Entering the Dojo! Zoro and Kuina

But that was only relative to his life before transmigrating.

For this world, perhaps he had merely caught up to the average standard.

And Dunn was well aware of this.

Fortunately, the notifications of his rapid transformation had not ceased, meaning his body was still continuously growing stronger.

It was likely due to that Devil Fruit; after all, the fruit's description mentioned a continuous enhancement of the physical body.

As for swordsmanship, he knew full well he didn't possess any formal techniques, but the basic movements like slashing, hacking, and thrusting, combined with the polishing and training of his force, had also raised his evaluation by a level.

For the next period of time, he would be in Shimotsuki Village to improve his strength.

Of course, he would not be overly ambitious.

As for his physique, being able to continue improving was enough.

As for mastering or awakening the Devil Fruit, he naturally wouldn't harbor such extravagant hopes for now, but his training would not be interrupted.

Therefore, his goal in coming to Shimotsuki Village was to raise his swordsmanship to the level of cutting steel and become a true master swordsman. As for Haki, the bare minimum was to master both Armament and Observation Haki. As for Conqueror's Haki, he wasn't sure if he possessed that kind of aptitude.

But the confidence brought by his digitized panel meant that even without Conqueror's Haki, he would absolutely not be weaker than anyone else on this sea.

Being able to master two types of Haki was already enough.

As the ship docked, Dunn lifted his foot onto the gunwale and turned to look at the group of people on the deck behind him.

"The employment is over, everyone!"

After saying this, Dunn leaped from the ship and landed on the small pier of Shimotsuki Village.

There were a few people on the pier, not many, and they didn't pay much attention to the arrival of a merchant ship, all busy with their own affairs.

Dunn asked for the location of the dojo and headed straight there.

On the merchant ship, watching Dunn's disappearing back, the group looked at each other in dismay.

"What are you looking at? We aren't like that gentleman. Hurry up and get ready, buy some supplies, and I'm going to see if I can transport some cargo."

The captain's shout set the crew to work.

"Thwack!"

The bamboo sword struck the top of his head, emitting a hollow echo.

Zoro, with a large bump rising on his head, clutched the spot where he had been hit with both hands, his face full of defiance.

"The 1,959th time, you've lost!"

The girl, around ten years old, gripped her bamboo sword and said with a calm expression.

This had happened nearly 2,000 times since Zoro had joined the dojo; she was already used to it, or perhaps, numb to it.

"Just you wait, I will definitely defeat you."

Releasing his hands from his head, Zoro grabbed the bamboo sword he had just dropped, staring fixedly at Kuina, looking quite passionate.

However, with his bruised face and the large bump on his head, he looked truly comical.

So comical, in fact, that laughter drifted from the entrance of the dojo.

Then, the laughter drew Zoro's angry glare.

Hearing the laughter, Zoro turned his head and looked toward the dojo entrance with an annoyed expression, only to see a youth of fourteen or fifteen standing by the door, leaning against the frame and watching the two of them.

The youth wore loose white clothing, his black hair looked a bit long, and his features were soft and upright. He didn't look sharp or aggressive; just by his appearance, he seemed like an easygoing person.

But the smile on his face now made Zoro feel like he was being mocked, and naturally, he felt indignant.

"Who are you?"

Zoro sized up the Dunn at the door and asked directly.

"Here to learn swordsmanship."

Hearing the question, Dunn stepped inside, his eyes sweeping across the spacious courtyard of the dojo before finally resting on Kuina and Zoro.

"Learn swordsmanship? Wait here, I'll go tell my father!"

Kuina wasn't surprised, as quite a few people came to the dojo to learn, though he didn't look like a local.

After Kuina left, Zoro walked up to Dunn, tilting his head back and looking at him with a rebellious expression.

"What are you looking at me for?"

Dunn looked down at the Zoro before him, comparing this green-haired brat to the right-hand man of the Yonko who, in his memory, had withstood the combined attack of two Emperors on Onigashima and slashed through the All-Star King. He couldn't help but laugh out loud.

If he didn't have a Den Den Mushi for photos on him, he would definitely have taken a picture of Zoro's current state.

This would absolutely become Zoro's dark history.

"You're still laughing? I will defeat Kuina one day."

Zoro raised his hand to wipe the blood flowing from his nose, saying with an unconvinced expression.

Dunn shook his head at these words. Defeating her was impossible, but since Kuina wasn't dead yet, it wouldn't hurt to save her while he was at it.

As for whether this would change Zoro's fate, to hell with it.

"If you're joining the dojo to learn the sword, then I'm your senior brother."

Seeing Dunn lost in thought, Zoro's mind raced as he hit upon the idea of seniority, and he spoke up immediately.

"Since we're both here to learn the sword, naturally, whoever is stronger is the boss."

Hearing this, Dunn shook his head directly.

"So that's how it is. Doesn't that mean if I defeat Kuina, she'll have to call me senior brother?"

Zoro's eyes widened sharply as he stared at Dunn in disbelief.

"Impossible, you will never be able to defeat me!"

Before Dunn could even respond, Kuina's voice rang out.

Then, Shimotsuki Koshiro and Kuina walked out together, the latter looking quite displeased.

"I challenge you!"

Enraged by her words, Zoro raised his bamboo sword and pointed it at Kuina.

Kuina, being pointed at by the bamboo sword, glanced at Dunn and her father before walking straight out of the dojo, with Zoro following right behind her.

It seemed another duel of swordsmanship was about to begin.

"Please excuse the spectacle; my daughter and this student of mine just love to bicker."

Shimotsuki Koshiro did not stop the contest between Kuina and Zoro, but instead said this to Dunn with a smile. As he spoke, his gaze swept over Dunn, and when he caught sight of Dunn's eyes, a flicker of surprise flashed behind his spectacles.

"It's no matter. After all, when it comes to learning the sword, things only end when a victor is decided or one side concedes. Neither of these two, as I see it, is the type to concede easily."

Dunn said with a light chuckle.

"You see things quite clearly."

Shimotsuki Koshiro nodded gently at these words, then made a gesture of invitation, which Dunn naturally did not refuse.

After entering a room inside the dojo, Shimotsuki Koshiro knelt and invited Dunn to sit. Dunn sat down with a relaxed expression, his eyes sizing up Shimotsuki Koshiro.

[Top-tier Swordsman (Extremely Dangerous)]

A blood-red mark hovered above Shimotsuki Koshiro's head. Recalling the markers above the heads of the pirates and others he had encountered earlier, the Koshiro before him was the most dangerous person he had met thus far.

"Are you not from Shimotsuki Village?"

Koshiro was puzzled by Dunn's gaze, but he did not lose his manners and asked.

"Indeed. I arrived on a merchant ship today. I heard elsewhere that there was a dojo here that taught swordsmanship, so I came over."

Dunn nodded slightly, answering with a calm expression.

"Then, why do you wish to learn the sword?" Koshiro asked again.

"Is that important?"

Dunn raised an eyebrow, asking in surprise.

"I suppose it is." Koshiro nodded.

His attitude, however, caused Dunn to fall into contemplation. He bowed his head slightly to think, and after a moment, he looked up and gave his answer.