Under the moonlit harbor of Hachinosu Island, Raiver Sky waited beside the massive pirate ship that had yet to take flight. After a short while, he finally saw Golden Lion Shiki drifting back through the night sky from afar.
Shiki's expression was clearly unpleasant.
His invitation to Raiver hadn't received a definite response before he got entangled with that madwoman Charlotte Linlin for quite some time. It was only through the mobility of his Float-Float Fruit that he managed to escape somewhat awkwardly.
He hurried back to the banquet hall, intending to speak with Raiver again, only to find that Raiver had already left, which made him even more frustrated.
Just as he was about to board his ship in disappointment, he spotted Raiver quietly waiting in the shadows by the ship's side. His mood immediately brightened.
But then he remembered the kid's despicable act of redirecting trouble earlier, and immediately a surge of anger mixed with some embarrassment rose in his heart.
"Hmph! Raiver kid, you still have the nerve to come to me?! Don't you have some explaining to do about what you just pulled?!"
Shiki deactivated his Float-Float Fruit ability, landing steadily on the ground and striding over to Raiver.
Raiver grinned.
He had noticed from afar that Shiki looked upset when flying back, most likely because he had redirected Linlin's attention toward him.
Of course, it might also have something to do with being chased awkwardly by Linlin.
"Oh, Shiki, you dare to blame me?" Not only was Raiver not guilty, he raised an eyebrow and retorted:
"Back in the banquet hall, when Charlotte Linlin approached me from behind, you could have at least coughed or given me a warning look! But what did you do?"
One moment you were all buddy-buddy, enthusiastically inviting me onto your ship to spar, and the next moment when Linlin appeared, you and Newgate immediately sat up straight, staring straight ahead, pretending not to know me?
That's some impressive face-changing speed you've got there, Shiki!"
Though Raiver's tone carried some teasing, his eyes clearly conveyed:
We need to talk about this matter - you were the ones who were disloyal first, so don't blame me for being unkind later.
Shiki was taken aback by Raiver's pointed counter-question.
Thinking back carefully, it seemed... he had indeed been somewhat unreasonable at the time.
He immediately felt somewhat embarrassed, his accusatory momentum deflating like a punctured balloon.
"Uh... Raiver, let me explain... at that time... Linlin she..."
Shiki tried to offer some excuses, but seeing Raiver's knowing smile, he knew he couldn't brush it off. He simply waved his hand and softened his tone:
"Alright, alright! Let's consider this matter a mutual mistake and call it even! Neither of us will mention it again!"
Recalling the situation, he realized he had indeed intended to watch the show and quickly distance himself. Raiver had even seemed to glare at him and Whitebeard.
Thinking about it this way, he didn't really have the moral high ground.
"Speaking of which, Shiki, you disappeared for so long before coming back. You weren't actually... you know... by Charlotte Linlin?" Raiver asked with a playful smile.
"Damn it! Raiver kid, don't talk nonsense!!"
Shiki immediately understood the implication, his face instantly darkening like the bottom of a pot. He gritted his teeth as he defended himself:
"Do you really think that's possible?! I'm the Golden Lion Shiki, damn it!"
"Cough... Absolutely impossible! I went through hell to shake her off! Don't you dare spread rumors, you bastard!"
"Hahaha! Just joking, look how worked up you're getting." Raiver Sky couldn't help but laugh heartily at Shiki's intense reaction, finding it quite amusing.
But he knew when to stop with the jokes. If he continued, Shiki would truly lose face and might even fly into a rage.
"You waited here for me - does that mean you've decided to accept my previous invitation?"
Returning to serious matters, Shiki kept his gaze fixed on Raiver Sky, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
Raiver Sky nodded calmly. "Yes, I don't have immediate plans to form my own crew yet."
"Since you've extended the invitation so sincerely, I'll impose on you for some time."
"And as you said, we can spar and exchange insights in swordsmanship, which would benefit us both."
For Raiver Sky, rapidly improving his own strength was fundamental.
Beyond potential rewards from the system, persistent training and deeper development of his abilities were equally indispensable.
Accepting Shiki's offer meant he could both befriend a top-tier powerhouse within the pirate crew and achieve his goal of training to become stronger - why wouldn't he take the opportunity?
"Hahaha! Excellent! Kid Raiver, you're straightforward enough!"
Upon hearing this, Shiki burst into loud laughter, vigorously patting Raiver Sky's shoulder as he declared confidently:
"Don't worry, with personal guidance from the world's strongest swordsman, your sword skills will advance by leaps and bounds!"
The corner of Raiver Sky's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
World's strongest swordsman? Self-proclaimed, wasn't he? Had he asked Rayleigh? Had he asked Roger?
"Alright Shiki, it's getting late. Let's board the ship first - we can discuss details tomorrow."
Raiver Sky couldn't be bothered to waste words on such empty boasts. Give this guy an inch and he'd take a mile - his skin was thick enough indeed.
...
One month later, in a remote sea area of the New World.
Two massive pirate ships hovered silently above a densely vegetated, uninhabited desert island.
One belonged to Golden Lion Shiki, the other to Newgate.
Clearly, these two Officers had arranged to come together.
At this moment, Whitebeard and several of his early Squad Captains stood with keen interest at the ship's rail, watching the battle unfolding on the island below.
"CLANG——!!"
"BOOM——!!"
On the desert island, weapons clashed fiercely, explosions ringing out continuously.
The spreading shockwaves shattered surrounding rocks and snapped giant trees.
Raiver Sky and Shiki were engaged in an exhilarating, intense battle on the island!
Both wielded famous blades in their hands.
Shiki with his Great Grade Swords "Cherry Ten" and "Withered Tree," Raiver Sky with his Supreme Grade Sharp Blade "Black Dragon."
From start to finish, the two had tacitly refrained from using their respective Devil Fruit Abilities.
This was a battle stripped of external tricks and flourishes, returning to the essence - the purest of sword duels!
Every time their blades collided, circular shockwaves erupted, destroying vegetation and whipping up sand and stones.
Remnant slashes crisscrossed through the forest, ancient trees thick enough to embrace snapping at their impact, massive hard rocks cleanly sliced through, even the air currents thrown into disarray.
The fierce battle lasted from afternoon until the sun dipped westward - a full two hours.
Finally, with one last clash that echoed to the heavens, the storm abruptly ceased.
As the dust settled, the two stood facing each other, sheathing their swords in mutual understanding before each found a spot to rest.
Raiver Sky leaned against a surviving ancient tree, replenishing his fluids, his breathing long and steady.
Looking at the island before him, ravaged and scarred by the two of them, he revealed a gratified smile.
Over the past month, the Rocks Pirates had not undertaken any large-scale operations, and the seas remained calm.
With little else to do, Raiver Sky had spent nearly every day sparring with Shiki, honing his swordsmanship through real combat, turning it into an instinct, and rapidly accumulating experience fighting against top-tier experts.
His progress was evident to the naked eye.