Three months of grueling bullet-dodging training had finally paid off. After countless failures and repeated attempts, Shiro awakened Observation Haki.
In that moment, his senses sharpened dramatically. He could now clearly anticipate the trajectory of bullets and evade them with ease. From then on, ordinary bullets could no longer harm him, even without covering his body in Armament Haki.
With Observation Haki awakened, Shiro's shockwaves also became far more accurate, every strike hitting its mark. Coupled with his god-tier Paw-Paw Fruit abilities, low-level Armament Haki, and Observation Haki, his combat strength had become formidable.
Within the Roger Pirates, only Roger, Rayleigh, and Gaban—three immensely powerful members—could challenge him; everyone else posed no threat. And yet, he was only ten years old. While most children his age still clung to their parents, Shiro was already making a name for himself among the strongest in the seas.
But Shiro was far from satisfied. Alongside developing the Paw-Paw Fruit, he trained in swordsmanship under two masters aboard the ship: Roger and Rayleigh. Their guidance had allowed him to rapidly progress, making him a competent swordsman.
Shiro's ultimate dream was to become a swordmaster, a legendary swordsman capable of achieving the pinnacle of swordsmanship. The technique that fascinated him most was Roger's devastating "Divine Depature," but mastering it required immense Conqueror's Haki—far beyond Shiro's current abilities.
Shiro's determination inspired his peers, Shanks and Buggy, who also devoted themselves to intense training. Shanks chose the Western-style sword, while Buggy practiced with daggers.
One sunny day, the three little ones were practicing furiously on deck when Gaban's voice rang out excitedly:
"Everyone! Look alive! A huge ship is approaching!"
The crew quickly stopped their training and rushed to the deck, eyes alight with anticipation. They hadn't encountered a major pirate in some time, and supplies were running low.
Rayleigh squinted at the approaching ship's Jolly Roger, his expression serious. He drew in a sharp breath and shouted:
"Don't act rashly! That ship belongs to the World Pirates, captained by the so-called 'World Destroyer,' Byrnndi World!"
Murmurs rippled through the crew:
"Byrnndi World? Isn't he on par with Roger and Whitebeard?"
"His More-More Fruit can magnify cannons a hundredfold—one shot could wipe out a town!"
"Thought we were getting an easy target… turns out it's a tough nut to crack."
Shiro, standing on tiptoe and leaning on the railing, stared at the distant ship with a mix of curiosity and excitement. This was a boss-level encounter!
Since the battle at God's Valley, the Roger Pirates had had confrontations with top-tier pirates. The remnants of the Rocks Pirates and other powerful crews were busy expanding their own territories, carefully avoiding the Roger Pirates.
Byrnndi World, however, was different. Wild, unpredictable, and destructive, he disregarded everyone—truly a menace of the seas.
On the deck edge, Shanks and Buggy, hindered by their small stature, could barely see over the crowd. Frustrated, they whispered and plotted. Suddenly, Shanks had an idea:
"Buggy! Let me climb on your shoulders, then I can see!"
Buggy hesitated but agreed. Shanks nimbly climbed onto Buggy, holding onto his hair for balance, eyes fixed on the approaching ship.
Buggy wobbled, shouting in protest:
"Hey! My turn to see! You promised we'd take turns!"
Shanks, entranced, barely responded:
"Just let me see a bit longer. You're too weak to make a difference anyway."
This infuriated Buggy, who yanked Shanks off his shoulders. Shanks hit the deck, clutching his backside in pain:
"Buggy, what the—"
Buggy stood, hands on his hips, fuming:
"Enough talk. My turn now, you're down there!"
Meanwhile, Shiro's gaze sharpened like a hawk, eyes locked on the approaching pirate ship, radiating a serious aura.
On that ship, a towering figure stood at the bow, exuding raw authority. He wore a flowing red cloak, and the sea wind whipped through it. His horned helmet added to his menacing presence, and his hand casually stroked a gray-green beard, signaling both confidence and power.
Beside him sat his elder brother, Byojack, the crew's vice-captain and strategist, quietly offering counsel.
Tension crackled across the waves as Roger leapt to the bow of his ship, hand gripping the hilt of his sword, his straw hat fluttering in the wind. His iconic smile shone brightly, exuding boldness and defiance:
"Byrnndi World! You here to bring us treasure? Wahahaha!"
His laughter echoed over the ocean, carrying both provocation and confidence.