The captain's name was Sean. He hailed from the South Blue. His family had once been wealthy merchants, living a life of comfort and prosperity. But one day, their ship was attacked by pirates, and his entire family was slaughtered. Sean had narrowly escaped by hiding in a cellar. Using the wealth his father had left behind, he sought out a dojo and trained in the sword arts.
He worked harder than anyone else and eventually surpassed even the dojo master. After reaching adulthood, disillusioned with the Marines' failure to protect his family, Sean became a bounty hunter. He wandered the seas, tracking down the pirates who killed his parents. Along the way, he met the companions who now traveled with him. After killing a corrupt Marine who extorted and oppressed civilians, he was declared a wanted man. So he founded his pirate crew — the Scythe Demon Pirates (which means "Grim Reaper").
After years of searching, Sean discovered that the pirates responsible had long since left the South Blue and entered the Grand Line. Since then, he's been making all kinds of preparations to follow them — including this trip to uncover a treasure marked on a map his parents left behind.
Clutching the sword at his side, Sean — now a pirate with a 33 million bounty and a swordmaster to boot — strode confidently into the forest, choosing a direction at random.
The island was small, and tiny compared to other islands. Besides trees, it hosted only a few insects and birds — not even a single reptile. The crew searched the entire island quickly. Aside from a few unfamiliar fruits and medicinal herbs, they found nothing.
Vexi frowned. "Captain, it's been so many years. The island's changed so much — who's to say the treasure wasn't taken or destroyed long ago? This place is tiny, and we've searched it thoroughly. I think it's time to give up."
Takli, too, had lost his earlier enthusiasm. "I agree with Vexi. This barren dump has nothing. Let's go find a real island to resupply before heading for the Grand Line."
Dory said nothing, but his silence was agreement enough. Rom was still grinning dumbly as if he agreed with whatever happened.
Even Sean was beginning to think the treasure might be gone. After all, it had been so many years. The odds weren't in their favor. "Alright," he said at last. "If you all feel that way, I agree. Let's leave this place."
"Yes, Captain!" the crew responded, running back to the ship to prepare for departure.
Sean stood at the prow of the ship, staring at the island in quiet disappointment. He hadn't expected to leave empty-handed. He sighed.
"What's meant to be mine will come. What's not, no matter how I try, I'll never get."
He laughed bitterly and closed his eyes. Gripping his trusty blade — a fine-grade sword called Moonlight — he centered his thoughts. The world around him grew still. His consciousness focused entirely on the blade.
Time seemed to slow. Or speed up. It was hard to say. Then, suddenly, he opened his eyes — a gleam of cold light flashing within them.
"With gain comes loss. Letting go allows more to come. Cause and effect — this is the way. Hahaha! So this… this is my sword path! I understand! I've seen the truth!
All are affected. All things are the cause. With cause comes effect. I shall command causality.
From now on, I shall sever all, disrupt all effect!
This is… Cut Cause, Shatter Effect!"
As he spoke, a blade aura several dozen meters long exploded from his sword, carving a deep scar into the island, stirring waves and shaking the sea. It took quite a while for the tremors to settle.
"Captain, your strength has advanced again! Haha! This will help us survive the Grand Line for sure!"
The others rushed over, drawn by the shockwave. Seeing the massive scar and their captain sheathing his sword, they cheered.
"Haha! Brothers, let's throw a feast tonight to celebrate the captain's breakthrough!" Rom shouted, waving his spatula.
"Oh!! Feast time!" the others echoed, laughing joyfully.
Vexi wandered to the prow and looked at the long, wide gash in the earth. She was shocked — no way could she do something like this. She knew she'd need to train harder to keep up with the captain.
Takli and Dory were thinking the same. Rom was more of a cheerful, slightly stronger-than-average cook — not combat-capable, but reliable.
Just as Vexi was about to return and pack up the sails, something glinted in the sunlight. Her long legs helped her spot a shining object nestled in the scar Sean had just cut.
"Hey! Over there! Something's glowing! It looks like metal — come take a look!"
The others rushed over. Sean's eyes narrowed as he saw the gleam — his instincts as a swordsman told him: that's a sword. Excited, he leaped off the ship and dashed toward it.
Xie Dao was dazed. I just fell asleep — why do I feel like I got hit? It didn't hurt, but the feeling of getting launched sucked.
But then — he realized he was standing.
Looking around expectantly, all he saw was… dirt. More dirt. And more dirt.
Can I get a break already?!
Suddenly, a shadow passed in front of him. Then — he was lifted into the air! A man's excited face filled his vision.
"Holy sh*t, it's a person! Finally, someone found me! Hahaha!
Wait—hey! Stop touching me! No! Not there! Noooo~!"
After a long session of "manhandling," Xie Dao was emotionally devastated.
"My innocence... it's gone
Men are the worst! All men are scum!
…Wait. That includes me. Ahem — all men but me are scum. That's better. (^o^)/"
Sean had no idea the sword he was holding contained a soul cursing him out. He gazed at the blade in awe. As the son of a wealthy merchant, he knew rare items. This sword — blood-red gleam, faint glow, icy blue hilt, murderous edge — was unmistakable:
One of the 12 Supreme Grade Blades: Blood Pursuer.
