Without question, though Golden Lion Shiki was a brutally ruthless pirate, when it came to swordsmanship, he was a top-tier teacher.
At Shiki's suggestion, Roldy abandoned his single-sword style. Following Shiki's example, he picked up a second blade. With dual swords in hand, his attacks became far more unpredictable and versatile.
And somehow… two blades simply felt more natural to him.
Just as Shiki had expected, Roldy truly was a once-in-a-generation swordsmanship prodigy. After only a day or two of instruction, he sensed the "Breath of Steel." Moving with that sensation, he delivered a seamless slash—
And stepped naturally into the ranks of a true swordsman, capable of cutting steel.
The speed of that progress left even Shiki silent for quite some time.
To prevent Roldy from growing complacent over minor achievements, Shiki immediately intensified the training. He began teaching him more advanced techniques. Yet to his dismay, no matter how complex the material, Roldy only needed a few repetitions to grasp it.
The two slender katana in his hands seemed to come alive.
Seven days passed in a flash.
Those seven days could be described as a rare period of calm in the New World. The overlord-level Rocks Pirates had suddenly grown low-key. The turmoil across the seas was cut nearly in half.
The Marines likewise made no major moves. They were preoccupied with escorting slaves for the Celestial Dragons' upcoming event, easing their suppression of rookie pirates.
As a result, many new faces slipped into the New World amid the chaos. Like countless fools before them, they believed that stepping into the New World meant stepping onto the center stage of the world itself.
Major powers across the seas faced challenge after challenge.
The Rocks Pirates were no exception.
"Boss! At this rate, we'll reach Hachinosu—territory of the Rocks Pirates—in about half a day!"
Aboard a pirate ship flying its Jolly Roger, the navigator excitedly reported to a pirate wearing a captain's hat. The man was missing an arm and a leg, replaced with an iron hook and a wooden peg.
The deck was filled with pirates, and at the news, their faces lit up with excitement.
Fear? What was that?
It was just the Rocks Pirates.
They had carved their way from the East Blue into the New World!
At this time, the East Blue was not yet known as the "Weakest Sea." That reputation only emerged later, thanks in part to a certain bored old Marine who occasionally swept through it. In the year 1484, the East Blue still produced capable pirates.
Such as the one standing before them.
"Pirate Captain" Dory. Bounty: 93,000,000 Berries.
Born in the East Blue, he had made a modest name for himself in the Grand Line. Taking advantage of a temporary gap in Marine defenses, he had successfully entered the New World.
Of course, it wasn't pure luck.
They had some strength.
"Good! Didn't expect we'd arrive so quickly! That Rocks fellow, holed up in the New World—has he been avoiding my edge? Or is this a case of kings refusing to meet? What a troubling dilemma!"
Dory's appearance was straight out of a caricature of a pirate captain. A parrot perched on his shoulder. Despite having both eyes intact, he wore an eyepatch over one. In short—
Style? Yes.
Substance? Questionable.
Yet none of his subordinates doubted him.
Why?
Because many pirates stronger than their captain had perished at sea—while they had reached the New World.
That alone proved their captain was a man chosen by fate.
And everyone knew—
The chosen always defeated opponents stronger than themselves.
"Men! Prepare to witness the birth of this sea's one true king! From this day forward, the era of overlord Rocks ends! Every power across these seas will remember the name Dory!"
"OHHHH!!!"
Morale soared. Blades were raised. Cheers echoed.
BOOM!
A cannonball struck the pirate ship without warning, exploding upon impact. Several pirates were obliterated instantly. The ship rocked violently as flames licked across its wooden hull and smoke billowed skyward.
"Enemy attack!!!"
To their credit, they reacted quickly. Weapons were drawn. Battle stances assumed.
"Captain! A warship is approaching!"
The lookout shouted—then abruptly corrected himself.
"No! It's a pirate ship! It's flying a pirate flag!"
"Idiot! Have you lost your mind?! What pirate builds their ship to look like a warship?!"
Against a Marine warship, a small pirate vessel had no chance of escape. Dory knew that well.
But when he saw the approaching ship clearly, his pupils shrank.
The lookout had been telling the truth.
On the sea loomed an enormous pirate ship—its scale nearly identical to a Marine medium-class warship. If not for its deep black paint, subtle structural alterations, and the Jolly Roger flying high, he would have mistaken it for a Marine pursuit vessel.
Compared to Marine Headquarters warships, this ship radiated far greater aggression. Marine vessels were built with balance in mind.
This one?
It had sacrificed everything for pure offensive power.
And at its prow was a fierce, unfamiliar figurehead—
The massive head of a wolverine.
The Jolly Roger above it was unmistakable.
"Is that one of Rocks' subordinate ships?"
Dory forced a cold smile, trying to appear calm.
"Men! Prepare for battle!"
"YES!!!"
They truly were brave.
Which made what followed almost tragic.
"Dual Sword Style — Sea Sever!"
A terrifying slash tore across the ocean, splitting the sea into three parts.
With a smooth motion, Roldy sheathed his blades.
Watching the distant pirate ship crumble into wreckage, he calmly lit a cigarette.
"Number seven…"
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 200+ chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789