.....
"Yes, like that. The way you held your sword earlier was wrong. Even though it's double-edged, many techniques still apply the same way as a regular sword."
On the deck of the Going Merry, Zoro was instructing Lucas on swordsmanship.
Lucas's desire to grow stronger had become urgent. With card upgrades requiring massive amounts of EXP, and the system being unreliable for now, he had no choice but to seek Zoro's guidance.
Internally, he'd already cursed the useless system a hundred times.
"Are you an idiot? You can't even manage a basic downward slash?"
Turns out, Zoro was a brutal teacher. Lucas had lost count of how many times he'd been called idiot in the last hour.
"Careful, Zoro. When I become the World's Greatest Swordsman, I'll call you the idiot!" Lucas shot back.
Zoro smirked. "Oh? I'll be the Greatest. You can settle for second place."
When it came to that title, Zoro wouldn't budge not even for a crewmate.
Lucas stared at his dead-serious expression and sighed.
BOOM!
"First try success! I told you I'm the legendary Sniper King, Usopp!"
Usopp gaped at the shattered rocks in the distance, then immediately puffed up with pride. Luffy grinned.
"That was awesome! You're officially our sniper!"
"What?! Not captain?!"
"Nope. I'm the captain!"
As the two bickered their way toward the cabin, Nami rolled her eyes and followed. Zoro turned to Lucas.
"Keep practicing. I'll check on those idiots."
Lucas nodded.
Once alone, he steadied his breathing and examined the Kusanagi Sword in his hand.
"If I coat this with chakra… could it function like Haki?"
The system had confirmed his chakra was all-natured meaning he could learn any ninjutsu, either through gacha pulls or the system shop.
But right now, Lucas was hoarding mood points for card upgrades. The plan?
- Boost Orochimaru's card level → higher base stats.
- Unlock advanced skills later → then buy other cards.
No rush.
THUD!
A sudden noise from the ship's side snapped Lucas out of his thoughts. He turned just as a man in black glasses vaulted onto the deck.
"Who are you?!" Lucas demanded, gripping his sword.
The stranger didn't answer. Instead, he drew his blade and lunged.
"Die, pirate!"
[Ding! Host's emotional spike detected. Mood value +6.]
"LUFFY! HELP!"
Lucas barely dodged. Inside, the crew heard the commotion.
"Luffy, how many enemies out there?" Zoro called.
"Just one!"
Zoro smirked. "Let Lucas handle it. He's strong."
"Yeah!" Luffy agreed, leaning against the doorframe. Usopp who'd seen Lucas in action wasn't worried either.
Nami frowned. "Zoro, is he really okay?"
"He's gonna be vice-captain. Shouldn't he prove himself?"
Sighing, Nami peered through the porthole.
Outside, Lucas spotted Luffy and wailed. "Luffy! SAVE ME!"
Luffy crossed his arms. "Nope!"
"…HUH?!"
Lucas's mind blanked.
'What kind of betrayal is this?! You're supposed to care about your crew!!'
He nearly sobbed.
The attacker now furious snarled, "Stop dodging, coward! Fight me!"
"Lucas! Beat him!" Luffy cheered.
Finally, it clicked.
'This is a test.'
Lucas steadied himself. The man's identity clicked too 'Johnny, the "Swordmaster of the East Blue.'
"I can do this."
Seeing Lucas stand his ground, Johnny grinned. "Ready to die?!"
He charged, as Lucas's chakra surged. A single hand seal.
"Substitution Jutsu!"
THUD!
"What the...?!"
Johnny stared at the barrel now in front of him. 'Where'd she go?!'
"Too slow."
Lucas's voice came from behind. Instead of his sword, he channeled chakra to his foot—
WHAM!
"Impossible! That speed..."
CRASH!
Johnny skidded across the deck, groaning.
Lucas blinked at his own strength.
'I'm actually kinda strong?'
"Damn it!" Johnny spat, struggling up. "I won't lose to some rookie!"
Then, "Johnny?"
A familiar voice.
Johnny froze. His eyes widened at the green-haired figure now looming over him.
"B-Brother Zoro?!"
All his bravado vanished. Zoro crossed his arms. "Yeah. Ease up he's with me."
Lucas exhaled in relief. 'No more fighting, good!!!'
Johnny, however, looked betrayed. "You… became a pirate?!"
Zoro shrugged. "Where's your partner? Yosaku with you?"
At the name, Johnny broke down. "H-He's sick! Just collapsed out of nowhere! His wounds reopened, teeth fell out..."
He dragged Yosaku's limp body from their boat.
"Just now I was resting on the reef, and suddenly a shell smashed the reef into pieces."
Luffy and Usopp flinched.
"Uh… about that reef earlier…" Luffy scratched his head.
"WE'RE SORRY!" they yelled in unison.
Johnny's eye twitched. "Sorry doesn't fix it!"
.....