Zoro: I didn't pay anything!
"Roughly speaking… to live freely in this world, I suppose."
The crisp, decisive voice echoed through the quiet room.
Evidently, Don's answer left Shimotsuki Koushirou slightly taken aback—his surprise clearly visible on his face.
"To live freely in this world… that's no simple thing."
Koushirou seemed to understand the meaning hidden behind Don's words, sighing with a trace of sentiment.
"That's why I must learn the sword, grow stronger, and gain the power to protect myself."
Don's expression remained calm as he continued, "So, Master of this dojo, are you satisfied with my answer?"
"Satisfied. In truth, no matter what you said, I would still teach you. After all, when wielding a blade, one must have conviction. Only such a sword can bear true strength."
Koushirou spoke with a gentle smile.
Naturally, Don did not take his words as mere lecturing.
After all, he only had a half-formed understanding of the sword, while before him stood a master swordsman whose comprehension far outstripped his own.
And to become a true swordsman, conviction—or perhaps spirit—was indeed necessary. That included the willpower known as Haki.
"Since you've come to learn the sword, let's speak of tuition, then."
Just as this thought crossed Don's mind, Koushirou—still kneeling across from him—spoke again.
"Very well," Don nodded. He recalled that when Zoro first came to study here, no fees were taken—he was even allowed to eat and live at the dojo for free.
But Zoro, and indeed the whole of Shimotsuki Village, likely shared ties of blood with this place.
And besides… paying might be better.
"Five hundred thousand Berries. Per year."
Seeing Don nodding, Koushirou thought for a moment and offered a price.
But Don shook his head at once.
Koushirou assumed he meant to haggle, and so he waited for him to speak again.
"One million Berries. Per year!" Don said firmly, leaving Koushirou momentarily stunned.
So he hadn't been mistaken after all.
"One million Berries. In return, I want you to teach me without holding anything back."
Don stated his condition clearly.
"That can be arranged. But only once your swordsmanship reaches a certain level will I teach you more advanced things."
Meeting Don's unwavering gaze, Koushirou fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
Relieved, Don smiled and was about to say more when two children peeked in from outside the doorway.
"Kuina, go and—" Koushirou began, then stopped, realizing he had yet to ask for the young man's name.
"Don."
"Mm. Kuina, arrange a room for Don. From today, he'll be studying here at the dojo."
"Okay!"
Kuina nodded with curiosity, her gaze lingering on Don.
At the doorway, Zoro—face even more battered than before—stared resentfully at Don as he rose.
"You too. Come along—you'll help move his things."
Kuina said directly to Zoro before leading the way.
Don offered Koushirou a respectful bow, then followed behind Kuina.
After the three of them left, Koushirou did not rise. His face was thoughtful.
That gesture just now—he could tell what it meant. It was formal, deliberate, like part of a ritual or noble etiquette.
"Could my guess be true?"
He muttered to himself.
Though their acquaintance was brief, Koushirou had seen arrogance in Don—or perhaps, pride.
No… not quite.
Koushirou frowned and shook his head.
It looked like arrogance, but it felt more like a natural sense of superiority.
Polite on the surface, yet his bearing carried a subtle weight that pressed from above.
A noble?
Koushirou found Don full of contradictions.
Meanwhile, Don himself thought little of it.
At this moment, he had Zoro dangling by the scruff of his neck as he trailed after Kuina.
"So… in a place as small as this dojo, he still manages to get lost?"
His voice brimmed with curiosity.
He already knew Zoro was the ultimate directionless fool, but the dojo wasn't that large. Zoro had lived here long enough—how could he still lose his way?
"Yes." Kuina replied bluntly without even turning her head.
"Impossible! No way I get lost!"
Zoro struggled furiously, but the grip on his collar was rock-solid, barely shifting at all.
"If I hadn't stopped you just now, you would've walked off in the wrong direction again."
Don's words froze Zoro mid-struggle.
His body went limp, slumping in defeat.
"Speaking of which, you lost again today."
Seeing him give up, Don decided to poke him a little.
Instantly, Zoro's head snapped back up and he began thrashing once more.
"Arghhh! What did you just say?!"
His face flushed with anger.
"So what—you actually won?" Don asked with a teasing look.
At that, Zoro stiffened.
"No… but I'll win next time!"
He muttered stubbornly with his head down.
"Che." Kuina didn't even bother to look back.
"This is your room. I'll have Zoro—no, never mind, I'll bring what you need later."
Kuina slid open a door to one of the rooms in the dojo, stepping aside.
Don tossed Zoro unceremoniously onto the floor and stepped inside, looking around with a nod of approval.
"If you're joining the dojo, you'll train under me first. Once you've mastered the basics, my father will teach you himself."
Kuina explained, then turned her gaze from the much taller Don to the sulking Zoro.
"Come with me to fetch his supplies."
Head lowered, Zoro trudged after her, clearly still stung by Don's earlier jab.
After watching the two leave, Don turned back to the modest room.
He wasn't picky about his living space. Small, yes, but neat and comfortable enough.
He sat cross-legged at the little table in the center, resting his chin on one hand.
"Step one complete. Now, let's see how much I can learn."
He thought to himself.
Though he had already eaten a Devil Fruit, this would be his true first step into the powers of this world.
Before long, Kuina and Zoro returned.
Zoro staggered in with a huge bundle of basic daily necessities strapped to his back.
"Here."
Dropping the bundle onto the floor, Zoro panted heavily.
Don placed a small pouch on the table before them.
Both Kuina and Zoro looked at it curiously.
"What's this?"
Kuina asked.
"Tuition. And my living expenses."
At his words, Kuina blinked in surprise. She opened the pouch—and her eyes widened.
"So much money!"
Zoro leaned in for a peek and immediately swallowed hard.
"You have to pay this much to train here?!"
His whole body went stiff.
He hadn't paid a single Berry!