Finding an empty space on the deck, Hiroto began his swordsmanship training.
From sunrise to sunset, he practiced everything from basic slashing movements to slightly more complex sword routines.
He then moved on to even more complex training, sparring with Zoro, and meditative breathing.
The disadvantages of his self-taught background were being corrected under Zoro's guidance after he joined.
The inclusion of systematic swordsmanship instruction provided Hiroto with a new direction for improvement.
For example, the Breath of All Things, the most fundamental step to becoming a swordsman.
After [Swordsman] evolved into [True Swordsman], the sword in Hiroto's hand became an extension of his limbs and a vessel for his will.
The [Breath of All Things] he learned from Zoro allowed him to feel the breath and rhythm of his sword on top of that foundation. And from there, he could sense the Breath of All Things in the world.
To understand, to control, and to reach the level where he could cut anything or nothing at all, entirely at his whim.
This was not a simple process and required a very long period of practice.
But... he was a cheater.
Effort King, activate!
When Hiroto finished his training for the day, numerous images flashed through his mind.
They were scenes of the same tedious training he had done today, repeated over and over. Counting carefully, there were exactly two hundred of them.
In the blink of an eye, these images merged into Hiroto's body, and a wealth of experience and insights emerged, fused, and converged.
It was as if he had truly repeated today's training process exactly 200 times.
Correspondingly...
[Panel Updated]
[Agility: E → E++]
[Perception: E+ → E++]
Even though it was expected, Hiroto couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.
This was the manifestation of the Effort King entry's effect.
When a day's training ended, the day's training process would be multiplied by 200.
It was as if Hiroto had 200 times more time, and used that time to perform the same training.
Except this process was completed instantly after settlement, and everything became Hiroto's gain at once.
And it wasn't just limited to mental gains like experience, there were also physical ones.
For instance, although he was practicing swordsmanship, the deep exercise and control of his body during the process could effectively increase his Agility attribute.
Practicing the Breath of All Things could increase his Perception attribute.
The gains from a single day weren't obvious, but 200 times was a different story.
'Even without any comprehension buffs, the effect of one day equaling two hundred is already strong enough.'
'My talent isn't that great. Otherwise, I wouldn't have needed to rely on Gluttony to grow back then.'
'The Effort King entry is a shortcut for me to use quantity to achieve quality.'
'If I didn't rely on anything and just trained hard on my own, it would probably take years just to level up once.'
Hiroto had a clear understanding of himself and was quite satisfied with this.
Because of Effort King, he now felt himself making obvious progress every day.
In every aspect: basic skills, sword routines, philosophy, and attributes.
Ending his training, Hiroto stood up and left the empty space at the bow that served as his temporary training ground.
As soon as he stepped off the deck, he saw Zoro doing basic training with his sword while keeping watch.
Since joining Hiroto's crew, because he was the second strongest combatant available, Hiroto had Zoro on the night shift. And this was also the time when Zoro was most active.
"Hard work tonight as well." Hiroto said as he approached.
"Sometimes, you're so polite you don't seem like a pirate at all." Zoro couldn't help but say.
"I don't think I am one either." Hiroto pointed to the sail overhead.
Zoro looked up, his lips twitching.
He only now realized that this ship wasn't flying a pirate flag at all.
Wait, what kind of proper pirate doesn't even hang a pirate flag?
"I'm only a pirate when I need to be." Hiroto said solemnly.
"What a strange guy, but I don't hate it."
Zoro grinned and looked at the sword at Hiroto's waist. "But I have to make this clear. The day I defeat you and take back Wado Ichimonji, I will leave this ship."
After realizing the previous incident was a misunderstanding, he had carefully recalled that battle.
Even if he wasn't a true master swordsman or a pure swordsman, there was no doubt that Hiroto was stronger than him.
But if it was the strength from that time, Zoro felt that surpassing him was only a matter of time.
After that defeat, he had been training frantically to get stronger, and the gap he felt during their spars was getting smaller and smaller.
He already had a bit of confidence.
"How unrealistic."
Facing Zoro's provocative words, Hiroto raised an eyebrow. "After all, losing to me happened only a week ago."
"I have confidence in myself." Zoro said with burning eyes.
"Even when facing a true sword master who has the Breath of All Things?"
"?"
Zoro was stunned. "You've fully comprehended the Breath of All Things!?"
"Of course..."
Under Zoro's shocked gaze, Hiroto took a long pause and said, "...not yet."
"..."
Zoro's face darkened.
"Hahahaha, what's with that expression?"
Hiroto laughed and told the truth. "But I feel it's coming soon, within a week."
"Heh."
Zoro used just one syllable to express his disdain.
It wasn't that he looked down on the powerful enemy who had defeated him, but because of Hiroto's previous requests for advice, he roughly understood what kind of situation this man was in.
A self-taught background, talented, and able to complete a transformation through his battle with Zoro.
Simplifying complexity to form his own core swordsmanship, he was an opponent that had to be taken seriously.
But because of this, Zoro knew that Hiroto had only been in contact with the Breath of All Things for a few days. To say he could reach it within a week after just getting a general concept...
That was just too unbelievable.
Even he couldn't touch the edges of something like the Breath of All Things.
In his years of traveling, he had only touched the level of 'presence' but could never understand the further step of 'breathing'.
Perhaps Hiroto's talent was greater than his, but Zoro couldn't believe he would learn the Breath of All Things within a week.
Facing Zoro's scoff, Hiroto didn't care.
How could a hard worker understand the level of a cheater?
He patted Zoro's shoulder and smiled. "So, as for leaving the ship, you'd better think about that in your next life."
Zoro grinned. "In that case, I'll challenge you in ten days. I hope the Captain won't be talking big then."
"Fine."
Hiroto thought for a moment and agreed.
Zoro was surprised at first, then realized the other party really had that confidence.
He didn't say anything more, but asked as if remembering something, "What are we going to Marine Branch 153 for? There shouldn't be anything there that interests you."
Hiroto said, "The Marine is exactly what interests me. The Branch Chief there, Morgan, is dead. It will be empty for a while, which makes it convenient for my plan."
"We'll resupply along the way, sell the treasures on the ship, and collect a bounty."
The plan to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea was a step-by-step process. Branch 153 seemed like a good entry point to him, so he had made some preparations in advance.