Aside from looking flashier, the flames coiling around the sword's blade hadn't brought much real improvement.
Don exhaled and summoned his digitized status panel.
[Body Digitization: Your vital points have vanished. Incoming damage is converted into deducted HP. Panel attributes will change depending on your own strength. Until HP reaches zero, you will not die.]
[Current Body Age: Fourteen]
[Constitution: 21 (Rapid metamorphosis underway due to certain factors)]
[Current HP: 100% (Recovering; food can accelerate recovery)]
[Innate Talent – Indomitable: When HP reaches zero, you enter a temporary state of empowerment. All attributes increase tenfold; HP will no longer decrease; all negative states are cleansed. Current duration: ten minutes. Cooldown: one day.]
[Abilities]
[Mera Mera no Mi (Proficient): A powerful Logia-type Devil Fruit. Grants the ability to transform into and control fire, continuously strengthening the body. Drawbacks removed (weaknesses and parasitic soul cleared). Current development progress: 13%.]
[Swordsmanship (Proficient): You have mastered the basic techniques and training methods of swordsmanship.]
...
...
His Devil Fruit progress wasn't much—just a 4% increase—but compared to a month ago, his Constitution had risen by a full 11 points, and the "rapid metamorphosis" note hadn't disappeared yet.
That meant his physical growth was still accelerating.
A good sign.
But as for the Devil Fruit… here at least, it wasn't convenient to fully unleash its power.
Letting the flames vanish from the sword, Don slid the blade back into its sheath. The heat that filled the room slowly dissipated.
"Looks like I'll need to make other plans."
Simply imagining new moves wasn't enough to rapidly develop his Devil Fruit's power. He needed a place where he could unleash it without restraint.
His original plan had been to remain here training until he reached the level of a true swordsman—a process he estimated would take years.
But now, if staying too long hindered his fruit's development, then he couldn't afford to linger here.
Once he mastered both kinds of Haki, it would be time to set out.
Still… the number of people who knew about his Devil Fruit powers should be very few.
Narrowing his eyes, Don thought back to the pirates he had delivered to Marine Base 16.
But he quickly set the thought aside. It wasn't worth dwelling on.
The next day.
Inside the Isshin Dojo, Don gripped the greatsword he had named Flame (En) and practiced basic sword forms with full focus.
Though its sheen was muted, the heavy, domineering blade still drew plenty of attention.
Kuina and Zoro's gazes frequently drifted toward the sword in his hands.
Not far away, Koushirou nodded to himself in approval.
This was why he believed Don was destined for great achievements.
Never arrogant, never impatient—despite his overwhelming strength compared to others, he never slacked on foundational training.
"How many times have you beaten Zoro now?"
Swinging her bamboo sword beside him, Kuina suddenly heard Don's question.
"1,995 times!" Kuina replied without hesitation.
Zoro, on the other hand, turned crimson with frustration. But a loss was still a loss.
Don nodded slightly.
It seemed Kuina's fated accident was drawing near.
Since he was here, naturally he would stop it from happening. For him, it wouldn't be difficult—just a matter of paying attention.
This was also one of the reasons he wanted to learn Observation Haki first.
Once their training ended, Zoro—still brooding over the earlier question—immediately challenged Kuina again.
Meanwhile, Don began his own training in Kenbunshoku Haki.
In a quiet room, Koushirou smiled at him.
"Since you already know of Haki, and even one method of training it, then you should know what Observation Haki is, correct?"
Instead of lecturing, he began with a question.
What is Observation Haki?
Don lowered his head slightly, lost in thought.
His knowledge of Haki came only from what he had seen in the story before he transmigrated. For someone who had never touched this power before, it was still somewhat abstract.
All he could do was attempt to grasp it through practice.
Still, he could give Koushirou an answer.
"Perception?"
After a pause, Don voiced his reply.
"Heh… perception, is it? That's how you see Observation Haki? Well, that understanding isn't wrong."
Koushirou's smile deepened.
"All things have breath. Whether listening or feeling, sensing that breath is the essence—whether it's wind, water, trees, or even steel.
And of course, people.
Observation Haki is not limited to living things. It extends even to the lifeless. This will matter greatly in your future training as a swordsman."
Don nodded lightly. He understood the words, though it still felt abstract.
Noticing his doubt, Koushirou chuckled and continued:
"Haki is a power everyone possesses, but it lies dormant within the body. Only through training can it be awakened.
And once awakened, it must be tempered constantly to grow stronger."
"I know that much," Don nodded. "So is Conqueror's Haki the same?"
"Conqueror's Haki is different. That is a gift of one in millions—not everyone possesses it."
Koushirou shook his head immediately. Realizing the contradiction with his earlier words, he clarified:
"As for Conqueror's Haki, I don't know much myself. But I do know that across this vast sea, those who have it are exceedingly rare."
The unspoken meaning was clear—this was far too early a topic for Don.
Don nodded, choosing not to interrupt.
"Actually, you've already awakened Observation Haki. You simply haven't realized it yet—or rather, you haven't sensed it clearly."
Koushirou's words made Don pause. He lowered his gaze to his own hands.
"You said Observation is perception. Then, by your own understanding—perceive everything around you. Sense the breath of all that exists."
Don closed his eyes and concentrated.
Suddenly, a wave of killing intent slammed into him.
So violent that goosebumps erupted across his skin.
By reflex, he nearly shifted into elemental form to defend himself.
But just as swiftly as it had come, the killing intent vanished.
Its source was none other than Shimotsuki Koushirou, sitting calmly before him.
In Don's perception, it was as though a crimson figure had suddenly appeared—sitting cross-legged, like a demon of blood.
His eyes snapped open, fixing on Koushirou.
"You felt it?"
Koushirou smiled faintly.
"The aura I released was subtle. Without sensitivity to breath, you wouldn't have noticed it. Remember that feeling."