Let It Go, Let It Go-We've All Got It Tough!

In the first few days, although his swordsmanship was formidable, he lacked experience in life-or-death combat. The seasoned Shiki often kept him on the back foot with his reactions and timing, forcing him to use his Devil Fruit abilities just to hold his own.

However, as their sparring continued, Luo Tian's learning and adaptability—both enhanced a hundredfold—began to show their terrifying potential.

His grasp of sword techniques, timing, and presence improved by leaps and bounds.

Now, without using his Devil Fruit abilities and relying solely on swordsmanship, he could fight Shiki to a standstill. He even managed the occasional brilliant counterattack, forcing Shiki to take him seriously.

As for his Space-Space Fruit abilities, Luo Tian hadn't slacked off there, either.

Every night, he trained intensively, trying to develop new applications or improve the techniques he already had.

The only slight disappointment was that the system hadn't issued a single mission over the past month, which meant he hadn't received any new rewards.

But he also understood that relying on system rewards to grow stronger wasn't a viable path. Steady, disciplined training was the right way forward.

"Luo Tian, you training maniac, are we going another round?"

Shiki took a swig of liquor and looked at Luo Tian, whose breathing was steady. Shock and satisfaction mingled in his eyes.

"The speed of your progress is downright terrifying."

Honestly, even a veteran powerhouse like him, who had weathered countless storms, was secretly astonished by how quickly Luo Tian was growing stronger.

Those of them who stood at the pinnacle had all climbed over mountains of corpses and seas of blood, forging their strength and experience with time and blood.

Yet Luo Tian had been with the Rocks Pirates for only a month. Especially after all their sparring over the past few days, his combat experience and control over his power had already surpassed those of most officers who had risen through the ranks on seniority.

The guy was a monster born for battle.

And the most frightening thing was that he was still so young.

His potential seemed bottomless.

"Shiki, our swordsmanship is evenly matched now."

Luo Tian sheathed his sword and gazed at the sinking sunset, his tone calm.

"If we keep sparring with swords alone, I doubt either of us will make much progress in the short term."

"Ha ha ha! What nonsense, Luo Tian!"

Golden Lion Shiki roared with laughter. Though he was privately stunned by Luo Tian's rapid progress, he refused to back down.

"You've only gotten a taste of the basics. You're still a long way from reaching my level!"

Admitting out loud that he was evenly matched with a "newcomer"? That would feel worse than being killed.

"Hmph—"

A deep, thunderous snort suddenly cut in.

"Is that so, Shiki? Because after this past month, I'd say your strength hasn't grown at all, but your skin's gotten thick enough to stop cannonballs."

Whitebeard leaped down from the ship's bow high above, his massive frame radiating an astonishing presence as he landed beside the two men. The ground trembled beneath him.

He simply couldn't stand Shiki's attitude.

At the banquet, Shiki had bragged about being the "strongest swordsman." Now, after fighting Luo Tian dozens of times, he'd been driven to exhaustion each time, with every bout ending in a draw.

With the facts staring him in the face, how could he keep spouting nonsense without even blushing?

Was the man's skin thicker than the Red Line?

The more Whitebeard thought about it, the angrier he got. Sometimes he wanted to wrap a tremor around Murakumogiri and send the bastard—and his ship—crashing to the bottom of the sea in one swing to feed the fish.

"Newgate, what are you butting in for?" Shiki's face darkened as he shot back without a shred of politeness.

"This is a discussion of swordsmanship between Luo Tian and me. Since when does a brute who knows nothing about the essence of the sword get to interrupt?"

He'd never had a kind word for the man who was always undermining him. Even when he was trying to preserve a little dignity in front of the younger generation, the bastard had to butt in. Infuriating!

"Gurararara! A brute?"

Whitebeard wasn't angry. He laughed instead, folding his arms as he looked down at Shiki, his mockery growing sharper.

"Luo Tian is only twenty, and he's already joined the ranks of the sea's top swordsmen through his own strength.

