Vic gave it no further thought. He carefully read through the Basics of Swordsmanship and spent some time pondering it.
He now knew that the Basics of Swordsmanship really did cover only the basics, but someone who practiced them well could become a swordsman all the same.
The moves were just very limited, so he would need to create and combine his own.
Of course, it was different for those with exceptional comprehension. They could become great swordsmen who relied entirely on basic attacks, just like Hawk-Eye, without all the fancy flourishes.
But Vic still wanted to be like Zoro, reciting poetry as he cut people down. Vic really wanted those flashy finishing moves. Basic attacks could wait until later; there was no rush now.
Looks like once I've mastered the basics, I'll have to find Koshiro for some extra lessons. I can see how good this Basics of Swordsmanship really is and study some poetry, prose, and that sort of thing, Vic thought to himself.
After thinking it over, Vic began planning his and Rebecca's future swordsmanship training based on the booklet.
It wasn't until noon that Vic had a rough plan. As for the rest, he would need to adjust it according to their progress.
Vic stretched and yawned. He looked up at the sky, then at Rebecca, who was trembling all over.
*People in the world of One Piece really are something. A little girl like her can keep going this long on her first try. Looks like I'll have to add weight training later.
To reach her limit again and again, ordinary training like this would be too much of a waste of time.*
"Rebecca, hold on a little longer. Give it everything you've got and keep going as long as you can. Human potential is enormous. Only by breaking through our limits again and again can we keep getting stronger!!!"
After hearing Vic's words, Rebecca gritted her teeth and held on a little longer, until she really couldn't bear it anymore and sank to the ground.
"Rebecca, you did very well. A strong will can make you a strong person, so keep it up!"
"One more thing. I hope you can keep your sword with you from now on. Unless you have to, don't put it down. Even when you sleep, hold it in your arms."
Vic wanted Rebecca to become thoroughly familiar with the sword in her hand, so she could wield it more deftly when she used her moves.
Rebecca was a little puzzled, but since Vic had told her to do it, she would listen. She nodded tiredly.
Once Rebecca had recovered, Vic took her home to get ready for lunch.
The old woman was surprised to see them both return carrying swords, but she didn't ask much. She knew Vic would tell her, and sure enough, he brought it up at the table.
Vic finished eating the meat off a marrow bone and put the bone down. Then he spoke solemnly to the old woman:
"Grandma Maria, I asked Rebecca today, and her dream is to become a Marine when she grows up. So we're going to become Marines together."
"Oh, Rebecca, is that your decision? To follow in your mother's footsteps?"
The old woman glanced at Vic, then turned to ask Rebecca.
"Yes, Grandma. I'm going to become a Marine like Mom and protect you and everyone else. I don't want you to get hurt like you did last time."
Rebecca spoke firmly, her expression much changed.
Before, Rebecca had only wanted to become a Marine like her mother and hadn't given much thought to anything else. She was a child, after all.
Last time, when the pirate Derek was looking for Vic's mother, he had happened upon Rebecca's house.
If Derek hadn't heard Orens fighting the pirates and pushed the old woman aside, she probably wouldn't have survived either.
Though the old woman had escaped with her life, she had still been hurt when she fell, and Rebecca, hiding in a cupboard, had seen it all.
That, along with the town's miserable state and the deaths of people she had known, had strengthened Rebecca's resolve to become a Marine.
So this time, Rebecca no longer wanted to become a Marine simply because she admired her mother. There were many things she wanted to protect in her heart.
At Rebecca's words, a trace of worry visibly flashed in the old woman's eyes.
She feared her granddaughter would follow in her daughter's footsteps and die at the hands of pirates too. She remained silent.
Vic had been watching the old woman all along and happened to catch that trace of worry.
Vic tried to persuade her:
"Grandma Maria, after what happened with the Pirate King's One Piece, do you think our island on a major travel route is still safe?"
"A few days ago, there were the Claw Pirates. For all we know, the Sharp Fang Pirates could come the day after tomorrow, and the Sharp Blade Pirates the day after that.
Most people are greedy, and pirates keep appearing one after another. The killing, burning, and looting will never end."
"A great person once said, 'If peace is sought through struggle, peace survives; if peace is sought through compromise, peace perishes.'
