Chapter 19 - The essentials of swordplay
After the end of the assessment Roja directly returned to the courtyard. He is not interested in the result or the ranking. It’s not that he is completely indifferent about fame and fortune like a saint, but he could guess the ranking already. Moreover, this is just a common camp ranking test There wasn’t anything worthy to care about.
At this time Roja was sitting cross-legged with Honoo no Tsuki on his knees.
This time in the assessment He was unstoppable and killed most of the monsters but he didn’t let all this get into his head.
Also, he was able to show that much because the environment was suitable for his ability. if it was an open place with his current power he can’t do much.
Of course, those things didn’t make him feel bad but in his heart, he was more concerned about his battle power.
For example, he didn’t have a special move and his swordsmanship depended only on his flames all he could do is swing the sword around.
ordinary pirates are no problem but if he faced a strong for he would easily avoid the flames.
“A special move is very important. My current powers reside in the flames and I only have two techniques”Roja Recalled the assessment and concluded.
Create!
The most basic swing that will produce flames.
Fire sword, Torch!
This trick half attack half defense move. It will produce flames around him and block the enemy from escaping or from attacking.
The simple explanation is that the cremate is had hight dmg output but was simple to evade and the torch was strong ability to block but the output isn’t that strong so both have merit and demerit.
And the other moves can be seen as an extension of those two like the flame bomb and so on.
In addition to those two technique using his flames ability, there isn’t any other technique as he is a complete beginner at using the sword.
“This is the forest environment I took advantage of that and killed as many monsters as I found but still fighting techniques are a must and I have to learn some quickly.
That month of training was used to improve his physical strength and Garp didn’t show him any fighting techniques.
But now he no longer had to use all his time in physical training but can take some to sharpen his fighting power and swordplay.
But then a thought emerged in his mind and he became helpless.
“If I need to train then I will have to fight against someone and that someone would be Garp But, he probably can’t control his strength.”
The more he thought about it the more black lines appear over his head.
Think.
Roja tried to think of a way that would spare him that abuse and suddenly his room was opened.
“Garp please don’t barge in without knocking on the door.”
Roja looked at Garp who just entered without knocking with more black line appearing over his head.
It’s best to learn as soon as possible.
His heart helpless Roja looked at Garp and asked “What is it? what’s so important?”
Garp crossed his hands on his chest and said: “Because I wanted to give you a surprise.”
“…”
Roja almost fell down.
Fortunately, he was accustomed to Garps way of doing things.
“Because your score was outrageous and your actions affected the whole assessment results and other things. So they will not judge all the recruits based on this assessment so there won’t be anyone getting into the elite camp after this assessment”.
Garp standing in front of Roja continued to say “So a month later a competition based assessment will be held.”
Roja was already Z student anyway as he was Garp nephew so he didn’t care much about the elite selection.
After saying this Garp suddenly caught his hair as if he forgot to mention something.
“What ? is there something else?”
As for Garp he suddenly put his hand into his pocket and passed a book to Roja.
“This is for you.”
Roja was listening for a long time As he didn’t care about the assessment or the selection so he was about to lose interest.
All of a sudden Garp threw a book at his. His eyes flashed with light.
Roja caught the book hurriedly.
Garp saw Roja hurrying to catch the book so he smiled and turned away leave Roja’s room.
Roja took this unknown book. He thought about Garp saying he will give him a surprise. Could this book be the surprise?
“This is really a surprise …”
This book was compiled after looking at all the sword related books in The Marine and brought out the essence of swordplay.
This kind of book probably is a secret book from the collection of the marine and even strong swordsman couldn’t comprehend it and look at the information within this was only a part of it.
Garp himself wasn’t proficient in using swords but that didn’t mean that he can’t teach it. and with his position in The Marine, he could access all kind of information.
And this information is what Roja need right now.
For Roja the sooner he gets stronger and uses more power from the fire the better and he will become more powerful in swordplay faster as he got the sword of the soul.
This book was the essence of the sword although it is a summary there are much more powerful things he can’t use yet.
Roja directly skipped what he know and went to the part where his need resides.
Roja now can only be regarded as an average swordsman despite the additional fire damage but still cannot be called a real swordmaster.
The book pointed out the difference between a swordsman and a swordmaster.
The swordmaster is a realm as well as a state of mind.
That ordinary swordsman that want to become swordmasters has to comprehend “the rhythm of everything” state which is the most basic state for a swordmaster.
Being familiar with the original story “the rhythm of everything” which was shown when Zoro was fighting Daz Bones who had the Supa Supa no Mi and could only defeat him through comprehending that state.
For a swordmaster using even a rusty iron sword would let him cut steel which is impossible for an ordinary swordsman.