The newly joined boy, Sargins, quickly became a unique sight aboard the ship together with Aldo.
Just as Aldo had said, the boy behaved unusually quietly in daily life—almost dull.
He rarely spoke to anyone on his own.
He followed Aldo like a shadow.
Wherever Aldo went, Sargins went.
When Aldo ate, Sargins sat silently nearby holding his bowl.
When Aldo trained, Sargins squatted by the railing and watched quietly.
"Hey Aldo, that little follower of yours is really obedient!"
Passing by, Feiqi reached out with a grin, trying to ruffle Sargins' hair.
Sargins suddenly shrank back and dodged the touch with surprising agility.
"Hey, hey! Back off!"
Aldo waved Feiqi away, sounding annoyed but smiling at the same time.
He casually pulled a fruit from his pocket and tossed it to Sargins.
"This kid's better than you smooth-talking idiots."
"He does whatever he's told."
As the days passed, the crew gradually got used to the quiet boy always trailing behind Aldo.
A few days later, their rest period ended.
The Swordfish raised sail once again and set course for the next destination.
Their next stop would be the island where High West was located—the final station before attempting the route to Skypiea.
Faris Valley Town – Clock Tower Surveillance Post
"Rear Admiral Hark."
A Marine officer in civilian clothes climbed the stairs and reported:
"The target ship has departed toward the next island. Our undercover agent has successfully infiltrated according to plan."
Hark stood by the window, watching the ship's silhouette shrinking on the horizon.
The setting sun painted half of his face crimson while the other half remained in shadow.
"Very good," he said calmly.
"Notify the other teams."
"The first phase of the mission is complete."
"Withdraw according to the contingency plan, maintain silence, and await further orders."
"Yes, sir!"
Back on the Swordfish
Aldo gathered the crew on deck for their usual training session.
Sargins stood beside him like always.
"Same routine!"
"Warm-up first! Loosen those muscles!"
"Then we start with basic strength training today!"
Aldo leaned his spiked club against the side and grabbed two enormous dumbbells.
Planting his feet in a firm horse stance, he demonstrated.
"Watch carefully—especially you, Sargins!"
"Squats. Train your legs. A stable lower body means you won't get knocked off balance in a fight!"
"Follow my movements!"
Sargins blinked as if trying to process the instruction.
Then he copied Aldo's posture.
Holding the dumbbells tightly, he began squatting up and down in a stiff but precise rhythm.
"Good! Just like that!"
"Keep your back straight! Sit your hips back!"
A satisfied grin appeared on Aldo's face.
He was clearly surprised by the boy's imitation ability and physical control.
The rest of the crew picked up their equipment and joined in.
Soon the deck echoed with shouts and heavy breathing.
One set.
Two sets.
Three sets.
Many ordinary sailors were already panting, their movements growing sloppy.
Yet Sargins' face remained expressionless.
Not even a hint of redness appeared on his cheeks.
His breathing was steady—almost as if he were simply taking a stroll.
"Alright! Stop!"
Aldo dropped his dumbbells and slapped Sargins on the shoulder.
The force made the boy stagger slightly, but Aldo's eyes shone with approval.
"Good kid! You've got a solid foundation!"
"Now the next exercise!"
"This time we practice striking!"
"You need to release your strength smoothly!"
Aldo grabbed a longer training bar, gripping one end like a club and resting it on his shoulder.
"Imagine there's some annoying bastard in front of you!"
"You swing the club with all your strength!"
"Use your waist to drive the movement—your shoulders and arms follow!"
"Like this—HA!"
With a low shout, Aldo swung the heavy weight in a powerful arc.
Sargins copied the motion.
His movements were still rough.
But his immense raw strength made every swing cut through the air with a heavy whoosh.
Aldo set down his own equipment and walked over.
He placed his large hand on Sargins' waist and arm.
"Here—your power's wrong."
"You're using just your arms."
"Your waist should drive the strike!"
"Relax your shoulders… yeah, that's it. Again!"
He patiently corrected Sargins' posture.
For once, Aldo looked like a serious personal coach instead of his usual carefree self.
Sargins nodded silently.
His previously empty eyes now seemed focused on the weapon in his hands.
Again and again he repeated Aldo's movements.
At first his strikes were nothing but brute force.
But after repeated corrections, a faint hint of technique began to appear.
After several rounds of strength and endurance exercises, many sailors were nearly exhausted.
Sargins, on the other hand, merely had sweat on his forehead and shirt.
His hands gripping the training club remained steady.
Aldo glanced at the exhausted crew lying around.
Then he looked at Sargins beside him.
His face twisted in frustration.
"Look at you lot!"
"You've been training how long now?"
"And you still look like a bunch of weaklings!"
"Look at Sargins!"
"He just joined and he's already stronger than you!"
"And you still want higher bounties?"
"You want to survive in the New World?"
"Aren't you ashamed?"
"Get up! Five more sets!"
Groans filled the deck.
Amid the complaints and Aldo's booming laughter, the basic training finally came to an end.
After a short rest, Aldo pulled Sargins to the quieter stern deck.
There, he began teaching his own combat philosophy.
"Listen up, kid."
Aldo sat cross-legged and gestured for Sargins to sit opposite him.
"Fighting is actually simple."
He raised a finger.
"Don't chicken out."
"Find the opening."
"And smash the bastard!"
He demonstrated a straightforward attack stance.
"Don't think too much. Just charge forward!"
"If an enemy enters your range—"
"Swing your club and knock them flat!"
He performed several sharp downward strikes and sweeping blows.
The movements were simple, but filled with killing intent.
"We pirates rely on fierceness."
"The more you hesitate, the faster you die."
Sargins listened quietly.
When Aldo simulated attacking an imaginary enemy, Sargins tightened his empty hands—
As if gripping an invisible weapon.
Then he swung his arm through the air.
The motion was clumsy.
But determined.
Aldo laughed and rubbed his hair vigorously.
"Yeah! That's it!"
"Remember what I told you."
"I'll teach you more little by little."
Just then—
"Dinner's ready!!!"
Aldo stood up and stretched.
He slapped Sargins on the shoulder.
"Come on! Let's eat!"
"You can't train without food in your stomach!"
"Wonder what Brio cooked today!"
"Hahaha!"
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