After retiring from the Navy, I became a doting husband.

He stammered, on the verge of tears but unable to shed a tear, and was extremely terrified.

He was certain that his opponent had just attacked, unleashing countless slashes in the blink of an eye, severing his tendons and severely injuring his groin.

Why did you castrate me?

The evil swordsman opened his mouth wide, roaring silently.

"Damn it, I didn't control my aim well. I meant to cut off his left hand, but I accidentally castrated him."

Martin shrugged involuntarily.

Hey bro, I really didn't mean it.

Believe it or not, I believe it.

Those around were completely bewildered, as the high-speed sword was moving so fast that they couldn't see what was happening at all.

Mr. Martin only stepped forward and said a few words before being stabbed several times. Mr. Martin, completely unharmed, said a few more words and slapped the other man. Then, the evil sword Kudo threw the knife away.

The opponent's bounty is a whopping 2800 million Berries. Did you really make them drop their weapon with just a few words?

Is Mr. Martin truly persuading people with reason?

Looking at the bewildered crowd, Martin announced loudly, "All swordsmen in the world today can be divided into five levels."

Fifth Rank: Ordinary Swordsman.

A swordsman who hasn't eaten a Devil Fruit or used Haki is considered to be at the ordinary level. An ordinary swordsman's main output comes from two sources: improving their swordsmanship skills and the combat power inherent in the sword itself. Therefore, a renowned sword is very important to an ordinary swordsman.

Most swordsmen in the world are at the average level, lacking strong talent or powerful Armament Haki. They can only improve through sheer strength and relentless training. Once they break through this level, they will have secured their place in the competition.

"Fourth level: Swordsman - Iron-Cutting Swordsman."

The ability to cut through ordinary steel without using Armament Haki suggests a skill level that might not match many swordsmen who employ it, but their understanding of swordsmanship is considerable. This is a manifestation of talent, greatly aiding in the later development of a swordsman's strength; possessing a good sword is also crucial.

These swordsmen who can cut through iron are also known as swordsmen.

"Third Rank: Sword Master."

A swordsman who can cut through iron is considered a swordsman master once they learn to use flying slashes. Furthermore, once a swordsman masters have mastered Armament Haki, they will coat their swords with it for attacks. Even top-tier swordsmen frequently use Armament Haki to coat their swords and can easily cut through iron. These swordsmen possess astonishing cutting power, an extraordinary understanding of swordsmanship, and their attack power becomes extremely formidable with the addition of Armament Haki.

"Second tier: Black Blade level, Great Swordsman."

The world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk, and the dragon-slaying samurai Ryuma both possess "black blades." These are swords forged by imbuing them with Haki through countless battles, creating a weapon whose Armament Haki never fades. Only a very few can achieve this; such individuals are extremely rare, capable of single-handedly defeating thousands of enemies and rivaling even a Marine Admiral.

First level: Conqueror's Haki level

Roger was a user of Conqueror's Haki, and there are other powerful individuals who can use Conqueror's Haki to create physical attacks. In battle, they must have coated their swords with Conqueror's Haki, making their power truly astonishing, but such people are extremely rare. [The latest manga has been updated, showing Roger and Shanks's Conqueror's Haki intertwined, displaying immense power.]

"Did you all understand?"

Everyone present who was listening intently showed expressions of astonishment.

"I never expected that I would only be a barely fourth-level swordsman. It's a disgrace!"

Despite appearing severely injured and with blood on his chest, Togo Sanmao jumped up: "I've lived my whole life in vain, I don't even know how to use a domineering aura, shameful, truly shameful... cough cough cough!"

Django and Jason, who were watching the battle, looked at each other in amazement, as if they had seen the door to a new world.

The others listened with longing in their hearts.

No one has ever analyzed the levels of swordsmen so clearly and thoroughly.

Swordsmen were originally divided into five ranks!

Haki? What's that? I've never even heard of it. Is Hawkeye's Haki that strong? What is Conqueror's Haki?

After all that, they were still just small fry at the fifth stage, and even the teacher had barely reached the fourth stage.

It feels like we're still a long way from the first and second stages.

Upon hearing this, Kudo's face contorted in pain. He seemed to have forgotten his agony, muttering to himself, "So I'm not a swordsman after all. I'm not a swordsman... No!!!"

Kudo's worldview was shattered. He went into hiding for several years to escape capture. He thought he was a swordsman standing at the top of the East Blue, but he didn't expect that he was not.

The Martin in front of me is the real swordsman.

"Jason, kill him, go collect the reward. The money is mine, the opportunity is yours."

