Guina, Thrown Back

Dunn's words fell, and the room fell silent.

Kuina turned to look at Koushiro, then lowered her head, seeming to mull something over.

Zoro stared straight at Dunn, then suddenly stood up.

"Dunn, just you wait out on the open sea. When we meet again, I'll definitely beat you."

"Good! That's the spirit!"

Dunn smiled at his words, flashing his white teeth as he gave Zoro a thumbs-up.

"Heh heh!"

Hearing Dunn praise him, Zoro bashfully scratched his head.

Kuina and Koushiro both shook their heads at the sight.

Was there something wrong with this kid's head?

"You're leaving on a merchant ship?"

Koushiro rose, taking his eyes off Zoro. He was still relieved, though.

Their sparring that day had shown Koushiro the strength Dunn had been hiding. Thinking back on all their matches over the past while, Koushiro realized he could finally get some rest.

"I don't know anything about sailing or reading charts, so I'll have to rely on a merchant ship."

Dunn nodded.

During his time in Shimotsuki Village, he had spent nearly every day training. Otherwise, Zoro and Kuina wouldn't have improved so quickly.

He hadn't had time to learn how to sail, and, of course, he wasn't interested.

"That won't do. Whether you're in the Four Blues or the Grand Line, you have to know how to sail if you want to travel these seas."

Koushiro reminded him.

With Dunn's strength, he probably wouldn't run into any real danger. And aside from a few regions, there were fish throughout the sea, so he wouldn't starve. But he might end up lost for a long time.

"Fair point. I need a navigator!"

After Koushiro's reminder, Dunn thought it over and nodded.

But how old was Nami now? She was even younger than Zoro, wasn't she?

If so, she had probably only just begun to think about making charts.

"I'll keep that in mind and look around. There are plenty of merchant ships on the sea, after all. For now, I'll travel aboard them."

"That's probably best. Until you find a navigator who knows what they're doing, I don't recommend entering the Grand Line. You understand that, I'm sure."

Koushiro warned him. He knew Dunn seemed to know a lot, but hesitated before adding, "The weather in the Grand Line and the New World is far more violent than in the Four Blues. No matter how strong you are, you could still run into danger at sea."

"I won't let my guard down."

Dunn nodded.

He thought of the great battle between the Golden Lion and Roger.

The two of them and their crews were among the strongest on the seas, yet the Golden Lion's massive fleet had been wiped out by a storm in the New World.

"Good. Go get ready. Merchant ships usually arrive in the afternoon or at dusk, then leave the next morning. I'll speak to the captain."

Koushiro left as soon as he finished speaking.

Dunn glanced at Kuina and Zoro, then headed out too.

"We haven't cleaned up yet!"

After Dunn left, the two looked at the pile of leftover bones, dishes, and other things from the meal, and froze in dismay.

Despite their grumbling, they got to work quickly.

As they cleaned up, though, Zoro could tell Kuina's mind was elsewhere.

"Kuina, are you thinking about Dunn?"

Kuina was taken aback.

"Don't worry. Once we're old enough to go to sea, we'll definitely run into him again."

Zoro thumped his chest, looking confident.

"I was thinking about what might happen to me if I went out to sea too."

Kuina shook her head.

"Then you'll meet all those swordsmen who roam the seas, fight them, and become the World's Greatest Swordsman!"

At that, Zoro waved his fists and shouted—then came the sound of dishes breaking.

"Idiot Zoro, watch what you're doing!"

Kuina, whose temper had mellowed quite a bit, still couldn't hold back from shouting.

In his room, Dunn sensed their conversation and what had happened with his Observation Haki. He smiled faintly and shook his head.

He lay on his bed with his hands behind his head, his eyes full of anticipation.

Before, he had kept the idea at bay because he'd felt his strength wasn't reliable enough to protect himself from the people and dangers out there.

But all men yearned for the unknown and adventure.

