The Pirate King's Right-Hand Man?

In the morning, the sea breeze gently blew over the sleeping town.

The spring wind was warm, softly waking the town's residents. Every time the sun rose, it marked the brand-new day.

Many of the town's people had already gotten up, beginning to cook and busy themselves. The life of ordinary folk was just like this—dull, tedious, and filled with sweat.

Yet it was precisely these tens of thousands of ordinary commoners who propped up this sky!

Ryan and Beli were up as well. Ryan knew today was an important day; today, Ryan might encounter the first "expert" of this Pirate World.

After finishing breakfast, Ryan and Beli prepared to arrive at Uncle Carter's residence early.

Today, Ryan brought along the Pirate King Roger's treasured sword, Ace.

After all, his current swordsmanship proficiency of a staggering 18 points was Ryan's only presentable ability, just in case he had to demonstrate swordsmanship later.

Ryan wrapped Ace in cloth straps, slung it over his back, and set off. Choosing to bring Ace along was also because Ryan figured nobody in this small South Blue would recognize it, and since the other party was Uncle Carter's friend, they shouldn't harbor any designs on this sword.

After all, this was the only opportunity for training Ryan could access right now, so he had to give it his all.

Opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared!

Walking on the streets of the town and watching the busy figures of pedestrians on the road, Ryan still quite liked this kind of peaceful life.

Everyone is willing to grow in a comfortable living environment, and Ryan was naturally no exception.

However, Ryan knew he still needed to help his parents take revenge, and he still had a cousin named Ace alive in this world.

Moreover, he would die in the future, so Ryan could not live comfortably here forever.

Ryan knew Ace's ending in the Pirate World. In the future, Ace would be captured by Blackbeard and sent to Impel Down, then publicly executed at Marineford, the Marine headquarters.

The largest war in the Pirate World, the Summit War, also broke out as a result.

The outcome of the Summit War was that Ace and Whitebeard died in battle, and the Whitebeard Pirates fell apart.

The Summit War broke out in the year 1522 of the Sea Circle Calendar. It was now 1504, leaving sixteen years.

Ps: There is a saying in One Piece about the Sea Era Calendar and the Sea Circle Calendar. I checked Baidu, and both are acceptable, so I used the Sea Circle Calendar.

Ryan was currently eight years old, which meant that if history did not change by then, Ryan would need enough strength at age twenty-four to go to Marineford and rescue Ace.

After all, ever since Ryan integrated his memories, Ace had been Ryan's last remaining relative in this world.

Seeing Ryan and the other boy running over early in the morning, Carter also said with a smile.

"You two little rascals are really impatient. I'll get my things sorted and take you over right away, but what if the person refuses to take you? There's nothing I can do then."

After a short while, Uncle Carter walked out wearing an old-style Marine uniform, making Beli's eyes light up.

"Whoa!"

"As soon as Uncle Carter puts on this outfit, his aura really shoots right up. You're truly worthy of being an old Marine. I heard Uncle Carter even fought the Pirate King."

"Ahem..."

"Alright, enough with the other talk. Let's head out. This time we're going to the neighboring Yunlai Town. It's quite a long trip."

Ryan could tell that Uncle Carter was feeling a bit guilty; presumably, Uncle Carter's claims of having fought the Pirate King in the past were just boasting.

"Wow, I've never been to any other town since I was little. Is this what an adventure is?"

"Uncle Carter, is the person you're taking us to meet someone who can take on ten people by himself?"

"Of course he can!"

"Then can he also take on ten Uncle Carters?"

"Of course he can—my ass."

Carter almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

"I reckon he could take on everyone in our orphanage."

Along the way, Beli asked questions about everything like a curious baby.

Seeing Beli so happy, Ryan's heart began to fill with anticipation as well.

A child's world is very small, and they always compare the people around them to others.

Ryan knew that truly formidable people could shatter a small mountain with a single punch, but Ryan simply didn't believe that such a powerful person existed in a small town in the South Blue.

Time always flies when Beli is around—a fact Ryan knew from deep personal experience. After walking for about two hours, the group of three finally arrived at Yunlai Town.

Both Ryan and Beli were sizing up their unfamiliar surroundings. The pedestrians on the streets of Yunlai Town were far fewer than those in Mero Town, and the people on the road walked in a hurried manner.

Ryan looked strangely at Carter and asked, "Uncle Carter, why are there so few people here?"

"That's because Yunlai Town is close to the sea, and pirates frequently come to the town for plundering and resupplying. That's why a lot of people from Yunlai Town have been migrating over to our side."

In the Great Age of Pirates, the ones who suffer and endure hardships are always the ordinary commoners, because if the noble lords' interests are damaged, they squeeze the common people.

In the end, it is still the ordinary commoners who bear it all!

Leading the two boys through a series of turns into an alley, Carter pointed at the building at the very back and said.

"We're here. That's the place. Beli, go knock on the door."

Thump, thump, thump...

Thump, thump, thump...

After several knocks in a row, the heavy door slowly opened.

Greeting their eyes was a solidly built middle-aged man wearing black sunglasses.

He looked to be in his fifties, with long hair draped over his shoulders that didn't look soft at all, appearing fierce and formidable instead. His entire attire and demeanor gave Ryan the strong impression of a triad boss from his past life.

It made Ryan desperately want to blurt out right then and there: Boss, what's your racket?

Uncle Carter stepped forward to greet him. "Long time no see, Gaban."

"Old Carter, you're quite the rare visitor. What kind of wind blew you here? Just spit it out—what's the matter?"

Gaban wore an indifferent expression.

"What's the rush? Aren't you going to invite me inside for a couple of drinks?"

Gaban stared at the three of them for a long time, then suddenly burst into loud laughter.

