Kuro was momentarily stunned, then quickly pushed the absurd thought from his mind.
After some contemplation, he could only temporarily attribute Gawain's ability to instinct—some kind of special perception of Gin to Observation Haki.
"Maybe…"
"Beyond basic Observation Haki, there are even more unique derivative abilities?"
Kuro frowned.
In the distance, the battle had already begun.
Zoro charged forward. The three swords in his hands danced like swimming dragons, slicing through the air as they bore down on Gawain.
Compared to just a few days ago, his momentum had improved drastically—not quite worlds apart, but the difference was unmistakably rapid.
"Interesting," Gawain muttered, the corners of his mouth curling up.
His sword moved instinctively, extending forward and striking precisely at the subtle gap in Zoro's offense.
Clang!
Seikō Masamune clashed against the sword in Zoro's mouth, halting his charge with sheer force.
Then, a familiar scene unfolded once again—Gawain's free hand slipped past Zoro's twin blades and pressed firmly against his chest.
Realizing what was about to happen, Zoro grimaced.
"This again? Kinda feels like you're messing with me."
"I find it quite entertaining~," Gawain replied with a teasing smirk.
"Damn it!"
With Zoro's indignant shout, Gawain gave him a gentle push—sending him splashing back into the sea.
Splash!
A lifebuoy promptly struck Zoro on the head.
He grabbed it instinctively, and as he looked up, he saw a familiar, playful face.
"How could you possibly match Captain Gawain?"
"Newbie~"
Nami grinned mischievously, though her words were rooted in genuine belief.
Then, she casually pulled out a small blackboard, erased the '1', and wrote a '2' in front of Zoro.
"…"
"That's a little rude," Zoro muttered.
After that brief interlude, Zoro nimbly climbed back onto the ship. He gave Nami a quick glance, then turned his gaze to Gawain.
"Again!"
"Alright," Gawain replied flatly.
The third round began.
Only seconds in, the same scene played out—this time, Zoro didn't even realize what had happened before he was defeated.
Nami quietly updated the blackboard to read '3'.
Several minutes later.
Zoro clambered back onto the ship once more and immediately charged at Gawain, undeterred. Despite the growing fatigue from repeatedly being tossed into the sea, his will hadn't wavered.
Since Kuina's death, he hadn't felt such an intense urge to surpass someone.
His body was exhausted, but the fire in his heart only grew fiercer—he wouldn't stop until every last ounce of himself was burned out.
"Again!" he shouted.
Sensing Zoro's change, Gawain smiled slightly and responded seriously:
"Roronoa, if you think you can—come and try."
"I'll be right here, always ahead of you. Challenge me as many times as it takes—I won't fall before you do."
Zoro's grip on his swords tightened, veins bulging along the backs of his hands. He only gave one word in reply:
"Alright!"
The next moment—
Their blades met, eyes locked, and in that instant, they saw mutual recognition in each other.
They fought until nightfall the next day.
The number on Nami's little blackboard had reached close to four digits. Finally, Zoro collapsed from exhaustion.
Yet his eyes still burned with unprecedented resolve.
"Hey, Gawain…" Zoro said, lying on the deck, an arm draped across his eyes as the moonlight washed over him.
"I've got my reason to be the world's strongest now."
From Gawain's perspective, he could see that the corners of Zoro's eyes were wet—not from sweat or seawater, but from something far more personal.
Gawain looked at him and spoke quietly:
"I didn't have a reason before... but now I do."
"As a captain, I can't afford to be underestimated by my crew. Especially when my companions walk away victorious—so I can't lose."
Zoro was stunned, and after a moment, he shouted:
"Captain! Please keep guiding me!"
"You don't want another go?" Gawain asked, smirking. "We've still got a few days before the time we agreed on."
"No need," Zoro said, shaking his head.
He lay flat on the deck, arms and legs sprawled out. His chest heaved with each breath, and he didn't have the strength left to move a finger.
After fighting nonstop for a day and a night, falling into the sea over and over, and getting back up just as often—he had reached his absolute limit.
"A strong swordsman knows the outcome of a fight the moment their eyes meet."
"For someone like you... this wasn't even a battle."
"Damn it…"
"But I acknowledge you."
Clang.
Gawain slowly sheathed Seikō Masamune, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.
"Then don't die before you surpass me."
"Of course!"
With that, the battle came to an end.
Most of the pirates had already gone below deck to rest, leaving only a few on the deck: Gin, Kuro, and the duo—Yosaku and Johnny.
"Did Zoro Aniki really join the crew?"
"Then what about us…?"
Yosaku looked uncertain, as did Johnny beside him. But before they could ask, Gawain's voice called out:
"Do you two want to follow Zoro?"
"Yes!" they answered in unison, instantly leaping to their feet.
"Captain Gawain!"
Gawain nodded silently, then turned and walked toward the cabin, ignoring the rest of the deck.
Gin and Kuro stood side by side, silently watching the scene unfold. Their expressions were unreadable, but in their eyes was sheer awe as they looked at Zoro.
"To fight like that… this kid's willpower is steel," Gin muttered. "No wonder Captain thinks so highly of him. That spirit alone will take him far."
"You're only seeing the surface."
Kuro exhaled a puff of smoke, his voice heavy with meaning.
"From last night until now, his swordsmanship has improved by at least thirty percent."
"Even with Gawain's deliberate guidance, that kind of growth rate is monstrous."
"You're still hoping to surpass me and become Gawain's right hand, aren't you?" he added with a smirk. "Better not let that kid get ahead of you first—that'd be fun to watch."
Gin's eyes widened slightly, and a sudden sense of urgency crept over him. But he forced a calm look and glanced at Kuro.
"What about you?"
"Me?" Kuro flicked the ash from his cigarette and chuckled.
"There's a gap between him and me that can't be crossed."
"Really?"
Gin clenched his jaw. Though he declared he'd sleep well tonight, he secretly vowed to double his training but he still said;
"Me too. But tonight, I'm not paying attention to this farce. I'm getting a proper rest."
"Who said I wasn't?"
The two shared an empty smile, turned on their heels, and entered the cabin.
Once they were each in their rooms, they both exhaled quietly.
A few minutes later—
Kuro, now in casual clothes, stepped into the training room, only to see Gin already lifting weights.
He paused mid-step.
"…What a coincidence~"
Gin's face reddened slightly.
"Yeah… what a coincidence~"