As the Roger Pirates began their journey toward the Reverse Mountain, Rayleigh decided that the time had finally come for both Shanks and Shamrock to learn how to fight properly.
He wanted to make sure the two of them had enough skill and confidence to protect themselves whenever the crew became too occupied to watch over them.
Rayleigh trusted the twins, but he also understood how unpredictable the sea could be. If he wanted to avoid any regrets, he needed to train them early.
Rayleigh now stood in front of both Shanks and Shamrock on the deck, each child holding a small wooden sword.
He demonstrated the first movements slowly, showing them how to grip the weapon, how to rotate their shoulders, and how to generate strength through the motion of their legs.
Shanks watched in his usual energetic manner, eyes wide with excitement. Shamrock, however, observed with a deeper understanding.
He paid close attention not only to Rayleigh's form, but also to the subtle behavior of Rayleigh's muscles.
Through his enhanced perception, he could see the tension, the release, and the rotation of every movement with a precision that normal people would never notice.
Rayleigh instructed both of them to mimic his demonstration. He expected to see mistakes and awkward movements that were normal for beginners, but to his surprise, both Shanks and Shamrock recreated the technique with near-perfect accuracy.
Shanks moved with natural talent and enthusiasm. Shamrock executed the motion almost identically to Rayleigh, but with an added sharpness that came from the insights he gained visually.
Rayleigh silently wondered about it. He knew the twins came from a Celestial lineage, specifically from one of the God of Knights he had fought during the God Valley Incident.
Seeing this level of talent made him understand why the Celestials had dominated the world for so many centuries. Even so, he cared more about who the twins were now rather than the history that birthed them.
As the twins grew older, their resemblance to the man with the crescent-shaped hairstyle became more noticeable. Rayleigh recognized it, but he did not let it affect his treatment of them.
Both Shanks and Shamrock carried the philosophy of the Roger Pirates in their hearts. Even during their stops in towns, the two would not steal anything from innocent people. They behaved more like honest travelers than actual pirates.
Rayleigh moved on to teaching more complex movements. Shamrock absorbed them so quickly that he even began creating new variations of techniques, something that left Rayleigh amazed.
Shanks focused on copying everything exactly as Rayleigh taught, and while he did not innovate like Shamrock, he learned at an impressive pace.
Rayleigh decided it was time to gauge their strength through sparring. He wanted to identify their limits so he could adjust the training to match their growth.
The first to step forward was Shanks. He held his wooden sword firmly, while Rayleigh casually held his own with one hand. Rayleigh did not intend to attack, but simply to defend and test Shanks' form.
Shanks rushed forward with pure enthusiasm. Rayleigh dodged, blocked, and parried every strike with minimal effort.
Even though he did not counterattack, Shanks still fell to the ground multiple times because of Rayleigh's precise movements.
Rayleigh used these moments to explain proper foot placement and the importance of grounding one's weight. He also corrected Shanks' guard repeatedly as they moved around the deck.
After thirty minutes of nonstop movement, Shanks dropped to the ground completely exhausted. His body trembled from the effort of constantly swinging his sword.
At the very end of the sparring session, Shanks managed to redirect one of Rayleigh's motions slightly, which Rayleigh considered a small but meaningful achievement.
"Shamrock, you are next," Rayleigh said.
Shamrock rose to his feet, gripping his wooden sword. His expression remained calm, almost too calm. Shamrock always carried a quiet, serene presence.
Roger himself once remarked that Shamrock's presence sometimes felt nonexistent, even when using observation haki.
The only reason they could ever track him as a baby was that Shamrock still breathed faintly. Without that small giveaway, he would have been impossible to sense.
Rayleigh now felt that same faint breath. However, the moment Shamrock raised his sword, that breath disappeared completely.
In that instant, Shamrock vanished from Rayleigh's observation haki. Before Rayleigh could process the disappearance, Shamrock launched forward.
Shamrock struck ten times in an instant, each aimed at a vital area. Rayleigh's instincts, sharpened from years at sea, barely allowed him to react.
He moved his wooden sword automatically to block the rapid attacks. Nine were stopped. One slipped through and hit Rayleigh in the side of his neck.
The strike did not break a bone, but a large bump formed instantly. Rayleigh's eyes widened in shock. Shanks and several crewmembers nearby froze. Shamrock dropped his sword immediately and approached Rayleigh with clear concern.
"I am sorry, Ray-san. Let me help you," Shamrock said. He examined the bump with a calm but focused expression. He made a small incision to relieve the pressure.
The swelling slowly reduced until it returned to its normal size. After that, he cleaned the area and stitched it carefully using the medical supplies from the ship.
"That is amazing, Shamrock," Shanks said as he approached, watching Shamrock work.
"This strength is not meant to be used against friends or allies. I never intended to hurt Ray san," Shamrock said quietly. Rayleigh suddenly began laughing.
"You did not hurt me, young man. This is what happens when someone is caught off guard. I should have warned you both about this from the beginning. Remember this lesson. No matter how strong someone becomes, if their weakness is struck at the right moment, they can fall," Rayleigh said. Shanks and Shamrock listened attentively.
Later that evening, Rayleigh told Roger and Gyaban the entire story. Both were astonished. They also came to the frightening realization that if fate had been even slightly different, the World Government would have raised someone who could become their greatest enemy.
"It seems fate protects pirates after all," Roger said with his usual cheerful tone. He had no idea that Shamrock's existence was shaped not by fate, but by a reincarnated soul guided by a being far stronger than fate itself. Shamrock still had a long way to go before reaching his full potential.