Dunn's voice echoed through the woods. Kuina, who had been mid-attack, suddenly froze. Even Zoro, who had been lunging at Dunn with fierce focus, sensed that something was wrong with her and lowered his wooden swords.
"Are you trying to say that a woman can reach the top if she just works hard enough?"
Kuina remained silent for a long moment before lifting her head to look at Dunn, who had just removed his training blindfold.
"No," Dunn replied with a smile, shaking his head. "I'm saying that some people are born with monstrous talent that most others can never hope to match. You don't need to worry about them; you only need to surpass yourself."
He looked her in the eye. "I don't know who told you what, but your blade has lost its confidence. That's essentially the feeling you're giving off."
Dunn shifted his gaze to Zoro. "As for you, you don't have much of a brain, and you're stubborn as a mule, but your progress is incredibly fast."
This was Dunn's honest assessment. Over the past month, he could feel Zoro's strength growing at an explosive rate. It had to be said—in this world, the innate gap between individuals was truly terrifying.
"Are you praising me or insulting me?" Zoro pointed at his own nose, looking hesitant.
"Praising you."
"Oh. Thanks then!" Zoro nodded, but then turned his worried gaze back to Kuina. He, too, could sense her spiraling thoughts.
"Some things you have to figure out for yourself," Dunn said, waving a hand as he started walking back toward the dojo. He had his own business to attend to. "When I first arrived, your father asked me why I wanted to learn the sword. I gave him my answer. Maybe you should find yours."
Kuina's personality was too competitive; she needed to find her own peace. Perhaps Zoro would be the one to eventually wake her up—Dunn hadn't spent nearly as much time sparring with her as Zoro had. Their relationship was, at best, one of casual acquaintances.
Dunn didn't dwell on what would happen in the woods. He went straight to see Koshiro.
Koshiro seemed to be expecting him. He gestured for Dunn to sit, and Dunn sat cross-legged across from him without ceremony.
"Thank you," Koshiro said the moment Dunn settled in.
"For Kuina?" Dunn asked.
"Yes. For my daughter." Koshiro nodded, not bothering to deny it. "Zoro's strength is rising rapidly. I can feel that Kuina is finding their matches more and more difficult." He sighed. "Due to biological differences in physical strength, female swordsmen face a significant gap compared to males as they grow older. Kuina is simply too headstrong."
Dunn could hear the conflict in Koshiro's voice. "So, you were the one who told her that? That's why she's been so distracted lately?"
Dunn understood Koshiro's intention. In a way, he was trying to "vaccinate" her against future failure. As a father, he knew his daughter's pride; he feared that when she eventually lost to Zoro, she wouldn't be able to handle the blow to her heart.
"It is true, but I haven't found a better way to handle it," Koshiro said, rubbing his temples in frustration. He then looked up at Dunn with a serious expression. "And you... Your talent is excellent.
No, I should say it is extraordinary. Even on this vast sea, your talent is likely not inferior to the strongest men alive."
Koshiro meant every word. He had seen Dunn's immense stamina, his recovery rate, his learning speed, and—most importantly—his mental fortitude to endure tedious, repetitive training.
If he didn't sense that Dunn had no intention of a formal master-disciple bond, Koshiro would have loved to take him in. However, that "monstrous" talent made Koshiro feel that perhaps he didn't even have the right to be his master.
"I won't argue with that," Dunn chuckled.
The "Body Digitization" alone put him ahead of everyone else. Its auxiliary effect on training was far more potent than he had initially imagined.
Koshiro shook his head with a wry smile, but his expression soon turned grave. "In one month, your growth has far exceeded my expectations. But I have some doubts regarding you."
"Doubts?" Dunn looked at him curiously.
"Your identity. Are you a World Noble? Or rather... are you a Celestial Dragon?" Koshiro asked, his tone incredibly heavy.
"A Celestial Dragon? Me?" Dunn had expected Koshiro to be curious about many things, but never this. "What makes you think I'm a Celestial Dragon?"
"Because when I look at you, I sense an air of looking down upon everything."
Seeing Dunn's genuine surprise, Koshiro knew the answer was 'no,' so he explained his reasoning. "This aura of yours is natural, not forced. When I first met you, I thought it was arrogance or pride, but it felt different."
Dunn didn't argue; instead, he stroked his chin and fell into thought. If a master like Koshiro said it, it must be true. But he considered himself quite humble—he wasn't some "overpowered protagonist" archetype.
Even if he wanted to fight the legends of the sea, he knew he had to "farm" and level up first.
Wait.
Dunn suddenly realized why Koshiro felt that way. It was because he viewed this world from the perspective of an outsider—an observer who already knew the future. That inherent "spoiler" knowledge naturally created a sense of detached superiority.
"It seems you've realized the reason," Koshiro noted, seeing the shift in Dunn's expression.
"Yes, I think I know why," Dunn replied, offering no further explanation.
"As long as you understand. Now, let's discuss what you wish to learn from me." Koshiro didn't press for details; out of respect for Kuina's situation, he felt he had said enough.
"Swordsmanship and Haki," Dunn said without hesitation.
"Haki? Very well. The way you were sparring with Kuina and Zoro was indeed a method for training Observation Haki. However, they are too weak; the results will be limited. As for Armament Haki, it requires a certain level of physical constitution—one which you already far exceed."
Koshiro wasn't surprised. While Haki was rare in the four blues, it wasn't a total secret to those in the know.
"Regarding swordsmanship," Koshiro suggested, "I can guide you on the essence of its power, but you must find the style that suits you personally."
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