One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

"Uncle Wright!"

Early in the morning, three little brats arrived punctually at their usual spot, eager for today's lesson.

After weeks of training, especially for Ace and Sabo, they deeply understood just how invaluable Wright's lessons were. In just two months, their progress far surpassed what they could achieve in a whole year of haphazard self-training!

Opportunities like this were rare, and they knew Wright couldn't teach them forever.

"All right, today will be the last lesson I'll give you." Wright spoke as he straightened his perfectly tailored suit, his clean and pristine appearance unchanged despite the rugged environment of Dawn Island. "Tomorrow, I'll set off back to Marine Headquarters."

The boys looked dejected. Even the rebellious Ace couldn't deny that Wright had taught them with genuine care, not simply fulfilling an obligation because of orders from their grandfather, Garp.

"Let me reiterate one thing," Wright said solemnly. "Garp hopes you'll grow into fine marines, but the path you choose is up to you. Once you've made your decision, walk it with conviction!"

Looking at the three sitting obediently, Wright couldn't help but sigh inwardly at the fates awaiting them. Continuing, he said, "No matter what you become in the future, I hope you hold firm to one principle: never do evil!

"As marines, you'll uphold justice and fight against wrongdoing. But even if you become pirates, you must never harm the innocent. There's a difference between setting sail for your dreams and pursuing wealth, fame, or power at the expense of others."

"Otherwise," Wright's gaze sharpened, his tone icy, "I will personally take you down. Not even Garp can stop me."

The boys, affected by Wright's serious demeanor, nodded firmly.

"We'll become free people and never turn into villains!"

Wright chuckled. Whether or not they become villains wasn't solely up to them. But knowing they could differentiate between right and wrong was enough.

"These past weeks, you've likely felt the benefits of basic physical training," Wright said, guiding their thoughts back to the lesson. "Advanced combat techniques are still too early for you. Your bodies aren't fully developed yet. Attempting them now would do more harm than good.

"For today's final lesson, I'll teach you about survival at sea and basic navigation. Especially you, Luffy!" Wright's stern look turned to the youngest. "As a landlubber, you'd better pay close attention!

"Most powerful individuals still rely on land for battles, and you're no exception. If you don't understand navigation and end up in a shipwreck, there'll be no dreams to talk about!"

"Ehehe…" The boys scratched their heads in unison, clearly clueless.

The bittersweet lesson soon came to an end. Before parting, Wright cautioned them, "Without my supervision, you mustn't train at this intensity. Always leave some energy for recovery—it's essential for survival in the wilderness!"

"Yes, Uncle Wright!"

"Uncle Wright… can't you stay a few more days?" Luffy, the youngest, whimpered, his voice heavy with emotion. "I'll be all alone again…"

"Idiot." Wright pinched Luffy's cheek, stretching it comically. "What do you mean, alone? Don't you have them?"

He gestured toward Ace and Sabo, who also showed reluctance but remained silent. "They're your brothers. You're not alone."

"Mm!" Luffy nodded vigorously, understanding the sentiment. "I'm not alone!"

"Honestly, I can't stand crybabies," Ace muttered, scratching his nose to hide his own emotions. "But since you've been working hard in training, I'll look out for you."

"Haha… Ace, Luffy's still young. When he's your age, he won't cry as much!" Sabo teased.

"By then, I'll be even older!" Ace retorted, puffing up arrogantly.

"All right, before I leave, I have a gift for you…" Wright clapped his hands, drawing their attention. He took out three golden Lightforged Beacon Crystals and placed them before them.

"Whoa, so pretty!"

Even Sabo, with his noble upbringing, was mesmerized by the crystals' radiant beauty.

"These are Lightforged Beacon Crystals I crafted myself. In life-threatening situations, they'll keep you alive long enough for help to arrive. Additionally, when someone holding a crystal approaches another, the crystals will resonate and glow.

"If you don't become pirates, these crystals can help you gain protection from the marines if needed.

"But if you do become pirates…" Wright's eyes gleamed with a flash of gold. "When you meet someone who makes the crystals resonate, at least they won't kill you outright."

Ace and Sabo quickly realized the significance of the gift: Wright was giving them a lifeline.

"Uncle Wright!" Ace and Sabo exchanged a glance before pulling a still-distracted Luffy into a bow. "We'll never forget your teachings!"

"Now go." Wright turned and disappeared into the forest depths. "If fate allows, we'll meet again. Good luck."

After parting ways, Sabo insisted on returning to his hideout in Gray Terminal. Wright's departure left an inexplicable void in his heart, as though he'd missed something important.

"Rest up… Tomorrow's training will be tougher without Uncle Wright's help."

Removing his top hat to prepare for sleep, Sabo noticed something tucked inside.

"A letter?" He frowned. How had it gotten there without him knowing? The "S" marked on it confirmed it was meant for him.

"Let's see." Sabo opened the letter, using the last rays of sunlight to read.

"Kid, you can read this, right? After all, among you three brats, you're the only literate one."

The opening line made Sabo's heart skip a beat. "Uncle Wright? But… how does he know I can read?"

"There's something I need to tell you—and only you. What you read here stays with you. Burn or eat this letter after reading."

Sabo, sensing the weight of the letter, continued reading, his eyes widening in shock.

"Sabo of the Outlook family, yes, I know who you are. Don't be surprised. As Garp's grandson's friend, you're different from ordinary orphans. I had to investigate.

"Interestingly, there's a peculiar coincidence—Outlook, a name I abandoned twelve years ago, now appears before me again!"

Sabo felt like his heart was about to leap out of his chest.

"Yes, it's surprising, isn't it? I, Wright Outlook, am the younger brother of your father, Outlook III—the uncle who ran away from home twelve years ago. Isn't fate amusing?

"I found out too late to do much for you. You'll have to rely on yourself moving forward. But know this: you have a relative who supports you, your ideas, and your decisions—and who's already pursuing his own path.

"So ignore what the nobles say and follow your own beliefs without hesitation.

"That's all. Keep this to yourself. Don't tell anyone—not Ace, not Luffy.

"Until we meet again, my dear nephew… good luck."

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