He continued to describe his abilities, and, not knowing the exact limitations for people like Sentomaru, he somewhat exaggerated, claiming he had already "mastered" two of the Six Powers.
In the end, he completely captured Vegapunk's attention, but he was surprised by the old scientist's next question.
"And what do you think is the most important task in Purchasing?"
Half-jokingly, half-seriously, Bill replied, "Probably money," and then, realizing what he'd said, tried to smooth over the situation with a quiet laugh, "hahaha."
This remark did not draw condemnation; instead, Vegapunk simply responded, "Yes, that's correct... We will soon see you in that position."
Stunned but excited, Bill felt as if a small joke had made him the apprentice of the world's most outstanding scientist.
"Duck!"
Boom! The young man fell beneath the ship's railing, grabbing two nearby men and dragging them under cover, saving them from the barrage of cannonballs.
Shielding his eyes from the flying debris, he looked around to see who was nearby.
On either side of him were two artillerymen, each holding a musket.
These people would be invaluable in the upcoming battle, but the young man needed a clear field to take a shot and destroy the pirate cannon.
As he glanced around, he still remained under cover but saw who he was looking for.
Between the cannonballs ripping across the deck, the crew's culinary specialist dashed. She was in a black apron, with her light chestnut hair tucked under a net.
"Fia!The young man called out, and as she looked at him, he waved his hand.
Narrowing her eyes, the girl seemed to blend into the surroundings, then appeared in front of the young man.
"Rance! Why didn't you go over there and stop them!?"
As she spoke, the pirate ship fired another round, this time sending chains that tore through the ship's sails, loosening some of the rigging.
Amid the sound of snapping ropes, Rance looked up and shouted, "The Captain didn't give the order!"
Hearing this, the cook looked indignant and with two loops forming on her wrists, she stood up and fired two cannonball-sized shots at the large pirate ship.
Seeing his friend make her move, Rance could only shout, "Watch out!" before he quickly pulled her back down.
Fia: "Whoa!"
As the Human Cannon, Fia's body was bronze-like, making it sturdy but not completely impervious to musket bullets — let alone cannonballs.
Rance: "Don't reveal your ability! Wait for the order to attack!"
Having said this, Rance drew his pistol and crouched as the Marines' ship fired its first volley, and in the moment the order to attack was given, he recalled his last year in the Marines.
It wasn't exactly how he had imagined it.
In Rance's mind, the Marines were supposed to be like those hero sheriffs he read about as a child. Those guys who were always clever, smart, and protected justice were his idols.
He thought they were all like Commodore Aramaki and Captain Trapano, but he soon realized that wasn't the case.
Since he and Fia finished their service as junior sailors, they had been assigned from one ship to another.
His file indicated that he had mastered several Six Powers techniques, and his partner of the duo possessed a combat Devil Fruit.
Therefore, despite officially being a carpenter and she a cook, they were sent to the toughest places in the eastern part of the South Blue Sea.
Patrolling around the Red Line for the last year and a half, Rance discovered that every high-ranking officer was imperfect in some way. Some were too passive, almost scared of the sea, while others were reckless braggarts boasting of great abilities they clearly didn't have.
If there was one thing Rance couldn't complain about, it was that these senior officers weren't sting