water combat.

What an interesting conversation. I mean, as long as I stay on Shimotsuki Island, no one will know much about my whereabouts. I have a lot to do and very little time, although the training is interesting. It's too slow; I need to fight against other people. If I remember correctly, there are currently eight pirate crews in East Blue Waters. - Axel thought.

Watching Dragon take off like the wind, the strong wind swirling all around, there, in that place, the storm sounded calming to Axel.

What are the next plans for the Blue Pirates?

Axel contemplated what the best steps were.

-He pondered. -

Am I going to search for some pirates and wreak havoc? It's just an extra 100 experience points, and I can level up. With the level come the rewards. Near here is the Kingdom of Frause, although I couldn't go there due to the extensive maritime trade, and they might have Marine bases guarding the area. - Axel pondered.

Axel was walking to his master's dojo, still questioning all his thoughts. In two years and a few months, Luffy will set sail, and six months later, the world will plunge into a world war of Whitebeard's pirates. Two years later, Luffy will enter the New World and, in a month, put the world on its heels. The government will engage in a war against the pirates, the revolutionary army, and the conspirator Marshal D. Teach in the shadows. No one knows about Shanks and his strange tricks, but it's clear that there are mysteries in the air.

The end of an era and the beginning of another. The news is that Axel the Great is here to subvert the world, but it's not clear what role he has to play in the next great battle. On its own, the strength of the team is at the level of Baroque Works. He doesn't think it's possible to defeat Crocodile, but in 1 out of 3 battles, he might win, and with the Blue Queen as a combination, he can participate, but it's not enough due to the other hidden abilities.

Going to the Goa Kingdom is not healthy, with Dragon at my back. It's complicated to take some actions that would be beneficial. The Red Hand Pirates have their base nearby, and a reward of 8 million berries is not at all negligible. But the rewards are divided, after all.

The makeup trick will only last for a while, and I'm saving it for pirates worth a bit more money. - Axel thought.

-Well, I think going after the Red Blaze Pirates is the best option. Winning more supplies is something that will benefit us in the future, and with a bit of luck, we might encounter some higher-value pirates, - Axel said aloud.

-Master Koshiro, I continue practicing with my technique, but I can't seem to make progress, - Tashigi said.

-Patience, little one. You'll improve little by little. The Shimotsuki style was initially designed for men, but with a bit of help, you'll get better, - Koushiro said.

-It's true, Lia, I believe in you, - Axel said from behind the door.

-Your confidence is refreshing. Everything went well in your meeting? - Koushiro asked somewhat hesitantly.

It was perfect, Master. I will travel a bit, and capture the Red Hand Pirates. They sail close to these waters. I'll offer them shelter and take their loot. - Axel told Koushiro.

-Oh, you're seeking more battle experience, - Koushiro said.

-That's right. Practicing when someone wants to kill you is a good way, -- Axel said jokingly. -- I'll set sail in the morning with a companion, so don't worry, Lia, it'll be just one day, - Axel reassured.

-Axel, be careful, - Koushiro said, concerned about a potential conflict with the Marines.

-Yes, - Axel replied.

He was in a hurry, but not always advancing without a clear path can cause more trouble than one might initially anticipate. For example, attacking without a clear plan can lead to unknown variables. Stealth is a good place to continue growing.

-The sporadic battles will help him shake off that impatience lurking in his heart, - he thought.

-Tomorrow, Gad, we'll head into a fight. Against some pirates. Want to warm up those arms? - Axel asked.

-Hmm, a little fight. I don't want to, - Gad replied.

-What? Why ? - Axel asked.

-No cute girls to witness my feats doesn't motivate me much. Training here, I can win Rubis's attention. I need the incentive, my dear captain, - Gad said.

-You get to keep all the wine on the ship, - Axel said.

-Oh, this is something else. Wawawawaw, well, the wine is mine, - Gad said. -- But why me? -

-Well, to test your skills, and I want to test your endurance, - Axel said.

-Endurance? - Gad questioned.

Axel didn't respond.

Although normal training doesn't work with Fishmen, their strength limit is already established. In the water, they have more power, but most of the time, they don't train that power. Physical strength comes from superhuman training or constant fighting. For Fishmen with a superior foundation, breaking that bottleneck is harder, and they often give up after a while. According to Gad's tales, they might find some resistance in the deep seas, but it's nothing insurmountable.

They set out on a boat with a small, fast-recharging motor. It allows moving the boat with a lever that needs to be pushed from side to side. A small sail, enough for a day's journey.

-And tell me, Axel, what's between you and the swordswoman? I see some heat between you two, - Gad said.

-There's nothing, Gad. I don't think you have the charm with girls that I do, - Axel said.

-Brother, I'll teach you. You help me, and I'll help you. My plans are foolproof. How do you think my triplets are under my wings? Sharks are attractive, but I'm special, - Gad said.

-What do you have in mind? - Axel asked.

-Ha, you have to mark the females. A male bites the female he likes. Bite your female gently and wait for her to come to you. Then take her swimming and promise to take care of the offspring. Easy as stealing wine, - Gad said.