Martin walked past Jason, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a word of advice: "Pressure makes people improve!"

Jason immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Brother Martin, for putting pressure on me!"

He picked up the knife and walked towards the childless Kudo, wanting to show everyone the fearsome reputation of Jason the Three-Sword Style and bear the pressure of this growth.

Martin did not leave immediately, but instead looked down at the sharp knife that had been cut in two.

Both swords were masterpieces he had personally crafted, their hardness and sharpness beyond question, and they were tougher than ordinary steel, yet they were cut in two by the Iron-Cutting Swordsman in one stroke.

Looking at the fine knife he had given to Dongxiang Sanmao, he saw that several obvious nicks had appeared on the knife, and the blade was severely damaged.

This is the overwhelming power of the Iron-Cutting Swordsman.

The rookie swordsmen in Orange Town are too weak. It's too tiring to have to do this kind of thing myself.

We'll have to give them a good hard workout another day.

However, there have been too many things happening lately. First, there was the Black Cat Pirates, and now there's this evil sword Kudo.

It feels like Orange Town is being targeted by some unseen force.

Why do pirates with some reputation always head to Orange Town instead of other towns?

That's really hard to believe.

"Brother Martin, this swordsman's sword is quite good. It's a famous sword called White Cutter."

Django was quite quick-witted; he immediately handed over the evil sword Kudo's blade with both hands.

"Keep this knife for Jason; it suits him. I don't need it."

Martin's tone was flat.

He could sense that his forging skills had reached a bottleneck, and he estimated that going home and exercising with Robin would help him make a breakthrough.

Forging a fine and sharp blade will definitely not be difficult at that time.

I've been practicing weightlifting lately, so I haven't had many opportunities to pamper my wife.

thump!

When he reached a deserted street, Django suddenly blocked his way and knelt down before him.

"Master Martin, I would like to become your apprentice."

Please accept me!

Django stuck out his buttocks and kowtowed directly.

"My swordsmanship is mediocre, and I have no interest in taking on male disciples."

Martin refused outright.

"Mr. Martin, please accept me as your disciple! What you just used was probably the Blackwater Sword Combo..."

Django suddenly looked up with tears welling up in his eyes, and snot bubbles were coming out of his nose.

This kid has a good eye; the high-speed sword is an upgraded version of the Blackwater Sword he developed himself.

"None of my ancestors could wield the Blackwater Sword to this extent, yet you can... Please accept me!"

"I want to become stronger."

"I also want to become a swordsman."

"I'd rather be under pressure!"

"Please put pressure on this young man... just like Jason did."

Others may not understand it, but Django does; that's why Martin is a true swordsman.

Martin: (⊙o⊙)…

Someone actually came here asking for stress?

Young man, what are you trying to do?

Want to take the path of courting death?

Martin sighed slightly. "Young man, you'll stop at nothing to become stronger and more famous."

People can die under that kind of pressure.

Okay, I can tell you're asking for trouble.

Just as Martin was thinking about how to refuse, Django suddenly said, "I know where to buy that kind of golden oil."

"A special auction will be held soon... It will not only feature golden oil, but also the legendary Devil Fruits."

Martin immediately became interested: "Oh? Young man, tell me more about it."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Some might say the chapters haven't been very engaging lately, with no female characters and only cultivation chapters, not the ones they like. I can only say that I'm being watched, and I have to temporarily slow down the pace with cultivation chapters. My chapters were censored multiple times in the past few days, and even I don't know why. I have to be quiet for a while. But don't worry, the overall direction of the book won't change; I believe you all know what I mean. [Preview: The climax is coming soon; this is just the calm before the storm.]

Chapter 76 Taking Down the Tremor-Tremor Fruit User

Early in the morning, a crowd had gathered outside Martin's workshop.

Perhaps it was because pirates suddenly became rampant that the number of people buying swords and other weapons increased again.

"Master Martin, you absolutely have to give me the goods! My little shop is counting on you!"

Fat Kim reopened his shop, and his business started to pick up.

Martin's business naturally improved as well, and in the past few days he has been crafting several top-quality fast knives to earn some extra money.

Although he had some savings, he couldn't give up his legitimate money-making skills. As his reputation grew, people from other places even came specifically to ask for his knife.

"What an amazing, top-quality fast sword! Second only to a good fast sword."

An elderly businessman from out of town looked at the two exquisite knives that had just been made and couldn't help but marvel at Martin's forging skills.

"I'd like to buy a few more."

The elderly businessman's eyes gleamed with the shrewdness characteristic of businessmen.