Early the next morning, Smoker was dumped on a deserted island.
Then Nami pulled out every trick of navigation, widening the gap with the tailing warship until she shook it off completely.
After that, the Going Merry changed course and soon met Binmock's ship once more.
Yes, the merchant had no intention of parting ways.
"I hear you have some treasure you'd like to sell?"
Binmock appeared before Hiroto again and got straight to the point, "Once I sell my current stock, I'll have a hefty sum. I can buy whatever treasure you've got."
"Why?" Hiroto gave him an odd look.
"Koushirou-san has old ties with my family. Now that he's reunited with his disciple, I'd like them to have more time together."
Binmock chuckled. "Besides, as a merchant I have plenty of channels. Sell your loot through an auction house and they'll low-ball you. Give me a little time and I can fetch a far higher price."
He hastily added, "Of course, you can also leave the selling to me as your agent."
"..."
Hiroto looked at the merchant and figured the man wanted, in his roundabout way, to forge a connection.
A pirate with a 40 million berries bounty might not rule the East Blue, but he could certainly do as he pleased. It wasn't strange for people to curry favor, though Hiroto didn't plan to linger in these waters.
"Just buy it outright."
Hiroto declined. "Business is business. Take your profit, no need to worry."
Disappointment flashed across Binmock's eyes, but he still hurriedly agreed. He patted his chest, promising not to let Hiroto down.
Just then, Hiroto seemed to remember something and said, "If you've got the connections, get me a few den den mushi."
Den den mushi?
Binmock's eyes lit up and he cheerfully agreed.
As long as Hiroto needed something, there'd be dealings. Dealings meant ties, and ties meant backing.
If he could link himself to this mighty pirate, he'd have confidence no matter what came his way.
Once Binmock left, Hiroto shook his head and put it out of mind.
Soon Zoro came in, yawning, asking about last night's conversation.
Hiroto then explained the effect of [Genius Trader], attributing it, as usual, to a Devil Fruit Ability.
"A hundred-fold time boost?" Zoro was stunned.
The idea sounded absurd. Yet he thought of Carina's Smooth-Smooth Fruit, he still had no clue how to cut through it and of Hiroto's own power to lengthen blades.
Devil Fruit Abilities were beyond his imagination, especially Hiroto's. It didn't seem as simple as Carina's.
Still, this was his captain, being outrageous came with the job.
The real question was, whether he should use an outside force to grow stronger.
As a pure swordsman, Zoro had always scorned relying on anything beyond himself and his blades.
Even if a Devil Fruit that could sky-rocket his strength were placed in front of him, he wouldn't eat it. He trusted only himself and his swords.
To live by the sword and die by the sword—that was his creed.
But recalling how Hiroto had spoken, repeatedly stressing that the hundred-fold boost simply gave him a hundred days more and what he did with them was up to him, Zoro was certain those words were meant for him.
Just as Carina said, their captain could seemingly read minds.
'He probably brought out this power so I wouldn't fall too far behind and lose heart.'
Zoro didn't buy Hiroto's claims of "my talent's limited" or "I'm hitching a ride on your coattails." Even with whatever ability was involved, Hiroto was a monster whose talent eclipsed his own.
So… should he refuse?
His gaze fell on the Wado Ichimonji still at Hiroto's waist—he hadn't reclaimed his friend's sword.
He wasn't strong enough. Not yet.
He had to train harder, push further, if he hoped to beat Hiroto and ultimately the World's Greatest Swordsman.
And a power that turned one day into a hundred was, for someone who had already tasted defeat, not unacceptable.
"Alright." Zoro finally agreed.
Without hesitation Hiroto activated [Genius Trader], invested in him, and manifested [Effort King] onto him.
"I'm off to train."
Without rest, the fired-up Zoro left at once to hone his swordsmanship. He was eager to see what a hundred-fold time boost felt like.
Hiroto was curious too, but he finished his own daily training first.
In the blink of an eye, one day passed.
The test run of [Genius Trader] concluded with only the minimum 10% return.
Hiroto's mind jolted as dense experience and insight flooded in—Zoro's gains from a day of training. It was as if he had become Zoro, reliving every swing.
At that moment, [Effort King] triggered and countless images burst forth. Hiroto sensed something, immersed himself, and fused them all.
Moments later, he opened his eyes, stood, and drew Wado Ichimonji and Shigure, gripping both hilts as if recalling something.
Two streaks of light flashed side by side across the room.
Looking at the faint marks on the wall, Hiroto couldn't help smiling.
Ten percent?
No, ten percent times two hundred.
Meanwhile, Zoro, freshly off training, lied on the deck drenched in sweat, still mulling over Hiroto's words. He had accepted the proposal, this mutually beneficial power-up.
But could Hiroto really pull off something like this?
To treat one day as a hundred, even for the legendary Devil Fruit Ability, was inconceivable, yet… could it truly be done?
Zoro's rational mind refused to believe it, yet his instincts told him Hiroto never lied.
How it worked, however, he still couldn't fathom.
Right then, Zoro froze and a hundred scenes burst into his mind at once. They were the fruits of other timelines' 'him'.
It's actually real?
Shock flashed in Zoro's eyes and he sat bolt upright.
He reached for the longsword beside him, paused a heartbeat, then slid the keen edge across his forearm, leaving only a faint white line.
This was the Breath of All Things!
A comprehension won by another timeline's 'him'.
Staring at the pale mark, Zoro felt no surreal disbelief. After all, the one who had grasped it had still been himself.
Captain… unfathomable.
Setting the blade aside, Zoro felt a deep awe toward his Captain.
Hiroto surpassed him not only in swordsmanship but in every way, a chasm lay between them.
Still… at least in swordsmanship he still had a chance.
One day for a hundred, even if a certain percentage were lost, meant a colossal leap for him.
He doubted his own experience could aid Hiroto much. In sword craft, Hiroto had already outpaced him. For himself, though, this method was a shortcut—perhaps he could catch up soon.
The thought made him want to train at once, but he grimaced and sank back.
His body had been pushed past its limit. He would never trade fleeting pride for lasting damage. Once he recovered, he would train twice as hard.
Just wait, Hiroto. I'll catch you.