Chapter 62: He Never Intended to Win

Saying that.

Zoro gripped the long sword in his hand, the fire in his eyes burning fiercer, when suddenly Gao Wen’s mocking voice reached his ears.

“You’re still far from enough!”

In the next instant, a palm pressed against Zoro’s chest.

A gentle push.

Zoro, already at the edge of the deck, lost his balance, flailing his twin swords as he tumbled into the sea.

Splash!

A spray of water rose from the ocean’s surface.

“Hahaha~”

Nami couldn’t help letting out a tinkling laugh, swiftly tossing a life ring down from the deck.

“Damn it!”

Zoro clutched the life ring, soaked to the skin, glaring at Gao Wen on the deck with a smirk—his teeth clenched in fury:

“You wait!”

“I’ll throw you into the sea one day!”

Gao Wen’s expression didn’t change; he said calmly:

“If you say that, I might as well enjoy a few rounds early—otherwise, I’d be cheating my future self.”

“Though I never thought you could beat me anyway.”

Enjoy a few rounds early?

Zoro froze, a sudden sense of dread rising in his chest.

…

A few minutes later.

Zoro struggled back onto the ship, eager to resume the fight, when suddenly his feet gave out beneath him.

He looked down and saw his chest and abdomen wounds had split open again—blood had soaked through the bandages, and the saltwater stung so badly he winced.

“If you’re injured, don’t be foolish—rest and heal first.”

Gao Wen’s voice came from the deck:

“It’s still ten days to my base. With your physique, you’ll be fully healed in three days at most. Come back then.”

“I’ll wait for you.”

“Hmph!”

Zoro winced from the pain, but knew Gao Wen was right—this was his best choice now.

“Such an arrogant bastard!”

He slowly sheathed his blades, then felt the world spin—he collapsed backward.

The last sounds he heard were Johnny and Joseph’s shouts of alarm…

The two rushed forward, carefully examining Zoro’s wounds, and after confirming he was merely weak from days without food, they relaxed.

Joseph turned to Gao Wen with a pleading look:

“Mr. Gao Wen, look…”

Days of living together.

They had long since realized Gao Wen was nothing like other pirates.

No cruel brutality—his demeanor matched his nickname, “Knight,” perfectly.

Thus, their initial panic and unease had gradually faded.

“Go take care of this guy… Wait, better have the ship’s medic re-bandage him—otherwise infection’ll be a problem.”

“Thank you!”

Joseph said gratefully.

Gao Wen waved his hand, and the two carried Zoro into the cabin.

Keluo brushed past them, stepped onto the deck, and stood beside Gao Wen.

He glanced at Zoro’s wounds, then noticed Gao Wen’s unhidden admiration, and sneered:

“You really value that brat?”

Gao Wen didn’t even lift his eyelids; he replied coolly:

“For now, his potential is the strongest on this ship—even stronger than mine.”

“Do you believe me?”

“With proper guidance, in just a few years, he’ll be ruling over your head.”

Keluo rolled his eyes.

He was about to retort outright, but his gaze caught Nami, who had just settled back into her chair, sipping orange juice leisurely.

He instinctively fell silent.

After all, memories were vivid—washing all the crew’s socks for a whole month—how miserable could it get?

Even now, thinking of it, Keluo unconsciously sniffed himself, relieved to find no trace of that smell, then exhaled deeply.

He turned to Gao Wen:

“Someone like Nami—a freak beyond reason—is lucky to appear once in ten years in the East Blue. Do you expect to meet one every day?”

Gao Wen blinked, teasing:

“So you’re itching to wash socks again?”

“Get lost!”

Hit on his dark past, Keluo’s face darkened instantly—he spun on his heel and stormed off.

Before entering the cabin:

Keluo turned back to Gao Wen:

“Watch me!”

“With your current laziness, I’ll surpass you soon enough!”

Bang!

Keluo slammed the cabin door shut and headed for the training room—only to find Akin already inside, glaring at him challengingly.

Huh?

That look… oddly familiar. Like seeing himself in a mirror.

Keluo’s heart skipped.

…

On deck, Gao Wen watched Keluo’s back, rubbing his nose.

He smiled, saying nothing.

These past days, battle and training had earned him plenty of experience from Keluo and Akin.

Though still far from leveling up, who wouldn’t enjoy watching the experience bar inch forward?

I love young men like you—with drive!

And with Nami joining, in just a few days, Gao Wen’s Navigation skill had already risen one level—to LV-2.

Far beyond that ambitious first mate.

…

Zoro rested peacefully for three days—his wounds fully healed. Clearly, even in raw physical ability, he was top-tier—proof of his immense potential.

The first thing he did after recovery was challenge Gao Wen.

He didn’t resort to ambushes or poison—chose instead direct, frontal assault.

That was his nature: to win, he must win honorably. A title gained by trickery could never echo through heaven.

At this moment:

Everyone on the ship gathered on deck to watch the battle.

Keluo looked at Zoro and shook his head:

“In just a few days, even the fastest progress has limits. Does that brat still not understand the gap between him and Gao Wen?”

“Frontal assault holds no hope.”

After a moment’s thought, Akin said calmly:

“Perhaps this time, he never intended to win.”

Keluo froze, then turned silently to the battlefield.

Gao Wen stood with his blade drawn, expression calm.

Zoro charged with fierce momentum.

Clang!

All three blades unsheathed at once; Zoro took his stance, his aura visibly stronger than just days before.

“Huh, impressive progress!”

Gao Wen’s eyes lit up—could one defeat alone spark such growth?

But then:

After all, he was the man destined to take the title of World’s Strongest Swordsman from Hawk-Eye—such talent was only natural!

Meanwhile, Keluo stood dumbfounded.

He was the strongest on board after Gao Wen, even slightly weaker than Akin.

Naturally, like Gao Wen, he could see Zoro’s transformation.

Grew this much in just a few days?

No way—this kind of freak really does cluster in the East Blue, doesn’t it?

No!

He turned to look at Gao Wen, then at Akin and Nami, finally fixing his gaze on Zoro and frowning:

“Once is luck, twice is coincidence, but three times can no longer be explained by ordinary logic.”

“Gao Wen seems to have some ability to recognize others’ talents—as if, the moment he sees someone, he can already judge their potential?!”

“How is that possible?”

“It can’t be that our world is a manga and Gao Wen has read it?”

(End of Chapter)