Pirate: I have a Hollow living inside me

Although Lox had just tried, he was unable to perform it again.

However, having already touched the threshold, with just a little practice, Rocks will be able to master it naturally!

Chapter 35 Balance Work and Rest!

'Clang clang clang...'

On the deck of a two-masted sailing ship.

Kuina and Lox are sparring.

Sparks flew as their swords clashed, and the clanging of metal against metal filled the air.

With overwhelming numerical superiority, Lox held an absolute advantage, completely suppressing Kuina.

Despite her perseverance, Kuina was forced to fight on, but she suffered repeated defeats.

'Clang!'

Finally, with a powerful strike from Rocks, Kuina could no longer hold onto the Wado Ichimonji, the blade slipped from her hand, and her defeat was sealed...

"How was it? Did you gain any insights?"

Lox sheathed his sword and smiled at Kuina: "If that's not enough, then continue until you reach the realm of Iron Slicing."

"Not yet……"

Kuina frowned and shook her head, a hint of impatience showing on her usually cool face. She pursed her lips and said, "I feel like something's missing..."

Locke thought for a moment and said, "The way of the sword is idealistic and requires enlightenment. Once you understand it, it will naturally be mastered by you."

“I think you shouldn’t be in such a hurry, as that will only hinder your progress. Sometimes, a balance between work and rest can bring unexpected benefits.”

Swordsmanship requires enlightenment.

In the original work, Zoro mastered the art of cutting iron during his battle with a user of the Slash-Slash Fruit.

Lox felt that Kuina was too eager for quick success, which actually hindered her progress.

Why is Kuina in such a hurry?

Naturally, it was because she wanted to catch up with Rocks, but found the gap widening, and this affected Kuina's mindset...

"A balance between work and rest? I'll give it a try."

Kuina nodded, looked at Lox, and said, "Sometimes you slack off on your training just to balance work and rest?"

Although Lox trained very hard, he would sometimes slack off.

Helping Nami tend the orange grove, fishing at the bow of the boat, dozing off on a deck chair...

Is this what they call a balance between work and rest?

"Yes, more or less. You should understand the principle of moderation."

Lockes nodded and said, "Humans are not machines. They need to relax sometimes. Some things can't be rushed."

Kuina is mastering the art of iron-slaying, while Rocks is mastering the art of armor-colored hardening.

Several days have passed, and there has been little progress in hardening the armor color.

However, Rocks wasn't in a hurry.

The necessary training will not stop.

As for when he will be able to comprehend armor color hardening?

Let things take their natural course; there's no use rushing it.

It was only a matter of time anyway, and he believed in his talent!

Kuina seemed thoughtful, then asked curiously, "What did it feel like when you first mastered the Realm of Iron Slash and the Flying Slash?"

"I don't seem to feel anything..."

Lockes recalled.

I found that I didn't really feel anything, but suddenly I knew how.

He then shrugged and said, "It just comes naturally to me. Maybe it's a natural talent?"

Kuina: "..."

Does that mean that swordsmanship, which involves wildly swinging a stick without any rules, is also a kind of swordsmanship?

Should I learn it myself?

However, as soon as the thought crossed her mind, Kuina shook her head.

This may be Rocks's way of swordsmanship, but it is not hers!

"Don't try to be like me. I'm different. If you want to become the strongest, you need to find the swordsmanship that best suits you."

"I can't learn your swordsmanship."

"Haha, thank you for the compliment, you're just as good!"

"..."

Kuina was speechless; she hadn't praised the other person!

'Then relax a bit. Before you reach the realm of Iron Slicing, besides the necessary training, do what Rocks does: tend the orange grove, go fishing, and so on...'

Kuina was never stubborn; she was someone who listened to advice.

If burying yourself in hard work isn't effective, then relax and combine work with rest.

"Are you all finished with your training? Dinner is ready!"

Nami came out of the kitchen carrying two trays and said proudly, "Today I made my specialty, orange pie!"

There are only the three of them on the boat now.

Everyone has multiple roles, and together they maintain life on the ship.

