Expectations and Tuition Fees! Zoro: I didn't pay!

"Perhaps, it would be to live freely in this world."

The crisp, straightforward voice echoed through the room.

Clearly, this answer from Dunn caught Shimotsuki Koshiro by surprise, the reaction plain upon his face.

"To live freely in this world—that is no simple matter."

Shimotsuki Koshiro seemed to grasp the meaning behind Dunn's words, speaking with a touch of sentiment.

"That is why I must learn the sword, why I must become strong, and why I must possess the power to protect myself."

Dunn continued with a calm expression, "So, Master of the dojo, are you satisfied with my answer?"

"Satisfied. In truth, no matter what answer you had given, I would have taught you. After all, when one swings a sword, one must have their own conviction. Only a sword forged with such belief can possess true power."

Shimotsuki Koshiro spoke with a warm, gentle smile on his face.

Dunn naturally did not take Shimotsuki Koshiro's words as a lecture.

After all, he knew next to nothing about the sword, while the Shimotsuki Koshiro before him was a top-tier master swordsman; at the very least, in terms of understanding the blade, the man far surpassed him.

Moreover, to become a true master swordsman, it truly seemed that one required the reinforcement of some form of conviction.

That included Haki as well.

"Since you have come to learn the sword, let us discuss the fees."

Just as these thoughts crossed Dunn's mind, Shimotsuki Koshiro, sitting cross-legged opposite him, spoke again.

"Very well!" Dunn nodded, though he recalled that Zoro hadn't been charged any fees to learn the sword, and had even been given free room and board at the dojo.

However, Zoro—or perhaps everyone in Shimotsuki Village—likely shared some blood relation.

Besides, this was better.

"Five hundred thousand Belly per year."

Seeing Dunn nod, Shimotsuki Koshiro thought for a moment before stating his price.

Dunn shook his head immediately upon hearing this.

Seeing this gesture, Shimotsuki Koshiro assumed Dunn intended to haggle, so he waited for him to continue.

"One million Belly per year!" Dunn then stated his own price, leaving Shimotsuki Koshiro stunned for a moment.

He realized he had guessed wrong.

"One million Belly. I want you to teach me without holding anything back."

Dunn laid out his terms.

"Very well. But I will only teach you more once your swordsmanship has reached a certain level."

Shimotsuki Koshiro looked into the eyes staring directly at him, remained silent for a moment, and then nodded.

Seeing Shimotsuki Koshiro agree, Dunn felt a weight lift from his heart. He smiled and was about to speak when two children poked their heads in from outside the door.

"Kuina, go and..." Shimotsuki Koshiro began, only to realize he hadn't asked for Dunn's name.

"Dunn."

"Right. Kuina, go and arrange a place for Dunn to stay. He will be learning the sword at the dojo from now on."

"Oh!"

Kuina looked at Dunn with curiosity and nodded.

On the other side of the door, Zoro, whose face was even more bruised and swollen than before, stared at Dunn as he stood up.

"You come too. You'll be moving things later," Kuina said directly to Zoro, then led the way.

Dunn bowed to Shimotsuki Koshiro with cupped hands before following behind Kuina.

After the three had left, Shimotsuki Koshiro did not rise, his expression filled with confusion.

He could tell what Dunn's gesture meant, but it seemed like a standard, formal etiquette.

"Could my guess be correct?"

Shimotsuki Koshiro muttered to himself.

Although they had just met and little time had passed, Shimotsuki Koshiro sensed a certain arrogance—or perhaps pride—emanating from Dunn.

No, that wasn't it.

Shimotsuki Koshiro frowned and shook his head.

While it resembled arrogance or pride, it was more akin to a condescending attitude.

Even though he appeared very polite, that was the distinct impression he received.

Was he a noble?

Shimotsuki Koshiro felt that there were many contradictions within Dunn.

Dunn, on the other hand, didn't think that much about it.

At this moment, he was holding Zoro by the back of his collar, dragging the kid along as he followed Kuina.

"So, even in a place as small as this dojo, he still manages to get lost?"

Dunn's voice was filled with curiosity.

He knew Zoro was an ultimate directionally challenged idiot, but the dojo wasn't that big, and Zoro had been here for quite a while; how could he still get lost?

"Yes!" Kuina replied crisply without turning her head.

"Impossible, how could I possibly get lost?"

Zoro struggled desperately, but the hand gripping his collar remained rock-steady, not even shaking in the slightest.

"If I hadn't grabbed you, you would have turned around and wandered off to who knows where just now."

Dunn's words caused the struggling Zoro to freeze.

He then slumped dejectedly, looking rather crestfallen.

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

Seeing Zoro give up his struggle, Dunn gave him a sudden, sharp jab.

Zoro, who had just stopped struggling, instantly snapped back to reality and began to fight again.

"Arghhhhh, what did you say, you guy?"

Zoro looked furious.

"So, did you win?" Dunn asked with a strange expression upon seeing Zoro's anger.

As soon as those words were out, Zoro's face stiffened.

"I didn't win, but I will win in the future!"

Zoro muttered, keeping his head down.

"Tch!" Kuina didn't even bother looking back.

"This is your room. I'll have Zoro... never mind, I'll bring the things you need over myself in a bit."

Kuina pushed open a door in the dojo and stepped aside as she spoke.

Dunn dropped Zoro onto the floor, stepped into the room to look around, and nodded.

"To join the dojo and learn swordsmanship, you must first learn from me. My father will only teach you once you have mastered the basic sword techniques."

After saying this, Kuina looked at Dunn, who was much taller than her, then turned to Zoro.

"Come with me to get the supplies."

Zoro followed Kuina with his head hung low, looking dejected; clearly, Dunn's words from earlier had rattled him so much that he still hadn't recovered.

Watching the two of them leave, Dunn turned back to look at the small room.

He didn't have many requirements for his living environment; although it wasn't large, it was clean enough.

Walking over to the small table in the center of the room, Dunn sat down cross-legged.

"The first step is complete. Next is to see how much I can learn."

Dunn propped his face up with his arm, thinking to himself.

He was quite looking forward to the training ahead.

Although he had already eaten a Devil Fruit, this was truly the beginning of his contact with the power of this world.

Kuina and Zoro returned quite quickly.

Zoro was carrying a large bag filled with various simple daily necessities.

"Here!"

After watching Zoro set down the large bag, Dunn placed a small pouch on the table in front of him.

Both Kuina and Zoro cast curious glances at it.

"What's this?"

Kuina asked, intrigued.

"Tuition and living expenses for the time being."

As soon as Dunn spoke, Kuina became even more confused. She walked over, opened the pouch, and her eyes widened.

"So much money!"

Zoro was stunned. He walked over, peeked inside, and immediately gulped.

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

Zoro was dumbfounded.

He hadn't paid a cent!