Battle Before Departure! The Imps' Doubts

Just as the news of Doflamingo becoming a Warlord of the Sea was reported, another invited Warlord also set sail.

Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea who inherited the Sun Pirates, was also invited to become a Warlord.

The two might have set out one after the other, but the Navy likely announced them simultaneously, or perhaps the news simply hadn't leaked until now.

Dunn looked at the newspapers laid out side-by-side before him, resting his chin on his hand with a dazed look in his eyes.

Kuina and Zoro, both a year older, crept up quietly from behind Dunn.

"Take this!"

The two struck in unison, but Dunn didn't even turn his head, simply flicking his left hand backward twice.

"Ouch!"

Both of them let out cries of pain.

Dunn's Armament Haki-infused knuckle raps caused large bumps to rise rapidly on their foreheads.

The two looked at Dunn with teary eyes.

It wasn't that they had been beaten to tears.

It was just that Dunn's strikes were truly, painfully heavy, and they simply couldn't help it.

"I believe I've taught you both: don't shout when you attack. Doing so only puts your opponent on guard."

Dunn spoke in a calm tone without turning around, his eyes never leaving the newspapers.

"I am a swordsman! I'm going to become the world's greatest swordsman one day!"

Zoro clutched his forehead, raising his voice at the top of his lungs.

Kuina held her forehead, looking at Dunn with tear-filled eyes.

"So that's the reason you've invented a bunch of flashy, nonsensical names for your moves?"

Zoro's retort made Dunn turn his head, a gentle smile on his face.

But upon seeing that smile, Zoro instinctively took several steps back, watching Dunn with a guarded expression.

Sure enough, the knuckle rap arrived right on schedule.

Before Zoro could even react, Dunn's finger had already struck the forehead right between Zoro's hands.

Thud!

A hollow, muffled sound rang out, and a bump the size of a bird's egg appeared instantly.

Zoro winced in pain, yet his face still held that stubborn look.

"It seems I need to teach you how to respect your senior."

Dunn pressed his knuckles, producing a crisp cracking sound.

Seeing this, Zoro gulped and quietly shuffled his feet backward.

"I'm the senior!"

It seemed that taking two steps back made Zoro feel he was at a safe distance, so he tilted his head slightly to retort, though his eyes remained glued to Dunn's fingers.

Hm?

Dunn struck again, but this time, Zoro tilted his head slightly.

Zoro's current reflexes weren't enough to evade Dunn, but he had indeed managed a dodge.

Dunn withdrew his hand and sat back down.

All his hard work over this period hadn't been in vain.

Dunn then looked at Kuina.

"I didn't argue with you!" Sensing the way Dunn was looking at her, Kuina instinctively took half a step back, but then she sensed the danger and threw her head back.

The knuckle rap intended for her forehead grazed the bridge of her nose instead.

Her nose stung, and Kuina's vision blurred.

Tears clouded her sight.

Hmm, the prototype is there.

Dunn nodded in satisfaction, his gaze sweeping over the two of them.

Aside from those born with powerful Observation Haki, awakening it at eleven or twelve years old could certainly be considered genius-level.

Of course, his own contributions were indispensable.

The pain from an attack reinforced with Armament Haki was exceptionally high.

"I'm leaving."

Dunn walked back to the table and picked up the two newspapers.

The two of them, both clutching their heads and streaming with tears, shuddered at Dunn's words.

"Are you running away, you guy? I haven't defeated you yet!"

Zoro raised his voice and shouted.

Under normal circumstances, Dunn would never have let him off the hook for speaking like that, and Zoro, naturally aware of this, braced himself in anticipation.

However, this time, Dunn simply turned back to look at him and shook his head.

"I'll make time to come back and visit, though it's also possible that you and I might meet somewhere else out on the sea in the future."

Dunn said with a beaming smile.

"Why? Didn't you say before that you still needed to improve yourself further?"

Kuina stopped crying, staring at the two shiny, swollen bumps on his forehead as she asked, her tone somewhat urgent.

She had learned from her father that Dunn would be leaving Shimotsuki Village, but this was all too sudden.

She had assumed Dunn would stay in Shimotsuki Village for a long time.

"To save someone."

Dunn said in a relaxed tone.

"Huh?"

Both Zoro and Kuina were stunned.

Save someone?

Then, the two of them simultaneously imagined that Dunn must have a tragic past, with a loved one kidnapped, leading him to come to Shimotsuki Village to hone his skills before returning to rescue them.

"Is it your family?" Kuina asked.

"I'll help you!" Zoro shouted, clenching his fists.

"Hmm?" Dunn looked at the expressions on the two brats.

"Are you two misunderstanding something? The person I'm going to save is a stranger."

Dunn rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and said.

"Huh? A stranger?"

The two were stunned once again, unable to figure out what trick Dunn was playing.

"Why?" Zoro asked, puzzled.

"There is no why. I just want to save them, so I'm going to do it. Why does there have to be so many reasons?"

Dunn shook his head and said.

After speaking, Dunn waved his hand and walked past them, leaving the two staring at each other in confusion.

Not long after, Dunn and Koushiro sat facing each other.

"So, you are leaving?"

Koushiro looked at Dunn, also feeling that his departure was somewhat abrupt.

"Yes, I've learned what I needed to, but I won't stop improving my strength in the future. However, before I leave, let's have a real fight."

As Dunn spoke, his expression turned sincere.

"Master Koushiro!"

He called out, and Koushiro's expression stiffened, looking at Dunn in surprise.

Dunn had always addressed him as "Dojo Master" until now.

Dunn, in fact, knew that the guidance Koushiro had provided during this time had long since exceeded the value of nine million Belly.

Or rather, having a top-tier swordsman as a sparring partner for so long was of immeasurable value.

Not to mention that he had awakened his Observation Haki and Armament Haki here.

Dunn was naturally not someone who didn't know how to appreciate a favor.

"Very well!"

Koushiro was silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Just as Kuina and Zoro, who had followed along, were about to speak, Dunn turned his head to look at them.

"I can't take you two along this time."

"Why?"

Zoro retorted.

"You guy, why do you have so many questions? You can't even block my finger."

Dunn curled his lip, looking dismissive.

Veins instantly popped out on Zoro's forehead, and he glared fiercely at Dunn.

But noticing Dunn's gaze drop to his forehead, Zoro swallowed hard and wiped the expression off his face.

Can't mess with him, can't mess with him!

"Then go get ready. Kuina, take Zoro into the village and buy some ingredients."

Koushiro turned his head to address the two of them, then let his gaze fall upon Dunn.

"So, now?"

"Right!" Dunn stood up and left. A moment later, he returned carrying the longsword Flame, and departed together with Koushiro.

Kuina and Zoro watched the two of them leave, only snapping out of their daze once their figures had vanished from sight.

"Where on earth is Dunn going?"

Kuina asked, her face full of reluctance.

"Who knows? Going to save a stranger without even having a reason—just doing it because he feels like it. How willful!"

Zoro crossed his arms, looking like a little adult.