XX-level Hokage

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.

"At that time, because... Gen was about to answer in the official language of the World Government, he was interrupted by Mashiro."

That's because the Celestial Dragons are descendants of 19 of the 20 kings who formed the World Government 800 years ago. They are descendants of the Creator and therefore enjoy special privileges.

Is that what you meant?

But isn't a century of world history missing? How can you be sure that something really happened in a missing history book, and even if it did, what does it have to do with the privileges they enjoy now?

In the Alabasta Kingdom's genealogy, the Nefertari royal family is now the Nefertari royal family. As descendants of one of the original 20, I have never seen the World Government or the Navy provide them with any protection.

The recent national incident was ultimately resolved thanks to me, an outsider.

"So, on what basis is your navy protecting these people?" Mashiro said slowly and deliberately.

Upon hearing this, Yuan's face turned pale. She didn't know how to answer. She only just learned that the current Nefit royal family were descendants of one of the "original 20".

“If you don’t believe me, you can ask the king there, Nefit D. Cobra, when we get to the Kingdom of Alabasta,” Mashiro added.

"So, you're trying to find the answer to this question through information in the historical text?" Yuan asked. "No, I want to know more."

The navy is not entirely righteous; it shelters villains who arbitrarily abuse civilians and slaughters an entire island for information it doesn't want the world to know.

Some pirates protect an island or even a country, and are not entirely evil. "Mashiro was interrupted by Sono before she could finish speaking.

"This is just an isolated case. In this world, most of the Navy is righteous, while most pirates are evil," Gion said firmly.

I certainly admit that. What I'm curious about is simply why there's evil mixed in with justice, and justice within evil. The Navy should be a pure and unwavering force of justice, yet it's inexplicably tainted by the Celestial Dragons, Ohara, and other such elements.

Pirates are supposed to be rampant and chaotic evil, yet strangely, they possess a steadfast sense of justice. "Mashiro said calmly. "So, you want to find the answer in the 'lost century'?" Sono's gaze towards Mashiro became complicated. "Perhaps, but since the World Government doesn't want it to be known, and Pirate King Roger already has the answer."

In a sense, the Poneglyphs are definitely the key to the answers. "Mashiro said excitedly, as she really enjoys jigsaw puzzles.

Chapter Thirty-Three: Corruption (Part Two)

“I think I know why Tsuru is helping you so much now. I’ve never thought about this before,” Sono said with a bitter tone. “This is the first time I’ve said these things to anyone else. Do you know why?” Makoto said with a light laugh.

As Yuan looked into Mashiro's eyes, her pure white pupils were deep and gentle, a strange red symbol suddenly flew out from within them. Yuan closed her eyes, and the symbol vanished, as if it had been an illusion.

"Because Vice Admiral Momousagi, you are the future of the Navy. As an admiral candidate, you even possess the ability to change the world's格局 (geju, a term referring to the overall situation or landscape). More importantly, I believe you are a Navy officer who can bear the weight of justice." Mashiro said softly.

"You want me to help you?" Sono asked calmly. Mashiro remained silent.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said." With that, Yuan turned and left.

[Garden Approval Rating +30] [Name: Garden (Peach Rabbit)]

Gender: Female Age: 28

Faction: Navy

Three types of Haki: Armament Haki, Observation Haki

Weapon: Jin Kunluo; Height: 190cm; Luck Value: 60; Approval Rating: 30%

Mashiro simply smiled at this. The seed had already been planted.

After defeating Crocodile, Mashiro still had enough Luck Points to draw three more times. Last night, Mashiro drew one.

The reward is a special ability called "Geass," activated through the eyes.

[GeaSs: The power of "fusion" can fulfill all the manipulator's desires. If one wishes to understand another's mind, one can merge into their thoughts and see their inner self.]

If one desires to know what others will do, one can merge into their thoughts and predict their actions; if one desires to receive love from others, one can merge into their thoughts and cause them to give love to oneself.

"Through sight, Geass can penetrate the impenetrable walls of the human mind and directly access the thoughts, spirit, and soul of others—an incredibly powerful ability, but also with numerous limitations."

For example, it requires direct eye contact, has an effective range of 273 meters, and can reflect images in mirrors. Different people will develop different abilities with Geass.

Mashiro's existence with the Rinnegan and the conflict between the divine technique Sumeru and Geass.

The system then optimized Geass, eliminating many of its limitations while also reducing its strength and directness. Thus, Mashiro's Geass was corrupted and born.

[GeasS - Corruption: A manifestation of the host's inner will, capable of corrupting the ethics, thoughts, and beliefs of the person being commanded.]

If Mashiro can make the opponent waver, then her Geass can be activated against them. The power of corruption is like a seed, hidden deep within the heart, constantly generating doubts and taking root.

"How vast this sea is," Mashiro murmured to herself, leaning against the railing of the warship. Meanwhile, in her room in Gion...

As Yuan lay in bed, Mashiro's words kept echoing in her ears.

As a candidate for general, she knew very well what kind of beliefs she should hold, but at this moment, a strange emotion kept clouding her mind. Her determination began to be overwhelmed by doubt.