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Chapter 19: Want to Learn How to Shoot?
🕑 Added 2024-12-19 11:40:01 +0000 UTCLagron wasn’t overly arrogant.
While it was impossible for him to accept the Ratsnout’s advice, the cautiousness displayed by the Ratsnout made him realize there was something unusual about this weapon shop.
Thus, instead of entering rashly, he spent a small sum to hire a lowly pirate to investigate for him.
As expected, just as the Ratsnout had said, there were three individuals inside: an old man, a scarred-faced girl, and a black-haired boy who appeared to be around 15 or 16.
In other words, the perpetrator had to be this boy.
Lagron didn’t care about the boy’s motives for the attack. That wasn’t his concern. His job was to resolve the situation before his pirate crew returned.
If possible, capturing the boy alive would be ideal. He was sure the captain would be more than happy to spend time torturing the attacker.
Quietly retreating from the weapon shop, Lagron headed toward the bar district.
He wanted to gather more information about the shop.
His cautiousness stemmed mainly from the Ratsnout’s subtle warning.
Otherwise, he would have already barged into the store, blade in hand, to cause trouble.
After all, it was just a small weapon shop tucked away in an alley, unlike the shops out on the main street protected by the Rules.
Therefore, even if he caused trouble inside, there would be no consequences to worry about.
Lagron was confident that he hadn’t been exposed.
However, from the moment he and the Ratsnout entered the residential area, Sol had already "seen" everything.
Including the sneaky pirate who was sent to investigate. None of them escaped Sol’s watchful eyes.
At 6 p.m., the weapon shop closed on time.
“Net profit: 50,000,” Sunny announced as she carefully noted the day’s earnings in the ledger.
As for why it was net profit, even Morin could explain that much.
After recording the earnings, Sunny headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner, leaving Morin to clean the shop.
Sol, for once, didn’t immediately retreat upstairs but remained seated behind the counter. His gaze often drifted toward Morin.
Noticing this, Morin paused his sweeping and looked up at Sol. “You… have something you want to say?”
“Oh? You caught on, huh?” Sol tapped out the ashes from his pipe.
How could I not notice? Your eyes were practically glued to me!
Morin silently complained in his mind but outwardly adopted an attentive posture.
Sol looked at him and casually said, “Want to learn how to shoot?”
“Huh?”
Morin was stunned, completely caught off guard by Sol’s sudden question.
He didn’t know how to respond.
Morin knew Sol wasn’t an ordinary person. He was close to Shanks and even addressed with respect by Yasopp.
Thus, Sol’s marksmanship skills were undoubtedly extraordinary.
However, after being influenced by the original story’s iconic characters, Morin was more inclined toward swordsmanship or hand-to-hand combat rather than firearms.
In his mind, guns were only a transitional tool for the early stages. Once his physique improved sufficiently, he planned to focus on either physical combat or swordsmanship.
This was why he hadn’t rushed to use his second slot in the Hunter’s Journal. He had reserved the remaining three blank slots for future needs.
Seeing Morin hesitate, Sol didn’t rush him and patiently waited for his answer.
In Sol’s view, there was no valid reason for Morin to refuse.
After a moment, Morin cautiously asked, “Actually, I’d prefer to learn swordsmanship. Can you teach that?”
“…”
Sol’s eyelids twitched as if struck to the core. He jumped onto his chair and exclaimed, “You want to learn swordsmanship? That trashy skill can’t compare to guns!”
Seeing Sol’s extreme reaction, Morin wisely chose to keep quiet.
He had heard from Sunny that Sol planned to bid on one of the 50 Skillful Grade Swords at the end-of-month auction.
This led Morin to assume that Sol was also an accomplished swordsman.
But now, it seemed there was more to the story.
“I’m telling you, swordsmanship gets you killed quickly. But shooting? You can pick off enemies from a distance and retreat if things go south. Can you do that with a sword?”
“Bottom line, kid, you’re a natural with guns. Stop thinking about swords and stick with me to learn shooting. Got it?”
Sol’s tone was earnest and persuasive.
Instead of eagerly agreeing, Morin felt like it was Sol who was desperately convincing him.
If Sol hadn’t noticed Morin’s innate shooting talent and potential for Observation Haki, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths.
Normally, Sol’s attitude toward teaching matched his business principles: “Take it or leave it. Don’t waste my time.”
Unbeknownst to Sol, what he considered “innate talent” was actually the result of Morin’s grueling training in the Hunter World. His potential for Observation Haki was closely tied to his mastery of Shin-Dip Punch Listening, an ability that granted advanced sensory awareness.
It was this skill that allowed Morin to dodge Arthur’s probing hand earlier, even in his weakened state.
From Sol’s perspective, this was definitive proof of Morin’s aptitude for Observation Haki—a crucial skill for any top-tier sniper.
Without this aptitude, no amount of time spent honing marksmanship would ever allow one to surpass mediocrity.
As for the so-called “innate shooting talent,” it represented an instinctive ability to aim and hit targets, even without prior exposure to firearms.
Such people, when properly trained, were destined for greatness.
“Got it! Got it!”
Morin quickly nodded, not daring to refuse under the circumstances.
After all, learning from Sol didn’t conflict with his future plans for swordsmanship or martial arts.
Plus, it wouldn’t cost him a Hunter Journal slot, and sticking with Sol offered plenty of advantages.
Seeing Morin finally agree, Sol sighed in relief.
Wait… why do I feel relieved?
His lips twitched slightly.
As an experienced pirate, Sol could command respect even aboard Shanks’ ship, where many would eagerly seek his guidance.
Yet here he was, practically begging Morin to accept him as a teacher.
“Fine. For the sake of your talent, I’ll tolerate this,” Sol thought to himself.
He couldn’t help but worry that Morin might stray toward becoming a swordsman, which he considered a waste of potential.
If Sol knew Morin’s real thoughts, he’d likely flip more than just the table.
“All right, get back to work.”
Sol glared at Morin, who immediately grabbed his mop and bucket and fled.
Watching Morin leave, Sol’s mind turned to the visitors from earlier in the day.
“Daring to mess with my people?”
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, a clear sign of his protective nature emerging.
He walked over to a rack of second-hand goods and pulled out a slightly worn flintlock pistol.
After witnessing Morin’s abilities the previous night, Sol’s perception of him had fundamentally changed.
Now that he had taken Morin under his wing, he wouldn’t let some petty thugs threaten him.
Late that night, a single bullet traveled over several kilometers and struck Lagron in the midst of a crowded bar, killing him instantly.
The bar erupted into chaos.
Lagron, a pirate with a bounty of 19 million, had been assassinated without warning.
