Koushiro's Doubt, Won't Get Hurt?

The battle between the two lasted for an entire afternoon.

By the time the sky darkened, a low-health Dunn and Koushiro returned to the ship.

Kuina and Zoro, who were on board, had already turned to stone.

The battle between Dunn and Koushiro had clearly exceeded anything the two of them could have imagined.

The entire island looked as if it had been plowed over, covered in crisscrossing sword marks.

Dunn was in a more disheveled state, but Koushiro didn't look much better; he was even missing one lens from his glasses.

As he steered the ship to head back, Koushiro looked at Dunn, who was resting in the corner of the deck, and felt a pang of regret.

He had previously thought that although Dunn was progressing rapidly, he hadn't been at it for long, so providing practical combat guidance shouldn't be too strenuous.

But a monster is a monster.

He realized he had still underestimated Dunn.

He could imagine what it would be like to continue guiding Dunn in combat from here on out.

Should he refuse?

But this was only the first day.

Yet Dunn was like a monster; despite looking a bit exhausted from the battle, he hadn't even sustained a single superficial wound.

He had clearly seen some sword qi land directly on Dunn's body.

It seemed this guy still had many secrets.

"Zoro, once we get back and I've had my fill, I'll accept your challenge."

Dunn's voice suddenly rang out.

Zoro, who had been petrified, snapped back to reality upon hearing Dunn call him. After processing what Dunn meant, Zoro swallowed hard, then turned his head to look at the island that had been plowed over.

Zoro really wanted to refuse.

He was reckless, not stupid.

The battle he had just witnessed with his own eyes made it clear to Zoro that the gap between him and Dunn was far too vast.

If Dunn were serious, there wouldn't even be a fight to speak of.

He would be defeated in a single blow.

But with Kuina right beside him, Zoro gritted his teeth and nodded in agreement.

Koushiro steered the ship while casting a measuring gaze at Dunn.

Dunn's clothes were, of course, torn in many places.

But there really wasn't a single wound on Dunn's body—or rather, not even a scratch.

What terrifying defensive power.

It seemed he possessed such a constitution naturally; could it be like that flame, an innate ability of his?

Koushiro speculated inwardly.

He suddenly felt that it had been a mistake for Dragon not to continue his invitation earlier.

He had still vastly underestimated Dunn's talent.

Dunn naturally had no idea that Koushiro had mistaken his digitized body for a special constitution.

Then again, the external manifestation of this digitized body was indeed very similar to the constitution of certain monster-level beings, such as a Steel Balloon.

The powerful effect where he wouldn't be injured as long as his HP didn't hit zero was still in full swing.

After returning to Shimotsuki Village, Dunn restored his HP to full in a very short time by eating, and he discovered a situation.

The amount of food he needed to consume to recover his health had increased.

Previously, maintaining his dual-colored Haki caused a continuous drain on his health, but the drain was minor and not very noticeable, easily compensated for by his daily meals.

But after dropping to low health this time, the effect was very clear.

Not only did he feel it, but Koushiro, Kuina, and Zoro noticed it too.

The three of them now had their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, their mouths hanging wide open.

Koushiro felt that if he had taken nine million Belly from Dunn, he might end up losing money and having to pay out of pocket if Dunn stayed in Shimotsuki Village for too long.

As for Kuina and Zoro, they watched in shock as Dunn consumed an amount of food heavier than he was himself.

"Let's go!"

Dunn set down the bone in his hand, stood up, and spoke directly to Zoro.

Zoro recovered from his stupor, realized what Dunn intended to do, glanced at Koushiro and Kuina, then grabbed his three swords and followed Dunn out.

The expected outcome of being defeated in one move did not occur.

Dunn treated it as a bit of exercise to digest his meal after a hearty feast, holding his sword in one hand and trading blows back and forth with the three-sword-wielding Zoro.

Occasionally, he was even able to utilize the techniques he had mastered during his bout with Koushiro earlier that day.

Of course, he hadn't used any real force.

After all, the current Zoro wouldn't be able to withstand a strike delivered with his full strength.

The sparring lasted until late into the night.

Dunn didn't speak to call an end to it, and given Zoro's temperament, he naturally wouldn't be the one to ask for a stop either.

In the end, Zoro was so exhausted he couldn't even crawl up, and Dunn had to carry him back to the dojo.

In the days that followed, the routine remained essentially the same.

In the morning, he would practice the basics with the dojo students; in the afternoon, he would spar with Koushiro; and after returning, he would "tidy up" Zoro.

Day after day, it was quite a fulfilling life.

Of course, there were occasional interludes.

"It's finally started."

Dunn looked at the newspaper in his hands, feeling quite sentimental.

Kuina leaned over, curious about what Dunn was reading.

Perhaps because she had been saved by him, Kuina's attitude toward Dunn had changed, becoming much closer.

Naturally, this had nothing to do with anything else; it was just a simple, friendly closeness.

Koushiro knew that Dunn would go to the village every few days to pick up a newspaper, and he was also curious about what Dunn was talking about.

"The three new Marine Admirals have officially taken office, and the former Admiral Sengoku has been promoted to Fleet Admiral. I expect the Marines will be making some major moves soon."

Dunn said softly, his eyes fixed on the World Economic News report regarding the matter.

"The Marines?" Koushiro's eyes flashed with a hint of worry upon hearing this.

"Are these people very strong?"

Kuina looked at the photos in the newspaper, filled with curiosity.

"Of course they are strong; they are all top-tier powerhouses on the sea."

Dunn gave an objective assessment.

"But it has nothing to do with the East Blue; the Marines' focus remains on the Grand Line."

Dunn rubbed his chin as he spoke, casting a glance at Koushiro.

"Hmm, the four seas are already under the control of the Marines, and there aren't many pirates with high bounties here, so the Marines certainly won't commit too many forces."

Koushiro nodded.

Since the Revolutionary Army's focus wasn't on the Grand Line, there was no need to worry about a direct confrontation with the Marines for the time being.

"Let's go, Master Koushiro, today's round of combat hasn't even begun yet."

Koushiro, who had been deep in thought, was stunned, then wore a bitter expression.

This Dunn really had endless energy.

But having said that, he certainly wouldn't refuse.

Kuina and Zoro were used to it by now, so they didn't follow along this time.

When late night arrived, a feeling of immense exhaustion washed over Koushiro, yet he didn't rest; instead, he took out a Den Den Mushi.

Before long, Dragon's deep voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi.

"Koushiro? Is something the matter?"

"The situation with the Marines—you must be aware of it by now, Dragon."

"That matter? I am indeed keeping a close watch on it."

Dragon was silent for a moment before answering, clearly taking the matter very seriously.

"It isn't aimed at the Revolutionary Army, is it?"

"There is no need to worry about that. Our opponent is the World Government; as for the Marines, they are more concerned with pirates."

Koushiro breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. "That's for the best. And you're right, the Marines can't spare any more troops."

"Hmm. So, is there anything else?"

Dragon clearly had things to attend to and was already preparing to end the call.

"Yes, there is one more thing, and it concerns Dunn."