So there was a treasure!
"Haha! Heaven favors me! A breakthrough in power AND a Supreme Grade Blade? The Grand Line can't stop me now!"
Drunk on power, Sean gripped Blood Pursuer and tested its sharpness. He raised Moonlight, his old blade, and struck.
Ding~!
A mournful cry echoed as Moonlight cracked. Wisps of colorless gas were instantly absorbed by Blood Pursuer — unnoticed by Sean. And then —
Crack!
Moonlight shattered.
Sean didn't grieve — he laughed wildly, fondling Blood Pursuer like a treasure. His confidence soared. He felt like the king of the world — careless, arrogant, reckless.
But then, a cool sensation spread from the sword into his heart. He calmed instantly, snapped awake, and broke out in a cold sweat. What was I thinking?!
He wasn't some ignorant pirate. He knew about the Warlords, the Yonko, the Admirals. This world was terrifying. If he lost control like that again, he'd be dead.
So he forced himself calm, still excited but much more stable. Just then, the others arrived and saw the shattered Moonlight on the ground and the gleaming Blood Pursuer in Sean's hand.
"What happened, Captain?" Vexi asked.
Sean raised Blood Pursuer high. "I found it! This treasure — one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades: Blood Pursuer! Look at Moonlight — one strike, and it shattered!"
"Nani!!!"
Everyone was stunned — their eyes nearly popped out (as is common in One Piece logic).
"Supreme Grade Blade?! That's a real treasure," Dory exclaimed, trembling with excitement.
"Congrats, Captain! With that sword, the Grand Line will be no problem!" Takli laughed loudly.
Rom and Vexi joined in the celebration.
"For the captain's breakthrough and the Supreme Blade — feast tonight!"
"Oh! Feast time!"
They returned to the ship and plotted a new course: Mellow Town — the last stop before the Grand Line, like Loguetown.
Rom made a massive feast — meats, drinks, laughter, cheer.
But Xie Dao was miserable.
"How many times did he touch me?! Rubbed me, polished me... It was awful! AWFUL! AWFUL!!!"
Trying to distract himself, he checked his status panel — and was stunned:
Name: Xie Dao
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Identity: Traveler
Transmigration Form: One of the 12 Supreme Grade Blades – Blood Pursuer
Skills: None
Hardness: S + 1 (1/100)
Sharpness: SS + 0.5 (0.5/1000)
Main Quest: Become the world's fastest blade
Reward: Return home with skills
Side Quest: Find your first wielder
Reward: Skill Storage
Eligible Wielders: Sean, Vexi, Takli, Rom, Dory
Selection: Choose freely
Xie Dao's eyes lit up — he could complete the first side quest!
"I choose Sean!"
Why Sean?
Vexi wore spiked heels.
Takli had long arms — not ideal for sword use.
Dory used guns.
Rom? A goofy cook? Yeah, no.
Sean was the only halfway normal choice — even if he was annoying.
"Binding successful. The side quest is complete. Reward granted."
"Skill Storage activated. Skill saved."
"Second side quest issued: First Slash."
"Objective: Break another sword."
"Reward: Self-Control."
"Note: As a Supreme Blade, your debut must be marked by shattering another sword."
"Target already destroyed: Fine Grade Blade 'Moonlight.' Quest complete."
"Reward granted."
"Third side quest issued: First Blood."
"Objective: Kill a person."
"Reward: Mind Communication."
"Note: A noble blade like you must claim blood in your debut."
Xie Dao was stunned by the messages — then delighted. His status had changed again:
Name: Xie Dao
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Identity: Traveler
Form: Supreme Blade – Blood Pursuer
Skills:
Skill Storage
Self-Control
Cut Cause, Shatter Effect
Causality Slash
Iaido Slash
Blade Dance
Demon Blade
Intermediate Swordsmanship (1/1000)
Hardness: S + 1 (1/100)
Sharpness: SS + 0.5 (0.5/1000)
Side Quest: First Blood
Reward: Mind Communication
Xie Dao stared in disbelief. "Holy crap. That's insane. Look at all these skills!"
Checking the descriptions:
Skill Storage: Gain all skills of the bound wielder.
Self-Control: Temporarily move your own body. Flight time: 30 minutes.
"These side quest rewards are amazing!"
He tried flying — shakily, but he moved! Giddy with excitement, he zipped around — luckily, the crew was passed out drunk and didn't see him, or they'd have thought it was haunted.
After some fun, Xie Dao floated back.
"It's not that I don't want to leave, but a flying sword would probably get caught and auctioned off. Or dissected for research. You better stick with Sean for now. I don't even know what year it is. No clue where I'd go anyway."
He floated up to the ship's lookout point, gazing at the starry sky. Thinking about everything he'd been through…
Forget it. The more I think, the angrier I get.
Better just go to sleep...
Let me know if you want Chapter 3 translated next!