Chapter 62: Merchant Ship
Momousagi was an excellent teacher.
She was beautiful with fair skin and long legs, taught with dedication and enthusiasm, and didn't interfere too much with her students' chosen paths. She could truly be called flawless.
"But why couldn't you give me a ride partway there? Why did you have to drop me off here?"
Rhodes stood on the coastline, feeling the cool sea breeze, unable to suppress his complaints.
He and Sabo had agreed on a meeting place, but Momousagi said their mission had taken too long and they needed to return directly to the G-5 base. So they found an inhabited island and dropped Rhodes off.
It seemed like Momousagi-sensei still harbored some resentment...
Rhodes thought irritably, then turned around and walked toward the town to sample the island's local specialties first.
On the warship, Momousagi and Zephyr stood side by side, watching the island gradually shrink in the distance. With their exceptional eyesight, they could still make out Rhodes figure on the shore.
After a long pause, Zephyr finally spoke:
"Do you trust him that much?"
"He's my student. Who else should I trust?"
Momousagi's tone was calm, her expression neutral, but a hint of reluctance and anticipation lingered in her eyes.
As Momousagi's first—and potentially last—student, even though they had only been together for just over three months, she had placed tremendous hopes on Rhodes.
Of course, Rhodes' performance had greatly exceeded her expectations as well.
But now that her apprentice was about to set out on his own, she felt a mixture of reluctance, uncertainty, and anticipation.
As a top-tier fighter, Momousagi understood that under her protection, Rhodes would never become a powerful, independent force capable of navigating these seas alone. So she wouldn't stop him from striking out on his own path.
"I'm going to rest."
She stretched, then used Geppo to return to her cabin, leaving Zephyr standing alone.
"Rhodes..."
"Don't let Momousagi down..."
Zephyr murmured softly, his gaze catching sight of Ain lost in thought on the lower deck.
...
Due to the unique geography of the pirate world, islands varied greatly in terms of culture, landscape, technology, and cuisine.
This vast diversity naturally bred countless enterprising merchants who traveled back and forth between islands, trading goods and earning substantial profits.
The island Rhodes currently found himself on wasn't particularly prosperous, but it did boast several renowned specialties.
One in particular was the massive hairy crabs found in the offshore waters—each one the size of a millstone. Their meat was incredibly tender and delicious, and when paired with the local chefs' specially crafted sauce, it created an unforgettable culinary experience.
After enjoying a hearty meal, Rhodes strolled toward the harbor, intent on boarding a merchant vessel bound for the island where Sabo and the others were currently stationed.
The harbor bustled with activity, numerous ships docked along the piers, and strong sailors busily loaded and unloaded cargo.
After wandering around for a while, Rhodes finally spotted a merchant ship headed for his intended destination.
It was surrounded by a crowd of people, creating quite a commotion.
"What's going on?" Rhodes blinked and approached.
"I heard this trading company lost quite a few guards in a fierce battle with pirates during their last voyage. They're recruiting temporary guards this time around. The pay is generous, and there's even a chance to become permanent crew," someone whispered.
"Recruiting guards?"
Rhodes exclaimed softly. That was perfect—it would save him money on passage fare. He wasn't exactly wealthy; the only Berries he had were what Momousagi had given him, and he'd just spent quite a bit on those hairy crabs.
It was unfortunate there weren't many Marine bases in the New World; otherwise, he could capture some pirates and collect their bounties.
The recruitment process was straightforward. Applicants simply had to demonstrate their strength by lifting heavy stone weights to be selected.
This merchant vessel seemed quite reputable, with many burly men lining up to apply. As Rhodes waited in line, many glanced his way and smirked.
"Kid, you're in the wrong place," said a man who stood at least seven feet tall. He flexed his arms in a classic strongman pose, his muscles grotesquely exaggerated.
Rhodes pursed his lips, his expression indifferent, not wanting to bother with the fool.
Irritated by Rhodes' dismissive attitude, the burly man stepped forward to demonstrate his strength.
BANG!
His muscles bulged as he strained, lifting the meter-high stone weight directly overhead.
Rhodes casually walked over, effortlessly picked up the heaviest and largest stone weight available, and with a gentle toss, launched it over thirty feet into the air. The display was absolutely terrifying.
The dock fell dead silent, everyone stunned into speechlessness.
This young man who looked so refined and delicate actually possessed such monstrous strength?!
The burly man who had been flexing earlier stood there dumbfounded, his face flushing red with embarrassment.
Even the young woman in charge of registration was shocked. She quickly stood up and, blushing, escorted Rhodes onto the deck.
The captain—a bearded middle-aged man who exuded natural authority—was extremely accommodating upon hearing of Rhodes' strength. He offered him the finest cabin aboard without even mentioning escort duties, showing remarkable consideration.
Rhodes was delighted, giving him a big thumbs up and promising to help if they encountered any danger.
"Thank you very much," the captain said. After watching the cabin door close, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed his posture.
The young woman behind him asked, puzzled:
"Captain, even if he's strong enough to throw that heaviest stone weight, that wouldn't normally make you take him so seriously."
Having the courage to trade in New World waters, the bearded captain's strength was undoubtedly formidable. He also employed many powerful individuals, and ordinary pirate crews might not be able to defeat them.
"It's always wise to befriend such a powerful young man," the bearded captain smiled.
Merchants valued connections above all else, and given Rhodes' youth and demonstrated potential, he might prove invaluable in the future.
"Ah, I see," the young woman nodded, seeming to understand.
The merchant ship didn't linger long at the island, departing the harbor that afternoon and heading into the open seas.
Word of Rhodes' impressive stone-throwing feat spread quickly throughout the ship. While this might not have particularly impressed the captain, for most of the sailors and guards, it was considered a display of formidable power worthy of respect.
Rhodes paid little attention to this, even declining several attractive young women the captain sent his way as... entertainment.
Apart from meals, he spent virtually every day in his cabin practicing Raijin Tanren—his Thunder Tempering technique.
He could sense that as his Thunder Tempering deepened, the strengthening of his muscles and bones was beginning to benefit his internal organs as well, gradually increasing their resilience.
Perhaps before long, he would be able to use lightning to directly strengthen his internal organs.
This would represent a crucial breakthrough!
Strengthening his internal organs would completely address Rhodes' last remaining physical weakness, forging a truly flawless physique.
The ocean was vast, and who knew what enemies might have mastered techniques similar to Rokushiki's Rokuogan—internal destruction attacks? Only by strengthening his internal organs could he minimize such dangers!
In the dim cabin, faint blue light flickered as electrical arcs filled the air with their distinctive scent. Rhodes closed his eyes and continued his dedicated training.
(End of Chapter)
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