Gawain ordered the shipwrights to hide the ship, turning it into a temporary base. He then led his crew to a clearing on the island, organizing them into groups.
Soon, he began teaching them the basics of swordsmanship.
From proper grip and stance to generating force, blocking attacks, and striking efficiently…
Some held real swords, others wooden sticks, but all were intensely focused, showing an unprecedented fervor.
They absorbed every move with utmost seriousness.
Their dedication made Gawain wonder if they were a bit too simple-minded.
But in truth, to them, his words were like gospel—something he hadn't quite realized.
Still, this worked in his favor.
Time passed, the sun sank, and the moon rose.
Yet the crew showed no signs of exhaustion. It wasn't until late at night that they reluctantly set down their swords and sticks.
"Huh? I trained all day, but I'm not as tired as I expected."
"An illusion, maybe?"
"No, I feel it too. My stamina's better than before. Normally, I'd be too worn out to speak after this much exercise, but now my legs are just a bit wobbly."
"Miraculous!"
"Maybe our hard work moved the heavens?"
"Hah, the heavens sit in Mariejois. You think they'd bless you? They're more likely to double the Celestial Gold."
…
The crew chattered, dismissing the topic as a side effect of their intense training.
Gawain, however, knew better. This was likely the effect of the Captain's Wrath badge.
A 20% boost to stamina recovery applied even during training.
In other words, it was like a 20% reduction in stamina drain during training and a 20% boost to recovery during rest.
A double benefit!
But Gawain's focus wasn't on the badge. It was on the system panel:
Swordsmanship - LV 4: 431/800 → Swordsmanship - LV 4: 453/800 Physique - LV 3: 357/400 → Physique - LV 3: 384/400
In just one day, the crew's training had boosted his swordsmanship experience by 22 points and physique by 27.
Per person, that was barely a fraction of a point daily.
For an ordinary person to reach Gawain's current swordsmanship level, decades of relentless training would be needed—an almost impossible feat.
In stark contrast were figures like Zoro and Sanji.
In just two or three years, they'd grown to near world-class levels. Battles accelerated growth, but their absurd talent was the real factor.
In this world, the gap in natural talent was magnified without limit.
Gawain's current body wasn't that of a prodigy—just a cut above these ordinary pirates.
But with the system's efficiency, after a month, both skills could gain seven or eight hundred points. Swordsmanship would definitely hit LV 5, and with effort, physique might too.
"I wonder how much LV 5 swordsmanship and physique will boost my strength."
"According to the system, every five levels is a milestone, shaping my future path."
Gawain muttered to himself.
A crewmate approached, offering fish and wild fruit gathered from the island.
The island's resources were decent—wild fruits were plentiful, edible roots abundant, and fish from the sea ensured months of sustenance for over a hundred men.
Gawain took the food, biting into the fish. It was dry, tough, and fishy—far from delicious—but in this situation, there was no room to complain.
For these lowborn pirates, this was a rare treat, packed with protein and carbs to fuel their training.
…
Half a month passed.
Gawain continued guiding the crew's training. Their initial excitement had settled into a steady routine, but their progress was undeniable.
From complete novices in swordsmanship, they'd become competent apprentices.
"This sword feels different now—like an extension of my arm. I could take on ten of my old selves!"
"Keep dreaming."
"But seriously, I feel my growth. And don't forget—this is all because of the captain!"
"Exactly. After the Lancer incident, the captain's changed. Not just his attitude, but how he leads us. This is the captain who can make us stronger!"
…
Gawain watched from a distance, a slight smile on his lips.
If they kept improving at this rate, they might not reach officer-level strength, but with swords in hand, they could hold their own in the East Blue.
He hadn't misled them.
In this world, only the strong had the right to stand tall. The weak could only grovel for mercy.
"Captain, I hurt my arm. Can I take a couple of days off?"
A pirate in a white cap approached apologetically, clutching a swollen arm, frustration on his face.
Gawain recognized him—Jamila, who joined six months ago, one of the few honest men on the crew. He didn't press, just patted his shoulder.
"Rest for a few days. Don't push yourself and risk permanent injury."
"Got it."
Jamila nodded gratefully, a fleeting coldness in his eyes as he turned toward the ship.
Watching him go, Gawain frowned.
Was it his imagination, or had he seen a seagull-shaped pendant on Jamila's chest?
Shaking it off, Gawain found a quiet spot and opened the system panel.
Over the past half-month, his physique had reached LV 4, bringing massive changes.
Speed and strength had increased by at least 30%, stamina and endurance by nearly 50%, and even bone and muscle density had noticeably improved.
His body hadn't bulked up, remaining a lean, over-two-meter frame—slim when clothed, muscular when not.
His wounds had healed, and his resilience had surged. Facing Axe-Hand Morgan's axe again, he wouldn't shrug it off, but he'd fare far better than before.
Today, his swordsmanship was on the verge of LV 5.
Per the system, this was a qualitative leap, promising unexpected gains.
The crew's training ended, and Gawain reaped 24 swordsmanship points and 30 physique points.
Swordsmanship - LV 4: 793/800 → Swordsmanship - LV 5: 17/1600
Instantly, a new sensation surged through his hand. The sword no longer felt like a mere object but an extension of his body.
Countless insights into swordsmanship and complex techniques flashed before him, instantly comprehended and ready for battle.
"This…"
Gawain instinctively swung his sword at a nearby stone wall.
Shing!
With a crisp sound, a ten-meter-wide rock split cleanly in half, its cut smooth as a mirror.
Gawain's eyes widened.
"This is incredible!"
"Just one level makes this much difference?"
"LV 4 swordsmanship could cut stone, but not like this!"
"With this swordsmanship, my combat strength has at least doubled. Combined with my improved physique, I'm three times stronger than when I arrived!"
"Against Morgan now, I'm confident I could take him down in three moves!"
Recalling his fight with Morgan, Gawain made this assessment.
Then, the familiar system prompt sounded again:
"Host's swordsmanship has reached LV 5. Choose one of the following branch abilities:"
Iron Cutting Flying Slash Godspeed
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