WebNovels

Chapter 10 - 10

The wind had picked up as Zoro and Riku sailed further from the village. The gentle sway of the ship had become a steady roll, and waves slapped rhythmically against the hull. Zoro's green hair whipped across his face as he scanned the horizon. Insight hummed faintly, picking up the subtle signs of change in the sea—the way the waves stacked, the smell of salt in the air, and the tension in the clouds.

"Riku," Zoro called without turning, "we're entering a section with stronger currents. Pay attention to the ropes and the balance. One misstep and we could capsize."

Riku's hands tightened around the rigging. "Got it, Zoro! I… I think I can feel the difference in the water!"

Zoro gave a small nod. "Good. Observation first. Feel the current, anticipate the wave, adjust your weight. Don't fight the sea—work with it."

The sky darkened slightly as clouds rolled in, wind gusting stronger. The ship rocked violently as a series of waves slammed against the hull. Riku stumbled, but Zoro caught him by the arm, steadying him. "Focus. Timing matters. Let the ship move, don't resist it."

As they navigated through the rougher waters, a shadow appeared ahead—another small vessel, clearly a pirate ship. Its sails were tattered, and the crew's movements were frenzied, but they spotted Zoro's ship and began approaching aggressively. Insight whispered: They're desperate… reckless. Predictable patterns… openings available.

Zoro turned to Riku. "Prepare. We may have to defend ourselves, but remember: minimal action, maximum effect. Observation first."

The pirate crew fired small pistols and hurled makeshift weapons. Zoro leaned with the roll of the ship, deflecting a thrown dagger with a precise angle of his sword. Riku mirrored him, Insight guiding his timing as he blocked a swinging club.

The first pirate lunged, overextending. Zoro sidestepped smoothly, using the momentum to push the man off balance and into the water. Another tried a wide swing—Zoro parried with minimal movement, his Insight predicting the strike's trajectory. Riku reacted quickly, blocking and countering under Zoro's guidance, learning the rhythm of combat on a moving ship.

The final pirate charged directly at Zoro with a cutlass. With a small pivot, Zoro deflected the strike, guiding the pirate's momentum to stumble backward. Riku noticed how Zoro never wasted energy, every motion calculated. He imitated the stance, barely holding his balance as he nudged the pirate aside.

Within moments, the pirate ship veered off, retreating into the horizon. Zoro checked Riku, who was panting but wide-eyed. "Not bad," Zoro said. "But stay sharper. The sea is unpredictable, and enemies even more so. You have to anticipate both."

The clouds parted slightly, sunlight glinting off the waves. Zoro leaned against the rail, feeling the hum of Insight in his mind, observing every movement of the water. "Step by step," he murmured. "We learn. We grow. Observation first. Action second. And one day… the sea will bow to our understanding of it."

Riku smiled despite his exhaustion. "I… I think I understand now. It's not just fighting—it's feeling, watching, predicting. Like you said."

Zoro nodded silently, eyes on the horizon. The open sea stretched endlessly, full of danger, opportunity, and adventure. And together, step by deliberate step, they sailed into it.

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