Don's voice rang out in the woods.
Kuina, who had been pressing the attack, froze mid-strike. Even Zoro, who was striking at Don with deadly seriousness, noticed her shift in mood and lowered his blade.
"You mean to say… women can also fight their way to the top through effort alone?"
Kuina lifted her eyes after a long silence, staring at Don as he removed his blindfold.
"No," Don shook his head with a faint smile. "I'm saying some people are simply born with terrifying talent—so overwhelming that most will never measure up. All you need to do is surpass yourself."
"I don't know who told you what," he went on, eyes fixed on Kuina, "but your sword… it's lost its confidence. That's the feeling I get."
He then turned his gaze to Zoro.
"As for you—you're dense as a rock, but stubborn to the core. That single-mindedness… it's why you're improving so quickly."
That was Don's personal assessment. In just one month, he could feel how fast Zoro's strength had grown.
In this world, the difference between individuals was often terrifying. Some people were simply born ahead.
"…Was that supposed to be praise, or an insult?"
Zoro pointed at his own nose, uncertain.
"Praise."
"Oh. Then thanks!"
Zoro nodded earnestly, though his eyes flicked back toward Kuina. He too had noticed her mood had shifted.
"Some things, you'll have to work out on your own," Don said at last. "When I first arrived, your father asked me why I wanted to study the sword. I gave him my answer. Now it's your turn to find yours."
With that, he waved his hand and headed back toward the dojo. He still had his own matters to deal with.
Kuina's spirit was too strong; she would have to reach her own clarity.
Perhaps Zoro was the one who could truly help her confront it.
After all, Don had only sparred with her a few times. Their bond was no deeper than simple familiarity.
What came after in the forest was no longer his concern.
Instead, he went directly to meet Shimotsuki Koushirou.
It was as if Koushirou had been waiting. When Don arrived, the swordsman gestured for him to sit.
Don did not stand on ceremony and sat cross-legged across from him.
"Thank you," Koushirou said as soon as he spoke.
"…For Kuina?" Don asked in return.
"Yes. For my daughter."
Koushirou gave a small nod.
"Zoro's strength is growing quickly. I can feel it. Kuina's matches with him are becoming harder and harder."
A sigh escaped his lips.
"As a female swordsman, her natural stamina is limited. Against men, the gap becomes difficult to ignore. And Kuina's personality is… far too uncompromising."
Don could hear the weight in his tone.
"So it was you who said those things that unsettled her?"
Don understood instantly. It was clear what Koushirou had done.
In a way, it was a warning—a way of preparing Kuina for the inevitable.
As her father, he knew her temperament. He feared the day she might lose to Zoro and fail to cross that shadow in her heart.
"…Yes. But I had little choice."
Koushirou rubbed the bridge of his nose with a weary look, then raised his eyes to Don.
"As for you—your talent is extraordinary. No, it's beyond extraordinary. On these seas, even among the strongest, I doubt many could rival your potential."
He spoke with grave seriousness.
Strength of body, recovery, capacity to learn, the patience to endure monotonous training…
Had he not seen that Don had no wish to take a master, Koushirou might truly have wanted to accept him as a disciple.
But the sheer scale of that talent… made him doubt whether he even qualified to be the boy's teacher.
"That, I won't argue," Don said with a light laugh.
The [System]'s ability to quantify everything was already an advantage beyond imagining.
Its assistance to his training was far greater than he had first expected.
Koushirou shook his head with a wry smile, then grew solemn again.
"In a single month, your growth has already far exceeded my expectations. But I have some doubts about you."
"Doubts?"
Don looked at him curiously.
"Your identity," Koushirou said slowly. "Tell me… are you a World Noble? A Celestial Dragon?"
The words landed heavy.
"…Celestial Dragon? Me?"
Don blinked, startled. He had imagined Koushirou might question many things, but never this.
"What makes you think I'm a Celestial Dragon?"
"Because from you, I sense it—that air of superiority, as if looking down upon all else."
Seeing Don's surprise, Koushirou pressed on.
"It's not deliberate. That aura is natural, instinctive. The very first time I saw you, I thought it was arrogance. Pride. But it isn't quite the same."
Don rubbed his chin in thought, not denying it.
If Koushirou said so, then it must be true.
But surely he wasn't arrogant. He wasn't some "chosen one." Even if he wished to cross blades with the greats of the sea one day, he needed to grow first.
…Wait.
Suddenly, he understood.
It was because he was an outsider.
Because he stood apart from this world, knowing what was yet to come. That distance bred a kind of innate superiority.
It wasn't intentional—but it was there.
"Looks like you've realized the reason."
Koushirou caught the change in his expression.
"Mm. I've thought of a possible explanation," Don admitted.
"That's enough. Then let's move on. Tell me, what is it you wish to learn from me?"
Koushirou didn't press further. Because of Kuina, he had said what needed saying. Since Don had already grasped it, there was no need to belabor the point.
"…Swordsmanship. And Haki."
Don's reply was instant.
"Haki, is it? Very well. That method you've been using with Kuina and Zoro—that's indeed one way to train Observation Haki. But their strength is too low; the effect is limited.
As for Armament Haki, that requires a strong body—and yours is more than sufficient."
Koushirou had already suspected this when he saw Don's training. His answer came without surprise.
In the Four Seas, Haki was rare—but not unheard of.
"As for swordsmanship, I can guide your understanding of its power. But the style you wield must be one you find for yourself."