-Wow, quite straightforward, - Axel said.

-Eh, not at all. It's the science of love, my little Axel. You're too young to understand the ins and outs. I gave you an easier route to get there. Wawawawaw, - Gad said.

He nodded while using the lever to speed up the boat and gave a big smile, his sharp teeth highlighting his triangular smile. He must have thousands.

-Gad, do you have acquaintances on your birth island? - Axel asked.

-There are some; I escaped when I was young. I don't have many memories from those times; it was over ten years ago. I always wanted to swim far away without anyone bothering me, and in a way, I did it, - Gad said.

-How did that turn out? - Axel asked.

-Terrible. The world wasn't ready for someone with my style. And unfortunately, I wasn't ready for the world, - Gad said.

The serious and contrasting behavior from Gad was enough for Axel to know he was touching on dangerous topics.

-Well, now you'll travel with me. They'd have to send at least a vice admiral from the Marines to kick our asses. As long as we keep sailing and gaining more experience, the gap will close. We'll explore the entire world as we know it, - Axel told him.

Gad's serious shark-like gaze highlighted his shark form.

-You're serious about sailing the world, - Gad said.

-I am. With you by my side, we'll break some records. You're my nakama after all, - Axel said.

-Shut up, bastard, you'll make me cry, - Gad said.

-Hahaha! The great Gad has a sentimental side, -- Axel said to Gad. -- How about we go ahead a bit, row to the waters of those bastards, and then return for dinner? -

-You've got it. Red Hands have very bad luck, - Gad said, diving underwater and pushing the boat with strength.

-Red Hand, - Axel corrected, holding on tightly.

-Wawawawaw, you look like a scared chicken, - Gad said.

-Red Hand should be close to these waters. There were some robberies of commercial ships from the Frause Chamber of Commerce. Every time, it was around these parts. There are some nearby islands, about ten minutes away, - Axel said.

Although it may not seem like it, the vast sea and being adrift cause a feeling of phobia, which can only be assessed—thalassophobia. It can be better explained in this world, where sea monsters are more aggressive than on planet Earth. Even though there are leviathans in the future Earth, it's unlikely they'll appear. They attack ports due to the concentration of lights and large lighthouses, and if attacks happen, they occur once a year.

What a beautiful day. There are rarely storms in the East Blue. It's said that the climate in North Blue is cold, and icebergs are present most of the time. In the West Blue, there are many dangerous ocean currents, but nothing a skilled navigator can't handle. The South Blue has the number one dangerous sea, with whirlpools and marine vortexes—large marine sinkholes.

-It looks like they've arrived, - Axel said, seeing the large ship.

-Mmmm... oh yes, I'll give them a surprise, - Gad said.

-Don't damage the ship; we'll sell it later, - Axel said.

Gad plunged into the water and swam towards the ship, dodging cannonballs headed his way. Axel rowed with all his strength straight to the Red Hand ship, noticing a hand with two crossed bones painted in red—a large crew, at least thirty, Axel estimated.

Gad circled the ship like a shark, noticing the crew's nervousness. Meanwhile, Red Hand, a man with no special characteristics other than his towering height of over two meters and a red glove, was giving orders. He reached the ship and witnessed the shark leaping to the stern, its distinctive teeth highlighting its eerie shinigami silhouette—quite unfair against these individuals.

But seeing a shark man circling the ship didn't instill much confidence in the pirates.

Axel followed him, ready to face the captain of the ship head-on. No women, only men armed with swords and pistols.

-I am Red Hand, with a bounty of 8,000,000 berries. I hope you know what you're up against, kids, - the pirate said.

-On guard, Red Hand. I'm coming for all of you, - Axel replied, adopting the combat stance and following the basic steps Koushiro taught him: battle stance, a strike, a leap back, a strike to the wrists, a thrust to the torso, slashes to the torso, counterattack.

He took the fight calmly, while Gad dealt with the subordinates, not holding back his strength and sending them flying with every punch. After the issue of not knowing Fish-Man Karate, Axel learned some boxing, provided by the system—some jabs, a good crosser, direct punches, attack posture, defensive position, and basic one-two punches.

Red Hand couldn't endure Axel's continuous attacks, which wasn't surprising considering Axel's level, similar to the triplets or Usopp, even though he wasn't a close-range fighter. Gad continued dancing among the small fries who stood in his way. Once they saw their captain fall, their morale crumbled.

...

Ding

Link Status.

You have gained twenty experience points for defeating the Red Hand pirates.

You have gained a metal chest.

...

-You, where is your captain's base? - Axel asked.

-Oh, about two miles from here, a small island, - the pirate replied.

-Take us there, - Gad said.

-I thought it would be more fun, - Gad commented.

-Relax; our battles will come. For now, let's celebrate the easy victories, - Axel said, foreseeing the potential challenges in the years to come.

On the small island, they found a house, some treasures, and no attention. Axel gave them a lecture on the good life and becoming farmers. The ship had some resources. What mattered most was that the ship was in good condition.