The pirates remained silent, their attitude unmistakably clear.
"Joined the Rocks Pirates. Mission completed successfully!"
"Rewards: Great Swordsman's Enlightenment on the Way of the Sword, Complete Encyclopedia of Swordsmanship, and One Thousand and One Nights of the Supreme Great Sword!"
"Rewards have been automatically granted to the host. The weapon has been stored in the inventory."
As soon as Rocks finished speaking, Yuno couldn't help but smile—the crisp chime of the system prompt rang in his ears.
Insights into kendo and a complete understanding of sword techniques seamlessly merged into his mind. His body, tempered through countless trials and tribulations, had already developed formidable muscle memory.
This mission's reward directly addressed a critical gap in his abilities. After all, a true powerhouse excels beyond the reach of ordinary people in every aspect.
Currently, he knew nothing about physical techniques or the three-color Conqueror's Haki—but his mastery of the Blue Lotus Earth Core Fire and the swordsmanship of a great swordsman placed him among the strongest forces on the seas.
Even when facing cadres, he felt no fear!
At this moment, Yuno had fully integrated the great swordsman's insights into his being.
His entire demeanor had subtly shifted, giving off a completely different aura than before—sharp, focused, and unmistakably dangerous.
The edge of his sword was faintly revealed, like a blade barely sheathed.
"What about becoming a cadre?"
Yuno snapped back to the present and fixed his gaze on Rocks, speaking calmly.
It would be best to become a cadre right away—saving himself a great deal of trouble down the line.
"Hahahaha! Your current strength is nearly on par with a cadre's. With your talent, you'll likely reach that level in no time."
Rocks chuckled and explained patiently.
"However, becoming a cadre requires more than just strength. You must also make significant contributions to the crew. Only when your abilities are recognized by existing cadres—and your contributions deemed sufficient—can you earn that title."
Yuno wasn't just young, talented, and powerful—he was also fiercely ambitious.
Rocks believed that, in a few years, the Rocks Pirates would gain another legendary pirate captain.
"For now, you'll serve as a captain!"
"Go outside and choose your crew."
After a brief pause, Rocks assigned Yuno the rank of captain.
"Boy, come aboard my ship," Ganzui called out immediately. "The crew and treasures of the captain you killed are now yours."
Ganzui had already set his sights on Yuno.
Two of his captains—Freeman and the Musketeer—had been slain, and his fleet desperately needed reinforcements at the captain level. If Yuno joined another faction, his own strength would suffer even more.
He spoke first, taking the initiative—and offering the crews and spoils left behind by the two fallen captains. Surely, Yuno wouldn't refuse such an opportunity.
"No. I have no intention of joining any fleet for now."
Yuno glanced at Ganzui with a calm expression.
Honestly, there was absolutely no need.
Maybe tomorrow, if he felt like it, he'd just kill a few more enemies, claim their treasures, and get promoted to cadre on the spot.
"Boy… are you rejecting me?"
Ganzui hadn't expected such a blunt refusal. His eyes narrowed, his tone turning hostile.
"Do you even understand what's being offered?
Your subordinates were useless—and you still expect me to be under you?!
If I kill a captain, do I become one under you?
If I kill you, can I become a cadre?!"
Yuno frowned slightly. Ganzui's words made him deeply unhappy.
"It's my freedom to join or not—but you're actually threatening me?"
"I'm not afraid of you! I'll kill you!"
"Ah, such arrogance!" Ganzui sneered. "With just a little strength, you don't even know how high the sky is. I'll make you understand—you're nothing before me!"
Fury blazed in Ganzui's eyes, and murderous intent surged from his gaze like a storm.
A heavy aura, as oppressive as a mountain, crashed down toward Yuno.
This Yuno is so arrogant—he doesn't even give me face in front of everyone!
Yuno felt the icy chill of that killing intent, yet remained calm and composed.
With the strength of a great swordsman, he knew that if a fight truly broke out, he would hold the upper hand—at the very least.
Rumble!
Ganzui hurled the giant sword in his hand with tremendous force—then immediately launched himself forward in its wake.
Even Rocks D. Xebec, standing nearby, made no move to intervene; he too wanted to see just how strong Yuno really was.
The giant sword tore through the air like a rampaging beast, unstoppable and fierce.
Sword energy coiled tightly around its blade, sharp enough to shred the very air in its path.
Yet none of it stirred even a ripple in Yuno's heart.
Facing Ganzui's ferocious assault, Yuno stood unmoved.
Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire flowed from his right hand, spreading outward in a controlled surge. Upon closer inspection, the flames had already taken the shape of a longsword.
His true intent, however, was to discreetly draw his weapon from storage—without revealing his method.
As the azure flames dissipated, they revealed a jet-black, slender, and razor-sharp blade.
One of the Twelve Supreme Swords.
One Thousand and One Nights—
the progenitor of all black blades!
"Hiss… Good heavens! That sharpness—it surpasses even my swords! Could this be a Supreme Great Blade!?"
"Is this kid really a swordsman?"
"Gulala… His blade is no worse than my Kusakumo-Shariki."
Among the assembled cadres, Golden Lion and Whitebeard were the most vocal.
The others—including Rocks—watched in silence.
Whoosh!
Yuno moved with swift precision. In one fluid motion, he raised his blade and thrust straight forward.
Steadily, the tip of his sword met the oncoming giant blade—and halted it dead in its tracks. Sparks erupted, and grinding friction filled the air.
With a flick of his wrist, Yuno sent a sharp current of sword energy racing down the length of his blade, converging at its tip.
Click!
The sword energy Ganzui had condensed onto his giant sword shattered instantly—torn apart like brittle glass.
The collision of their opposing energies unleashed an invisible shockwave that radiated outward from the island's center, churning the surrounding sea into violent waves.
Ganzui, flung backward by the impact, snatched his giant sword midair. Using the recoil of the wind current, he twisted his body sideways and brought the blade crashing down once more.
Even before the strike landed, Yuno felt the crushing weight of a mountain bearing down on him.
But in that instant, a piercing sword intent erupted from his body—shattering the pressure like paper.
The energy then coalesced, transformed, and soared into the sky.
"Thirty-Six Winds of Troubles!"
Hovering above, Yuno slashed downward in a single, devastating motion.
Thirty-six arcs of sword energy burst forth—dense, relentless, and chaotic as a storm—sweeping toward Ganzui below.