Vik didn't think much further, he carefully read through the Swordsmanship Foundation and pondered it thoroughly.
He already knew that this Swordsmanship Foundation book was indeed basic, but if practiced well, one could still become a Swordsman.
It's just that the Moves were very singular, requiring one to integrate and create on their own.
Of course, it would be different for those with high Comprehension Ability; they would directly become Great Swordsmen with every Move being a basic attack, just like Hawkeye, without so many flashy tricks.
However, Vik still wanted to be like Zoro, reciting poetry while cutting people down. Vik still really wanted those magnificent ultimate Moves; basic attacks were for later, there was no rush now.
“It seems that after I achieve Major Achievement in the basics, I'll have to go to Genzo for some extra lessons, to see the quality of this Swordsmanship Foundation book, and to learn poetry, prose, and so on,” Vik thought to himself.
After much thought, Vik began to plan his and Rebecca's future Swordsmanship training based on the contents of the booklet.
It wasn't until noon that Vik had a rough outline of the plan; as for the rest, it would need to be adjusted according to the progress of their training.
Vik stretched and yawned, then looked up at the sky, and then at the trembling Rebecca.
“As expected of people from the Pirate King's world, such a small girl can persist for so long on her first try. It seems I'll have to add weighted training in the future.
To reach the limit repeatedly, this kind of ordinary training would be too much of a waste of time.”
“Rebecca, just hold on a little longer, do your best, persist as long as you can. Human potential is immense; we can only become stronger and stronger by breaking through our limits again and again!!!”
Hearing Vik's words, Rebecca gritted her teeth and held on for a while longer, until she really couldn't bear it anymore and collapsed onto the ground.
“Rebecca, you did very well. Strong willpower will make you a strong person. Keep it up!”
“Also, I hope you can keep your sword with you from now on. Unless it's absolutely necessary, don't put down your sword, even when you sleep, hold it.”
Vik wanted Rebecca to become extremely familiar with the sword in her hand, so that she could use it more skillfully when making her Moves.
Rebecca was a little puzzled, but since Vik had said it, she would listen. She nodded wearily.
After Rebecca recovered, Vik took her home to prepare for dinner.
The Old Lady was surprised to see them both return with swords, but she didn't ask much. She knew Vik would tell her, and sure enough, Vik brought it up at the dinner table.
Vik finished a bone-in meat, put down the bone, and solemnly said to the Old Lady:
“Grandma Maria, I asked Rebecca today, and her dream is to become a Marine when she grows up, so we will go and become Marines together.”
“Oh, Rebecca, is this your decision? To follow your Mama's path.”
The Old Lady looked at Vik, then turned to Rebecca and asked.
“Yes, Grandma, I want to become a Marine like Mama, to protect you, to protect everyone. I don't want you to be hurt like last time.”
Rebecca said firmly, her expression showing a significant change.
Previously, Rebecca only wanted to become a Marine like her Mama, without thinking much else, as she was just a child.
Last time, when the pirate Derick was looking for Vik's Mama, he inadvertently came to Rebecca's house.
If it weren't for hearing Olens and the pirate fighting, which caused the pirate Derick to push the Old Lady away, the Old Lady probably wouldn't have survived.
Although she escaped death, the Old Lady was still injured when she fell, and Rebecca, hiding in the closet, saw it all.
Coupled with the tragic state of the town and the deaths of former acquaintances, this solidified Rebecca's belief in becoming a Marine.
So this time, Rebecca no longer wanted to become a Marine simply out of admiration for her Mama; her heart now contained many things she wanted to protect.
Hearing Rebecca's words, a hint of worry clearly flashed in the Old Lady's eyes.
She was afraid her granddaughter would follow in her daughter's footsteps and also die at the hands of pirates. She remained silent.
Vik had been watching the Old Lady and caught that hint of worry.
Vik persuaded the Old Lady:
“Grandma Maria, after the one piece of the Pirate King incident, do you think our small island, situated on a vital transportation route, is still safe?”
“A few days ago, there were the Claw Pirates; who knows if there will be the Sharp-Tooth Pirates the day after tomorrow, or the Blade Pirates the day after that.
