Chapter 63: Captain, Nice to Meet You!

Xiang Keluo was slightly stunned, then cast this absurd thought aside.

After pondering for a while without result,

he could only temporarily attribute Xiang Gaowen's ability to an instinct, a special perception ability similar to Observation Haki.

"Perhaps..."

"Beyond its basic capabilities, Observation Haki possesses various special derivative abilities?"

Xiang Keluo frowned.

The battle in the distance had already begun.

Zoro rushed forward quickly, his three swords in hand like three roaming dragons, slicing through the air and striking at Xiang Gaowen.

His sharp momentum, compared to a few days ago, showed rapid progress, if not a world of difference.

"Interesting!"

A smile curled Xiang Gaowen's lips; his long sword instinctively thrust forward, precisely finding that tiny flaw within Zoro's assault, then surged forward without hesitation!

Ding!

The blades of the Shizheng Sect clashed against the sword in Zoro's mouth; the force transmitted through the blade instantly halted Zoro's forward charge.

Immediately, the familiar scene repeated: Xiang Gaowen's other hand bypassed Zoro's dual swords and pressed directly onto his chest.

Realizing what was about to happen, Zoro's lips twitched:

"No matter how I think about it, this is a bit of a sick joke, isn't it?"

"I actually find it quite interesting~"

"Damn it!"

Accompanied by Zoro's impotent rage, Xiang Gaowen gave a gentle push, and he fell into the water again.

Splash!

As soon as Zoro hit the water, a lifebuoy smashed onto his head.

He hurriedly grabbed the lifebuoy, looked up, and saw a slightly playful face:

"How could you possibly be a match for Captain Xiang Gaowen?"

"Newcomer!"

Nami smiled mischievously, though the words she spoke were the truth in her heart.

Immediately, Nami took a small blackboard from beside her, wiped off the original '1' in front of Zoro, and wrote a '2'.

"..."

"That's at least a bit impolite..."

After the simple farce, Zoro climbed aboard the ship with agile legs; after an involuntary glance at Nami, he turned his head to look at Xiang Gaowen:

"Again!"

"Good!"

Xiang Gaowen replied calmly.

The third round began.

Yet only a few seconds later, the familiar scene repeated, and this time Zoro didn't even realize what had happened.

Nami silently changed the number on the blackboard to '3'.

A few minutes later.

Zoro climbed aboard again and rushed at Xiang Gaowen without hesitation, though his body was somewhat drained from the consecutive falls into the water.

But since Kuina's death, he had never felt such a burning desire to surpass an opponent.

Even though his body was tired, the flame burning in his heart grew ever stronger, and would not cease until it consumed everything within him!

"Again!"

Sensing Zoro's change, Xiang Gaowen's lips curled, and he said seriously:

"Roronoa, if you can do it, then try!"

"I will always be ahead, waiting for you to challenge me; until then, I will never fall!"

Zoro tightened his grip on the dual swords in his hands until the veins on the back of his hand bulged, and only one word escaped his lips:

"Good!"

In the next instant.

The blades clashed together; their gazes met, and each saw mutual recognition in the other's eyes.

The two fought until the next night; the number on Nami's small blackboard had nearly reached four digits before Zoro finally collapsed from exhaustion.

But Zoro's eyes were more fervent than ever before.

"Say, Mr. Xiang Gaowen, I have a reason I must become the world's greatest swordsman!"

Zoro covered his eyes with his arm; the clear moonlight fell upon his face, obscuring his specific expression.

Only from Xiang Gaowen's perspective could one see that the corners of Zoro's eyes were wet, but not with sweat, nor with seawater.

Xiang Gaowen watched this scene and said calmly:

"I originally had no reason, but now I do."

"A captain cannot be looked down upon by his subordinates; especially when a companion wins and intends to leave, I am even less likely to lose."

Zoro was stunned; after a few breaths, he finally shouted loudly:

"Captain! Please take care of me!"

"Won't you try again? After all, there are still several days before our agreed time."

"No need."

Zoro shook his head.

He simply lay on the deck in a star shape, his chest heaving, feeling he lacked even the strength to move a single finger.

After a day and night of battle, he had been crushed by Xiang Gaowen countless times, fallen into the sea, and risen countless times again; his body had long since reached its limit.

"A powerful swordsman can perceive the outcome of a battle the moment their eyes meet."

"This level doesn't even count as a fight for you!"

"Bastard!"

"I have already acknowledged you!"

Clang!

Xiang Gaowen slowly sheathed Guanshi Zhengzong, a faint smile playing on his lips:

"Then don't die before you surpass me!"

"Of course!"

The battle ended here.

Excluding the pirates who could no longer hold on and had returned to the cabin to rest, only Arlong, Xiang Keluo, and the duo Joseph and Johnny remained on the deck.

"Has Zoro joined the pirate crew?"

"Then we..."

Joseph was momentarily confused, and Johnny beside him felt the same, but suddenly Xiang Gaowen's voice came to their ears:

"Do you two want to join Zoro?"

"Yes!"

The two straightened their bodies abruptly and said excitedly:

"Captain Xiang Gaowen!"

Xiang Gaowen nodded, then ignored everyone on the deck, turned around, and walked into the cabin.

Xiang Keluo and Arlong stood side by side, watching the scene with expressionless faces, yet their gaze was inevitably drawn to Zoro, their eyes filled with uncontrollable shock.

"To be able to reach this extent, this kid's willpower is simply made of iron."

Arlong let out a sigh of admiration:

"No wonder Captain Xiang Gaowen values him so much; with such powerful spirit alone, it is destined that he will go further than others."

"You only see the surface."

Xiang Keluo took a deep drag on the cigarette in his mouth, his tone carrying a degree of Solemnity;

"From last night until now, this kid's swordsmanship has improved by at least thirty percent."

"Even with Xiang Gaowen's intentional guidance, this speed of progress is nothing short of monstrous."

"Didn't you still think about surpassing me to become Xiang Gaowen's first mate?"

"Don't let this brat surpass you before you surpass me, or that would be quite the spectacle!"

Arlong's pupils contracted, an inexplicable sense of urgency arising in his heart, yet he still feigned calmness, turning to look at Xiang Keluo:

"What about you?"

"Me?"

Xiang Keluo flicked the ash from his fingertip and smiled indifferently:

"Between him and me lies an insurmountable chasm."

"Is that so?"

Arlong gritted his teeth, secretly swearing in his heart to double tonight's training volume, but what came out of his mouth was:

"Same here."

"However, tonight, there is no need to pay attention to this farce; we can actually get a good night's sleep."

"Who would say otherwise?"

The two exchanged a glance, their faces plastered with fake smiles, then simultaneously turned around and entered the cabin.

Only after watching each other enter their respective rooms did they both finally breathe a sigh of relief.

A few minutes later.

Xiang Keluo changed into casual clothes and, upon just walking into the training room, saw Arlong already lifting weights; his expression stiffened:

"What a coincidence~"

Arlong's old face flushed red:

"Yes, what a coincidence~"

(End of this chapter)