A fatty sea fish weighing over a thousand pounds was not much of a burden for Dunn.
Maintaining both his Armament and Observation Haki, he walked into the Isshin Dojo, only to run straight into Dragon's group and Koshiro, who was seeing them off.
Dunn's appearance caused Dragon, Ivankov, and Koshiro to freeze. Their eyes darted from Dunn's soaking wet hair and clothes to the massive sea fish on his shoulder.
"Dunn, did you go to the village to buy that? I didn't think such fresh fish would be available so early in the morning," Koshiro said after a hesitant pause.
"Oh, I received a favor from this gentleman yesterday," Dunn replied cheerfully, "so I thought I'd head into the sea this morning to catch a fish as a treat. But, are you all leaving?"
Caught it in the sea himself?
Koshiro and Dragon exchanged a look, their eyes filled with confusion.
"You can... go into the sea?" Ivankov was dumbfounded.
As a Devil Fruit user himself, he knew all too well that users lose all strength the moment they touch seawater. Even those with monstrously strong physiques find it nearly impossible to resist that crushing sensation of weakness.
Yet, last night, both Dragon and Koshiro had identified Dunn as an ability user.
So, what on earth was happening now?
Dragon was equally puzzled. Last night, while helping Dunn guide his Armament Haki, he had clearly felt Dunn's instinct to "Elementalize," though it hadn't succeeded—or rather, Dunn had suppressed it. At that moment, he was certain Dunn was a Devil Fruit user, most likely a Logia type.
Therefore, the sight of Dunn catching a fish in the ocean left the three of them standing there in a daze.
"What a huge fish!" Zoro's exclamation rang out from outside the dojo. Having finished his morning training, he returned to see Dunn carrying the giant fish and couldn't help but shout in surprise.
It was this shout that snapped Koshiro and the others back to reality. The situation with Dunn truly challenged their traditional understanding of the world.
"In that case, many thanks, young Dunn. I happen to be hungry as well," Dragon said, regaining his composure. He waved the others off and smiled at Dunn.
The rest of the group left silently, wondering what their leader was up to.
Soon after, Koshiro personally took the lead in preparing the fish, with Zoro, Kuina, and Dunn assisting. Before long, the massive catch had been transformed into a lavish "all-fish" feast.
"So... you aren't a Devil Fruit user?"
While Zoro was stuffing his face and the others were quietly sampling the meal, Ivankov couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer.
Dunn looked at Ivankov and smiled. "Are you talking about Devil Fruits? Who told you I was an ability user?"
Dunn's words caused the others to pause, though Zoro remained unaffected by the tension.
"Devil Fruits? Are those the legendary treasures of the sea?" Kuina asked, intrigued. She had actually heard of them.
"Yes, treasures of the sea. Even the lowest-valued Zoan type would cost over 100 million Berries," Dunn explained to her.
Kuina's eyes widened in shock.
Dragon continued to study Dunn. Recalling the events of the previous night, his brow furrowed slightly. Is he from a special race? A race with innate fire abilities?
As the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon knew that many unique races existed in this world. If there was a race born with the power of fire, it would be the Lunarians—the "God Tribe" from 800 years ago.
If he is from that tribe, Dragon hypothesized, then his subtle attitude of superiority toward others would make sense.
However, that race had been extinct for ages, and the World Government was still hunting down any survivors. Furthermore, Dunn didn't possess any of the legendary traits of that tribe—white hair, wings, or a permanent flame on his back. He had none of them.
Except for the gluttonous Zoro, all four people were staring intently at Dunn.
"I am definitely not a Devil Fruit user," Dunn said. Then, he raised his hand. With a whoosh, his entire right hand transformed into a roaring flame, looking exactly like a torch.
And you still say you aren't... a Devil Fruit user? Everyone stopped moving, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads.
"It seems you have quite a few secrets, young Dunn," Dragon noted, lowering his head and deciding not to pry further.
"How is that possible? If you aren't an ability user, why can you create fire?" Ivankov felt his brain trembling.
"Is creating fire exclusive to ability users? If you travel more in the New World in the future, you might see many people who can use fire despite not being ability users," Dunn replied.
"The New World?" Ivankov stared. He knew of it, of course—the paradise of pirates.
"So cool!" Zoro's voice suddenly muffled out. With his mouth stuffed to the brim, he struggled to voice his appraisal. Kuina's eyes, meanwhile, were sparkling.
"Speaking of which, Zoan-type fruits can significantly boost one's physical constitution," Dunn said, looking toward Koshiro.
Koshiro was still processing Dunn's fire-manipulation when he heard this. He looked toward his daughter, Kuina. As expected, upon hearing Dunn's words, she looked as though she wanted to say something but hesitated.
"That is true, though Devil Fruits are indeed hard to find," Koshiro admitted after a silent moment, confirming Dunn's statement.
"If I hear any news, I'll keep an eye out for you," Dragon chimed in, clearly understanding the current situation.
As for the mystery surrounding Dunn, Dragon, Ivankov, and Koshiro were all thoroughly confused, but they didn't push him for answers.
The merchant ship slowly pulled away from the pier. Ivankov watched the group standing on the dock, his gaze lingering on Dunn until the figures blurred into the distance. Only then did he turn to Dragon.
"Leader, that kid Dunn...?"
"I find him strange too. His ability is identical to a Devil Fruit, yet seawater does not affect him. I don't know why," Dragon shook his head. Even if Dunn's physique was incredibly strong—strong enough that seawater didn't paralyze him—it didn't add up.
If his body were truly that powerful, Dragon would have sensed it. When he helped guide Dunn's Haki the previous night, he had tested him; Dunn was strong for his age, stronger than Dragon had been at fourteen, but not strong enough to ignore the sea.
And he had been maintaining Armament Haki the entire time.
This kid is a bit eerie, Dragon thought, turning back toward the cabin. "I just can't see through him."
Shimotsuki Village.
On the way back to the Isshin Dojo, Dunn walked with his head slightly lowered, deep in thought about something Dragon had told him privately before leaving.
Marine Vice Admiral Garp had recently returned to the East Blue. The reason for his return was reportedly to investigate a certain "Bounty Hunter" in the East Blue who was suspected of having fire-related powers.
Is he coming for me?
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