The Third Time-This Is the Current [Scholar] Advancement Task (Continued)

"That was a question just now, right?"

Shanks asked nervously, taking another step back with his left foot.

"Before you become a pirate captain, you should spend some time as a deckhand."

Adrian chuckled and advanced with his sword.

"I've already spent more than ten years as an apprentice sailor!"

"Do you know what those ten years were like for me?!"

"I'm going to be the captain of a pirate crew now!"

After those protests, Shanks finally stopped retreating.

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He drew the cutlass at his waist and met the Cursed Sword in Adrian's hand.

Clang!

The moment the eerie Kitetsu struck the ordinary Sailor's Cutlass, a clear ring rang out.

Shanks's arm trembled, and he sucked in a breath.

This guy's ridiculously strong!

White Ghost was about his height and build, yet the force behind that Cursed Sword felt as unstoppable as a landslide.

Clang, clang!

Kitetsu and the Sailor's Cutlass collided again and again, sharp bursts of steel ringing through the air.

In just two breaths, Shanks had fallen on the defensive.

No wonder this Rookie Pirate has a Bounty of over a billion Beli!

Sweat beaded on Shanks's forehead, and his breathing grew uneven, but he felt little panic.

He had seen plenty of enemies stronger than White Ghost aboard Roger's ship, and plenty of Swordsmen far more skilled.

Besides...

White Ghost's probably just toying with me...

Shanks gritted his teeth at Adrian's calm expression. The man plainly wasn't taking him seriously.

But...

What adult would lose his temper with a child?

Adrian was in good spirits. He tapped the deck with his toes and surged forward, giving his wrist a slight twist as Kitetsu swept down toward Shanks's left shoulder blade.

Shanks gripped the Sailor's Cutlass and raised it to