Pirate: It’s not a phantom beast, it’s a phantom god!

Chapter 380 The So-Called Swordsman

As he walked toward the port, Taolong felt a mix of emotions.

On one hand, he finally obtained the 'Mythical Zoan' ability that he had been longing for, and even went a step further and got the position of 'Big Boss', becoming the highest-ranking officer in the pirate crew.

On the other hand, the common sense that he had built up over half his life was shattered...

Another world, dueling spirits... one after another, entirely new things beyond his imagination appeared before his eyes.

The unknown breeds panic, the unfamiliar brings unease, and Taolong's worldview has been torn open, so it's no surprise that his thoughts are in disarray.

This chaos and unease even dampened much of the joy that should have arisen after gaining power and status.

……

"Um……"

Stopping in his tracks, Taolong felt the pale yellow dragon curled up and fast asleep inside him... Miss La had mentioned it was called 'Armed Dragon'...

When I first summoned it using that desperate ritual, it was a majestic and imposing adult dragon. Later, it grew even stronger as I fought against it...

However, in order to cross the boundaries between worlds, it has now been forced to regress into its juvenile form.

Fortunately, according to Miss La, this dragon species is very special and can continue to evolve step by step back to its complete form and even ultimate form.

Taolong planned to try out the fighting style of being of one mind with it once he woke up as its partner... He had never experienced this before.

……

"Whoo~"

Turning a corner, Fenrir's western port came into view... A medium-sized warship was docked at the shore, with many people moving back and forth carrying supplies, seemingly preparing for an upcoming voyage.

Even though core members like Light had been transferred to Wano Country, the efficiency of the general affairs department on the island did not drop much, and all kinds of affairs were still arranged in an orderly manner.

Kaido's order was for Takayuki to immediately head to Wano Country after waking up, as there seemed to be many things there that required his attention as the "Big Boss."

……

Hmm~ Is the wind picking up?

Arriving at the harbor shore, feeling the sea breeze blowing from behind, Taolong subconsciously tightened his thin shirt... but the chill he had imagined did not materialize.

Fenrir is a summer island, so winter comes late and lasts very short... but it's true that winter is approaching.

At this time of year, the cold wind blowing down from the towering snow-capped mountain in the center of the island would make people shiver involuntarily, but today Taolong doesn't feel that way.

The gleaming gold badge on his chest emitted a warm glow, protecting him from the slight temperature change from the outside world.

Taolong noticed this as well, and he took the badge off the chest of his coat and placed it in his palm.

The feather-shaped gold badge had its other half replaced at some point, making it flawless and perfect... Even the number '一' on it had been erased and replaced with Tao Long's own name.

From this day forward, this badge will belong solely to him; this is a promise he made... Even if he is no longer the [Big Sign] one day, this feather will not be taken back.

Looking at his name on the feather, which resembled a mysterious pattern and blended harmoniously with the entire emblem, Taolong's heart suddenly calmed down.

He seemed to transcend the heavy fog of time and return to that morning many years ago. In the dimly lit tavern, the door was suddenly opened... A beam of sunlight shone in, illuminating himself in the corner.

Along with the news that he had been appointed as a cadre while he was feeling down and drunk, this golden feather lay quietly in the box, radiating a warm glow.

What were I feeling at that time?
"Well, why think so much?"

"My warship, adrift at sea, is not yet ready to dock."

After pinning the badge back to his chest, Tao Long rubbed his face vigorously before striding toward the warship docked in the harbor.

……

Wano Country, Ringo.

"Yakumo something something Scale!"

boom!
"Whoa!"

A flash of red light appeared first, followed by the blade flashing like a dragon.

As Osei swung his long, ruby-like sword, Shimotsuki Ushimaru was sent flying backward like a cannonball!

Wow!

The snow on the ground was blown about by the strong wind brought by the beef balls, flying all the way up to a height of several hundred meters before finally stopping.

In the distant mountains and forests, hunters who were making fires to keep warm saw this scene from afar and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, thinking that some mountain god or giant beast was fighting there.

"Phew~" "Hey, uncle, are you ever going to stop?"

Stepping onto the pristine white snow behind the bell, Osei waved his hand, dispelling the longsword formed from divine power, and exhaled through his mask.
She looked helplessly at Shimotsuki Gyuumaru, who was struggling to get back to his feet in the distance.

"I just beat you up in that duel, why are you acting like a nagging wife and clinging to me like that?"

"This is the fourth time this month~ Aren't you that famous person? Don't you have to work?"

In the last "Duel Before the Emperor," Ushimaru openly admitted defeat in front of everyone, and then made a promise with Okushi to fight again...

At the time, Osei hadn't realized that these Wano Country samurai thought of things differently from ordinary people; he still thought they were making some kind of 'three-year agreement' with him.
Before three days had even passed, Ushimaru found Osei again, and without saying a word, drew his sword, ready to fight her again...

Ossie, who was slurping noodles at a roadside stall in Linghou at the time, saw Niuwan, who was wrapped in bandages and looked eagerly waiting for her to take on the challenge... Her eyes widened.

Is this person mentally ill?
Although in this world, a fracture isn't even considered a minor injury, at most a superficial wound... but you've had fractures all over your body less than three days ago, and you've already come back with the bandages still on!
That's way too much!

Not only that, what's with those people around us who skillfully formed a circle, looking like bloodthirsty spectators?

Isn't this beetroot your formal name?

Why do you all look so nonchalant? Aren't you going to step in and stop them?

And that uncle who served ramen earlier, why did you suddenly change into a proper kimono and sit down with a serious expression?
Are you a referee? Street fights need referees?
And what's with the cushion under your butt? Don't just use a guest's haori as a butt cushion!

A bad feeling began to creep into Ossie's heart—could it be that the people in this country all have some strange ailments?
……

In fact, Osei's guess is not wrong, as the customs and habits of each village in Wano Country are very different.

The atmosphere in Huadu is one of abundance and extravagance, with everyone immersed in the city's opulent prosperity.

The people of Linghou are known for their fierce and rugged nature because the area is covered in snow and ice year-round and has a sparse population.

Due to the cold climate and lack of entertainment, drinking and fighting have become the two most popular activities among the residents.

At the same time, this is also the hometown of the legendary samurai, Shimotsuki Ryoma, making it a veritable land of samurai. Therefore, [Ringo] has become the most recognized place in Wano Country with the strongest martial spirit.

It can only be said that different regions nurture different people.

Led by Shimotsuki Gyumaru, the residents of Ringo, regardless of age or gender, have developed a habit of engaging in samurai duels at any time. It's not surprising that Osei was suddenly challenged to a duel while slurping noodles that day.

……

Back to the present, the beef ball that Osei had knocked away got back up.

He brushed the snow off his clothes, his tone showing no sign of hesitation, but rather full of excitement:
"You can leave the daimyo's work to your subordinates. I am now challenging you as a swordsman and samurai."

As he spoke, he drew another famous sword from his waist and began his 'dual-wielding' mode.

Swish!
Magnificent cherry blossoms flowed down from her forearm, wrapping around the two gleaming swords, emitting a dazzling light.
"Ever since that man set sail, I've challenged every swordsman, knight-errant, and samurai, big and small, in Wano Country..."

"Apart from one or two who could barely hold their own for a few moves, the rest of them really didn't interest me."

"You must know that for a swordsman, having no opponent is more terrifying than defeat."

Swordsmen in this world are a group of people like this. If you were to ask them who they most want to fight... then regardless of their own strength, they would all give the same answer: the world's greatest swordsman.

No swordsman doesn't want to encounter a powerful opponent, and monsters like Ossi, who can learn an opponent's sword skills with just a glance, are simply fatally attractive to swordsmen.

"To be honest, I don't have any ill feelings towards you outsiders, nor am I a supporter of the isolationist policy... If it weren't for the constraints of my identity as a [Daimyo], I would actually like to go overseas and see the world."

"After all, our clan has always been restless. Whether it was our ancestor Longma or Zhenzi Aji, they both ignored the isolation order and chose to go to sea without hesitation."

"Originally, I planned to wait until I found a suitable successor, and after stepping down as daimyo, I would also go out to sea to meet those heroes overseas."

"There's no need for that now."

Niu Wan crossed his arms wide, and his whole body erupted with a terrifying purple aura... Behind him, it seemed as if an unknown giant snake phantom was about to break through the barriers of the world and descend upon it.

"Are you ready, masked woman?"

"This was specially developed for you; it's the strongest slash I can unleash right now."

As he spoke, he twisted his wrist, and the two frost blades in his hands slowly sliced ​​through the air until the tips of the blades pointed vertically upwards...

Boom!
The ground beneath Niuwan's feet instantly turned to dust, and he transformed into a streak of purple light, rushing straight towards Osei... The dazzling cherry blossoms on the blade completely disappeared, replaced by a sword aura that seemed capable of tearing the sky apart, which suddenly slashed out.

"The Secret Technique of Dual Swords!"

"Sword of the Fourth Rank: Heavenly Clouds!"

(End of this chapter)