We can't count on pirates' mercy to live. Without strength, there's no guarantee we'll survive."
"So we have to become strong enough to protect ourselves, and even protect others.
I'll train Rebecca so she'll be capable enough to protect herself and won't be hurt by pirates again," Vic said firmly.
"I'll make Rebecca strong, very, very strong!"
With Vic's knowledge of the world of One Piece, making Rebecca stronger would be easy enough. There were plenty of ways.
It was just that they were both children now, and there were many things they couldn't do.
The Pirate King had only just been executed. It was still early, and until they grew stronger, they had to lie low on the island.
The old woman was shocked by what Vic had said. Were those words a ten-year-old could have spoken?
It looks like the death of Vic's parents has made him grow up a lot. Words and insight like that could never have come from the shy Vic of the past. Vic has changed. He's become dependable.
The old woman thought to herself.
"Vic, tell me what you're planning."
"Here's what I'm thinking. Rebecca and I can work at the milk factory on the island, delivering milk to the different towns every day."
"We can run while delivering the milk. That way, we'll have a source of income and can train our bodies and endurance at the same time."
"Then we'll only have to spend our mornings working. The rest of the time, I'll train with Rebecca in swordsmanship and physical fitness, and we'll study other subjects too."
"That's the plan for now. Later, I'll adjust it according to our training progress and physical growth."
The old woman looked at Vic in even greater surprise. It was a good plan, taking everything into account.
Work, study, and training, with none of them neglected!
"Then that's what we'll do. I'll talk to the mayor and have him arrange jobs for you there. It'll probably take a couple of days, so plan your time yourselves for now."
The old woman thought for a moment before speaking.
That afternoon, Vic began his own physical training as well.
After dinner that evening, he dragged his exhausted body back to his own home. Looking at the empty house, Vic thought of the original owner's dead parents.
Time went back one week.
A ship flying a black pirate flag was sailing through the waters of the East Blue.
The flag bore a white design: a beast's skull on top, with a pair of long, slender animal claws crossed beneath it.
People who regularly read the East Blue Economic News knew that it belonged to the Claw Pirates, who had made a small name for themselves in the East Blue over the past few days.
Their captain, Derek the Claw, killed with a pair of beastly claws as easily as chopping melons and vegetables. His claws were incomparably sharp.
He had killed a Marine Branch colonel, two captains, and dozens of ordinary Marines. His bounty was 15 million Beli, dead or alive.
A feast was in full swing aboard the ship. A short-haired man with a pointed mouth and shifty features, about 1.6 meters tall and dressed as a sailor, was lavishing praise on the tall, dark-skinned man wearing a captain's hat in the seat of honor:
"Boss, you're incredible! That Marine major from before couldn't even fight back against you. You cut him down cleanly with your claws.
We have a limitless future ahead of us, following a boss like you.
Once we reach the Grand Line, it won't be long before you become a great pirate.
And our Claw Pirates will become famous throughout the world along with you! Hahaha!"
This fellow had joined the pirate ship on the previous island. He was small and scrawny and had little fighting ability.
He had only gotten aboard because he was good at kissing up. Otherwise, he would have been cut down long ago, so he had done his utmost to prove himself since joining.
"Yeah, yeah! Hahaha!"
"Boss's strength is the real deal. I'd say he ranks near the top in the East Blue, hehe."
"That's right, that's right."
The lackeys nearby chimed in one after another, laughing loudly.
The tall man in the seat of honor was immensely pleased with himself, opening his mouth wide to reveal two rows of yellow teeth.
He roared with laughter as he poured wine into his mouth. After setting down his cup, he carelessly wiped the red wine running from the corners of his mouth with his sleeve, let out a long breath, and laughed:
"Just follow me, and you'll eat and drink like kings. There'll be plenty of money and beautiful women for all of you.
Once the feast is over, we'll head to the next island and grab some money and supplies. And we can't forget the women. We'll have ourselves a good time, hahaha!"
The shifty-eyed fellow said eagerly, "Boss, there's an island not far ahead. I hear the people there are all rich. Let's go there."
Derek said excitedly:
"Really? Hahaha! Then we can reach the Grand Line sooner. If what you said is true, I'll give you the credit."