(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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"So, what exactly are you planning?" Colt rubbed his temples, trying to wrap his head around Sasuke's sudden ambition.
This kid had gone off the rails, claiming he wanted to kill Whitebeard and take over his forces to become one of the Four Emperors.
Originally Sasuke had just wanted to become a vice-captain, but there was the common sense that they would refuse so he decided that he would destroy the Whitebeard pirates and become a Yonko himself.
After listening to Sasuke's wild plan, Colt finally understood the situation.
These past few days, he'd been focusing on training with Koushirou in swordsmanship and hadn't kept up with any recent events in the outside world.
Now, hearing what Sasuke was saying, it all started to make sense.
"So, you're saying you want to surpass Naruto before he becomes a Marine Admiral?" Colt asked, slightly amused.
"That's right! He's not an Admiral yet, but if I take down Whitebeard and become the head of the Four Emperors, doesn't that mean I've beaten him?" Sasuke said, a competitive gleam in his eyes.
Colt was speechless.
Sasuke's logic was something else.
Was it really necessary to compete over something like this?
Why don't the two of them just compete over who can have more kids at this point?
Koushirou, standing off to the side, gave him a strange look, but Colt waved it off, muttering something under his breath.
There were no snails visible, but it seemed like Colt was talking to someone…
Colt didn't care what Koushirou thought.
Sasuke was acting like a rebellious kid who needed guidance, and Colt, having more than enough experience in dealing with brats like him, knew exactly how to handle the situation.
He used his most effective method.
"Do you have a death wish?"
Sasuke stiffened.
Colt's pressure surged through the connection established by his RinneSharingan, making Sasuke's head spin.
Even from thousands of miles away, the sensation was crystal clear.
Cold sweat broke out on Sasuke's forehead.
"What did I tell you when I first gave you this mission? I sent you to go undercover with the Whitebeard Pirates, and now, just because you want to one-up Naruto, you're considering going against orders?"
Colt's voice took on a dangerous edge.
"Sasuke, if you want me to drag you back to the ninja world for some remedial training, just say so. You don't need to be so roundabout about it."
"Or is it that you want your parents to stay stuck in the Pure Land forever, without a chance at resurrection?"
He was seriously angry this time.
Sasuke's position within the Whitebeard Pirates was crucial, and now, of all times, this kid wanted to pull this stunt?
Did he really think Colt's patience was limitless?
"No, no! I was just suggesting it. If you don't approve, I'll definitely be more careful," Sasuke quickly backtracked, his voice softening in panic.
His whole body felt like it had been dunked in cold water, he was drenched in sweat.
If he'd known Colt would react this harshly, he wouldn't have brought it up at all.
This was a self-inflicted mess.
He cursed himself for bringing it up.
"It's too late. I'm not in a good mood now. Prepare to face the consequences," Colt said coldly.
He didn't care about Sasuke's terror and abruptly cut off the connection.
When Colt finally returned his attention to the real world, he noticed the unintended pressure he had released had caused Koushirou to practically leap out of his skin.
"Sorry about that, Koushirou-san. It was just a guy being immature that needed some straightening."
"No, no, it's fine. I completely understand." Koushirou gave a forced smile, although moments ago, he'd been ready to bolt.
The feeling of having your life hang by a thread, completely out of your control, was terrifying.
Given the circumstances, today's training session was called off early.
At dinner, Colt made the decision to take his leave from Koushirou's village.
He had learned all he could about kendo in the pirate world, and at this point, Koushirou didn't have much more to teach him.
It was time to head to the Grand Line.
As for Sasuke's punishment, he would think about it later.
The next morning, after saying farewell to Koushirou, Colt and Nami set off.
"We'll stop at LogueTown for supplies, then head to the Reverse Mountain," Nami said, excitedly.
The Reverse Mountain marked the entrance to the Grand Line, a treacherous mountain where the currents from all four seas converged, pushing ships against the flow to the top of the mountain.
It was an incredible sight and she wished to see it.
Colt nodded in agreement with Nami's plan.
"Make sure to stock up on plenty of wine."
"Yeah, yeah, you drunkard," Nami muttered, rolling her eyes.
The biggest expense on their ship seemed to be the endless supply of alcohol.
Unbothered by her complaints, Colt moved to the edge of the ship, raised his hand like a blade, and gently swung it.
Nami was stunned as a massive slash, spanning hundreds of meters, sliced through the ocean, splitting it in two and disappearing into the distance.
"What are you doing?" she asked, eyes wide.
"Nothing much. Just testing what I've learned this past month. Oh, and swatting some flies while I'm at it."
With that, Colt casually lay back down on his lounge chair.
Nami was speechless, thinking that he was just showing off his new skills.
She turned her attention back to the list of supplies they needed.
Ten kilometers away, the sword slash had already decimated a pirate ship, splitting it cleanly in two.
Most of the crew perished instantly, though a few lucky ones managed to jump overboard just in time.
Ten days later, Colt and Nami arrived in LogueTown.
After docking the ship, Nami looked back at it nervously.
"Do you think our ship will be okay while we're gone?" she asked.
"What if pirates try to steal it?"
"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on it remotely," Colt reassured her before heading into the town.
Feeling better after his words, Nami followed him as they made their way into the bustling marketplace.
"Let's see... Freshwater, fruit, meat... Oh, and a Log Pose! That's the most important thing—we can't forget it," Nami said, checking off items from their list.
Without a Log Pose to navigate the Grand Line's magnetic fields, they'd be lost.
Within two hours, they had spent nearly a million Berries, 200,000 of which went toward the Log Pose alone.
Colt also passed by the weapon shop where Zoro once found his famous swords, but he had no intention of swooping in.
His sword, Kaminari, was far superior to anything here.
However, he did have his eye on the black blade Shusui, which he planned to collect during their journey through the Thriller Bark arc.
"Alright, we're almost done. Let's grab some training gear, and we can head back," Colt said, deciding to start training Nami more seriously.
She couldn't always rely on him to solve every problem.
Plus, it would be interesting to see how someone from this world adapted to Chakra.
Suddenly, the streets filled with commotion as a squad of Marine soldiers rushed in, blocking off the area.