How many people throughout history have had talent like that?"

Then he shifted his aim and struck right at Shiki's sore spot.

"And you? You've roamed the seas for ten years. In all your fights with Luo Tian this past month, have you won even once?

With skill like that, you still have the nerve to say Luo Tian falls short of you?"

Every word cut deep.

"Damn it! Whitebeard, what the hell do you know?" Shiki's face turned red, and his golden hair nearly stood on end.

"I practice the profound and inscrutable Two-Sword Style!

Using two swords lets me attack and defend at once, with endless variations. It's several times harder than that clumsy style of yours, where you grip a single sword with both hands!

It takes far more mental effort and requires much finer coordination. The two styles can't even be compared!

Don't speak of the true essence of swordsmanship when you don't understand it! You're only relying on that Tremor-Tremor Fruit!"

Furious and humiliated, he snatched up Oto and Kogarashi, which were propped nearby, and prepared to slash at Whitebeard.

Today, he'd make the man shut up for good!

Seeing that Shiki had taken the bait and struck first, Whitebeard's lips curled into a smug smile.

He'd been itching for a fight, and now he had the perfect excuse to teach the bastard a lesson.

"Let it go, let it go. We've all got it tough. Besides, Shiki just had a fierce fight with me. Beating him now wouldn't be a fair win." Luo Tian stepped in to play peacemaker.

Whitebeard thought that made some sense, so he gave a cold snort. "Shiki, have you got the guts to fight me tomorrow?"

Shiki folded his arms. "Bring it on! Why would I back down from you?"

Just then, Luo Tian spoke up. "Shiki, neither of us won our swordsmanship contest, and I don't think another round will change that.

"Here's an idea: we each use one of the other person's signature techniques.

"Whoever imitates it more skillfully, captures its essence better, or even improves it or shows a deeper understanding will win.

"What do you say? That would test our understanding of each other's techniques and indirectly show how difficult they are to master. The harder a sword style is, the more difficult it is for an outsider to imitate its essence."

"Ha ha ha! That suits me perfectly!" Shiki stood up, laughing.

After a month of fighting Luo Tian, he'd gotten a good feel for his swordsmanship.

With his years of experience and keen eye, imitating sixty or seventy percent of it would be no trouble at all.

But Luo Tian was supposed to imitate his complex, ever-changing Two-Sword Style? That would be tough!

"Ha ha ha! Since you proposed this contest, I'll demonstrate first. Let me show you what a veteran's experience looks like!"

"Watch closely. This is Sea-Severing!"

Shiki took the lead. To show how effortlessly he could do it, he even gripped Oto in just one hand.

He took a deep breath, a flash of light in his eyes, then copied Luo Tian's opening stance and the way he put force into the swing, bringing his blade down in a powerful arc!

A glint of cold light flashed. A hundred-meter-long wave of sword energy shot down vertically, ripping through the air and cleaving the sea in two!

Shiki was rather pleased with his handiwork. He turned back with a proud smile.

"Well? One-Sword Style is certainly sharp, but its techniques are relatively simple, as expected.

"I've already grasped seventy or eighty percent of the essence of your move.

"Ultimately, my Two-Sword Style is more complex and profound—and much harder to master or imitate!"

Luo Tian gave a calm smile. He couldn't even be bothered to comment on such a flawed imitation.

"Is that so? Shiki, make sure you watch closely now."

Before Luo Tian had even finished speaking, he moved like a phantom.

Shiki felt a sudden lightness at his waist. The other Great Grade Sword, Kogarashi, was already in Luo Tian's hand.

Holding a blade in each hand, Luo Tian bent slightly at the waist. His gaze instantly turned focused and sharp.

Vrrm—

A hair-raising sword song rang out—not from the blades, but from the sword intent gathering around Luo Tian.

Streams of solid, azure sword energy, sharp enough to tear through the air, swirled around Black Dragon and Kogarashi like living things, gathering and rushing in a low roar!