Kuina and Zoro glanced at Don, who wore an exaggeratedly heartbroken expression. They exchanged a look, then both turned their heads away, refusing to acknowledge him.
Seeing this, Don's grin only widened.
I, Don, fifteen years old… and absolutely terrified of cold shoulders.
Bonk! Bonk!
With two sharp flicks to the forehead, Kuina and Zoro yelped, clutching their heads before darting back into the dojo.
Robin, who had been watching the scene, raised her hand to stifle her laughter.
Don shot her a look, only for Robin to press a hand to her own forehead and quietly take two cautious steps away from him.
Shaking his head with a sigh, Don headed into the dojo.
The moment Koushirou saw the familiar bumps rising on Kuina and Zoro's foreheads, he immediately knew who had returned.
He set aside the newspaper in his hands.
"Don—Another Powerhouse Born of the East Blue."
The headline was bold and striking. This special feature had clearly been issued on Morgans' orders.
When Don entered, Kuina and Zoro stood behind Koushirou, both shooting him openly defiant glares.
In response, Don gave them a look that said "Just you wait."
Both immediately felt a dull ache in their heads.
"You've stirred up quite the commotion this time," Koushirou remarked, eyeing Don curiously before briefly glancing at Robin, who followed quietly behind.
"It wasn't anything major. Perhaps the seas have just been too calm lately," Don replied with a smile, his gaze falling on the newspaper.
"If crossing blades with two Admirals doesn't count as major… then I truly wonder what does," Koushirou said, his tone tinged with awe as Don took a seat across from him.
In such a short span of time, Don's growth had been staggering. The young man's current strength far surpassed what it had been when he first left Shimotsuki Village.
"I only took advantage of the situation. It wasn't a fight to the death, and those two weren't going all out," Don waved a hand lightly.
"You think I'd believe that?" Koushirou replied calmly. Behind him, Kuina and Zoro were making exaggerated faces at Don.
Koushirou naturally noticed the antics of his daughter and Zoro, but only chuckled before continuing.
"When you first came here, you said you wanted nothing more than a peaceful, free life in this world. But now… it seems your outlook has changed."
Changed, have I?
Don paused at the words, reflecting inwardly.
"Well, people change. Circumstances then aren't the same as they are now," he admitted.
It was true—he now intended to accomplish more.
When he had first arrived in Shimotsuki Village, all he wanted was enough strength to survive in this world.
But now, with his power growing rapidly, it was natural for his ambitions to shift.
Don wasn't about to let himself be chained by his own past words.
Hearing this, Koushirou hesitated, but chose not to mention the Revolutionary Army's invitation. Even if Don's thinking had changed, he doubted such a path was feasible.
"So then, how long will you be staying this time?" Koushirou asked with a smile, changing the subject.
"Not long. I plan to set out for the Grand Line soon," Don replied.
"The Grand Line, huh? As expected. With your strength, it's more than fitting."
Koushirou wasn't surprised at all.
With the level Don now displayed, he was like a natural disaster across the Four Seas. Only the Grand Line—the paradise of the ambitious and the strong—was truly suited for him.
"Actually, I could've gone to the Grand Line back when I was in the North Blue. But after dismantling one of Doflamingo's factories, I came across something unexpected. I thought I'd bring it here first."
As he spoke, Don extended a hand toward Robin.
Robin, who had been quietly listening, reached into her pack and placed a small box into Don's hand.
Curiosity lit the eyes of Koushirou and the two children as they saw the box.
"What's that?"
"A Devil Fruit."
Don set the box on the table and flipped it open.
Inside was a strange black fruit, shaped like a slightly oversized apple, its surface etched with plum-blossom-like patterns.
"A Devil Fruit?!"
Kuina and Zoro both craned their necks forward, staring intently.
"From the look of it, it should be a Zoan-type, feline model. But without a proper catalog, I can't confirm whether it's a basic Zoan, an Ancient type, or even a Mythical one."
The features were distinctive.
When Don had first obtained it, he'd nearly mistaken it for the Paw-Paw Fruit.
But that one, of course, had already been eaten by Kuma.
"So…" Koushirou looked at Don meaningfully.
He remembered Don saying back when he lived in Shimotsuki Village that if possible, he'd help Kuina find a Devil Fruit to overcome her physical limitations.
Yet Devil Fruits were treasures of the sea, incredibly rare and precious.
Who would've thought that, so soon, Don had found one.
"But let me be clear first—I can't identify the exact type. Whether to eat it or not, that's your decision."
Don gave a fair warning.
Even with hundreds—perhaps thousands—of varieties, Devil Fruits were exceedingly scarce across the seas.
"This is… far too valuable."
Kuina suddenly spoke up, her eyes fixed firmly on Don.
She already understood the significance of Devil Fruits.
Especially since Don had once suggested this could be a way to change her circumstances.
But a single Devil Fruit's worth was staggering.
"It wasn't much trouble to get. More like an unexpected windfall. And besides—when I say I'll do something, I see it through."
Don raised a brow at her as he spoke.
Koushirou's gaze lingered on the fruit, hesitation flickering in his expression.
"I won't decide for Kuina. But I am deeply grateful to you."
"There's no need for thanks. I see Kuina as my junior sister—it's only right."
With that, Don rose to his feet. Robin followed suit.
"This is Nico Robin, my new companion on this voyage."
He introduced her briefly, then headed for the exit.
"My old room's still empty, right?"
"I'll take you! I've been making Zoro clean it every day!" Kuina piped up eagerly.
Zoro rolled his eyes at that.
As Don, Robin, and Kuina left together, Koushirou's gaze returned to the Devil Fruit resting in its box.
With a quiet sigh, he closed the lid and picked the newspaper back up.
Meanwhile, Don carried Zoro by the scruff of his neck, leaving Robin wide-eyed at the comical sight.
"Let me go! I won't get lost anymore!" Zoro yelled, thrashing about, but he couldn't escape Don's grip.
"Don't worry about him. The village isn't that big—if he gets lost, he'll just wander back eventually," Kuina explained matter-of-factly.
At last, they reached Don's old quarters. Kuina pushed the door open—it was spotless inside.
"Quick! Tell us about your journey!" Kuina said, beckoning him inside.
"And the fights you had with those powerful opponents!" Zoro shouted, suddenly forgetting his struggles.
END OF CHAPTER
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