XX-level Hokage

"Thank you so much for your praise," Mashiro said with a smile. One day later...

The warship arrived at the naval headquarters.

Unlike ordinary sea routes, the warships travel along the navy's exclusive channels, allowing them to reach the New World of Maryford without any obstacles. "Is this the Navy Headquarters? It's truly magnificent," Mashiro murmured, looking at the enormous city before her.

"Of course, the Marine Headquarters stands at the center of the world, a fortress of absolute justice," said Sono proudly. After speaking, Sono led Mashiro and the other two off the warship.

Maryford was practically a naval city, with busy naval forces everywhere on the streets and countless warships docked in the harbor on both sides. Seeing this, Michita and Marianu clung tightly to Mashiro in fear.

Laiqita hid behind Qibai, while Marianu held Qibai's hand tightly. On the way to the headquarters building, the navy personnel greeted Yuan warmly.

"Good morning, Vice Admiral Momousagi!" "Good morning, Vice Admiral Momousagi!"

Good morning, Vice Admiral Momousagi!

After greeting Heyuan, he would glance at Zhenbai with a look that was either curious, indifferent, or fearful.

A short while later, Sono led Mashiro and the other two into the Navy Government Building and into an office.

"Good morning, Momousagi." Inside the office was a woman who looked quite tired, with disheveled hair, very dark circles under her eyes, and her navy uniform was also very worn.

“Rin, she is the new Shichibukai,” Sono said softly. “Seven… Shichibukai?!”

The woman called Lin tensed up instantly.

She still remembered the situation when several Shichibukai came to register before; she almost died on the job.

Chapter 31: The Celestial Dragons

Lin had a very bad impression of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, not only because they were originally pirates, but also because of their extremely nasty attitude.

It could be said that, apart from that fishman, everyone else had verbally, mentally, and even physically attacked her. "Don't worry, this guy has a pretty good personality," Yuan said helplessly, looking at the nervous Lin.

This classmate of hers had always been like this; despite her considerable talent, she was too timid and unsurprisingly chose a civilian job. "Is that so?" "That's good. Hello, I'm Rear Admiral Tamis Lynn from the Naval Headquarters." Hearing this, Lynn instantly straightened her posture and said earnestly.

"Hello, Major General Lin, I am Zhen Zi," Zhen Bai said with a light laugh. "Let's begin then," Lin said, finding a file.

"What's your name?" "Mashiro"

"Are you a Devil Fruit user?" "No."

"Why did you choose to become a pirate?" "Because of an accident."

"Do you have your own pirate crew?" "Not yet."

"Okay, thank you for your cooperation."

The so-called Shichibukai registration was just a formality, and the questions were mostly meaningless. Therefore, the first few Shichibukai didn't answer the questions seriously, and Hawkeye and Kuma didn't even show up.

In contrast, Mashiro really is as Onozu said, with a very good personality, although her answer seemed quite unreliable to Rin. "By the way, the Seven Warlords of the Sea can have legal territories. Have you decided on the location of the territory you want to protect?" Rin continued to ask.

Lin looked through the limited information about Mashiro and discovered that she didn't yet have her own territory. "Are there any restrictions on territory?" Mashiro asked softly.

“Yes, firstly, it cannot be near Mary Geoise and Maryford; secondly, it cannot be a political place; and finally, its size must be between an island and a country, not exceeding the theoretical size of a country, which is two large islands,” Lynn continued.

“Okay, I understand. Then let’s choose Ohara,” Mashiro said calmly. Upon hearing this, both Sono and Rin were taken aback.

"Ohara? Are you still obsessed with the Poneglyphs? For Vice Admiral Tsuru's sake, I'll remind you: even if you're a Shichibukai, you can't protect yourself if you delve into the forbidden knowledge within the Poneglyphs," Ozumi said seriously.

"I didn't mean that. I just enjoy reading. Ohara is known as the island of knowledge, possessing the most books in the world. That's all I care about," Mashiro said with a smile.

“That’s right. My sister studied in Ohara. I heard her say that the Tree of Knowledge contains precious texts from all over the world,” Lynn said with a sigh.

"But it has already turned to ashes along with everything on that island," Yuan said, pouring cold water on the situation.

"Anyway, there shouldn't be any restrictions on Ohara," Mashiro said with a light laugh. "I'll ask Fleet Admiral Sengoku for permission, and we'll see if that doesn't work out," Rin said softly. As a scholar, Rin also harbored a deep-seated obsession with Ohara.

"Alright, I've entered your information into the Navy Headquarters' archives. Starting today, your bounty will no longer be issued to the public, and the Navy will no longer pursue you or your crew. However, you must obey the government's orders when the Navy needs you, especially when the World Government issues a mandatory recall order," Lin said.

