For any lover of the One Piece world, with its adventures, characters, and stories that defy the impossible, it's simply impossible to hate Gol D. Roger.
This was something Peter witnessed firsthand from his very first day aboard Gol D. Roger's ship. Roger wasn't just any ordinary captain; he was a great pirate with a goal that shone like a star in his eyes, inspiring everyone around him with freedom and courage.
He treated his crew like family, and they followed him because they believed in him—not just as a leader, but as a living dream striving to come true despite the odds.
Roger's words had a magical impact on Shanks and Buggy, the two young apprentices filled with enthusiasm and curiosity. Roger never missed a chance to share his wisdom with them, especially when their spirits were low after losing a fight or failing at something.
With a confident smile, he would tell them: "Never regret your existence in this world. As long as you're alive, there are adventures and dreams waiting for you in the future. Everyone in this life has a time to live and a role to play."
He emphasized that they should never fear failure and that they should keep smiling no matter the circumstances.
As for Peter, little by little, he began to accept the situation the mysterious system had placed him in this world.
He no longer felt hatred or anger towards it; rather, he became grateful that he wasn't just an ordinary hunter. If he had been, he wouldn't have had the chance to stand between these two great men, Gol D. Roger and Garp.
Even Roger's crew treated Peter with kindness and warmth, which comforted him and alleviated his feelings of being an outsider. As the days passed, he began to prove himself among them every time he had the chance to fight. He even surprised himself—his moves were faster than expected, and his strength exceeded what he thought he had.
He wondered curiously: Is this the power he requested from the system when he was brought into this world? Or was it the brief training on Garp's ship that refined his body and spirit more than he imagined?
However, there was something missing: Peter didn't have a real combat style. And as everyone knew, whether in Roger's crew or Peter himself, in the One Piece world, a fighter doesn't rely on strength alone; he needs style and techniques.
Some rely on the incredible power of Devil Fruits, others wield unique weapons, or master the various types of Haki. Conqueror's Haki, in particular, was rare and feared—a powerful combat style that could nullify the powers of Devil Fruit users, and only a few in this world, like Roger and the Dark King Rayleigh, could wield it, using it sparingly due to its draining effect on the body.
Peter thought deeply about finding a fighting style that suited him—a style that reflected his own identity and vision of strength. He considered sword styles; a single-sword style seemed fitting for him.
Not the awe-inspiring three-sword style of Zoro, nor Mihawk's massive blade, but a single sword wielded by a single man with one heart full of determination, like Roger and Rayleigh. Above all, Rayleigh could train him to use it, just as he was training young Shanks.
He had always loved this style when he saw it in the manga or anime in his previous world. It was a style that embodied strength and honor, relying on a decisive strike that required nothing but unwavering focus and a strong will.
Peter, whose bond with the crew was growing stronger by the day, watched young Shanks as he trained daily on the ship, using a small sword that looked more like a needle, fitting his size and age.
Shanks put his whole heart into his training, even though Roger often teased him about the size of his sword, eliciting laughter from everyone. Despite that, Shanks was the closest to Roger, with his cheerful spirit and courage.
As for Buggy, he was on a completely different path. He wasn't as interested in training like Shanks but was always chasing after treasures and adventures in search of wealth.
On every island the crew arrived at, Buggy would be the first to disembark, rushing like he was in a race against time to find treasure before Shanks. But, to his misfortune, he hadn't found anything of value yet. He always dreamed of discovering a legendary treasure that would allow him to rule the world, his grand dreams never ceasing, for a small man who was still exploring life's mysteries.
One day, while Peter was watching Shanks train from a distance, he decided it was time to take a step towards his dream of mastering the sword style. Summoning his courage, he approached Rayleigh, for whom he had a special respect, as Rayleigh treated him like one of his own sons.
With a confident voice, Peter said, "Master Rayleigh, I want to wield a sword and learn the art of combat with it. I don't know much about swords, but I feel that this style suits me."
Rayleigh looked at him with a gentle smile, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said, "Peter, wielding a sword isn't just about holding a piece of steel. It's a covenant between you and the weapon, requiring a strong heart and a clear mind. The sword reflects the spirit of its wielder, and if you want to be a great swordsman, you must possess a great spirit."
Calmly and with a smile full of respect, Rayleigh approached Roger and asked for a moment, signaling with his eyes towards Peter. Roger, who couldn't hide his admiration for Peter's ambitious spirit, nodded to Rayleigh to proceed.
Rayleigh returned after a few minutes carrying a long wooden box that showed signs of age. Carefully, he opened the box to reveal a sword that had remained hidden for four years, ever since the crew took it after a fierce battle with a pirate. The sword seemed to carry its own past, a story locked away, waiting for someone to unleash it.
The scabbard was crimson, gleaming like embers, adorned with intricate details that gave it a sense of dignity and reverence. The blade itself was as clear as glass, with interwoven black engravings decorating it from hilt to tip, as if they were remnants of black smoke or forgotten shadows.
These engravings appeared to narrate the battles the sword had witnessed, and the blade had an imposing aura, making one wonder about the power it held within.
Rayleigh placed the sword in Peter's hands and said with a sincere smile, "This sword has been on board for four years, untouched by anyone. I always knew that a day would come when someone worthy would claim it. Peter, I believe this sword has finally found its wielder."
Holding the sword, Peter felt as if energy surged through his hands. It was a strange feeling, as if the sword had bonded with him from the very first moment.
Since Peter began his sword training under Rayleigh's guidance, his days were filled with challenges and continuous improvement. Every morning, he would lift his sword and start training on the basics, determined to enhance his speed and agility.
The young Shanks, who never stopped laughing and making childish remarks, eagerly joined him in the training, even if his strikes were sometimes off-target.
Rayleigh, who oversaw their training, was a bit strict, but he was teaching Peter that a sword is not just a tool for combat. He had to feel it like his heart feels its beats.
These were the moments that honed Peter's skills, and there was noticeable progress every day. Peter began moving more fluidly, nearing that stage where the sword becomes an extension of himself.
Then one day, as Peter and Shanks were training together, Roger, who seemed weary after a long night of celebrations, approached them with a slight limp.
In his deep, wisdom-filled voice, he said, "The strongest sword is the one that has the power to protect those you wish to protect, and to cut what you wish to cut... A sword that harms everything it touches, to me, is not a true sword."
Peter and Shanks paused, listening intently to his words. Roger's words were more than just simple advice; they were an invitation to a deeper understanding of the power a sword holds.
Peter pondered Roger's words, realizing at that moment that his sword wouldn't just be a tool for combat. It would represent something much greater: his will, passion, and goals.
Shanks smiled, while Peter understood that a true sword is one that carries the wielder's will in his heart, one that only causes harm when absolutely necessary.
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