Ice-Cold

Early the next morning, Shirakawa knocked on Rayleigh's door.

"What is it? It's so early. Can't a man get any sleep?" Rayleigh's groggy voice came from inside, edged with irritation.

He yanked the door open. Seeing Shirakawa standing outside, he didn't bother to hide his annoyance. "What do you want?"

"I hope you'll train me again." Shirakawa bowed deeply and spoke with great respect. He'd set himself the goal of reaching Emperor-level strength.

It was an ambitious goal, but until he achieved it, Shirakawa wouldn't slack off for a moment. He planned to lie low for now, then venture back out into the world and enjoy himself once he was strong enough.

"No time." Rayleigh ignored Shirakawa's earnest request and slammed the door in his face.

"Idiot." Back in bed, Rayleigh muttered under his breath. His morning temper was something else.

"What just happened?"

Rejected, Shirakawa stood frozen outside the door. He hadn't expected such a sincere request to be turned down.

"Come to think of it, you don't have to ask Rayleigh." Just then, a voice reached Shirakawa's ears.

Shirakawa turned and saw Captain Roger leaning against the wall, watching him with interest.

"Rayleigh isn't the only strong one on this ship."

"Then, Captain, would you be willing to train me?" At that, Roger's expression stiffened. Without even looking back, he walked away.

He gave the same answer Rayleigh had: "No time."

"Looks like I'll have to ask someone else." Shirakawa shook his head helplessly as he thought of the first and second in command, both of whom had rejected him.

His next target was Scopper Gaban. He got along well with Gaban, and was sure Gaban would be willing to train him. Besides, Gaban was no weaker than Rayleigh.

But Gaban wasn't here at the moment, so Shirakawa would have to wait a while before he could train.

With no other options, he could only go back to his room and sleep. He hadn't slept a wink the previous night; his mind had been a mess, full of all sorts of muddled thoughts.

Just as he was about to doze off, he suddenly heard someone knocking on his door.

"Who is it? It's so early. Can't a man get any sleep?" He'd clearly already forgotten that he'd just disturbed Rayleigh in exactly the same way.

"What is it?" Shirakawa opened the door and saw Kaiser Lynn standing there. He spoke to her irritably.

"I came to give you a present," Kaiser Lynn said, sounding pleased with herself.

"What present?" Shirakawa had already noticed the object hidden behind her back. It was covered by a white cloth, but he recognized it at a glance. Still, he asked.

"Ta-da! It's a sword. I noticed yours was damaged last time, so I thought I'd get you a new one." She held it out to Shirakawa with both hands.

Shirakawa took it in one hand and removed the cloth. A sword of striking elegance appeared before him.

"Is this just a decoration?" The sword looked like something a noble would display, not something anyone would use in a fight.

"How could it be? The warehouse keeper told me it's a Good Fast Sword."

"A Good Fast Sword?" A flicker of surprise showed in Shirakawa's eyes. He quickly drew it from its sheath and examined it closely.

"It really is a fine sword. Much better than my last one." His previous blade had been ordinary, shoddily made, and not even good enough to count as a Fast Sword.

"What's it called?"

"I heard it's called Ice-Cold."

"Ice-Cold. That does suit it." Shirakawa sensed a faint chill from the blade. It was slight, but it ought to add a little damage when he struck someone. It was probably made from some special material.

"Thank you. I really like it."

"You're welcome. It's the least I could do, since your sword broke because of me." Kaiser Lynn smiled sweetly. She felt warm inside, because this was the first time Shirakawa had thanked her.

"All right, you can go now. I'm going to sleep."

"What?" Kaiser Lynn thought she must have misheard. After giving him such a nice present, shouldn't he at least invite her in?

"I said you can go. I'm going back to sleep." Before Kaiser Lynn could say another word, Shirakawa shut the door in her face.

Once the door was closed, Shirakawa was no longer sleepy at all. He drew the sword and admired it more and more, as if he were gazing at an unparalleled beauty.

But Shirakawa knew this sword would only be with him for a while. Someday, he would have to get a Supreme Great Fast Sword. Otherwise, he wouldn't be worthy of his title, King of Silver.

"Ice-Cold, huh? From now on, we'll fight side by side."

The treasured blade didn't tremble. It seemed it wasn't sentient.

Even the things that interested him only held his attention for a while. After studying the sword carefully, Shirakawa set it on the floor and went back to bed.

He slept soundly this time, without anyone disturbing him.

By the time he woke again, it was already afternoon. He didn't feel hungry, but his stomach felt empty, and he hated the sensation.

"You're awake?" Shirakawa walked into the Royal Palace courtyard and saw Captain Roger drinking tea. Honestly, tea didn't suit his temperament at all.

"It's good to get some proper rest. You've been worn out for over a month. Buggy and Shanks still haven't gotten up, either."

"Really?"

"Mm. Let those two boys sleep in. They've been through a lot while they were with you."

"Heh. That's because I wasn't strong enough."

"That's a nice sword you've got there." Roger had noticed the new blade at Shirakawa's waist.

"Yeah, it's a Good Fast Sword, but it still doesn't compare to yours, Captain. I've been admiring your sword for a long time." Shirakawa didn't know what kind of sword Roger had, but it had to be a good one.

"Hah, dream on, kid. You can look at this sword all you want, but I won't even let you touch it."

"Come on, don't be stingy."

Roger wasn't a professional swordsman, but his sword was like one of his hands. It had been with him for years, and perhaps they'd grown attached to each other.

"Captain, when are we leaving?"

"What, getting restless?"

"Yeah. I want to experience more battles out at sea."

"Soon, I think. Once Gaban and Bullet get back, we should be ready to leave. Oh, and we're heading back to the Grand Line."

"I know. The First Mate already told me."

"Really? Rayleigh certainly does have a loose tongue."

"Are you really sure you don't want to keep sailing with me?" After a brief silence, Roger asked Shirakawa.

"Yeah. I want to start writing a story of my own."