Gifted Sword and Black Blade! First Learn Observation Haki

What Shimotsuki Koshiro said was naturally the truth.

After all, there are differences even among geniuses.

Although Dunn had been at the Isshin Dojo in Shimotsuki Village for only a month, the talent he had displayed was enough to leave Shimotsuki Koshiro in awe.

That was why he had given that answer.

"Searching for a sword style that suits me?"

Dunn whispered, a ball of flames appearing in his mind.

The power of the Mera Mera no Mi was the strongest ability he currently possessed, so his thoughts naturally turned to fire.

A gaunt old man wreathed in flames surfaced in his mind.

Temperatures comparable to the sun; if he were to go all out for too long, he could even destroy a world.

He had not been negligent in developing his fruit, and he had attempted to use all his knowledge to create powerful techniques.

Perhaps it was worth a try.

Dunn's eyes brightened.

There wasn't a man alive who didn't love a cool and powerful technique.

"It seems you already have an idea, but before that, I will teach you my philosophy on swordsmanship. This is my understanding of the blade, and you may use it as a reference."

Shimotsuki Koshiro, who had been observing Dunn, smiled as he saw the look on the young man's face.

"No problem. I do have some ideas, though they are quite difficult, I am certainly willing to try."

Dunn felt no sense of urgency; he was willing to spend the time to experiment.

"You cannot neglect your basic swordsmanship training. From now on, you will practice on your own every morning, and in the afternoon, I will guide you in the practice of Haki and swordsmanship."

After saying this, Shimotsuki Koshiro looked Dunn over a few times, stood up, and walked to the wall to pull a lever. The wall slid aside, revealing rows of sword racks.

"You may choose a sword. While I don't usually recommend beginners use real blades, you are different."

Dunn did not stand on ceremony; he stood up to make his selection.

They all looked like fine pieces of craftsmanship.

Dunn knew that Shimotsuki Koshiro's father, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, was a master swordsmith from Wano Country, and that Enma, one of the 21 Great Grade swords, had been forged by his hand.

Dunn picked up every sword, eventually grabbing one that was longer, wider, and heavier than the rest.

Dunn was now over 1.8 meters tall, and this sword was even longer than he was.

Shimotsuki Koshiro looked a bit surprised to see Dunn return with such an unusually long blade, but he said nothing.

As the door slid shut, the two sat down once more.

Glancing at the long sword resting by Dunn's side, Shimotsuki Koshiro felt a wave of emotion.

"These were all forged by my father in the past, though he hasn't forged anything in a long time. You may give it a name yourself. Perhaps one day, it will become a true black blade and make a name for itself across the seas."

"A black blade?"

Dunn asked in return.

He knew what a black blade was, and he knew that they were forged by their wielders, seemingly related to Haki.

"A black blade is a state of a sword. Through countless battles and countless times of imbuing the blade with Haki, the very nature of the sword changes."

"Its material becomes stronger, to the point where it can be called indestructible."

Seemingly intrigued, Shimotsuki Koshiro looked Dunn straight in the eyes.

"And right now, that man who has just become the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye—the Yoru in his hand is a black blade."

He expected Dunn to show some reaction when he mentioned this.

But when Dunn heard the name of the black blade Yoru, his expression remained calm.

"Do you not wish to become the world's greatest swordsman?"

Shimotsuki Koshiro asked with a chuckle.

"I don't have that ambition right now. After all, I should still be quite a distance away from that great swordsman."

Dunn shook his head. "My goal has always been to live a stable life in this world. If that great swordsman ever stands in my way, perhaps this title will change hands."

Hearing Dunn speak with such a calm tone about making the title of the world's greatest swordsman change hands, Shimotsuki Koshiro burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, good! I would actually quite like to see that day. After all, I would have had a hand in teaching you swordsmanship, and I would share in the honor."

"So, since I'm not even a swordsman yet, isn't it a bit too early for us to be talking about this?"

Dunn felt speechless as he watched Shimotsuki Koshiro laugh.

"I believe you have the talent."

"Alright, thank you for your trust, but I would like to learn Observation Haki first."

"Very well!"

Although he didn't know why Dunn wanted to learn Observation Haki first, Shimotsuki Koshiro did not refuse.

"Then I shall take my leave."

Dunn finished speaking, stood up, grabbed the sword beside him, and departed.

Shimotsuki Koshiro watched Dunn leave. After a long while, a short, elderly man slowly walked out.

"He knew I was here. He may have already awakened Observation Haki, though he cannot yet use it with ease."

The old man, clutching a pipe, sat in the seat Dunn had just vacated.

"What do you think, Father?"

"If even you cannot see through him, then an old man like me certainly cannot."

Shimotsuki Kozaburo shook his head.

Although he was a master swordsmith and knew some swordsmanship, his skill did not compare to his son's.

"However, he might truly be able to forge a Black Blade. I never expected him to choose that one."

Thinking of the sword Dunn had taken, Shimotsuki Kozaburo felt deeply moved.

"That sword is no worse than a Great Grade sword, but when I forged it, my stamina was already failing, so it is quite rough, and very heavy."

The sword Dunn had taken was indeed more than ten times heavier than an ordinary blade.

"He has a unique talent; such weight is nothing to him."

Shimotsuki Koshiro was well aware of Dunn's strength.

Or rather, Dunn's strength was directly proportional to his appetite.

"Hmm, focus on teaching him. He likely won't be staying here for long."

Shimotsuki Kozaburo stood up and began to walk away, but after a few steps, he turned back, his dim, aged eyes fixed on Shimotsuki Koshiro.

"And Zoro!" He paused, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes. "Zoro's talent for swordsmanship is inherited from his grandfather and father, and even that Dragon-Slaying Swordsman. You must teach him well."

"Understood!"

Hailing from Wano Country, Shimotsuki Koshiro actually believed deeply in the concept of bloodlines.

Since Zoro's ancestors included several Great Swordsmen, Zoro surely possessed that same potential.

Dunn had indeed vaguely sensed that someone was nearby and remaining hidden while he spoke with Shimotsuki Koshiro.

But he did not dwell on it.

It was enough to focus on his own affairs.

Upon returning to his room, Dunn raised his hand and drew the sword.

Its dull luster was not particularly bright, and wave-like patterns covered the entire blade. It was much thicker than an ordinary sword, yet the sharpness of the edge was not the least bit diminished.

Holding the hilt, he leveled the sword before his chest. A flicker of flame emerged from Dunn's hand, spreading along the blade until, in an instant, the fire completely engulfed it.

However, for now, this flame was merely for show.