〘 Ding! Host's Trusted Follower Helmeppo's Strength Has Increased, Obtained Corresponding Cultivation Reward! 〙
〘 Reward: Azure Dragon Sword Intent Proficiency +10% | Three Colors of Haki Proficiency +5% | Rokkōgiri Proficiency +10%! 〙
As Helmeppo continued to fly into the sky, Hyaku heard the system's reward notification in his mind.
Just as he had anticipated. After consuming the Ryu Ryu no Mi, the blond youth, though not yet fully adjusted to his new powers, had experienced a noticeable improvement in strength.
Hyaku had successfully harvested this year's reward for cultivating a trusted follower. All his techniques and abilities received significant proficiency boosts.
The system also reminded him that if Coby's strength improved as well, the rewards would be even more substantial.
'I should prioritize Coby's training next.' Hyaku thought to himself after receiving this prompt.
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Time flew by, and morning arrived.
Hyaku and Coby began their daily training regimen.
Having eaten a Devil Fruit, Helmeppo's priority now was mastering transformation and the power that came with it.
This was no small challenge, considering he had spent the entire previous night struggling, only returning to human form when completely exhausted.
Meanwhile, Coby was intensively practicing the Rokushiki technique — Soru (Shave) — under Hyaku's guidance.
"I should also improve my strength a bit." After infiltrating the Foxy Pirates, Hyaku needed to resume his daily sword training regimen.
After setting Coby and Helmeppo to their exercises, he began his own sword practice — a monotonous but necessary process.
Before he knew it, afternoon had arrived.
"998…999…1000!"
In just a few hours, Hyaku completed 1000 sword swings, successfully claiming his reward.
〘 Ding! Host Successfully Swung the Sword 1,000 Times! Reward: Azure Dragon Sword Intent Proficiency +5% | Three Colors of Haki Proficiency +1% | Rokkōgiri Proficiency +5%! 〙
The system's reward notification chimed.
'System panel.' After receiving his reward, Hyaku immediately called up the system panel.
" Supreme Swordsman System "
" Host: Hyaku Shiro "
" Swordsmanship: Basic Swordsmanship "
" Techniques: Rokushiki | Azure Dragon Sword Intent (90%) | Rokkōgiri (45%) | Three Colors of Haki (30%) "
" Weapon: Katana Ryūka (Ryōwazamono) "
" Constitution: A-Grade "
" Items: Pluton Design Blueprint "
The Azure Dragon Sword Intent had, without him noticing, almost reached full proficiency.
The Rokkōgiri had similarly increased to 45% proficiency. Though the Three-Color Haki grew more slowly, it had still risen to 30%.
Hyaku felt confident that with his current strength, if he were to face Kizaru again, he would definitely be able to inflict even more serious damage on the Admiral!
"Report, Captain! The pirates' transport is estimated to be completed by tonight." A marine soldier rushed over to report to Hyaku.
While the trio was training, the soldiers of the 188th Branch hadn't been idle. They had been continuously transporting the pirates in batches, borrowing ships and manpower from nearby branches to assist with the operation.
After a day and a half, most of the pirates had been transported to Impel Down.
"By the way, Captain Hyaku, someone from Marine Headquarters just arrived. He said he wants to meet you in person and also take Gasparde away." The marine soldier continued.
"Meet me?" Hyaku looked puzzled.
He couldn't recall knowing anyone at Marine Headquarters.
"I think the person's name is... Sentomaru!" The marine soldier added.
Sentomaru? Him?
Hearing this familiar name, the man's image immediately flashed through Hyaku's mind.
Sentomaru was the captain of the Marines' Science Unit and also Kizaru's subordinate.
Hyaku had guessed that Marine Headquarters would send someone to take Gasparde away, but he hadn't expected it to be Sentomaru. Why would the captain of the Science Unit meddle in pirate transport?
"Let's go, take me to see him." Hyaku instructed his subordinate, curious about the unexpected visitor.
Led by his subordinate, he arrived at the shore where a large number of ships from the 188th Branch were docked. Most of the pirates were temporarily confined on these battleships.
Whoosh!
As soon as Hyaku arrived, a piercing sound of cutting wind came from one of the battleships.
Thud!!
Then, a bulky, slightly plump figure descended from the sky, appearing before Hyaku.
The newcomer had a robust build, with a sturdy physique like a sumo wrestler. He had a noticeable scar below his left eye. Barefoot and wearing a red loincloth, he carried a giant axe on his shoulder.
It was Sentomaru!
"Are you Hyaku?" After landing, Sentomaru sized the man in front of him up and down.
Afterward, he seemed somewhat disappointed. Hyaku looked too ordinary.
Apart from the powerful katana that didn't match his build, nothing else attracted Sentomaru's attention.
"I am." Unaware of Sentomaru's thoughts, Hyaku nodded in response.
Thud!
As soon as the words left his mouth, Sentomaru suddenly exerted force with both feet. With one explosive step, he lunged forward with a burst of speed completely at odds with his bulky build, charging toward Hyaku.
In an instant, he had reached Hyaku's position.
Without warning, Sentomaru swung the giant axe from his shoulder. Like splitting a mountain, he brought the axe down toward Hyaku's head.
Whoosh!
Before the axe had fully descended, waves of cutting wind sounded. This revealed the tremendous power contained in Sentomaru's strike.
Seeing this unprovoked attack, Hyaku's eyebrows slightly raised. He immediately drew Ryūka.
As the giant axe came down, he held his sword with both hands to parry.
Clang!
Boom!!
The giant axe struck the katana's blade. A piercing sound of metal collision, accompanied by intense sparks, rang out.
Then, the power contained in the giant axe fully erupted. The powerful force shook the ground where Hyaku stood. It cracked inch by inch, covered in fissures. A cloud of dust rose.
"Hmm?"
A moment later, as the dust gradually settled, Hyaku's figure was revealed.
He stood firmly, both hands gripping his sword as its blade successfully blocked Sentomaru's giant axe. He had withstood the powerful strike without yielding!
Sentomaru let out a surprised "hmm". Clearly, he hadn't expected this seemingly thin man to block his axe with such ease.
"My turn now," Hyaku said, his lips curling into a battle-ready smile.
Regardless of why Sentomaru had attacked him, it would be impolite not to return the favor.
He naturally had to strike back!
Crack!
With a sharp sound, Hyaku tightened his grip on the sword handle and tilted the blade slightly.
As the giant axe slid down the angled blade, he applied sudden force. With a powerful grip, he flicked his sword upward.
Clang!
The giant axe was deflected with that single, precise movement.
✣ Rokushiki: Soru ⭄ Shave! ✣
Whoosh!
In that same instant, Hyaku vanished from where he stood.
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T/N: Favorite, comment and save to your library of best reads in the world, thank you for reading this far!
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