"I understand," Mashiro nodded.

Immediately afterwards, Mashiro and the other two followed Sono and left the office.

"You can leave now. The warship is in the harbor; you should know which one it is," Garden said somewhat lazily. "Won't Vice Admiral Momoko see us off?" Mashiro said with a light laugh.

“I’m very busy, and it’s already a miracle that I was able to make a special trip to Alabasta,” Ku Yuan said, waving his hand.

"I have a powerful weapon and a powerful name, which is the name of a Zoan-type Mythical Beast. Doesn't Vice Admiral Momousagi want to see it?" Mashiro said. "?" Gion looked at Mashiro with some surprise.

In the world, there are not many famous swords, even fewer Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruits, and a famous sword with the power of a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit is unheard of. If nothing unexpected happens, this will be the first and the last.

The garden has become unusually interested again.

"Then let's go. I'll squeeze out a little more time for the sake of your sword," Sono said. As a swordsman, and a powerful one at that, Mashiro's words were an incredibly strong temptation.

"Wait a minute, could you introduce me to Lieutenant General Tsuru? I'm quite curious about this chief of staff who's been helping me behind the scenes," Mashiro said with a smile. Hearing this, Sono thought for a moment, then silently walked to a corner and took out a Den Den Mushi.

A moment later, Yuan turned around and walked over. "Let's go, Sister He has agreed."

Then Garden turned and walked in another direction, while Mashiro followed quietly with Michita and Mariano.

As the location of the Navy Headquarters, Marieford covers a large area, but the government buildings that truly belong to the core of the headquarters are only two buildings.

A short while later, the four of them arrived at He's office. "Let's go in," Yuan said softly.

"Aren't you going in with me?" Mashiro asked softly.

“Lieutenant General Tsuru only said he wanted to see you alone. Not only me, but your two little henchmen also have to stay here,” Sono replied. Hearing this, Mashiro said a few words to Michita and Mariano, then pushed open the door and went inside.

The office wasn't large, but it was very clean. An elderly woman with white hair was sitting at her desk, her eyes were very deep, and she looked at Zhenbai with a strange expression.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Vice Admiral Tsuru. I've heard so much about you." Mashiro greeted him with a light laugh. "I heard from Kozono that you wanted to see me. Is there something you need?" Tsuru asked calmly.

"Because I heard from Vice Admiral Momousagi that Vice Admiral Tsuru seemed to have helped me a lot behind the scenes, I came here specifically to express my gratitude," Mashiro said with a smile.

"Because I have a feeling that if you continue to act recklessly, the Navy will suffer huge losses, so it's better to make you a Shichibukai, thus indirectly eliminating your threat." Tsuru paused for a moment before speaking.

"Has Lieutenant General Tsuru met me before?" he asked earnestly.

Crane shook his head and said, "I've met someone who looks a lot like you."

“Someone who looks a lot like me?” Mashiro seemed to have thought of something. “A Celestial Dragon who is already dead,” Tsuru said calmly. “A Celestial Dragon? A World Noble.” Mashiro muttered to herself.

"Alright, I've said what I needed to say. You may leave now," Tsuru said. "Then, goodbye, Vice Admiral Tsuru," Mashiro said, and quietly walked away.

Mariano remained hidden in her room.

Having already visited the Naval Headquarters and "seen the world," Michita became bolder, holding her spotted parasol and curiously wandering around the warship.

Mashiro stood on the railing at the bow of the ship, gazing at the azure horizon, lost in thought. "What did you and Vice Admiral Tsuru talk about?" Kuzuno walked up to Mashiro and asked curiously. "Nothing," Mashiro replied softly.

“Fine, don’t tell me then. I’ll ask you myself later. Where’s your knife?” Yuan said.

Mashiro raised her right hand.

Pink smoke appeared out of thin air, condensed, and a pink sparrow appeared on Mashiro's arm.

"Is this the sword that ate a Zoan-type Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit? You really went all out." A rare moment of感慨 (gan3kai3, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and awe) lingered in the air.

Mashiro smiled, and then the sparrow transformed into a dreamy cherry blossom petal. The petal coalesced, and a pink-bladed katana appeared in Mashiro's hand.

"Truly beautiful!" Sono exclaimed, looking at Senbonzakura with its pink blade in Mashiro's hand.

Mashiro is not a swordsman, so she has no idea how beautiful this sword is in the eyes of swordsmen, especially female swordsmen.

Chapter Thirty-Two: Corruption (Part 1)

"It's really beautiful, but it's a pity I'm not very good with a knife." Mashiro said with a light laugh as she handed Senbonzakura to Sono.

