Chapter 63: Captain, Please Guide Me!

Keluo blinked slightly, then dismissed this absurd idea from his mind.

After pondering for a while without result.

He could only temporarily attribute Gao Wen’s ability to an instinct, a special perception akin to Observation Haki.

“Perhaps…”

“Beyond its basic function, Observation Haki might have various unique derived abilities?”

Keluo frowned.

But the battle far away had already begun.

Zoro rushed forward, his three swords like three coiling dragons, slicing through the air toward Gao Wen.

The sharpness of his aura, compared to just a few days ago, was not worlds apart—it was a rapid leap.

“Interesting!”

Gao Wen’s lips curled as his long blade instinctively thrust forward, precisely finding the tiny opening in Zoro’s assault, then charging ahead without hesitation!

Ding!

The blade of Kanzaki Seishin struck the sword in Zoro’s mouth; the force transmitted through the blade instantly halted Zoro’s forward charge.

Immediately, the familiar scene repeated—Gao Wen’s other hand slipped past Zoro’s two swords and pressed directly against his chest.

Realizing what was about to happen, Zoro’s lip twitched:

“No matter how you think about it, this is just plain sadistic.”

“I find it quite amusing~”

“Damn it!”

Amid Zoro’s furious helplessness, Gao Wen gave a light push, sending him tumbling back into the water.

Plop!

As soon as Zoro hit the water, a life ring slammed onto his head.

He frantically grabbed it and looked up to see a mischievous face:

“How could you possibly be a match for Captain Gao Wen?”

“Newbie!”

Nami smirked, though what she said was the truth in her heart.

Then Nami pulled out a small blackboard from beside her, erased the original “1,” and wrote a “2” right before Zoro’s eyes.

“…“

“That’s a bit rude, you know…”

…

After the simple farce ended, Zoro climbed aboard with nimble legs, glanced at Nami unconsciously, then turned to Gao Wen:

“Again!”

“Fine!”

Gao Wen replied calmly.

The third round began.

Yet within mere seconds, the familiar scene repeated—this time Zoro didn’t even register what had happened.

Nami silently changed the number on the blackboard to “3.”

A few minutes later.

Zoro climbed back aboard and charged at Gao Wen without hesitation; though his body, weakened by repeated falls into the sea, was exhausted.

But since Kuno’s death, he had never felt such a desperate longing to surpass an opponent.

Even as his body tired, the flame burning within him grew fiercer, until it consumed everything he had—only then would it cease!

“Again!”

Sensing Zoro’s change, Gao Wen’s lips curled as he said seriously:

“Roronoa, if you can, come try!”

“I’ll stay right here ahead of you, waiting for your challenge—I won’t fall until you do!”

Zoro gripped his two swords until the tendons on his knuckles stood out, and uttered only one word:

“Fine!”

In the next instant.

Blades clashed; their gazes met, each seeing the other’s mutual respect.

…

…

…

Their battle lasted until the next evening, when the number on Nami’s blackboard neared four digits, and Zoro finally collapsed from exhaustion.

But Zoro’s eyes burned hotter than ever before.

“Hey, Mr. Gao Wen, I’ve got a reason I absolutely must become the world’s greatest!”

Zoro covered his eyes with his arm; the cold moonlight fell on his face, hiding his expression.

Only from Gao Wen’s angle could he see Zoro’s eyes were damp—not with sweat, nor seawater.

Gao Wen watched this, and said calmly:

“I had no reason before, but now I have one.”

“As captain, I can’t be looked down upon by my crew—especially when a companion wins and leaves. I can’t afford to lose.”

Zoro froze for a moment, then after several seconds shouted loudly:

“Captain! Please guide me!”

“Won’t you try again? We still have several days before our deadline.”

“No need.”

Zoro shook his head.

He lay flat on the deck in a starfish pose, chest rising and falling, feeling he had no strength left even to twitch a finger.

For a day and night, he had been shattered by Gao Wen countless times, thrown into the sea, only to rise again—his body had long reached its limit.

“A strong swordsman can sense the outcome of battle the moment their eyes meet.”

“This level? For you, it’s not even a real fight!”

“Asshole!”

“I’ve already recognized you!”

Clang!

Gao Wen slowly sheathed Kanzaki Seishin, a faint smile on his lips:

“Then don’t die before you surpass me!”

“Of course!”

…

The battle ended here.

Aside from the pirates who had collapsed and returned to their cabins to rest, only Akin, Keluo, and the duo Joseph and Johnny remained on deck.

“Has Big Brother Zoro joined the pirate crew?”

“Then we…”

Joseph was momentarily confused; Johnny beside him was equally lost—when suddenly, Gao Wen’s voice reached their ears:

“Do you two want to join with Zoro?”

“Yes!”

Both snapped to attention, excitedly:

“Captain Gao Wen!”

Gao Wen nodded, then ignored everyone on deck and turned to walk into the cabin.

Keluo and Akin stood side by side, expressionless, yet their gazes were drawn to Zoro, filled with unmistakable shock.

“To reach this level… this kid’s willpower is forged of iron.”

Akin exclaimed in admiration:

“No wonder Captain Gao Wen values him so much—just this kind of strength of spirit guarantees he’ll go farther than anyone else.”

“You only see the surface.”

Keluo took a deep drag from his cigarette, his tone now heavy:

“From last night until now, this kid’s swordsmanship has improved by at least thirty percent.”

“Even with Gao Wen deliberately guiding him, this pace of progress is monstrous.”

“Aren’t you still planning to surpass me and become Gao Wen’s second-in-command?”

“Don’t get overtaken by this brat before you even surpass me—that’d be hilarious.”

Akin’s pupils shrank; an inexplicable sense of urgency stirred within him, yet he forced calmness and turned to Keluo:

“What about you?”

“Me?”

Keluo flicked ash from his fingertip, smiling lightly:

“Between him and me lies an insurmountable chasm.”

"Is that so?"

Akin gritted his teeth and silently vowed to double tonight’s training load, though what he said aloud was:

"Me too."

"But tonight, we don’t need to pay attention to this farce—we can finally get a good night’s sleep."

"Who could disagree?"

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

Only after watching each other enter their respective rooms did they both exhale in relief.

……

A few minutes later.

Keluo changed into casual attire and had just stepped into the training room when he saw Akin already lifting weights; his expression froze:

"What a coincidence~"

Akin’s face flushed red:

"Yeah, what a coincidence~"

(End of Chapter)