"Then come on inside first. It's been a long time since I've had guests at my place. Today, the two of us are going to have a few good drinks."

Beli was left completely dumbfounded...

Ryan was also speechless. This uncle had such a hilarious name, exactly the same as the right-hand man of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.

As for the possibility that the person before him was the real Gaban, Ryan hadn't even considered it, because how could a legendary figure possibly appear on an island in the South Blue?

Arriving in the living room, Gaban and Carter sat down to drink, while Ryan and Beli stood behind Carter.

"It's been so long since I drank with anyone. Drinking alone is truly no fun. Drinking is only enjoyable when you have banquets and drinks with your comrades, though Carter, you'll have to do."

Gaban laughed heartily, showing that he was in high spirits.

"Speak, what do you want with me? Don't forget I've already retired, so don't bring up any troublesome matters."

Carter hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

"Actually, it's nothing major. These two little fellows behind me want to get stronger and asked me to find them a teacher. You know what my situation is like now—teaching people is out of the question, and I can't have active-duty Marines teach them either; that violates regulations. So, naturally, I thought of you."

"Not teaching. What do you take me for, Gaban? You want me to casually teach two wet-behind-the-ears brats? More importantly, it's too troublesome—where would these old bones of mine hold up against that?"

Ryan looked at Gaban's sturdy, well-built muscles and thought: Boss, you can definitely hold up against it.

Beli instantly flared up. "We are not little brats! We're very strong! If you don't believe it, test our strength—we want to challenge you!"

Ryan, standing beside him, thought to yourself: You go ahead and challenge him, just don't drag me into it! With muscles like Gaban's, I still don't want to die. But what came out of his mouth instead was—

"Beli is right."

If I refuse them outright, it really might not look too good. Now that these two kids want to challenge me, why not use this opportunity to turn them down tactfully? I, Scopper Gaban, am truly a motherfucking genius, Gaban thought to himself.

"Since you want to challenge me, then come on. I'll just stand right here without moving. As long as the two of you can land a single hit on me, consider it your win, and I'll agree to teach you."

As soon as Gaban finished speaking, Beli charged forward, throwing a punch straight at Gaban's face.

The moment the fist was about to strike Gaban, Gaban's figure flashed as an afterimage, and Beli's punch hit empty air.

Observation Haki? Or just pure, fast reflexes? Ryan narrowed his eyes.

With his punch missing, Beli steadied his stance and threw another punch, only to have it dodged once more.

Five minutes later.

"I'll definitely hit you!" Beli shouted at the top of his lungs.

However, Beli's punches were already far less forceful than when he started, feeling as though they could go limp at any moment.

Ten minutes later, Beli collapsed limply onto the ground, panting. He had been worn out after fighting for a full ten minutes straight.

Ryan genuinely had no idea how Beli, this hothead, managed to keep going. In truth, by the seven-minute mark, Beli had already reached his absolute limit, yet relying on that sheer reckless drive, he had forcibly held on for another three minutes.

"Not bad. Too bad he missed me by just a tiny bit," Gaban said playfully.

I believe you, you crafty old geezer, Ryan cursed inwardly.

Based on Ryan's observation, it was definitely Observation Haki; this person was a powerhouse. Perhaps it was just as Uncle Carter had said: he used to be a world-renowned pirate.

"I can't be like Beli. Doing that means I'll never hit Gaban."

Besides, Ryan didn't even have Beli's kind of stamina; if it were Ryan, lasting three minutes would already be quite impressive. Therefore, he had to catch him off guard. If he was going to strike, he had to use his strongest move and decide the outcome in a single blow—only then would he have a chance of winning.

Thinking of this, Ryan slowly removed Ace from his back and placed it in front of him.

"Oh ho, looks like you're a swordsman too, little fellow," Gaban teased.

"No, I'm a blade-user."

With that, Ryan tossed the tattered cloth wrapping Ace aside, revealing the true appearance of the Supreme Grade Sword.

"Ace!"

"Kamusari."

"Kamusari!"

Ryan slashed out with a single strike.

Ding! Host defeated Scopper Gaban, gained attribute points... This was the last sound Ryan heard in his mind before he directly lost consciousness after executing Kamusari.

Only a crisp, resounding clang could be heard.

It sounded like the collision of metals. As he looked, Gaban's skin seemed to be covered by a layer of black armor.

If Ryan were still conscious, he would certainly have recognized this as Armament Haki.

As it happened, Ryan's sword strike had landed squarely on Gaban's chest.

Because Gaban had been stunned by Ryan's treasured sword Ace and the swordsmanship technique Kamusari, he hadn't managed to dodge in time, resulting in a slash right through his clothes.

Yet Gaban was still Gaban; in the moment of crisis, his Armament Haki had activated like an instinct.

Gaban asked anxiously, "Who is he? How does he have the captain's sword and know how to use the captain's swordsmanship?"

Carter delivered a palm-strike to the back of Beli, who was still standing there in a dazed state, knocking Beli out cold on the spot.

Only then did Carter slowly speak. "His name is Portgas D. Ryan. Rouge was his aunt, and Roger was his uncle-in-law. As for why he has Roger's treasured sword and knows Roger's swordsmanship, I don't know. He was only three when his father dropped him off here."

"Very well. Since he's the captain's nephew and just hit me, naturally I won't go back on my word. From now on, these two little fellows will follow me and cultivate."

He knows the captain's swordsmanship at such a young age—he's a monster. That other kid is pretty good too. Taking them in won't leave me at a loss; I, Scopper Gaban, truly am a genius.

"I'm happy, so happy! The captain's sword and swordsmanship now have successors. Let's keep drinking! They should wake up soon. We'll talk to them about this once they both wake up, and we'll drink until they do."

However, what Gaban didn't know was that the side effect of Ryan using Kamusari was falling unconscious for three days.