Most people are greedy, and pirates are endless; burning, killing, and plundering will never stop.”
“A great person once said: ‘Peace exists if sought through struggle, but perishes if sought through compromise.’
We cannot expect the mercy of pirates to live; without force, life cannot be guaranteed.”
“Therefore, we must become strong to protect ourselves, and even to protect others.
I will train Rebecca, so she has enough ability to protect herself and no longer suffer harm from pirates,” Vik said firmly.
“I will make Rebecca strong, very, very strong!”
With Vik's understanding of the pirate world, making Rebecca strong would be very easy; there were many methods.
It's just that both of them were children now, and many things couldn't be done.
The Pirate King had just been executed; it was still early, and before they grew up, they had to lay low on the island.
The Old Lady was very shocked by what Vik said. Could these be the words of a ten-year-old child?
“It seems Vik's parents' death has made him grow a lot. Such words, such insight, could never have come from the shy Vik of before. Vik has changed, he has become reliable,”
the Old Lady thought to herself.
“Vik, tell me your plan.”
“I'm thinking that Rebecca and I will work at the island's milk factory, delivering milk to various towns every day.”
“We can run while delivering milk, and while having an income, we can also exercise our bodies and stamina.”
“This way, we only need to spend the morning working. The rest of the time, I will take Rebecca to practice swordsmanship, train her physique, and learn various other kinds of knowledge.”
“This is the current plan; later, I will make adjustments based on our training progress and physical growth.”
The Old Lady looked at Vik with even more surprise. This arrangement was excellent, covering all aspects.
Work, study, and training, all three at once!
“Then let's do that. I'll go talk to the mayor and have him arrange for you two. It will probably take two days, so you can arrange your time yourselves for now.”
The Old Lady thought for a moment and said.
Vik also began his physical training in the afternoon.
After dinner that evening, he dragged his tired body back to his own house. Looking at the empty house, Vik thought of the original owner's deceased parents.
...
Time rewound to one week ago.
In the East Blue waters, a ship flying a black pirate flag was sailing.
The pirate flag had a white design: the upper part was an animal skull, and below it, a pair of long, crossed animal claws.
Those who regularly read the East Blue Economic News knew this was the Claw Pirates, who had gained some notoriety in the East Blue in recent days.
The Captain, Derick, with a pair of beast claws, killed people as easily as cutting melons and vegetables, incredibly sharp.
He had killed one Marine branch Colonel, two Lieutenants, dozens of ordinary Marines, and had a bounty of 15 million Berries, dead or alive.
At this moment, there was feasting and drinking on the ship. A short-haired man with a pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks, about 1.6 meters tall, dressed as a sailor, was flattering the tall, dark man wearing a Captain's hat in the main seat:
“Boss, you are truly amazing! That Marine Major before had no power to resist you and was cleanly cut down by your claws.
We subordinates will have boundless prospects following you, Boss.
As soon as we reach the Grand Line, it won't be long before you become a Great Pirate,
and our Claw Pirates will also become famous throughout the world, hahaha.”
This fellow was from a pirate ship on the previous island. He was scrawny and had little fighting ability.
He got on the ship because he was good at flattery; otherwise, he would have been cut down long ago. So he tried his best to prove himself during his time on the ship.
“Yes, yes, hahaha.”
“Boss's strength is beyond words. I reckon he's among the top in the East Blue, hehe.”
“Absolutely, absolutely.”
The surrounding henchmen echoed, bursting into laughter.
The tall man sitting in the main seat was also immensely pleased, opening his mouth wide to reveal two rows of yellow teeth.
He guzzled wine while laughing wildly, then put down his cup, roughly wiped the red wine dripping from both corners of his mouth with his sleeve, let out a long breath, and laughed loudly:
“You just follow me, and you'll eat well and drink well; you won't lack money or beautiful women.
After the feast, we'll go to the next island, grab some money, supplies, and women too; we'll have a good time, hahaha!”
The shifty-eyed man eagerly said, “Boss, there's a small island not far ahead. I heard the residents there are very rich. Let's go there.”
Derick excitedly said:
“Is that so? Hahaha, then we can shorten the time it takes to enter the Grand Line. If what you say is true, I, the Captain, will credit you for it.”