"That's truly a waste of talent. Although this sword isn't one of the 12 Great Grade Swords, its craftsmanship and materials have reached the level of a Great Grade Sword. Plus, it has the ability of a Zoan-type Mythical Beast. It can almost be said to be the most luxurious sword in the entire world. Even Hawkeye's black sword Yoru probably can't compare." Sono gently stroked the blade of Senbonzakura and said softly.

I once heard that the strongest people on the sea are mainly divided into three types: masters of physical combat, Devil Fruit users, and swordsmen.

"I've always had a question: martial arts masters rely on Haki, and Devil Fruit users rely on their abilities, so what about swordsmen? What do they rely on to roam the seas?" Mashiro suddenly asked.

"For the sake of your sword, I'll tell you. According to an unwritten rule that started sometime in the past, sword users are divided into three realms."

Swordsman, swordsman, master swordsman.

"Anyone who uses swords can be called a swordsman. People at this level often fight by relying on the sharpness of their swords and their own strength, just like this."

As he spoke, Yuan drew his sword, Jin Kunluo, and slashed at the water's surface, but there was no reaction.

Physical strength alone can only provide very limited power. When encountering a Devil Fruit user, defeat is almost inevitable unless the user's Devil Fruit ability is more focused on survival.

Those who possess a renowned sword, have developed a basic understanding of swordsmanship, and can unleash sword energy are called swordsmen. At this level, they have the ability to fight against ordinary Devil Fruit users, just like this…

As he spoke, Yuan once again swung the Golden Kunluo and slashed at the sea surface. An invisible sword aura flew out from the blade, and a blade mark immediately appeared on the sponge.

Next comes the realm of swordsmanship, which is based on possessing a sword that suits you and mastering Armament Haki.

He has a profound understanding of swordsmanship and the sword itself, and can imbue his power with an aura of dominance, thus enabling him to unleash his own unique sword energy.

Yuan's eyes turned serious. He raised the Golden Kunluo, swung it, and a huge golden sword aura flew out, spreading dozens of meters across the sea, splitting the sea in two with a single strike.

"Finally, above the Sword Master is the realm known as the Great Sword Master. As far as I know, the only swordsmen who can reach this realm are the current world's number one swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk, and the Sword God Shimotsuki Ryoma."

Only those who reach the level of a swordsman are qualified to venture into the sea, and to truly roam the seas, one must reach the level of a sword master. "Sheath the Golden Kunluo," Yuan said.

"I see. Thank you for the explanation, Vice Admiral Momousagi." Mashiro clapped her hands lightly and said with a smile.

"So, how about joining the Navy? I can teach you swordsmanship, just for the sake of this sword you have," Sono said, handing Senbonzakura back to Mashiro.

For some reason, she felt a strong liking for the girl in front of her, and she could clearly sense that Mashiro was not a pure pirate and could potentially be recruited into the Navy.

"Forget about that. Although I'm somewhat interested in swordsmen, it's far from enough for me to specialize in learning it. Plus, given the unique nature of my sword, I can achieve the effect I want with just brute force." Mashiro said, raising Senbonzakura and swinging it, sending pink sword energy slashing across the sea.

In an instant, clouds and petals churned on the sea surface.

With the Otsutsuki body and the added bonus of physical skills, Mashiro's physical strength is incredibly powerful, and her strength is comparable to Guy's when he first entered the Sixth Gate.

Mashiro keeps saying that she is not good at physical abilities, but this is only in comparison to her other abilities.

Seeing this, Yuan knew she couldn't force anything, so she changed the subject, saying, "You seem to have always been very concerned about the historical texts. Based on my observation, you're probably not a scholar, so why are you so concerned about those lost things?"

For ordinary marines, pirates, and civilians, the contents of the Poneglyphs are taboo knowledge that will bring disaster. However, for scholars, great pirates, and high-ranking marines, the Poneglyphs record the "Lost Hundred Years," the location of Laugh Tale, and ancient...

Information about weapons.

Mashiro isn't a scholar, doesn't seem like a pirate, and isn't a Marine, so Yoko is completely baffled as to why she cares so much about the Poneglyphs.

“Perhaps it’s out of curiosity,” Mashiro said calmly. “Curious?”

"Vice Admiral Momousagi should know about the Celestial Dragons, the world's nobles, right? They live in Mary Geoise and have the entire world's population at their fingertips from birth," Mashiro said with a light laugh.

Upon hearing this, Sono fell silent, as if she knew what Mashiro wanted to say.

"In my memory, this group of people treats everyone else with almost no restraint. They can be said to be capable of all kinds of evil deeds. And the capital that supports their evil deeds is the protection of the Navy. So, Vice Admiral Momousagi, can you tell me why?" Mashiro asked softly.