The previously quiet town of Shells Town suddenly erupted with noise. The townspeople near the port were anxious, unsure why a pirate crew had visited a city that housed a Navy base.
An emergency assembly was called at the 153rd East Blue Navy Base in the town. The entire base was in a frenzy after a giant pirate ship was spotted docked at the port.
On the shore of the town, the Red Force was moored.
“Ah, it’s a bustling little town. We’re in luck. Let’s go on a big shopping spree, folks,” Shanks said, jumping off the ship and adjusting his straw hat, revealing his face with three scars.
“Aye, Captain.”
“Finally, we can get off the ship and rest a bit. That kid has been wearing us out these past few days.”
“Right, we need to relax.”
“The kitchen needs supplies too. I’m in charge of that.”
“I’ll come with you. You can’t carry much on your own.”
Apart from the crew members who stayed on guard, everyone else eagerly jumped off the ship and disappeared in a flash.
Damn, was it necessary to be so eager? Mosen thought, full of frustration. Because training sessions were a bit long, did they have to avoid him like the plague?
In an instant, only Shanks and a few senior officers were left on the port, along with Mosen, who stood shirtless and bewildered in the breeze.
“Come on, let’s go to that open space over there and have our duel. I’m eager to… see your strength, Mosen,” Shanks said, using his Kenbunshoku Haki to scan the area, leading the group to a deserted area outside the town.
Hey, hey, you meant you’re eager to beat me up, right? I heard that!
“Captain, don’t hold back. Teach this Navy kid a lesson!” Lucky Roux, the most keen to see Mosen punished, urged Shanks. He had been Mosen’s primary target these past few days.
“Right, Captain, make sure to teach him a lesson. I haven’t had enough sleep and feel like I’m getting wrinkles,” added Yasopp, who had been harassed by Mosen almost as much. Wrinkles? That’s not my fault!
Ben Beckman flicked some ash from his cigarette, agreeing, “I second that.”
Mosen’s face twitched. Am I going to get beaten to death in this fight?
Blame Yasopp, who said challenging more vigorous opponents would help awaken my Kenbunshoku Haki faster. They should be beating him up, not me, a newbie. Is it too late to surrender?
Shanks smiled vaguely menacingly, walking ahead, “Don’t worry, everyone. As a captain, I can’t ignore my crew’s wishes. That wouldn’t be good leadership.”
Mosen was on the verge of tears. Can we skip the fight? These guys are terrifying. I’ll indeed get beaten to death, right?
In a grassy corner of the town, Mosen and Shanks faced off.
Mosen held a sword borrowed from Shanks’ collection, one of the 50 Skillful Grade swords, “Kite.”
The blade was greenish-white, razor-sharp, and thin as paper—a perfect killing tool.
Wearing only shorts, barefoot and shirtless, Mosen’s appearance was quite jarring. Regardless of the outcome, he needed clothes after this fight. Wearing the same outfit for over six months was dreadful.
Shanks, standing opposite, wielded his Western-style sword, Gryphon. As one of the top men on the seas, Shanks’ swordsmanship was nearly unmatched, even challenging the world’s greatest swordsman, Mihawk. This was a rare opportunity for Mosen.
If Shanks fought at full strength, Mosen wouldn’t last a single move.
But Mosen had impressed him, and Shanks didn’t mind giving some guidance. However, disrupting someone’s sleep couldn’t go unpunished.
Mosen didn’t know Shanks’ thoughts.
He was solemn. This challenge was a rare opportunity, unmatched by any battle he’d faced in five years. Even the fight with Garush didn’t compare. Fighting more vigorous opponents revealed one’s weaknesses and the gap to the top, guiding how to improve.
“I’m coming, Shanks.”
No warm-up, no unnecessary words. Mosen exploded from the ground, closing the five-meter distance in an instant.
[Iaigiri! (Sword Draw Technique)]
In close combat, Iaigiri was the fastest and most powerful sword technique. Mosen’s sword flashed like lightning.
But it was useless.
Shanks dodged even before Mosen’s sword slashed out, taking time to comment, “Mosen, you’re too slow.”
Mosen wasn’t discouraged. It would be surprising if Shanks’ Kenbunshoku Haki didn’t predict his moves.
[Rapid Stab Star! (Hayate Stab)]
He drew and thrust his sword even faster than before.
Swish.
The thrusting sword clashed with Gryphon, achieving nothing.
“Hey, kid, do you only know brute force? I wonder how your swordsmanship broke the cutting iron level.”
Mosen’s attack faltered. His swordsmanship is weak, sorry. But it’s not my fault. Franca, the best swordsman at the 77th base, hasn’t even broken the cutting iron level. How much can I expect to learn?
[Hell Requiem! (Killing Move)]
Fierce sword energy flew, creating one crater after another in the grassy ground, dirt and grass flying everywhere.
Mosen’s speed increased, and his shadow became almost invisible around Shanks, with only clashing metal heard.
However,
All his fierce moves amounted to nothing. Shanks wasn’t touched, and the gap between them felt insurmountable.
If swordsmanship isn’t enough, I’ll use my Devil Fruit power.
“Again!”
[One Night Listening to Spring Rain]
Devil Fruit ability: [Sliding Wind]
This move combined the sliding air from his fruit ability, directing the blade to slice from the side toward the opponent’s throat. The airflow reduced friction, making the silent strike incredibly fast.
It was a move that could easily down a naval captain, let alone weaker foes like Garush, who wouldn’t even react. It could even threaten a commodore.
Shanks’ eyes brightened. This move had substance, unlike Mosen’s previous flimsy attempts.
“Finally, something decent, Mosen!” Shanks said though he had blocked the strike effortlessly. This time, however, the impact made him step back… half a step.
Well, that’s a sad story. The story’s name: A golden player’s brilliant moves, finally scraping a sliver of health from the king.
Mosen stepped back, adjusting his breath. The fierce attacks had drained his energy.
It showed that the Smooth-Smooth Fruit needed more offensive power. He needed to develop his fruit abilities further.
Though Shanks seemed relaxed, he was genuinely surprised. At fifteen, Mosen had the strength of a navy captain to commodore level, a monstrous power.
If Sengoku knew, he’d be ecstatic.
Thinking of this, Shanks felt annoyed. Such a strong kid was in the Navy. He needed a beating to feel better.
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