Dunn considered himself fairly levelheaded, but now he couldn't help looking forward to whatever he might encounter.

Of course, he also wanted to see the people from the stories.

He would only do what he wanted.

The nine years of compulsory education he'd received and the worldview he'd developed since childhood meant he wouldn't become a villain.

But he didn't want to concern himself with the forces in this world—the Revolutionary Army and the World Government, or the conflicts between the Navy and the pirates. Even less did he want to get involved.

He was only an outsider, a bystander.

What was that saying? Respect everyone's fate.

Something like that.

All sorts of thoughts rose in Dunn's mind, and even his Observation Haki began to waver.

"Maybe I could visit the other three seas besides the East Blue."

Dunn murmured to himself.

The night passed quickly. In the morning, at Shimotsuki Village's dock, Dunn waved goodbye and boarded the merchant ship.

The crew was still loading cargo, though they seemed nearly finished.

Before long, the ship set sail, slowly pulling away from the dock.

"Where's Kuina?"

Zoro watched the ship move off, then realized Kuina didn't seem to have come along.

Koushiro didn't answer. He looked toward the ship with a complicated expression.

"Ahhhhhh!"

A girl's drawn-out cry rang out from the merchant ship. A small figure was then thrown overboard.

"Dunn, you jerk!"

Kuina's angry voice rang out, but she tumbled helplessly toward the dock.

Dunn had clearly used his skill to soften the throw. Kuina rolled several times after landing, then sprang to her feet and glared at the departing ship, fists clenched and thoroughly annoyed.

Zoro stared at it all, dumbfounded. He opened his mouth, pointed at Kuina, then at the ship, repeating the gesture several times without managing to say a word.

Koushiro pushed up his glasses.

"Kuina, it's not your time to go to sea yet. Wait until you've become a swordsman."

Dunn's voice carried from the merchant ship in the distance.

Kuina was even more annoyed.

"Come on, let's go back. If Dunn doesn't want to take you along, then get stronger."

Koushiro had originally planned to stop Kuina from going. But knowing how strong Dunn was, he'd figured she wouldn't be in much danger if she went with him.

Ever since Kuina had nearly died in that accident, Koushiro had learned to take things more easily.

Still, he hadn't expected Dunn to throw her right back as soon as he noticed her.

With her head drooping, Kuina followed Koushiro.

"You wanted to go to sea with Dunn?"

Zoro finally understood. He stared at Kuina, eyes wide.

He'd thought they'd agreed to get stronger together and see who could become the World's Greatest Swordsman. Now Kuina had actually tried to sneak off without him?

She really was too sneaky.

Maybe Zoro's tone annoyed Kuina. Or maybe Dunn throwing her back had left her looking for an excuse to vent.

Either way, once they got back, the two resumed their long-interrupted sparring.

Aboard the merchant ship, Dunn leaned against the railing, holding Flame as he looked back toward Shimotsuki Village.

"Mr. Dunn, I'm the captain, Old Pick. You can call me Captain Pick. The ship's safety is in your hands this trip."

An elderly sailor with a red nose from drink spoke cheerfully.

"Hm?"

Dunn paused, turning to look at the old man who'd introduced himself as Captain Pick.

"Master Koushiro said you were an excellent swordsman. Don't worry—once we return safely, we'll pay you handsomely for your help."

Seeing Dunn's expression, Old Pick explained further.

Dunn finally understood. He looked back toward Shimotsuki Village, speechless.

That Koushiro...

He'd thought Koushiro had paid for his passage. He hadn't expected him to have found Dunn a job.

Remembering Koushiro's hidden identity and how he might be secretly gathering supplies for the Revolutionary Army, Dunn understood.

"Leave it to me. Call me if you run into trouble."

Dunn didn't mind. It wasn't as if it would be any trouble.

"Great. I've arranged a private room for you, Mr. Dunn. You can rest there, and I'll have someone bring you food."

Seeing how relaxed Dunn seemed, Old Pick was delighted.