[Ding! Confidant Beru Meber's strength has improved. Host receives corresponding training rewards.]
[Rewards received: Azure Dragon Sword Intent Proficiency +10%, Haki (Three-Color) Proficiency +5%]
[Ju·Liulian Proficiency +10%]
As Beru Meber soared through the sky, the system's familiar prompt echoed in Bai Yu's mind.
Just as Bai Yu had anticipated.
Though Beru Meber was still adapting to the Dragon-Dragon Fruit, model: Azure Dragon, his strength had significantly improved from prior days. This growth, in turn, triggered the system's loyal-companion training bonus.
All related techniques and abilities had experienced a noticeable rise in proficiency.
The system also included a note: should Koby's strength improve as well, the future rewards would be even more generous.
> "Next up—Koby's training," Bai Yu mused, making mental plans for the day.
---
By the following morning, the trio had already resumed their rigorous training routine.
For Beru Meber, whose body was still adjusting to the Zoan Mythical-class Devil Fruit, the immediate goal was simple: master the transformations and the immense power of his hybrid and full-dragon forms. He had spent the entire night testing his limits, reverting to human form only after sheer exhaustion.
Meanwhile, Koby's focus was on the Six Powers—specifically the Soru technique, a high-speed movement skill that was foundational to elite Marine combatants. Bai Yu personally demonstrated and corrected his form.
> "Time to resume my own training."
Due to his prior infiltration mission into the Foxy Pirates, Bai Yu had suspended his regular sword practice.
Now that everything had stabilized, he resumed his daily sword swings, each repetition aimed at perfecting his form.
The process was repetitive—monotonous, even—but Bai Yu endured it with determination.
By the time the sun reached its peak, he was already on his final reps.
> "998… 999… 1000!"
With the final swing, a crisp notification sounded.
[Ding! Host has completed 1,000 sword swings. Reward granted: Azure Dragon Sword Intent Proficiency +5%, Haki (Three-Color) Proficiency +1%]
[Ju·Liulian Proficiency +5%]
> "System Panel."
Bai Yu summoned his stat window to confirm the gains.
---
The Strongest Swordsman System
Host: Bai Yu
Swordsmanship: Basic Swordsmanship
Skills: Six Powers, Azure Dragon Sword Intent (90%), Ju·Liulian (45%)
Weapon: Dragon Flame Blade (Fast Sword Class)
Physique: Grade A
Haki:
Armament Haki: 30%
Observation Haki: 30%
Conqueror's Haki: 30%
Items: Pluton Blueprint
---
Unknowingly, Bai Yu had pushed his Azure Dragon Sword Intent to nearly full mastery.
His technique, Ju·Liulian—a powerful multi-strike sword skill—had climbed to 45%.
Though the growth in Haki was slower, each type had reached 30%, a balanced and formidable threshold. Bai Yu believed that with his current strength, if he were to confront Borsalino—the Admiral Kizaru—again, he could inflict far greater damage than before.
> "Colonel Bai Yu!"
A Marine ran over hastily.
> "The last batch of pirates should be fully processed tonight!"
While Bai Yu and his companions were immersed in training, the soldiers of the 188th Branch were relentlessly escorting pirates in groups—some with assistance from neighboring branches.
In the last 36 hours, nearly all the captured pirates had been successfully locked away in city prisons or held on transport ships.
> "Oh, and Colonel," the soldier added, "someone from Marine Headquarters just arrived. He says he wants to see you in person… and he's here to take custody of Gasparde."
> "See me?"
Bai Yu raised an eyebrow. He didn't recall anyone from Marine HQ who would take special interest in him.
> "He called himself… Sentomaru!"
> "Sentomaru?"
That name struck a chord.
Sentomaru—the head of the Marines' Science Unit and subordinate of Admiral Kizaru.
So they sent him?
Though Bai Yu had expected that Gasparde, being a former bounty hunter turned pirate with special connections, might attract HQ's attention, he hadn't anticipated Sentomaru of all people being dispatched.
> "Let's go. Take me to him."
With no time to waste, Bai Yu followed his subordinate toward the port.
---
Dozens of warships were docked at the coast of the 188th Branch.
Most pirates remained shackled aboard, pending final processing.
Fwoosh!
As Bai Yu arrived, a sharp gust of wind tore through the air.
Boom!
A massive figure slammed down onto the dock with thunderous force.
The newcomer's body was bulky—sumo-like in stature—with a scar under his left eye, barefoot and clad in a red sash. A colossal battle-axe rested casually on his shoulder.
> It was Sentomaru.
> "You're Bai Yu?"
Sentomaru scrutinized him, clearly unimpressed. Bai Yu looked plain—unassuming even. Only the Dragon Flame Blade at his side hinted at anything extraordinary.
> "I am," Bai Yu replied calmly.
Before another word could be spoken—
Boom!
Sentomaru suddenly stamped both feet into the ground and lunged.
Despite his stocky build, his speed was startling—disproportionately explosive.
In the blink of an eye, he was upon Bai Yu, swinging his massive axe downward with full force.
The air split as the weapon cleaved toward Bai Yu's head.
> "What the—!?"
Seeing that the Science Captain had chosen to attack without a word, Bai Yu's eyes narrowed.
With a sharp motion, he drew the Dragon Flame Blade, raising it with both hands to block the oncoming strike.
Clang!
BOOM!
Steel met steel in a thunderous clash.
The force behind the axe fractured the ground beneath Bai Yu, sending cracks in all directions. Dust and gravel exploded outward.
---
As the dust settled, Bai Yu remained standing.
Both hands gripped tightly on his sword, its blade locked against Sentomaru's battle-axe.
He had taken the hit—head-on!
> "He stopped it?" Sentomaru muttered in surprise.
He hadn't expected someone with such a lean build to resist his full-powered strike.
> "My turn."
Bai Yu smirked.
If this was Sentomaru's greeting, Bai Yu saw no reason to hold back.
With a shift of his blade, Bai Yu angled the flat edge slightly. Sentomaru's axe slipped down the length of the sword.
> "Hup!"
He then twisted his arms and lifted.
Clang!
The axe rebounded away, thrown off-balance.
> "Soru!"
Fwip!
In a flash, Bai Yu vanished.