Raising Legends in Roger’s Shadow

While Ritter was immersed in his daily training, Rayleigh suddenly dragged him to the stern.

"Try this," he said.

Floating on the surface of the sea were ten specially made stone markers, each carved with a number.

"Use Black Tide. Break them in order."

"And don't you dare break any stone beyond the one you're aiming for. If you're targeting number 3, for example, you can't shatter anything past that."

Bear in mind this was right by the shore. The waves were constantly lapping against Ritter's calves. The moment he touched seawater, he reverted from Ritter to Wetter. After all, the sea was the natural enemy of all Devil Fruit users.

Rayleigh looked at him with a calm gaze. "This isn't just about refining your control. It's also to improve your resistance to seawater. No truly powerful Devil Fruit user loses all combat ability just by touching the ocean. If seawater was that deadly, who'd even need Seastone?"

"So, your task is to resist the sea and break the stones with precision."

But the moment Ritter entered the water, he realized how naïve he'd been.

Even though only his ankles were submerged, the wave of powerlessness that swept over him nearly made him collapse. The floating rocks swayed in and out of focus, Black Tide felt heavier than a mountain in his grip, and worst of all the seemingly gentle waves were gradually eroding his strength, each one like a soft punch to the gut.

Barely ten seconds in, Ritter still hadn't even managed to raise his blade. Black Tide dragged him down, and there he was, lying face-first in the sea, his Armament Haki dissolving like paper in the rain.

"Glug, glug, glug..."

No one came to save him. Ritter was on the verge of becoming the first man in history to drown in ankle-deep water.

Rayleigh casually stepped over and hauled him out. Seawater was still gushing from Ritter's mouth when his first mate said flatly, "That'll be 100 Berries."

Ritter never expected his ever-serious first mate to charge him every time he pulled him out of the water. Luckily, it was a small fee he, Lao Ritter, didn't really mind.

And so, a cycle began: enter the sea, sink, get dragged out, pay up.

As the sun began to set—

"Here's your bill: 18,900 Berries. I will succeed tomorrow."

After a full day of training, Ritter felt he was beginning to build a bit of tolerance to seawater. Still, not once had he managed to swing his sword.

The next day, same setup, same location. Ritter stared at the numbered stones bobbing on the waves, his gaze more resolute than yesterday.

"Today, I will swing that sword!" He clenched his fists, psyching himself up.

Rayleigh lounged on a nearby rock, sipping his coffee. "Just a heads-up, rescue fees are now 200 Berries a pop."

Ritter: "???"

Jabba chimed in from the side: "Inflation."

Roger let out a booming laugh. "Ku-hahaha! Go for it, Ritter! I believe in you!"

Ritter flashed his signature shark grin. "Uncle Rayleigh's got my back. What about you two? Got nothing better to do than watch me fail? Bastards."

Roger didn't stop laughing. "Don't know why, but seeing you grow stronger step by step it's oddly satisfying. Like… hmmm..."

Jabba picked up the thought. "Like watching your kid grow up to be somebody."

"Dammit, Jabba! I boarded the ship before you did! I'm your senior!"

Jabba waved it off. "Never seen a senior who gets dragged out of the water by the junior. Do your best, little Ritter. We're counting on you to protect us someday."

That really made Ritter's face flush red. Gritting his teeth, he vowed to blow their minds.

This time, he played it smart. After analyzing yesterday's failure, he activated full-body Armament Haki before entering the water, forming a barrier to reduce the sea's corrosive effects at least enough to prevent instant collapse.

Next, he coated his skin in a compressed layer of fog. It would be washed away instantly, sure but even a 0.5-second buffer was enough to help him adjust from air to water.

Lastly, he held his breath seawater to the face was not part of the plan.

Ritter could already feel he was lasting longer underwater.

Now's the time.

Swing the sword. Smash the rocks. Shock those smug old geezers.

Time to show them the might of the great Ritter!

(insert dramatic insert song: "In this chilly night, my longing becomes an ocean…")

But swinging Black Tide underwater was absurdly difficult. Its inherent weight, combined with the drag of seawater it was like trying to cut through molasses with a boulder.

I am the future King! The Phantom in the Mist—Rit—TER—!! AHHH!!!

With both hands on the hilt, he swung with all his might—

"SPLASH!!"

The moment the blade touched the water, he lost balance and faceplanted into the sea.

"Glug glug glug—!"

(Insert appropriate emoji reaction: "You good, bro?")

Rayleigh: Green. Bubble. Collection. Two hundred Berries.

Back in his cabin, Ritter muttered, "Spent twenty thousand Berries today. What a rewarding experience."

But through all the dunkings and payments, Ritter finally began to understand.

Rather than brute-forcing the waves, he learned to flow with them, adjusting his stance accordingly. He concentrated his Haki into his wrists, used Observation Haki for precision, and unleashed his strength in bursts to minimize energy drain.

"BOOM!"

This time, the tip of Black Tide smashed through Stone #1. Not only that #2, #3, and #4 shattered in succession. The momentum was too strong Ritter couldn't stop in time.

Rayleigh gave a small nod. "Not bad. Keep going."

Ritter collapsed onto the deck, soaked to the bone, but a grin stretched across his face.

"Tomorrow… I'll break through the next one…"

Three months later.

Cue dramatic transition underwear wipe-cut sound effect

"Mist Blade: Black Tide!"

With everything he had, Ritter brought down his sword. The blade precisely cleaved through Stone #1. The shockwave came to a clean stop just before hitting Stone #2.

Rayleigh: "Pass."

Ritter triumphantly raised Black Tide only to be dragged under by its weight again.

"Glug glug glug—"

Rayleigh: "That'll be 30,000 Berries."

Ritter scratched his head. "Hey, Rayleigh… mind letting me run a tab? First thing I do when I get cash, I'll pay you back."

That's right Ritter's little treasure stash had finally run dry. Sure, his mistakes were becoming fewer, but that old geezer Rayleigh had been increasing the fee every day. Toward the end, he was just quoting prices for fun.

And so, Ritter's piggy bank met its tragic end.

But next came the final test his graduation exam.

His three "dads" had picked out a massive Sea King for him to face.

As soon as Ritter located the beast, it swatted an entire pirate ship to pieces with one swipe of its tail.

Had this been three or four months ago, Ritter would've stood no chance against something that size. The reason was simple he couldn't pierce its hide. And once it hit the water, it escaped his mist field entirely. His poison was useless.