Raising Legends in Roger’s Shadow

The sea trembled.

Ritter stood at the bow of the small boat he had just bought on borrowed money, no less because he was almost certain this vessel wouldn't survive the upcoming test.

Both hands gripped the hilt of Black Tide. The greatsword dragged across the deck at a slight angle.

"Kid, you can still turn back," Rayleigh said calmly behind him.

Rayleigh, Roger, and Jabba stood on another small boat nearby, there to support Ritter from a distance.

Ritter didn't answer. His knuckles trembled from the rush of adrenaline.

Then the ocean exploded.

The dog-headed Sea King burst from the water, spraying a rain-like curtain across the deck.

Ritter moved.

Slowly at least, it looked that way.

There was no flashy leap, no dazzling burst of Haki. Just a simple motion, dragging Black Tide up from the deck.

The Sea King opened its jaws wide, casting a shadow over the entire front of the ship.

It aimed to swallow Ritter whole in one gulp.

With a sudden swing, Ritter slashed upward with Black Tide. The massive sword let out a dull whoosh as it smashed into the creature's lower jaw. Bang! The beast's head snapped to the side, broken fangs scattering into the air.

Ritter felt exhilarated. Who would dare call him a weakling now?

But this was only the beginning.

Roaring in pain, the Sea King's massive tail whipped up a towering wave, crashing toward Ritter's tiny sailboat. If you destroy my ship, then don't think you'll live either, he thought.

Just as the wave was about to hit, Ritter gripped his sword tightly and swung upward with tremendous force. The edge of Black Tide split the wave cleanly in two.

Before the water had even finished falling, Ritter launched himself off the deck, using the momentum. Black Tide traced a heavy arc through the air and came crashing down onto the Sea King's left eye. Squelch.

The beast let out a thunderous shriek, thrashing wildly.

Ritter was flung through the air, but he adjusted mid-flight and struck the creature's back with another blow. Sparks flew as the blade slammed into its thick scales, denting them deeply.

"Come on, one more round!" Ritter spat out a mouthful of blood and charged again. This time, he switched tactics. No more trying for a single decisive blow he began unleashing a series of heavy, continuous strikes with Black Tide.

Left slash! Right swing! Another right! And another!

Each blow was simple, unadorned but carried staggering force. The sword's body glowed faintly red from the friction, and the Sea King's scales began to crack under the relentless assault.

Finally, on the seventeenth strike, the Sea King visibly slowed.

Ritter seized the opening, lifted Black Tide high with all his strength, and brought it down like a mountain collapsing.

Boom!

The strike split the Sea King's skull. Its enormous body stiffened, then slowly sank beneath the waves, sending up a towering spray.

Ritter shouldered his sword and leapt onto Rayleigh's boat, which visibly dipped under his weight.

At that moment, as always Fix-It-Lott appeared.

"Mist Sea: Floating Platform!"

Ritter finally allowed himself to relax after activating his ability.

His arms trembled uncontrollably, his palms were torn and bleeding, and every muscle in his body screamed in protest from overuse.

Rayleigh walked over and glanced at both the sinking corpse of the Sea King and Ritter's battered hands.

"Well?" Rayleigh asked.

"Felt amazing," Ritter grinned, eyes burning with excitement.

Half a year had flown by.

During this time, Ritter had trained relentlessly, growing by leaps and bounds not just in physical ability and Haki, but in speed, strength, and all three forms of Haki.

He had even mastered three of the Six Powers: Iron Body, Shave, and Moonwalk. By now, he was roughly at the level of an elite Marine colonel. Not bad for a seven-year-old, really.

The morning mist still lingered when the sound of hammering rang from the docks of Tom's Shipyard. Ritter and the others carried the massive Black Tide into the dry dock, where Tom himself was adjusting the final components, a cigar clenched in his mouth.

"Perfect timing, kid!" Tom called out excitedly. "Come take a look at your new home!"

Ritter looked up and his breath caught.

The Oro Jackson sat quietly on the scaffolding, bathed in the golden glow of dawn. It was even grander than he remembered. The ship's sleek lines looked capable of cutting through any storm.

Down in the lower deck—

"The quality of Treasure Tree Adam is truly something else," Rayleigh said, appearing behind Ritter, a glint of satisfaction behind his glasses.

Roger dashed forward. "Ku ha ha ha! Now that's a ship worthy of the Roger Pirates!"

Tom was beaming at the praise until—

"Hey, you idiot Roger! Don't touch that! The rail paint isn't dry!"

Roger sheepishly jumped back. "Sorry, old man! Hahaha!"

But Tom wouldn't let him off the hook that easily. He chased Roger to the corner of the ship, making him draw circles in shame.

Tom's mood lightened after that.

"Hey, kid," he suddenly turned to Ritter and gripped his shoulder. "Wanna try that sword of yours against the ship's hull?"

Before Ritter could respond, Tom half-lifted him off the ground though not very successfully.

Tom cleared his throat. "Go on give it a full swing."

Wait a second, Ritter thought. Isn't this guy supposed to be a shipwright? With that strength, is he actually a warrior?

Ritter hesitated. After watching Merry's farewell scene, he was scarred. "Didn't you say the keel's the most important part of the ship?"

Tom gave him a look full of disdain. "What, you don't trust Treasure Tree Adam the strongest wood in the world? Or are you overestimating yourself, kid? Out on the seas, you'll face tsunamis and whirlpools. You think your little sword is scarier than that?"

Ritter thought it over. Yeah, if he could split Treasure Tree Adam with ease, he'd already be ruling the seas.

He leapt into the air, drawing Black Tide. The sword carved a weighty arc as it came down—

CLANG!!!

Though the ship looked like it was made of wood, the impact rang out like a deafening clash of metal.

Black Tide bounced off. The keel showed no signs of damage not even a scratch.

"Well?" Tom stroked his beard proudly. "With my special treatment and the wood's natural toughness, my craftsmanship—"

He stopped mid-sentence.

Because Ritter had placed his hand gently on the hull and noticed a small engraving on the keel.

He read aloud in a theatrical tone, "To the future Pirate King and his crew — Tom."

"Hey! Who said you could read that?!" Tom shouted, face turning red as he chased Ritter around.

Roger stood at the bow, laughing heartily as the sea breeze whipped his red cloak behind him. "Let's set sail, boys! Let the world hear our voices!"

Under the watchful eyes of the Water 7 townsfolk, the Oro Jackson slowly glided out of the dock. The morning sun pierced through the mist, gilding the dark hull with golden light.

Ritter stood at the stern, watching the island shrink behind them. He suddenly recalled the boy he was half a year ago, dragging Black Tide across the sand.

"What're you thinking about?" Jabba clapped him on the shoulder.

Ritter smiled and hefted his sword. "Wondering if next time I meet a Sea King, I can slice the whole wave in half."

Rayleigh appeared behind them without a sound. "Pay off the debt for that boat first, then talk."

"What?! That boat was shattered by the Sea King! You should be asking him—"

"Shut it, kid. Three thousand sword swings. Now."

"Yes, sir..."

____________________

NEXT CHAPTER : Newgate: Do You Know What a Home Is?

(Ritter, now admiral-level, faces off against a young Whitebeard in a fierce clash of power and pride. Though he loses, he earns Newgate's respect—and a glimpse into the man's quiet dream: to find a home.

Next: Rocks makes his move. The real storm begins.)

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