But that was only in comparison to his life before transmigrating.
In this world, he might have merely caught up to the average level.
And Dunn understood that very well.
Fortunately, the prompt about his rapid transformation hadn't disappeared. That meant his body was still growing stronger.
It was most likely because of that Devil Fruit. After all, its description had mentioned that it would continuously strengthen his body.
As for swordsmanship, he knew he didn't actually know any. But even the basic movements—slashing, thrusting, and the like—along with honing and training his control of force, had raised his rating by a level.
For the time being, he would improve his strength in Shimotsuki Village.
Of course, he wouldn't aim too high.
As for his physique, being able to keep improving was already good enough.
He naturally didn't dare hope to master or awaken his Devil Fruit yet, but he wouldn't stop training.
So, his goals in coming to Shimotsuki Village were to raise his swordsmanship to the iron-cutting level and become a true swordsman. As for Haki, he wanted to at least master two types. He wasn't sure whether he had the talent for Conqueror's Haki.
But the confidence that came with his digitized status panel meant that even without Conqueror's Haki, he wouldn't be weaker than anyone on these seas.
Mastering two types of Haki would be enough.
As the ship pulled in, Dunn stepped onto the gunwale and turned to look at the group gathered on the deck behind him.
"My employment ends here, everyone!"
With that, Dunn leaped off the ship and landed on Shimotsuki Village's small dock.
There were a few people on the dock, but not many. They paid little attention to the arrival of a merchant ship, each busy with their own affairs.
Dunn asked where the dojo was and headed straight there.
On the merchant ship, the group watched Dunn disappear and exchanged bewildered looks.
"What are you staring at? We're not like that gentleman. Hurry up and get ready. Buy some supplies, and I'll see if I can find us some cargo to transport."
The captain's shout sent the crew hurrying about their business.
"Whack!"
The bamboo sword struck a head, producing a hollow thud.
Zoro clutched his head, which was already swelling with a lump, covering the spot where the bamboo sword had hit him. But his face was full of defiance.
"That's your 1,959th loss!"
The girl, around ten years old, held her bamboo sword and spoke calmly.
This had happened nearly two thousand times since Zoro had entered the dojo. She was used to it by now—or perhaps she had simply grown numb to it.
"Just you wait. I'll beat you one day!"
Zoro let go of his head, grabbed the bamboo sword he had dropped, and stared fixedly at Kuina as he spoke, looking fired up.
But with his face battered and bruised and a big lump on his head, he looked pretty ridiculous.
Ridiculous enough to draw laughter from the dojo entrance.
The laughter earned an angry glare from Zoro.
Hearing it, Zoro turned and looked toward the dojo entrance, scowling. He saw a boy of about fourteen or fifteen standing by the door, leaning against it as he watched them.
The boy wore loose white clothes. His black hair was a little long, and his features were gentle and regular, without a hint of sharpness. Judging by his face alone, he seemed like an easygoing person.
But the smile on his face made Zoro think he was being laughed at, and naturally, Zoro bristled.
"Who are you?"
Zoro sized up Dunn at the entrance and asked outright.
"I'm here to learn swordsmanship."
At the question, Dunn walked inside and swept his gaze around the dojo's spacious courtyard, finally settling on Kuina and Zoro.
"Here to learn swordsmanship? Wait here. I'll go tell my father!"
Kuina wasn't surprised. Plenty of people came to the dojo to learn swordsmanship, though this one didn't look like a local.
After Kuina left, Zoro walked up to Dunn and looked up at him with a defiant expression.
"What are you looking at?"
Dunn looked down at Zoro in front of him. Comparing the green-haired little brat to the right-hand man he remembered, who had withstood a combined attack from the Four Emperors on Onigashima and taken down All-Star King, he couldn't help laughing again.
If he'd had a Photo Den Den Mushi, he would definitely have taken a picture of Zoro as he was now.
It would become a legendary part of Zoro's past.
"You're still laughing? I'll beat Kuina one day!"
Zoro raised a hand to wipe the blood from his nose and spoke defiantly.
Dunn shook his head at that. Beating her was out of the question. But since Kuina was still alive, there was no harm in saving her while he was at it.
As for whether that would change Zoro's fate, who cared?
"If you're joining the dojo to learn swordsmanship, that makes me your senior."
Seeing Dunn lost in thought, Zoro quickly came up with the idea of senior and junior students and said it at once.
"We're both here to learn swordsmanship, so whoever's stronger is the boss."
Dunn shook his head at that.
"I see. So if I beat Kuina, she'll have to call me senior?"
Zoro's eyes widened as he stared at Dunn in disbelief.
"That's impossible. You'll never beat me!"
Before Dunn could respond, Kuina's voice rang out.
Then Shimotsuki Koshiro came out with Kuina, who looked thoroughly annoyed.
"I challenge you!"
Enraged, Zoro raised his bamboo sword and pointed it at Kuina.
Kuina glanced at Dunn and her father, then headed straight out of the dojo. Zoro followed right after her.
It looked like another swordsmanship match was about to begin.
"Sorry for the trouble. My daughter and my student do enjoy roughhousing."
Shimotsuki Koshiro didn't stop Kuina and Zoro from competing. Instead, he smiled at Dunn as he spoke. His gaze sized Dunn up, and when he looked into Dunn's eyes, a flicker of surprise passed behind his glasses.
"No problem. They're here to learn swordsmanship, after all. A match won't end until one side wins or the other admits defeat. Neither of them seems like the type to give in easily."
Dunn smiled lightly.
"You certainly have a clear view of things."
Koshiro gave a slight nod, then gestured for Dunn to follow him. Dunn naturally accepted.
Once they entered a room in the dojo, Koshiro sat down on his knees and invited Dunn to do the same. Dunn sat down casually, his expression relaxed, and studied Koshiro.
[Top Swordsman (Extremely Dangerous)]
A blood-red marker hung above Shimotsuki Koshiro's head. Thinking of the markers above the pirates and other people he'd encountered earlier, Dunn realized that Koshiro was the most dangerous person he had met so far.
"You're not from Shimotsuki Village, are you?"
Koshiro was puzzled by Dunn's gaze, but he maintained his manners and asked.
"No. I arrived by merchant ship today. I heard about a dojo here that teaches swordsmanship, so I came over."
Dunn nodded slightly and answered calmly.
"Then why do you want to learn swordsmanship?" Koshiro asked again.
"Does it matter?" Dunn raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"More or less." Koshiro nodded.
His attitude made Dunn fall silent in thought. He lowered his head slightly, considered the question for a moment, then raised it and gave his answer.
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