Willing to Use My Own Body to Suppress an Era

No one was born supreme!

Long Yi understood that deeply.

During the two years before activating the system, Long Yi had trained tirelessly at the Marine base, never stopping through heat or cold.

That was why, when Kazan first possessed him, he had been able to rely on his unwavering will to resist the whispers of ghosts and gods.

And later, even after obtaining the system, he had never once stopped training.

Two weeks of hellish training had allowed him to master "Soru." After winning the infantry greatsword through a draw, he had treated the massive blade, which stood far taller than he did, as a weight and kept it strapped to his back at all times.

Learning and mastering Observation Haki was no different.

Fujitora might not have been a qualified teacher, but he was undoubtedly an authority on Observation Haki.

Despite being blind, he had become an Admiral-level powerhouse. Aside from his Devil Fruit ability and clean, decisive swordsmanship, his powerful Observation Haki had also been indispensable.

Long Yi did not want to give up the chance to train with such a powerful man. After all, he did not have much time left.

It was now the year 1518 of the Sea Circle Calendar, two years before Luffy set sail.

Two years later, the Great Pirate Era would reach its peak.

The "Worst Generation" would emerge out of nowhere at the Sabaody Archipelago; Impel Down would suffer the greatest riot in its history; the Marineford War would claim countless lives; and Blackbeard, having gained the power of two Devil Fruits, would rise forcefully to prominence.

Overall, the pirates' strength was steadily growing. But what about the Marines?

To contend against the powerful Four Emperors, this force known as the ruler of the seas had actually begun recruiting pirates and established the so-called Shichibukai.

They granted the Shichibukai the legal authority to plunder and divided territories for them to rule, all to keep the Four Emperors in check. Though it was a strategy born of necessity, Long Yi saw it as a disgrace to the Marines.

Different positions naturally led to different views.

In his previous life, Long Yi had been an ordinary person, a spectator. He had marveled at Mihawk's strength and been captivated by the Pirate Empress's beauty. But now, he was a Marine—a Marine who bore justice upon his shoulders.

After the Marineford War, Marineford had been reduced to ruins. Though the Marines had successfully eliminated Whitebeard and Ace, ended One Piece's bloodline, wiped out Whitebeard, the overlord who had dominated the seas for years, and proclaimed their absolute strength to the world, from Sengoku and Akainu's perspective, that choice had been absolutely correct.

But had it truly worked?

The moment the sea lost Whitebeard, it descended into chaos. In the end, it was still the ordinary civilians who suffered. Blackbeard, who had seized the seat of a Four Emperor, and the thugs beneath him brought even greater chaos and pain to the world.

They had removed an aging lion only to invite in a pack of ambitious hungry wolves. In the end, the Marines simply lacked strength.

Take the new generation, for example. Aside from Koby and Helmeppo, Long Yi barely knew of any other rising Marine talents.

Though the Marines were an enormous organization, and there would surely be outstanding new blood even without counting later-rising powerhouses like Smoker and Rob Lucci, their new generation was still inferior to the pirates' on the surface.

The Marines of the future would still have to rely on those veteran powerhouses to hold up their image.

Karp, Sengoku, Tsuru—there was no denying their strength, but they had lived through an entire era. They were old.

Then who would carry the banner of justice in the future?

Akainu, who believed in Absolute Justice? No. He was too arrogant and too stubborn. Once anything was stamped with the word "absolute," everything changed.

Kizaru, who believed in neutrality and was laid-back and carefree? No. He would make a fine Admiral, but he was not suited to be the one carrying the banner.

As for Aokiji, who had left the Marines, that was even less likely. Whatever his reasons, he had ultimately joined Blackbeard's pirate crew. Even if he still upheld justice in his heart, it would remain a stain upon his life.

In Long Yi's heart, only Fujitora, who stood beside him, best fit his ideal candidate to bear justice.

But relying on others was inferior to relying on himself!

Long Yi had to grow stronger, because he wanted to settle the obsession in his heart, complete his revenge, and fulfill his ambition of becoming famous throughout the world.

For the name of justice, he had to become even stronger!

He longed to suppress the eleven pirate Supernovas with his strength alone! He wanted to tell the world that although pirate talent flourished generation after generation, the Marines needed no new blood besides him!

"Are you sure you don't want to rest for a while? Or at least put down that greatsword on your back. Strength accumulates bit by bit. You need to understand that too much is as bad as too little."

Fujitora looked hesitant, uncertain whether he should stop. Since morning, he had been sparring with Long Yi without food or water for an entire day.

Under such intense training, there was barely a spot on Long Yi's body that was not bruised purple and blue. Yet he still refused to relax and continued gritting his teeth in perseverance.

"It's fine, Uncle Issho. I can see more and more clearly now."

Sweat had soaked through his clothes, making them cling damply to his body. The throbbing pain from his injuries had gradually gone numb.

Though he was covered in wounds, Long Yi was exhilarated. In his perception, the surroundings were becoming clearer and clearer. He had completely adapted to this style of combat that relied on perception.

"No. If this continues, you'll damage your body. We're stopping for today!"

After considering it, Fujitora spoke to Long Yi in an almost commanding tone and forcibly ended his training.

