Expectations and Tuition! Zoro: I Didn't Pay a Thing

"Maybe I'll be able to live freely in this world."

His answer rang out in the room, clear and decisive.

Shimotsuki Koshiro was plainly surprised by Dunn's answer. His astonishment showed on his face.

"Living freely in this world isn't easy."

Shimotsuki Koshiro seemed to understand what Dunn meant and said with a sigh.

"That's why I want to learn the sword, grow stronger, and gain the power to protect myself."

Dunn continued calmly, "So, Master, are you satisfied with my answer?"

"I am. Actually, whatever answer you gave, I would have taught you. After all, when you wield a sword, you need to have a conviction of your own.

"Only a sword wielded with such conviction can possess greater power."

Shimotsuki Koshiro spoke with a gentle smile.

Dunn didn't take Shimotsuki Koshiro's words as a lecture, either.

After all, he knew little about the sword, while Shimotsuki Koshiro, sitting before him, was a Top-tier Swordsman. At least for now, the man's understanding of the sword far surpassed his own.

Besides, becoming a true swordsman really did seem to require some kind of conviction.

That included Haki, too.

"Since you're here to learn swordsmanship, let's discuss the fee."

Dunn was still thinking when Shimotsuki Koshiro, seated across from him, spoke again.

"Sure!" Dunn nodded. He remembered that Zoro hadn't paid anything to learn swordsmanship and had even been allowed to eat and live at the dojo for free.

But Zoro—or perhaps everyone in Shimotsuki Village—was probably related by blood.

Besides, this worked out well.

"Five hundred thousand Belly a year."

Seeing Dunn nod, Shimotsuki Koshiro thought for a moment and named his price.

Dunn shook his head at once.

Seeing the gesture, Shimotsuki Koshiro thought Dunn was going to haggle, so he waited for him to continue.

"One million Belly a year!" Dunn named his own price, leaving Shimotsuki Koshiro momentarily stunned.

He realized he'd guessed wrong.

"One million Belly. In return, I want you to teach me everything you can, without holding anything back."

Dunn stated his terms.

"That can be done. But I'll only teach you more once your swordsmanship has reached a certain level."

Shimotsuki Koshiro met Dunn's direct gaze. After a moment's silence, he nodded.

Once Shimotsuki Koshiro agreed, Dunn felt relieved. He smiled and was about to speak when two children poked their heads in through the doorway.

"Kuina, go and..." Shimotsuki Koshiro began, then remembered he hadn't asked Dunn's name.

"Dunn."

"Right. Kuina, find Dunn a place to stay. He'll be learning swordsmanship at the dojo from now on."

"Okay!"

Kuina looked at Dunn curiously and nodded.

On the other side of the doorway, Zoro—whose bruises were even worse than before—stared at Dunn as he stood up.

"You come along too. I'll need you to carry some things later."

Kuina said this to Zoro, then led the way.

Dunn cupped his hands toward Shimotsuki Koshiro, then followed Kuina.

After the three of them left, Shimotsuki Koshiro remained seated, looking puzzled.

He could tell what Dunn's gesture meant, but it seemed like a formal, standard gesture, as if it were some kind of etiquette.

"Could my guess really be right?"

Shimotsuki Koshiro murmured to himself.

They had only just met, and it had been a short while, but Shimotsuki Koshiro had sensed arrogance—or perhaps pride—in Dunn.

No, that wasn't it!

Shimotsuki Koshiro frowned and shook his head.

It resembled arrogance and pride, but was really more like a kind of condescension.

Dunn seemed polite enough, but that was still the impression he gave.

Was he a noble?

Shimotsuki Koshiro felt there were many contradictions about Dunn.

As for Dunn, he wasn't thinking about any of that.

He was currently holding Zoro by the back of his collar, carrying the boy along behind Kuina.

"So he can get lost even in a dojo this small?"

Dunn's voice was full of curiosity.

He knew Zoro was hopelessly bad with directions, but the dojo wasn't very big, and Zoro had been here for quite a while. How could he still get lost?

"Yep!" Kuina answered crisply without turning around.

"Impossible! How could I get lost?"

Zoro struggled with all his might, but the hand holding the back of his collar stayed perfectly steady. It didn't even budge.

"If I hadn't stopped you, you'd have turned around and wandered off somewhere just now."

Dunn's words brought Zoro's frantic struggling to a halt.

Then he slumped dejectedly, looking thoroughly miserable.

"Come to think of it, you lost again."

Seeing Zoro give up struggling, Dunn gave him a sudden jab.

Zoro instantly snapped out of it and started struggling again.

"Gah! What did you just say?"

Zoro glared furiously.

"So, you won?" Dunn asked, looking at the furious Zoro with an odd expression.

Zoro's face stiffened.

"I didn't win, but I'll win next time!"

Zoro lowered his head and muttered.

"Hmph!" Kuina didn't even turn around.

"This is your room. I'll have Zoro bring you what you need in a bit... No, I'll bring it over myself."

Kuina opened the door to one of the dojo's rooms and stepped aside.

Dunn dropped Zoro on the floor, walked into the room, looked around, and nodded.

"If you want to learn swordsmanship at the dojo, you'll have to train with me first. Once you've mastered the basic moves, my father will teach you."

After speaking, Kuina looked up at Dunn, who was much taller than her, then turned toward Zoro.

"Come with me to get the things."

Zoro followed Kuina with his head bowed, looking dejected. Dunn's words had clearly hit him hard, and he still hadn't recovered.

After watching the two leave, Dunn turned back to look at the small room.

He didn't have high standards for where he lived. The room was small, but at least it was clean.

He walked over to the little table in the middle of the room and sat down cross-legged.

"The first step is done. Now I just need to see how much I can learn."

Dunn rested his arm on the table and propped his face on his hand as he thought.

He was looking forward to the training ahead.

He had already eaten a Devil Fruit, but this was where he would truly begin to encounter the powers of this world.

Kuina and Zoro returned quickly.

Zoro was carrying a large bundle of basic necessities.

"Here."

After watching Zoro put the bundle down, Dunn placed a small pouch on the table in front of him.

Kuina and Zoro both looked at it curiously.

"What's this?"

Kuina was curious.

"Tuition, and living expenses for the time being."

At Dunn's words, Kuina looked even more puzzled. She came over and opened the pouch, her eyes widening.

"That's a lot of money!"

Zoro froze, then came over and peeked inside. He swallowed hard.

"You have to pay this much to learn swordsmanship at the dojo?"

Zoro was stunned.

He hadn't paid a thing!