Powerful Strength and Swordsmanship Training

Seeing Koushiro so serious, Kuina froze.

She had never seen her father this serious before.

Little did she know that Koushiro was terrified of losing his only daughter.

Seeing this, Dunn glanced at Wado Ichimonji, then turned and left.

If Kuina didn't die, would Zoro still ask for Wado Ichimonji and inherit her will?

Through Observation Haki, he sensed Zoro training like a madman.

Zoro gripped two ropes, each tied to a rock at the other end, while holding a dumbbell in his mouth to build strength.

"Well, not bad!"

Dunn walked into the courtyard, bent his knees slightly, and leaped onto the roof.

With Flame at his side, Dunn lay down and squinted at the bright, scorching sun overhead, keeping both Observation Haki and Armament Haki active.

"From now on, I'll focus on getting stronger. Koushiro probably won't hold anything back."

Dunn closed his eyes and thought to himself.

Over the next few days, Kuina seemed like a different person.

Even with Dunn around, she'd previously looked troubled.

But now, her personality had actually brightened.

Perhaps this was more like an eleven-year-old girl.

Zoro was puzzled by Kuina's change, but he went on comparing himself with her as usual.

Then, a few days later, Dunn looked at Zoro, who stood before him with three swords, his eyes fixed intently on him.

"Did you beat Kuina?"

Dunn asked with his eyes closed.

"Kuina forfeited. Now, you're my next target."

Zoro sounded very serious.

Dunn turned toward where Kuina was standing.

"Mm, I lost!"

Kuina said with a grin.

"Whatever. You're dumping this problem on me?"

"That has nothing to do with me!"

Kuina shook her head, then looked at Zoro.

"But my goal is still to become the world's strongest swordsman."

After saying this, Kuina fell silent, sat down where she was, and propped up her chin to watch the fight.

"I'm not a problem, Dunn. Accept my challenge."

Zoro stared at Dunn with wide, eager eyes, waiting for him to agree.

"Fine, fine!"

Dunn sighed. Seeing Zoro about to charge at him, he raised a hand to stop him.

"But wait. I haven't started today's training yet."

Zoro stumbled and nearly fell. After managing to steady himself, he looked at Dunn in confusion.

Footsteps sounded.

Koushiro walked over slowly with a sword in hand, showing no surprise at the scene before him.

"This island isn't suitable for fighting. There's a boat at the pier, and there's an uninhabited island nearby."

With that, Koushiro turned and headed toward the pier. Dunn followed him at once.

Kuina got up and followed without hesitation. Zoro looked bewildered, but curiosity drove him to follow too.

The island wasn't far. It took only half an hour by boat to get there from Shimotsuki Village.

"Master Koushiro!"

After they stopped the boat, Zoro couldn't contain his curiosity and asked Koushiro.

"Kuina, Zoro, you two wait on the boat. Don't come any closer."

Koushiro turned to them and gave them a warning.

Dunn's next stage of training would be real combat. Koushiro had promised him this before, and from then on, they would spar like this every day.

Dunn was looking forward to it, too.

After glancing at Kuina and Zoro, who were waiting quietly, Dunn bent his knees slightly and leaped into the air.

The force of his jump made the small boat rock violently, showing just how hard he'd pushed off from it.

Zoro swallowed.

He suddenly wondered if challenging Dunn meant he was asking to get beaten up.

The island wasn't very large and was quite barren. The part above sea level was entirely covered in broken rocks, with not a blade of grass in sight. Water stains were visible on the rocks.

After landing, Dunn looked at Koushiro, who had also leaped over and touched down nearby.

"Next, you can try learning my swordsmanship."

Koushiro looked at Dunn calmly and spoke in an even voice.

"Only the swordsmanship you develop through your own battles will truly suit you best, but learning from others isn't a bad thing."

Dunn nodded. He certainly wasn't going to argue.

Learning from the strengths of many schools made perfect sense.

"My swordsmanship was passed down from my father. It's the Shimotsuki Family's ancestral style. Shimotsuki swordsmanship emphasizes downward slashes. You adjust your breathing as you slash, then shout to increase the force behind it."

Koushiro drew his sword and explained.

"For example, like this."

Koushiro gripped his sword with both hands and took up his stance. In the next instant, he appeared in front of Dunn as if he'd teleported, raised his sword high, and brought it crashing down.

"Hah!"

He let out a roar as he slashed.

Clang!

Dunn raised his sword to block and was sent flying.

After adjusting his position in midair, Dunn landed. Koushiro followed close behind and struck again, another slash accompanied by a shout.

Watching the sword come down toward his head, Dunn smiled. He gripped his sword with both hands and swung upward.

Clang!

The sound of clashing metal rang out. Dunn's knees bent slightly, and the ground beneath his feet split open.

"What incredible strength!"

Koushiro used the force of the rebound to retreat. Once he had steadied himself, he exclaimed in surprise.

He'd known all along that Dunn's physical abilities were far beyond ordinary, and that he was growing stronger at an astonishing pace.

But now, Koushiro had used seventy percent of his strength and still hadn't gained the upper hand. He knew he wasn't one of the strongest fighters on the seas, but he had spent decades diligently honing his swordsmanship.

And Dunn was only—

Of course, neither of them had used swordsmanship or any other power beyond their physical strength.

"My turn!"

Dunn paid no heed to Koushiro's surprise. He drove off with both legs, shattering the ground beneath him. Just like Koushiro had a moment ago, he reached Koushiro in the blink of an eye.

He swept his sword sideways with his right hand.

Their weapons clashed. Dunn clearly felt the force of Koushiro's sword guiding his own aside—or rather, redirecting his strength.

Dunn smiled. He could pull back even a full-force slash, and as soon as he did, he swung horizontally again.

This strike sent Koushiro flying. He flipped several times through the air before landing.

"Crude! You're using your strength in a crude way."

Koushiro's face darkened, and he looked rather exasperated.

"But it works."

Dunn wasn't bothered by Koushiro's tone. He answered with a smile.

"But on these seas, you'll eventually encounter someone stronger than you. Giants, for example, and the true monsters of the sea."

Koushiro thought Dunn relied too much on his strength.

Did he really think he could overpower every opponent?

"This is only the first day. I just wanted to show you I'm not bad, Master."

Dunn grinned.

"You're showing me what you can do?"

Koushiro paused, then understood what Dunn meant.

Dunn was telling him to go all out.

If that was the case, Koushiro's gaze turned dangerous.

It seemed Dunn had underestimated him.