The sun was high in the sky as a three-masted sailing ship navigated the azure sea. The skull painted on the bulging sails was covered with black pigment, and the damaged cabin and hull had been repaired, making the protruding wooden planks stand out like patches.
The ship had been sailing for more than half a day now. Only two people aboard had experience with navigation, so they were put in charge of the ship, while everyone else attended to their own tasks.
Raiden Ei, as usual, cultivated whenever she had nothing else to do, repeatedly practicing the moves she had learned to reach new levels of mastery.
Geer watched Raiden Ei diligently cultivating and unconsciously became a bit more serious herself.
"Sang, just tell me what that sea beast from last night looked like."
Sang held her fishing rod and replied indifferently, "Didn't you already hear about it? Why do you need me to say it again?"
"You were just making things up. Maiga and Cyrus keep showing off to me, and I don't know the full story."
"Then why didn't you come out and see for yourself last night?"
Nicola put down her fishing rod, placed her arm around Sang's shoulder, and shook her, "Oh come on! Just tell me!"
Sang was a little helpless, "Alright, alright, stop shaking me. I'll tell you."
...
"Have you found where we are on the sea chart?"
"Not yet. I haven't seen this area on any sea chart. I guess when the Silver Axe Pirate Crew broke out the day before yesterday, they took a route they discovered themselves, which is why the Marine couldn't catch up to them."
"So, to confirm our location, we either need to find the route on the sea chart, or encounter another ship or island and ask someone, right?"
"I think so. I'm not a very experienced Navigator either."
"Hehe, then are you planning to go to a Marine Branch to study?"
"Mm... I want to join the Marine. That's kind of my dream."
"Then are you still planning to go join the Marine?"
"I will go. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been starved by pirates like this. When I was in that cell, I almost gave up on my persistence, but your appearance made me hold on."
Haisier looked at the emaciated Gatt, "Even if you join the Marine now, they won't take a skin-and-bones person like you."
"Even so, I will work hard."
"Then I wish you success."
...
Maiga, Cyrus, Mandi, and Bia, the four former thugs from the island, were unconsciously invigorated after seeing such a massive sea serpent last night.
After setting sail, the four of them took their swords and began practicing on the deck, occasionally letting out a shout.
The remaining Mina and Gando were in the cabin; one was tidying up the ship's belongings, while the other was wandering around, picking up relics from the pirate underlings.
Sweat continuously dripped from Raiden Ei onto the deck, but she paid no mind, keeping her entire focus on training until she finished practicing another set of swordsmanship.
Raiden Ei let out a long breath and put kusanagi back into the system backpack. She walked to the ship's side, letting the incoming sea breeze blow against her, feeling the beauty of the vast ocean.
After blowing the sea breeze for a while, the heat in Raiden Ei's body subsided. She was about to walk back to the cabin when she saw the group of four thugs practicing with their swords on the deck. She couldn't see any use in them practicing like that.
"What's the use of practicing like this?"
Raiden Ei stepped forward and asked directly. The group of four saw her coming from afar, their eyes filled with excitement and adoration. They immediately stopped their sword practice and waited for her instructions.
"Big Sister Leader, we are learning from you. Is our practice wrong?"
Raiden Ei looked at the four self-righteous people, extended a single finger, and directly pushed Cyrus to the ground.
"Big Sister Leader, why did you push me?"
"Did you understand?"
Maiga, Cyrus, Mandi, Bia: "???"
Seeing the four still looking completely bewildered.
"It seems you have no Talents at all. What I mean is strength. I can knock you all down with just one finger. Believe it or not."
"Big Sister Leader, you mean we practiced in the wrong place?"
"It can't be said to be wrong, just that the order is wrong. Train your bodies first, then practice with swords. How can someone who can't even hold a sword steady defeat an enemy?"
"So that's how it is. We understand. We'll go train now."
Raiden Ei saw them resume training and then remembered she had been called 'Big Sister Leader' just now. Her body seemed less than a year old, but never mind, if they wanted to call her that, so be it.
Raiden Ei walked to the area where Geer was training. Watching her hit every shot with the flintlock pistol, she felt that Geer didn't need to practice that anymore. She, too, should train her body like the group of four thugs; only with good physical fitness could one exert stronger power.
Raiden Ei: "Geer... how is your training going?"
Geer: "Uh... is hitting every shot good enough?"
Raiden Ei: "It's good enough. You can go train your body now. Do you know that on this great sea, physical fitness is the most important thing?"
"Good physical fitness allows for stronger Haki, and the top-tier individuals all possess very strong Haki."
"I know. General, do you have time now? Can you tell me about Haki?"
"I can."
She taught Geer all the knowledge about Haki and also explained what innate Observation Haki was like. "Alright, you can continue your training now."
"Okay, thank you, Miss Raiden Ei."
Raiden Ei returned to the cabin, found a spot to sit, and closed her eyes to rest, recovering the mental energy consumed today. Since she was the only combat power outside, she needed to maintain her mental state. Although she could do it on the deck outside, the sun there was too harsh; she was afraid her skin would get tanned.
As dusk approached, Raiden Ei slowly opened her eyes. Her purple eyes were still as calm as ever. The tear mole under her right eye added a touch of gentleness to her.
In the cabin, only Mina was tidying up items, seemingly tireless. She was around twenty years old, with black hair and black eyes, long hair, wearing a long black dress, and a white apron-like garment over it, resembling a maid's outfit, but not revealing.
Raiden Ei was a bit curious: "Mina... why are you always working? This place doesn't require cleaning from someone like you."
She had seen Mina busy since yesterday, and today was no different. She had wanted to ask her for a while. Mina hadn't expected someone to suddenly speak and was startled, looking towards Raiden Ei.
"Hoo... Hello! Miss Raiden Ei, is there something you need?"
Raiden Ei saw that Mina hadn't seemed to hear what she said earlier, so she repeated herself, "Why are you always working? This place doesn't require cleaning from someone like you."
Mina: "This is my job."
"This is just a pirate ship we seized; there's no need to put in so much effort to organize it."
"This is just my daily work habit; it doesn't take much effort. Please don't worry about me."
---------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the fanfiction has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 or more chapters in advance over on my patreon: patreon.com/FTLGenBen
Also every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone, Thanks.