With no choice left after Fujitora stopped cooperating, Long Yi sat cross-legged, removed the cloth over his eyes, and slowly opened them. It took him quite a while to adjust to the sunlight he had not seen for so long.

By then, the sun was already setting.

Sweat glimmered across Long Yi's body as though coating him in a layer of golden light. Once his tightly wound mind suddenly relaxed, exhaustion and soreness swept over him like a tide. Even with the recovery ability the system granted in accordance with his level, he could barely endure it.

Sensing Long Yi's condition, Fujitora shook his head and sat beside him. He spoke in a low voice.

"Kid, using hatred as your motivation will only consume your body and mind in the end."

Clearly, Fujitora had mistaken Long Yi for an extreme youth willing to pay any price for revenge.

"Uncle Issho, I do want revenge. I dream of flaying those scum alive, but—hiss! That hurts."

Before he could finish, the pain in his body interrupted his thoughts.

Seeing this, Fujitora sighed helplessly and casually handed Long Yi a portable iron flask.

"Hehe, thanks, Uncle Issho."

Long Yi accepted anything offered to him. After thanking him, he took the flask, unscrewed the cap, and took a huge swig.

The fiery liquor flowed down his throat and into his stomach, feeling as though he had swallowed knives.

Fujitora's expression gradually stiffened at the sight. He had intended for Long Yi to use the alcohol to rub his bruises and disperse the congestion in his blood. Who would have thought the kid would be so fierce?

"Ahh, spicy! But thanks to you, Uncle, I feel all dizzy now. It doesn't hurt at all."

Watching Long Yi grin foolishly and sway from side to side, Fujitora suspected that someone must have hit the boy in the head before. Otherwise, he would not be so slow-witted.

"That was for you... Forget it. Give me the flask."

He forcefully snatched the flask from Long Yi's hand and sighed speechlessly. Ignoring Long Yi's objections, he tore off his clothes, exposing a sturdy upper body covered in purple bruises and several scars.

His rough palm brushed over the gunshot wound left by the mountain bandits, and Fujitora's expression grew solemn.

"You were shot before?"

"Pecked by birds."

After Long Yi gave such a pointless answer, Fujitora did not ask again. Using the strong liquor, he began massaging Long Yi to promote circulation and disperse the bruising.

"Pain! I said, be gentler!"

Fujitora was not gentle. The moment those rough palms pressed against Long Yi's body, the pain made him bare his teeth. Combined with the burning sensation of the liquor, it was indescribably unpleasant.

But after the simple treatment to improve circulation and disperse the bruising, Long Yi's condition did improve. It was painful, but worth it.

"I've never seen a kid more desperate than you. You're still young. You have plenty of time, so there's no need to rush so much."

Fujitora could not understand Long Yi's mentality. Long Yi kept claiming that hatred had not blinded him, yet when it came to training himself, he pushed harder than anyone.

He was curious what exactly made Long Yi persist so stubbornly.

"Hehe, Uncle, you don't understand—hic—I'm a Marine."

Fujitora's liquor was truly potent. After chugging such a large mouthful at once, Long Yi had become slightly drunk, and his speech began to slur.

"A Marine? Kid, you're drunk."

Though Long Yi had said so before, Fujitora still did not believe him. As far as he knew, no Marine could leave their post without authorization.

"I'm Marine Seaman Third Class Long Yi! Hero Karp's disciple! A man who will bear justice on his shoulders!"

Hearing Long Yi's words, Fujitora let out a scornful laugh and could not help knocking him on the head.

"Heh. What does a kid like you know about justice, talking so boldly about bearing it?"

Clutching the swelling on his head, Long Yi's eyes filled with tears as he loudly protested.

"How could I not know? I know!"

Long Yi's refusal to yield piqued Fujitora's interest. A faint smile appeared on his rugged face as he asked in return.

"Then tell me, what is justice?"

Hearing Fujitora's question, Long Yi instinctively gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist. His expression turned serious as he answered solemnly.

"My justice is to use my own strength to protect the weak and punish the cruel!"

Fujitora was startled. He had asked in jest, but after hearing Long Yi's answer, his expression became serious. When he looked at Long Yi again, there was something different in his gaze.

"Though simple, I have no rebuttal. Long Yi, I hope you can always uphold the justice in your heart."

"Haha, of course."

He answered excitedly, but in the end, Long Yi could not overcome his exhaustion and fatigue. He fell backward without realizing it and sank into deep sleep.

Soft snores sounded beside him. Fujitora sat cross-legged beneath the setting sun for a long time.

"The Marines... don't seem so bad."

Muttering to himself, Fujitora hoisted Long Yi onto his back and walked slowly toward Ulabia City beneath the sunset's afterglow. Long Yi's appearance had stirred no small ripple in his heart.

Recalling Long Yi's words and actions, the man who had long wandered through the mortal world felt, for the first time, the desire to fulfill his own aspirations.

Ulabia City.

"Extra! Extra!"

The paperboy waved the latest printed newspapers in his hand as he ran through the streets, shouting at the top of his lungs.

Newspapers scattered across the ground, their front-page headline printed in bold letters.

"'One-Eyed Belik' Fleet Formed!"