Chapter 49: Three Months
In the distance, Eleanor and her personal guards secretly observed, wondering what kind of man could possibly have the self-important Momousagi accept as his disciple.
"What's going on? Vice Admiral Momousagi is actually teaching him the basics of swordsmanship?"
"Oh my god, is this really because they're attracted to each other?"
"Is our Vice Admiral Momousagi finally entering her prime years?"
The personal guards chattered among themselves.
"Starting the basics of swordsmanship at this age—what future does he have?"
Eleanor was puzzled.
Devil Fruits are a shortcut to becoming stronger. If you obtain a powerful fruit, you can become stronger with just a little development.
But physical training and swordsmanship are different, especially swordsmanship. Almost every swordsman has learned the art from a young age, building a solid foundation.
She had never heard of a swordsman who switched to the art later in life.
"Perhaps Vice Admiral Momousagi was just attracted to this man's other qualities."
Eleanor was disappointed. She had thought Rhodes was a gifted swordsman!
After watching for a while, she quickly lost interest and returned to soaking in the hot springs to nourish her skin.
...
Honing the fundamentals of swordsmanship was tedious and monotonous.
Repeating a single movement hundreds, nearly a thousand times, is beyond the capacity of any normal person, let alone Rhodes' one hundred thousand repetitions.
It's not only physically demanding, but also a test of the spirit!
"For a swordsman, the most important thing isn't power; that's just recklessness!"
"For a swordsman, the most important thing is precision. One hundred thousand sword strikes, each with the precision of a single perfect one!"
"When you can maintain the same precision for one hundred thousand strikes, that means you've mastered the basics of swordsmanship."
Momousagi's words echoed in his mind. Rhodes' expression was resolute, his eyes focused.
He was serious, even obsessed, about his practice.
This was a world where martial prowess was revered. Power was concentrated in individuals, and one person could rival an army, a nation, or even an entire era!
But strength didn't come from thin air; it required arduous and lengthy practice. Rhodes knew this well.
Swinging the sword again and again, constantly fine-tuning, fully mobilizing every inch of his body's strength...
Through these constant adjustments, Rhodes' sword-slashing movements became increasingly harmonious and fluid, gradually acquiring the unwavering grace of a master.
Just then, fatigued arm muscles caused Rhodes' swing to become slightly warped and twisted. He didn't even notice it, but Momousagi was the first to spot the error.
"Pay attention to maintaining your form. The angle of your strike is slightly off, and your arm strength isn't functioning properly,"
Momousagi reprimanded with a stoic expression, yet within her heart, she felt a sense of wonder and amazement.
Rhodes' progress was so rapid, as if he were a great swordsman reborn, now simply retraining himself to regain the strength he had lost.
Basic training is easier said than done, often requiring years of perseverance.
Even with a master's personal guidance, progress wouldn't typically be this rapid, which is why Momousagi thought this training might take much longer.
Unexpectedly, Rhodes delivered a surprising, even terrifying, performance.
From the initial fluctuating mistakes to now, only showing a slight fluctuation after ten thousand strikes—all in less than a month.
"Looks like I really can finish this in three months."
Momousagi's beautiful face remained expressionless, yet a hint of disappointment and melancholy lingered within her.
It was a strange feeling.
With great enthusiasm, she had planned numerous lessons and even personally participated, painstakingly trying to polish this unrefined gem that was Rhodes.
Unexpectedly, this unrefined gem would spontaneously evolve, shedding its impurities. Before she'd even begun to exert her full teaching efforts, he began to shine!
While a teacher is delighted by an outstanding student, being too outstanding can also be frustrating, as it can make the teacher's guidance seem unnecessary.
Momousagi's thoughts were complex and conflicted, but Rhodes didn't notice.
He was completely absorbed in his swordsmanship.
He loved the sword, not just because it was impressive, but also because of an inexplicable connection. Otherwise, his first talent wouldn't have been a mastery of swordsmanship fundamentals.
Sword after sword, strike after strike...
Drops of sweat dripped from his forehead, yet Rhodes remained completely unfazed. He tirelessly wielded his sword, searching for that perfect feeling.
Momousagi had explained that the true essence of the "way of the sword" grasped by a great swordsman evolved from the fundamentals of swordsmanship. While this statement seemed profound and elusive, it actually gave Rhodes a clear goal.
Since the true meaning of swordsmanship was so profound, elusive, and indescribable, he should cultivate his basic swordsmanship to perfection, allowing the true essence of "cutting" to emerge naturally.
As the saying goes, "Nana korobi ya oki"—fall down seven times, stand up eight. By not forcing things and letting them flow naturally, he would find a better and faster path to becoming a great swordsman.
Momousagi, of course, didn't only teach the fundamentals of swordsmanship, but also provided practical sword combat training.
Swordsmanship is different from physical conditioning. Only actual combat is the most effective and authentic way to assess progress.
Only through endless battles can one forge the strongest swordsmanship—much like how the legendary swordsman Roronoa Zoro trained with the Humandrills on Kuraigana Island.
Of course, Momousagi didn't have such a remarkable group of sword-wielding baboons, so she had to personally engage in sparring matches with Rhodes.
This kind of sparring...
Rhodes certainly couldn't win.
Even if Momousagi suppressed her Observation Haki, even if she limited her strength and speed, she would still easily defeat him.
Their understanding of swordsmanship was on completely different levels. Even Rhodes' occasional flashy maneuver or technique was quickly deflected. More often than not, Momousagi was simply feeding him moves to help him improve.
...
Days were spent practicing the fundamentals of swordsmanship, with occasional sparring sessions to validate their skills. Nights were spent tempering his body with lightning, soaking in hot springs, and going out hunting for dinner...
Three months passed quickly.
In the open training area.
Eleanor looked at Rhodes with an expressionless face and said calmly,
"Vice Admiral Momousagi is resting today, so let me have a sword fight with you instead."
She wielded a delicate-looking rapier, similar to a Western-style fencing sword. Those who wield this type of sword are typically highly skilled in the thrusting style of swordsmanship.
The thrust is the most lethal and fastest sword technique, but also the most dangerous. It's a move that walks on a tightrope, exposing the greatest vulnerability while making it easy for an opponent to seize an opening.
Rhodes was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected this seemingly quiet and inconspicuous female adjutant to be such a skilled swordsman!
He had no intention of underestimating her.
To serve as Momousagi's adjutant, Eleanor's skills must be at least comparable to those of a Rear Admiral!
"Right now?"
"Come on!"
"Are you sure?" Rhodes asked cautiously.
"You're so young, yet you talk so much! I told you to come at me, so just do it! You really think you can hurt me?" Eleanor said with a hint of impatience.
She had a poor impression of Rhodes.
Because of their high expectations from the beginning, they thought Rhodes was a rare genius, which is why Momousagi accepted him as her student without hesitation, and even took time out for one-on-one instruction, even at the expense of defying Admiral Kizaru's summons.
Unexpectedly, Rhodes only started practicing the basics of swordsmanship when he arrived on this island!
"Then I won't hold back!"
Having said that, Rhodes would no longer be modest. With a single step, his body rushed forward like a phantom.
(End of Chapter)
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