You can read ahead up to 30 chapters on my Patreon: https://www.p*treon.com/darkshadow6395
The forest was silent, bathed in the morning sunlight that streamed down, illuminating Roger's face and casting his silhouette against the light.
Kojin was stunned for a moment and fell silent.
For a moment, he was unable to comprehend what was happening.
After three days and three nights of fierce battle, the enemy had held the upper hand almost the entire time. It was only now, due to his illness, that Roger's condition had sharply declined.
Yet here stood Roger, offering to teach him Swordsmanship?
"Or, you could arrest me right now!" Roger said, extending his hands in a gesture of surrender. "It would be a simple matter for you."
Even with his condition at its worst and facing imminent capture, this man was smiling, looking utterly unconcerned.
Kojin's eyes flickered as he thought carefully and judged the other party's intentions.
A pirate offering to teach him swordsmanship, a Marine.
There was no denying that Roger, a man who had fought countless battles throughout his life, possessed formidable combat experience and technique. The same power, wielded by Roger or by himself, would be a completely different matter.
His swordsmanship, in particular, was undoubtedly among the world's finest.
After about three breaths, a smile suddenly appeared on Kojin's face.
"You're trying to buy yourself time with this?" Kojin asked.
Roger also chuckled as he spoke. "I don't have much time left, so I want to leave something behind for this world."
After a pause, he fixed his eyes on Kojin and continued more seriously.
"Everyone who lives has their own moment to step onto the stage."
"Marine Kojin, I can faintly glimpse your future and hear the cries in your heart. This power will undoubtedly help you!"
Kojin relaxed, a smile spreading across his face. "Then... it's a deal!"
He was undeniably very interested in everything Roger had learned about swordsmanship over his lifetime. As for making a deal with a pirate, such a trivial matter didn't concern him at all.
"Thank you."
Roger, his face pale, finally let out a sigh of relief.
Although he might be able to completely suppress the other party in battle while he was well, once the illness flared up, he would be defeated.
If he were captured at this moment, he would feel utterly indebted to Rouge.
'Yes... one should leave something behind for the world.'
'A proof that one had existed. Everything one had learned in this life.'
With the deal struck, Kojin temporarily remained on the small island.
Everyone else on the ship, including Crocodile, Bullet, Rosinante, T. Penn, and the others, kept the matter strictly confidential. They gave their superior unconditional support.
Kojin also confidently entrusted them with suppressing the South Blue Pirates.
In other words, from that day on, he completely became a hands-off manager while following Roger and learning swordsmanship by his side.
Roger began teaching him on the second day.
This sword technique style was completely different from Bogard's. Roger taught him meticulously, starting from the basics.
Kojin was also relieved to find that, aside from Rokushiki, he was also quite talented at swordsmanship and learned quickly.
The weapon in his hand was a standard-issue military sword that he usually wore at his waist and sometimes didn't even bother to carry.
"Swinging a sword is different from throwing a punch. It requires more technique, a deeper understanding of your surroundings, the space around you, and the rhythm of the world."
"Immerse yourself in the weapon, feel the world breathing through its eyes. When you grasp the world's frequency and rhythm, you can cut through anything!"
Roger spoke softly.
Kojin nodded, diligently practicing and refining his understanding.
He had already learned the basics: how to swing the sword, how to channel his strength, proper body posture, and how to choose attack angles.
However, Roger's swordsmanship teaching placed a greater emphasis on state of mind and fine detail.
To that end, he meditated every day, focusing on his breathing.
The benefit of this practice was that his perception of the surrounding environment became increasingly delicate and clear.
"The sword is the embodiment of your conviction. Grip it firmly and swing it with purpose."
"Cut through everything before you, whether tangible or intangible."
"Control it as you would your own mind. When your heart wills something to be cut, it will be cut. If you do not will it, even if the blade passes through, it will not sever anything. When you reach that realm, you will have succeeded."
Days passed one after another, and Roger's guidance was meticulous and thorough.
Kojin was certain that this man, who had already become the Pirate King, was not holding anything back.
It was as if Roger truly regarded him as a worthy successor, doing everything he could to prepare him in the little time he had left.
Because of this, five months later, Kojin raised a question of his own.
"To me, this is merely a deal to extend your time of freedom. But you're teaching me everything you know."
"Why?"
Hearing this, Roger slowly stood up. Facing the sea, he suddenly grinned.
"You little brat, I'm the king of pirates! And what is a pirate?"
"A Pirate is the freest person on this sea, and I am the king of the freest people!"
"If I want to do something, I'll do it freely!"
After a pause, he turned back to look at Kojin.
"I'm passing my swordsmanship on to you. All you have to do is face the Sea, face this world, and swing your blade."
"That will mean..."
Roger laughed heartily.
"That I am still alive!"
"That I will never die!"
He suddenly drew the blade at his waist, named Ace, and pointed it sharply at the sky.
"And furthermore!"
"I heard your roar of fury against this world."
"I heard your desperate cry to change it."
"I heard your restless heart, constantly declaring your difference from everyone else!"
Taking a deep breath, Roger fixed his gaze firmly on Kojin.
"Kid! My time is running out. You're the last gamble I'm making before I die!"
Kojin, sitting cross-legged on the shore, shuddered inwardly at these completely unguarded words, his gaze gradually growing deep.
He suddenly realized that the man before him possessed the ability to hear everything. Perhaps even the silent cries of his heart, which he himself couldn't hear, were easily audible to Roger.
"There is a huge problem with this world. But I no longer have the chance to change it, but those who come after are still young."
"You can do it!"
Roger walked over and plopped down next to Kojin, placing Ace on the sand. He faced the sea breeze and suddenly laughed.
"I'm already retired."
Kojin fell silent.
Over the past few weeks, he had come to understand Roger better and developed a deep admiration for the man.
Roger was free-spirited, bold, optimistic, magnanimous, and brimming with charismatic charm. When he sat beside you, you couldn't help but want to trust him.
Roger was truly a formidable and awe-inspiring figure!
His strength wasn't merely physical; it extended to the intangible realm of spiritual will.
"My time is running out!" Roger suddenly said, smiling again. "If you ever get the chance, please take care of Rouge in the future."
Kojin turned his head and looked at the moustachioed man beside him and asked:
"Do you have any regrets in your life?"
Roger paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Regrets?"
"When exactly do we humans truly die?"
(End of Chapter)