Chapitre 13: Chapter 12 - Learning Swordsmanship
It was a beautiful day with clear skies and a gentle breeze. The Roger Pirates were busy with their tasks on the ship.
Shirakawa, shirtless and wielding a katana, practiced his sword strikes diligently. This had started two days ago.
"First Mate, I want to learn swordsmanship," he had announced to Rayleigh after dinner, slightly drunk.
"Oh? Why?" Rayleigh was surprised. He knew Shirakawa was easily content. While he persevered in training, he also enjoyed his rest, unlike Shanks, who pushed himself to the limit once he got serious.
Shirakawa had never asked for anything from Rayleigh during the past three months, so Rayleigh was curious about this sudden request.
"Because I want to be a great swordsman," Shirakawa declared.
He remembered the impressive feats of great swordsmen in One Piece: slicing ships, cleaving icebergs, even shattering meteorites. All those feats were performed by one man: Dracule Mihawk.
"Do you want to become the world's strongest swordsman?" Rayleigh asked.
"No."
"Why not? That's the goal of almost every swordsman."
"Captain, did you become the world's strongest swordsman when you started training?" Shirakawa countered.
"No. I just wanted to survive," Rayleigh replied, a glint in his glasses.
He, too, yearned for freedom. That was why he had half-heartedly agreed when Roger invited him to join his crew.
Back then, he and Roger weren't strong. They hadn't received any formal training and had honed their skills through countless life-or-death battles. Rayleigh had even developed his own unique sword style. He had never imagined becoming as powerful as he was now.
He had become a great swordsman without even aiming for it. Now, his only goal was to help Roger become the Pirate King.
"I see. I just want to live a better life," Shirakawa said. "Besides, being the world's strongest sounds exhausting. Having to face challengers every day? No thanks. I'd rather relax."
"Hahaha! You're the first person I've met who's so similar to me!" Rayleigh laughed heartily, clapping Shirakawa on the shoulder and refilling his glass. "But my swordsmanship is all about killing. Are you sure you still want to learn?"
"Swordsmanship isn't just for killing, is it? Besides, whether a sword kills or not depends on the user, not the sword itself. If I want it to kill, it will. If I don't, it won't."
"Well said! You can start your training tomorrow."
"Thank you, First Mate!"
For the past two days, Shirakawa had been diligently practicing swordsmanship, repeating each movement countless times. It was tedious and exhausting.
"Hey, Shanks, look at Shirakawa. He's drenched in sweat. Looks like he just came out of the sea," Buggy, who was watching from the sidelines, said to Shanks.
The two apprentices were the ship's resident troublemakers, always up to something.
Unfortunately for Buggy, Shirakawa overheard his comment.
"Buggy, what did you say?" Shirakawa asked.
"I said you look like you just came out of the sea," Buggy repeated innocently.
"Really? Then let me help you experience that feeling too."
Buggy suddenly found himself lifted off the ground by Shirakawa.
"Hey, Shirakawa, what are you doing? Put me down!" Buggy flailed his arms and legs.
Shirakawa ignored him, and Shanks chuckled.
"Buggy, you can't even beat Shirakawa. Why do you keep provoking him?" one of the crew members asked, amused by Buggy's predicament.
"Mind your own business!" Buggy yelled.
"Alright, alright. I won't interfere," the crew member said, though his eyes betrayed his amusement.
Shirakawa carried Buggy to the edge of the ship and held him over the water.
"What are you doing, Shirakawa? Let me go!" Buggy shouted.
"Okay, I'll let you go now," Shirakawa said, and released his grip.
Buggy plummeted into the sea with a splash.
The crew burst into laughter. Such antics were a welcome distraction during the long, monotonous voyages.
"Hahaha, Buggy, now you look like you just came out of the sea!"
"You jerks! Pull me up!" Buggy yelled from the water.
"You dare insult us? Maybe we'll pull you up when we're in a better mood."
Eventually, someone pulled Buggy back on board, soaking wet.
"Captain, I see an island ahead!" the navigator called out.
"Excellent!" The crew cheered. They had spent the last three months on deserted islands, and some were eager for a change of scenery.
"Finally, we get to see other people!"
Everyone started making plans for what they would do on the island.
"Get ready to disembark, everyone. But remember the rule of our ship."
"Yes, Captain!"
The Roger Pirates' rule was simple: they paid for everything they wanted. No stealing, no looting, no exceptions.
Shirakawa had been surprised when he first heard this rule. It seemed strange for pirates, especially considering Roger's reputation.
'Are they really pirates?' he had wondered
Everyone on board seemed accustomed to the rule, but Shirakawa couldn't help but wonder what they would be like without Roger's restraint.
---Translator's Note---
Thank you for reading this translation, and Please do let me know if you feel anything out of context or mistranslated. I will remove / change them
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone