One Piece: Nobody knows Devil Fruits better than me.

Chapter 257 Amazon Lily, Sword God and Hades?

On the high seas, news of powerful individuals never takes much effort to spread.

Especially when the strong do not intentionally hide their existence, but instead intentionally promote themselves.

For example, recently, rumors about the 'Sword God' have begun to spread on the high seas.

According to rumors, the Sword God is a powerful swordsman who wields the black sword Shusui, which belongs to the legendary samurai Shimotsuki Ryoma.

Strangely, this powerful swordsman insisted that he was a Zoan-type Mythical Beast, a user of the Human-Human Fruit in its Frost Moon Ryoma form.

He first appeared in the South China Sea, killing the island's ruler with a single sword strike, and then defeated two great swordsmen who had been living in seclusion for many years with his second sword strike.

According to information provided by some unknown insiders, it has been confirmed that they are the Wano Country samurai "Ryū" Jirōbō and "Iwashi" Ten'ai, who once sailed the seas with their swords fifty years ago. They are both descendants of the Shimotsuki clan and are true great swordsmen.

In that battle, the Sword God used the legendary swordsmanship of Shimotsuki Ryoma, the 'Shimotsuki Style,' to cut the swords of the two great swordsmen in half without killing them. Even the two great swordsmen of the Shimotsuki clan admitted it afterward.

"That guy's posture and swordsmanship are indeed exactly the same as the legendary dragon-horse ancestor."

"And even putting that aside, that guy's swordsmanship is enough to compete for the title of 'World's Greatest Swordsman'."

The swordsmen of the entire sea were naturally skeptical of such a claim.

Suddenly a guy appears with the strength to compete for the world's greatest swordsman?

This kind of thing is a bit too absurd no matter how you look at it.

But soon, as the situation developed, people began to waver.

Because the Sword God didn't just appear in the South China Sea and then disappear, becoming a 'legendary story'.

Quite the opposite.

Three days later, on Sword Fighting Island in the South China Sea, the swordsman 'Fei Liu' was defeated by the Sword God with a single sword strike in his own dojo.

Seven days later, in the Kingdom of Pilube in the North Sea, the kingdom's chief guard, the former great swordsman 'Iron Sword Knight' Mias, was pierced through by two swords from the God of Swords.

One by one—powerful swordsmen at the level of sword masters and above began to be defeated by the God of Sword.

And so, these renowned swordsmen of the high seas were easily cut down by the God of Swords.

People on the high seas only then realized this.

It seems that the initial news was not a joke—this 'Sword God' appears to truly possess overwhelming power, enough to challenge for the title of the world's strongest swordsman, and he is doing just that.

Some people have genuinely begun to have doubts.

Could it be that something like the 'Human-Human Fruit - Frost Moon Ryoma Form' really exists in this world?
At the same time, some people also noticed the sword god's unusual appearance.

Its appearance—with wings on its back, white hair, and dark skin—was clearly very special—especially to some organizations that knew the ancient stories.

So it wasn't just the swordsmen.

Countless forces, large and small, across the seas began to pay attention to this emerging powerhouse.

And as it should be.

Everyone started paying attention to another person.

That is none other than the world's undisputed greatest swordsman – 'Hawkeye' Djokovic.

Since the Sword God claims to be the world's strongest swordsman, he has clearly embarked on the path of challenging the strongest.

So sooner or later, Hawkeye will have to fight him.

of course.

People on the high seas also know that this battle is probably still some time away.

It's not just because the Sword God's reputation has only just begun to resound, and he hasn't yet accumulated enough momentum to truly claim the title of 'strongest'.

Furthermore, Hawkeye has been very busy lately.

To be precise—all the Seven Warlords of the Sea have been very busy lately.

[The Shichibukai "Knight of the Sea" Jinbe and his "New Fishman Pirates" were being hunted by the Navy. After sinking five warships, they successfully retreated to Fishman Island. It is said that the Navy and the World Government are putting pressure on Fishman Island to hand over the criminals.]

[The island of Kuraigana, where Shichibukai 'Hawkeye' Mihawk is located, is under siege. Marine Admiral Aokiji leads a team to capture Mihawk, but Mihawk has already fled before landing on the island. Before leaving, he cuts the entire Kuraigana island in half with a single strike and disappears without a trace. Admiral Aokiji is currently leading his forces in pursuit.]

[The island of dinosaurs, the island of Hanafuda, the "Lizard King" of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, has been destroyed by the Navy, but Hanafuda himself is missing. It is said that he has been in Wano Country for a long time and may have joined the Beasts Pirates, which recently lost its three calamities.]

This news is the most widely known 'headline news' on the seas where the twelve constellations have recently temporarily ceased their activities.

After the complete collapse of the Seven Warlords system, all the Seven Warlords returned to their original pirate identities.

Moreover, because of their notorious reputation, the government and navy immediately launched a campaign to capture and intercept them.

Hawkeye, undoubtedly the strongest of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, is being personally hunted by an Admiral.

Under these circumstances, he obviously won't have much time in the short term.

However, among the news about the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the most unbelievable news is still...
The capture of the Shichibukai "Empress" Boa Hancock is underway, and a fierce naval battle is taking place in the waters where Amazon Lily is located.

[It is reported that due to its location in the doldrums, ordinary ships cannot enter the area. The navy specially dispatched an elite force, led by three vice admirals, to capture the suspect. They had almost landed on the island not long ago, but encountered unexpected obstruction on the island.]

The one who obstructs is...

"So, what exactly is the intelligence unit for?"

Calm Belt, Amazon Rainforest Island, on the sea outside Amazon Lily.

Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's face was gloomy.

And not just him.

The two vice admirals who accompanied him here—Vice Admiral Onigumo and Vice Admiral Stroberry—also had serious expressions.

At this moment, they were all looking at the scene before them.

In the distance, the 'Amazon Lily', which once surrounded nine snake heads, was now a scene of devastation.

The island is covered with craters and shell holes of varying depths, and even the characters "九蛇" (Nine Serpents) on the huge mountain in the center of the island show signs of artillery fire.

That is proof of the naval battles that have taken place over this period.

It must be said that although Amazonian lilies are located near the nests of deep-sea sea monsters in the doldrums, they possess a natural 'barrier'.

Despite the fact that all Amazonian lilies possess Haki and have formidable fighting power.

However, as the true rulers of the seas, the navy was well prepared for this.

Seastone technology allows them to ignore most of the Sea Kings' harassment, while the three vice admirals and many elite troops ensure that they can fight against the Amazon Lily warriors.

They had gained the upper hand at one point, and yesterday they even successfully broke through the Amazon Lily's first line of defense and landed on the island.

But, as they see it now.

On all the warships that went to land on the island yesterday, and on the 'area' where they landed—a huge sword mark cleaved through the trenches they had hastily built on the island and the sea below.

"Sizzle!" "Sizzle!"

Black and red lightning, a dominant color, coiled above the sea.

That was the threat and warning issued by the man who appeared yesterday. "Why is 'Pluto' Rayleigh here?"

Lieutenant General Flying Squirrel covered his face, feeling a headache coming on.

Yes.

Just yesterday, when they almost successfully landed on the island.

The legendary figure of the previous era, the left-hand man of Pirate King Roger—'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh—suddenly arrived at Amazon Lily and attacked them.

With just one sword strike, almost the entire navy that landed on the island was wiped out, and the island itself, along with the sword, fell into the sea.

"I'm sorry!"

At that moment, a marine from the intelligence unit hesitated before saying, "But we haven't found any trace of any ships in the nearby waters."

"No boat—then how did he get in? He couldn't have swum in, could he?"

"The flying squirrel said angrily."

"All right."

But at this moment, Storoberry said in a deep voice, "What's done is done, there's no point in dwelling on it—what we need to think about now is, what should we do?"

As they were talking, the marine from the intelligence unit quickly seized the opportunity to slip away.

"This mission is to eliminate the Seven Warlords of the Sea with overwhelming force to ensure the government's prestige."

As he spoke, the flying squirrel's expression grew increasingly serious.

He shook his head: "If the opponent is that 'Pluto' Rayleigh, we alone are no match for him."

As vice admirals of the Navy Headquarters, they are all strong individuals.

The more powerful a person is, the clearer their understanding of the strength of others.

They are certainly strong, but if their opponent is a 'legendary' figure, then they are no match for them.

Should we retreat?

"I asked in a deep voice," Lieutenant General Flying Squirrel.

"retreat?"

But Onigumo spoke coldly, "How could such a thing be possible?"

As an absolute hardliner within the Navy, he clearly wouldn't approve of the idea of ​​retreating in the face of pirates.

Of course, he wasn't stupid, so he wouldn't advocate landing on the island.

"First, surround the Amazon Lily and wait for the general's support—even Hades cannot make an island disappear out of thin air, nor can he take away everyone on the island."

He said in a deep voice.

The flying squirrel clearly disagreed: "But if 'Pluto' comes out, we will suffer heavy losses!"

But Onigumo said in a deep voice, "As soldiers, it is a necessary awareness to sacrifice ourselves in the fight against evil!"

"Admiral Kuzan has gone to hunt down Hawkeye, Admiral Sakazuki is currently in charge of guarding Mary Geoise, and Admiral Borsalino needs to guard headquarters."

"Where's Black Xie? Where's Vice Admiral Garp?"

"They're in the East Blue and haven't returned to headquarters yet. Even after they do return, they'll have to go through the selection process for the Planetary Hunting Force and won't be in charge of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"

"The opponent is no longer one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, but 'Dark King' Rayleigh!"

"In any case, I still insist on retreating first, leaving only a few ships to keep an eye on Amazon Lily."

"I also think it's better to retreat first."

"Huh? You two cowards."

The three lieutenant generals spoke one after another, but clearly could not reach a consensus.

But it is precisely at this moment
"Lieutenant General!"

The marine from the intelligence unit ran over in a panic at that moment.

"Someone's here again!"

"kindness?"

Upon hearing this, the three lieutenant generals, who had been arguing, were all taken aback: "Someone's coming?"

"Hmm, it seems to be in the sky."

The marine didn't finish his sentence.

At that moment, the three vice admirals' Observation Haki had already detected the figure flying at high speed from the sky.

Black wings, black sword, white hair, white clothes.

"boom!"

The figure ignored the navy's warships and flew across the sea toward Amazon Lily.

The three lieutenant generals recognized him at a glance.

"Sword God?"

That's right—it's the mysterious swordsman 'Sword God' who has recently become famous on the high seas.

"Wait, don't attack!"

"Let him pass!"

At that moment, Vice Admiral Momonga immediately ordered all the marines who had begun loading shells and preparing to attack to stop.

He roared in a deep voice.

And not just him.

At this moment, the remaining two lieutenant generals had also come to their senses.

As is widely known, the Sword God challenges the top swordsmen on the high seas, using them as his 'whetstone' to reach the pinnacle of power.

Coincidentally, 'Pluto' Silvers Rayleigh was one of the strongest swordsmen of the previous era.

so.
"The Sword God came for 'Hades'."

The three lieutenant generals realized this and were also horrified.

They never imagined that anyone in this world would try to use Rayleigh, the King of the Underworld, as a 'sharpening stone'.

But at the same time, a hint of anticipation couldn't help but arise in their hearts.

because
"According to government sources, the Blade God's physical characteristics are suspected to be those of the legendary 'Lunalia race'."

"If he really goes to war with Hades, then it might be an opportunity for us."

(End of this chapter)