Nami occasionally takes on the role of a chef.

Rocks smiled at Nami and said, "Then I'll have to have a good taste."

Kuina said, "I happen to want some dessert. Thank you, Nami."

"Hehe, no trouble at all!"

Nami was a little embarrassed, her cheeks flushed.

Looking at Lox, she added, "But I can't make that many portions by myself; you'll have to make the rest yourself."

"It's OK."

Lox waved his hand.

His appetite is so huge, it's normal that Nami, this little loli, can't keep up.

Lox was the ship's head chef.

Nami and Kuina will make guest appearances as chefs, but it's just to help out...

A short while later.

The three of them had already finished lunch, and one of them lay down on a recliner to rest.

If nothing unexpected happens, life at sea is actually quite monotonous.

There are no cell phones or computers here to pass the time. Besides reading or finding something to do, there aren't many entertainment options...

In any case, for someone like Lox who had experienced the technological services of his previous life, life on the high seas was indeed very boring.

I just lay down and all I wanted to do was play on my phone and watch videos...

Unfortunately, no.

Locus, who had planned to go fishing, saw that Kuina hadn't gone to practice her swordsmanship, so he chuckled and suggested, "Kuina, you're not practicing this afternoon, right? Want to play cards?"

Guina did not refuse: "That's fine too. I plan to balance work and rest these days."

Nami excitedly asked, "Want to play cards? Sure!"

The three of them chatted and started playing cards.

There are also playing cards in this world, but many of the ways to play them are different.

So Lox brought out the card game he had played in his previous life—Dou Dizhu!

It's a way to find some enjoyment in a dull and boring life.

It's a pity there were only three people. If there had been four, Lox was even thinking of bringing out mahjong...

Nami slammed two cards onto the table with an air of confidence: "A pair of threes!"

"Wang Bang!"

When it was Rocks' turn, he immediately pulled out both kings, and his card-playing style was even more imposing than Nami's!

Kuina shook her head: "I can't afford it."

"Hey, Rocks, what are you doing?"

Nami puffed out her cheeks and questioned Rocks, "Kuina is the landlord, why are you hitting me? I just played a pair of threes!"

"You don't understand, do you? The fact that I dare to do this proves I have a good hand. Watch me play!"

Lox shook his finger, giving him a look that said, "You don't understand anything," and then slowly tossed out a card: "A three!"

Nami: "..."

Is this what you call a good hand?

Nami was furious: "What are you doing? After the royal flush, you play a three. Are you a spy sent by the landlord?"

Lox remained calm: "I'll give you a chance to play your cards. If you have a mixed hand, you can play them."

Looking at the straights and pairs in her hand, Nami looked utterly dejected: "But I don't have any other cards!"

"Oh? My mistake, my mistake. I miscalculated the cards."

"You...you...you did this on purpose!?"

"No, don't talk nonsense. I wasn't bribed by the landlord for a thousand Berries!"

"You...you're bullying me!!"

Chapter 36 Arrival in Rogge Town!

Rocks and his crew were not traveling fast, and they landed on many islands along the way.

They encountered quite a few things.

For example, the swirling storms, the attacks of sea creatures, the invasions of sea kings, etc...

However, what others considered extremely dangerous encounters were merely a diversion from the dull and boring life at sea in Rocks' eyes.

Encountering it would actually excite Lox.

Let's calculate the time.

Nearly two months have passed since Lox set sail.

It took nearly two months to travel from "a certain island" to Rogge town, which is considered a slow journey...

The main reason was that Lox wasn't in a hurry to get there; he was leisurely sailing at sea, which took him much longer.

However, they also arrived in Loguetown today!

Rogge Town is the last island on the East China Sea route to the Great Sea Route.

In addition, as it is the birthplace and execution site of Hailoujue, many ships heading to the Great Sea Route would stop here.

Loguetown is like the Sabaody Archipelago on the Grand Line. It's an essential island on the way to another sea!

Having come all this way, Rocks decided to visit Roguetown.

They also need to replenish their supplies...

It took several days to get here from the previous island.