush. He was willing to spend time experimenting.
"You mustn't neglect your basic sword training. From now on, practice on your own each morning. In the afternoon, I'll guide you in training your Haki and swordsmanship."
With that, Shimotsuki Koshiro looked Dunn over, then stood and walked to the wall. He pulled at something, and the wall slid aside, revealing row upon row of sword racks.
"You can choose a sword. I don't recommend that beginners use real swords, but you're different."
Dunn didn't hesitate. He got up and began choosing.
They all looked well made.
Dunn knew that Shimotsuki Koshiro's father, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, was a master swordsmith from Wano Country. Enma, one of the Twenty-One Great Grade Swords, had been forged by him.
Dunn picked up each sword in turn, then finally grabbed one that was longer, wider, and heavier than the rest.
Dunn was now over six feet tall, yet the sword was even longer than he was.
Shimotsuki Koshiro looked a little surprised when Dunn returned with the exceptionally long sword, but he said nothing.
After the door slid shut, the two sat down again.
Shimotsuki Koshiro glanced at the long sword beside Dunn and sighed.
"These swords were all made by my father, though he hasn't forged any in a long time. You can give it a name of your own. Perhaps one day it'll become a true Black Blade and make its name across the seas."
"A Black Blade?"
Dunn echoed.
He knew what a Black Blade was, and that its wielder forged it through training. It seemed to have something to do with Haki.
"A Black Blade is a form a sword can take. After its wielder has carried it through countless battles and coated it with Haki countless times, the sword itself changes.
Its material grows tougher, until it can be called virtually indestructible."
Apparently growing excited, Shimotsuki Koshiro looked Dunn in the eye.
"And now, Hawkeye, who has just become the world's strongest swordsman, wields Yoru, a Black Blade."
He had expected Dunn to react to this revelation.
But when Dunn heard about the Black Blade Yoru, his expression barely changed.
"Don't you want to become the strongest swordsman in the world?" Shimotsuki Koshiro asked with a laugh.
"I'm not thinking about that right now. I'm still a long way from that great swordsman."
Dunn shook his head. "My goal has always been to live a peaceful life in this world. If that great swordsman ever gets in my way, perhaps someone else will take his title."
Hearing Dunn calmly say that the world's strongest swordsman might have to give up his title, Shimotsuki Koshiro burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Good! I'd love to see that day. After all, I'll have taught you swordsmanship, so I'll be able to take pride in it too."
"Still, I'm not even a swordsman yet. Isn't it a bit early for us to be talking about this?"
Dunn looked at Shimotsuki Koshiro, who was still laughing, and felt at a loss.
"I believe you have the talent for it."
"All right, thank you for believing in me. But I'd like to learn Observation Haki first."
"Good!"
Shimotsuki Koshiro didn't know why Dunn wanted to learn Observation Haki first, but he didn't refuse.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Dunn got up, picked up the sword beside him, and left.
Shimotsuki Koshiro watched Dunn go. After a long while, a short old man slowly emerged.
"He knew I was here. He may have awakened Observation Haki already, but he can't use it freely yet."
The old man, holding a long-stemmed pipe, sat where Dunn had been sitting.
"What do you think, Father?"
"If you can't see through him, there's no way an old man like me can. I understand him even less than you do."
Shimotsuki Kozaburo shook his head.
Though he was a master swordsmith and knew a little swordsmanship, his skills were no match for his son's.
"Still, he might actually be able to turn that sword into a Black Blade. I never expected him to choose that one."
Thinking of the sword Dunn had taken, Shimotsuki Kozaburo sighed.
"That sword is no worse than a Great Grade Sword. But when I forged it, I was already running out of strength, so it was rather crude. And it's very heavy."
The sword Dunn had taken really was more than ten times heavier than an ordinary sword.
"He has a special talent. That little bit of weight is nothing to him."
Shimotsuki Koshiro knew how strong Dunn was.
Or rather, Dunn's strength was directly proportional to his appetite.
"Mm. Focus on teaching him. He may not stay here for long."
Shimotsuki Kozaburo rose and started for the door. After a few steps, he turned back, his cloudy old eyes fixed on Shimotsuki Koshiro.
"And Zoro!" He paused, a trace of nostalgia in his eyes. "Zoro inherited his swordsmanship talent from his grandfather and father—and even from that Dragon-slaying swordsman. Make sure you teach him well."
"Understood!"
Having been born in Wano Country, Shimotsuki Koshiro also firmly believed in things like bloodlines.
There had been several great swordsmen among Zoro's ancestors, so Zoro must have the talent to become one too.
Dunn really had faintly sensed someone nearby while he was talking with Shimotsuki Koshiro, though they hadn't shown themselves.
But he hadn't looked into it.
He only needed to take care of his own business.
Back in his room, Dunn drew the sword in his hand.
Its muted sheen wasn't very bright. Waves of rippling patterns covered the whole blade. It was much thicker than an ordinary sword, but its edge was just as sharp.
Holding the hilt with the sword across his chest, Dunn summoned a flicker of flame in his hand. It spread along the blade, and in an instant, fire engulfed the entire sword.
But for now, the flames were all show and no substance.
Before you continue