Strength

"While we avoided Holgues Town, where the Marines might have been lying in wait, it doesn't mean we can definitely escape their pursuit."

"The Marines rarely set such a high bounty on someone for their first one. Being offered such a high bounty can only mean the Marines have fully recognized our strength."

"While this is something to be proud of, it also means the Marines will pursue us with greater intensity. Next time, it might be a team led by a Vice Admiral from Headquarters."

"Moreover, it's not just the Marines who are after us. There are also bounty hunters lurking in the shadows, and pirates with other motives! After all, our entire crew's bounty is approaching 200 million Belly, a sum that's hard to find even a few examples of in the North Blue."

"Whether it's the bounty for defeating us or the fame we'd gain, it will attract countless people to come after us."

Rod said very seriously, looking at his companions before him.

"We're not idiots, we understand that."

Law stood up, holding his katana.

He actually looks like a captain when he gets serious.

The thought flashed through his mind, and Law headed straight for his room.

His room was next to the dining hall, a large room connected to the infirmary.

Because he sometimes needed to research things, and to save time, Law had requested when the Polar was being built that his room be connected to the infirmary.

He had some ideas he wanted to try out.

The fight with Gladius was manageable, it hadn't put too much pressure on him.

However, Rod's method of "capturing" Devil Fruit abilities, creating a completely isolated space through a Devil Fruit ability, had given Law some new insights after three attempts, especially after one successful experience.

If this ability could be further developed, it would not only increase the success rate of acquiring Devil Fruits, but also enhance the team's future development potential, and it would be a highly effective combat method.

"I probably can't help much in combat, so I'll go modify the warehouse."

Grey got up silently and walked towards the research lab below.

"Let's go train!"

Pekoms and Shakky were still full of energy.

They both felt they were among the weaker members on the ship and didn't have a special skill like Grey. Therefore, they had never relaxed their self-discipline, exercising daily and sometimes even jumping into the sea to swim along.

Especially after obtaining the Explosion-Explosion Fruit, they both seized every opportunity to jump into the sea to swim, cherishing the last moments they could swim before becoming Devil Fruit users.

Seeing everyone's energetic demeanor, Rod showed a gratified smile.

Then he also got up and headed to his room.

As the captain, his room was in the center of the second floor, with a small balcony right at the entrance. The Polar's ship's wheel was also located there.

Opening the door, the first thing Rod saw was the large saw blade, Shark Cutter, hanging on the wall. It was his trophy from defeating Bastille.

Reaching out and gripping Shark Cutter, Rod's ability, Knights Do Not Die Empty-Handed, activated automatically, allowing him to instantly master the use of the saw blade.

Unlike ordinary katanas or uchigatana, this type of weapon emphasized chopping and required great strength from the user.

Most importantly, Bastille was a swordsman who had mastered Iron Cutting.

Closing his eyes slightly, Rod felt the power of the swordsman's realm, and a sharp aura emanated from him.

After a long while, Rod released Shark Cutter and picked up a longsword he had casually taken from the spoils.

A realization dawned on Rod. He could feel that he could now cut through steel with the ordinary weapon in his hand!

He was now a swordsman!

Although his swordsmanship realm was only at the beginner stage of swordsmanship, relying on Rod's formidable physical strength, the power of the slashes he could now unleash far surpassed that of an ordinary swordsman.

And that wasn't all!

With a slight movement of his will, an invisible force surged from Rod's body, flowing along his arm and wrapping around the longsword in his hand.

Armament Haki!

Armament Haki, similar to Observation Haki, was also a power of willpower, capable of increasing defense and enhancing attack power.

Besides being a swordsman, Bastille had also mastered both types of Haki. Although not profound, it was enough to be Rod's key to unlocking Armament Haki.

Because he had been in the North Blue before and hadn't encountered opponents of sufficient strength, even though he knew the principles of both Haki, Rod had only mastered Observation Haki through Nerl and had not mastered the use of Armament Haki.

"Rear Admiral Bastille, what a good person!"

Releasing the longsword, Rod let the Haki flow over his body. Supported by his formidable physical strength, Haki continuously surged from his stamina, covering his entire body in an instant.

Coating and Hardening! Flowing Emission! Internal Destruction!

These were some of the techniques for using Armament Haki that Rod knew.

Based on the insights gained from Shark Cutter, Rod not only awakened Armament Haki but also quickly mastered the Coating and Hardening technique. Moreover, thanks to his powerful physique, even though it was only a preliminary awakening, the strength of his Haki already far surpassed Bastille's.

Now, I should be able to go head-to-head with a Shichibukai!

Rod silently estimated his strength.

In the pirate world, everyone had monstrous stamina, but having trained diligently since childhood, Rod was confident he wouldn't lose to them, and might even surpass them.

In terms of both Haki types, he had now mastered both. Observation Haki was more skillfully mastered due to Nerl, and while Armament Haki was only preliminarily mastered, with his own physique, its quality and quantity should not be lacking.

Swordsmanship had also reached the realm of Swordmaster, and in terms of footwork, I had just learned Soru.

Thinking this, Rod added silently in his heart.

Vice Captain Hina is also a good person!

The only thing I lack now is combat experience!

Allowing Haki to flow around his body, slowly familiarizing himself with this new power, a surge of heroic spirit erupted within Rod.

The solid foundation built through lifelong training, combined with the ability of Sit-ups, was enough to guarantee growth in his physique, allowing him to quickly reach the pinnacle of this world.

And Knights Do Not Die Empty-Handed ensured that he could master various combat techniques at the fastest pace.

Especially the latest discovery: as long as he obtained Weapons used by strong individuals, he could master their techniques through those Weapons.

Next, as long as he continuously fought against strong individuals, completely excavated his body's potential in battle, then completely absorbed and integrated the mastered techniques, he would soon be able to stand at the peak of this sea!