Dangerous targets.
Don, who was trying to use Observation Haki to assist in guiding his Armament Haki, suddenly opened his eyes.
He had only just grasped Observation Haki, so his range of perception wasn't very wide—barely enough to cover the entire Isshin Dojo.
Yet the group that had just entered the Dojo radiated an extremely dangerous presence to him.
"Strong ones… so many of them. Some even stronger than Koushirou."
In his sensory field, every single head in that group bore the mark of extreme danger. One of them, however, stood out—above his head flickered three blood-red question marks.
"The Revolutionary Army, huh?"
Don's eyes narrowed. He had already guessed their identity.
Koushirou of the Shimotsuki clan had indeed made private contact with the Revolutionaries.
Monkey D. Dragon—leader of the Revolutionary Army, a thorn in the World Government's side, son of Marine Hero Monkey D. Garp, father of Monkey D. Luffy, and rumored to be a Logia-type user with powers related to the wind.
"Though he hasn't made many moves yet, this man should be among the very top of the sea. A powerhouse on the level of the Four Emperors."
Don felt a surge of fighting intent, but before he could even rise, he forced himself to sit back down.
These people represented nothing but trouble.
One could say Dragon and the Revolutionary Army carried noble ideals, aiming to topple the World Government and change the world—but that had nothing to do with him.
After all, he wasn't even from this world.
Respect was one thing. Involvement was another.
With that thought, Don suppressed his impulses, sat upright once more, and continued his training to guide the flow of Armament Haki.
Meanwhile, Kuina and Zoro, who had just finished another spar, also noticed the unexpected visitors being led into the Dojo by Koushirou. They glanced over, but didn't go check.
"You lost again. That makes it the 1,997th time."
Kuina spoke flatly as she looked at Zoro.
"Damn it! Don't get cocky—I'll definitely defeat you one day!"
Zoro exploded at her taunt.
"You'll never be able to defeat me."
Kuina crossed her arms at her waist, giving him a sidelong look.
Gritting his teeth, Zoro pointed his bamboo sword straight at her.
"Not only will I defeat you, I'll also defeat Don! Then—I'll become the greatest swordsman in the world!"
He finished with ragged breaths, glaring at Kuina.
"Defeat Don?"
Kuina froze, her expression shifting strangely.
Don had only been at the Dojo for a month, yet his progress was staggering. Especially in swordsmanship—his growth was beyond anything she had imagined.
And then there was his body—her father himself had marveled at it.
By Koushirou's own words, Don's physique rivaled that of the monsters roaming the seas.
Now, Kuina felt that even if she gave her all, she might never be able to beat him.
"You don't even see the gap between us and him."
Her voice came out low, heavy with an emotion Zoro rarely heard from her.
"What, are you admitting defeat?"
Zoro wasn't exactly bright, but he wasn't dumb either. Sometimes, he could sense things clearly—and right now, he could feel Kuina's mood.
"You've beaten me 1,997 times already. If you look down on yourself, then what does that make me, the one who lost to you?"
Zoro puffed up, glaring at her.
Kuina kept her head lowered, silent.
Zoro widened his eyes, suddenly raised his bamboo sword, and declared:
"I've decided, Kuina! Next time, I'll defeat you. Then, I'll defeat Don myself!"
He huffed and turned to leave—only to freeze when he noticed a figure had appeared behind him without him realizing.
"D… Don."
Zoro stammered.
"I'll give you that chance, Zoro. Come—challenge me, defeat me, and charge toward the seat of the world's greatest swordsman!"
Don stood with a wooden sword in hand, looking at him solemnly.
Zoro: …
Kuina: …
"What's wrong? Lost your nerve?"
Seeing their dazed expressions, Don's eyes curved into a grin.
"You bastard, don't get so arrogant!"
Zoro bristled again, charging at him with his sword.
What greeted him, however, was a solid crack to the head.
A red mark bloomed on Zoro's face, blood spurting from his nose.
He staggered back several steps, clutching his face as tears welled up instantly.
The sharp sting in his nose and the searing pain made tears and snot stream uncontrollably.
Watching this, Kuina walked up, gripping her wooden sword with both hands.
"My turn."
She attacked with full force.
Thwack!
Another perfect strike to the head.
Kuina crouched, clutching her skull, eyes brimming with tears.
Don sat down cross-legged, looking at the two of them—one clutching his nose, the other holding her head.
"Last time… wasn't there something you didn't finish saying?"
Kuina, still covering her head, suddenly asked.
"What?"
"You said there are women out there on the seas who've become top-class powerhouses."
It was clear this was still on her mind.
Don sighed.
He understood Koushirou's intentions, but it seemed to only deepen Kuina's doubts about herself.
"Sit."
He gestured at the floor before him.
Kuina and Zoro obediently sat down, tearful eyes fixed on him.
Both knew that Don was far more knowledgeable about the sea than anyone here.
"People are different. Out there on the seas, there are many races—Fishmen, Mink, Giants. They're naturally far stronger than humans.
To put it in perspective: a Giant, once fully grown, has strength equal to a Marine Vice Admiral. That level is already considered extremely strong."
Kuina and Zoro didn't really understand what a Vice Admiral's strength meant.
"On the Grand Line's New World, there's the nation of Totto Land ruled by Charlotte Linlin—one of the mightiest pirates alive. When she was just five years old, she destroyed an entire Giant village."
"She was… a woman?"
Kuina's eyes widened with curiosity.
"Yes. A woman. But her talent is so overwhelming that hardly anyone in this sea can compare to her."
Don spoke with genuine feeling.
"Then… if I keep pushing myself beyond my limits, can I reach that level one day?"
Kuina asked, her voice carrying an earnest need for affirmation.
"There's no end to swordsmanship. You can always keep training, always keep growing stronger."
Don looked at her seriously.
He had wanted to temper her expectations, to make her see reality clearly.
Yes, Kuina's talent was remarkable—but not enough to draw the world's eyes.
At ten years old, she could beat most adults in the Dojo, which was impressive. Yet even she could feel her battles with Zoro becoming harder and harder.
"That's it! I'll keep getting stronger, and one day, I'll become the world's greatest swordsman!"
Kuina's expression shifted as she mulled over Don's "poisonous chicken soup." Zoro, meanwhile, swallowed the whole bowl in one gulp—his eyes shining with excitement.
The only problem was the big red mark and nosebleed on his face, which made the whole declaration look comically pitiful.