Purple Pill, Blazing Sun

"Mr. Long Yi, here is your new uniform."

Marine Lieutenant Will stood respectfully before the hospital bed, showing not the slightest contempt because of the young man's age.

He gently placed a brand-new Marine officer's uniform on the bedside table, then straightened up and stood with his hands clasped, waiting for the boy on the bed to speak.

"Thank you, Lieutenant Will."

Long Yi nodded without a trace of arrogance. Will could be considered his lifesaver, so naturally he would not put on any pointless airs.

"If there is nothing else, I won't disturb your rest."

After giving a standard Marine salute, Will backed away until he reached the door. Only then did the lieutenant from this Marine branch dare turn around. Of course, he did not forget to close the door behind him.

"Phew..."

Letting out a breath, Long Yi glanced at the Marine officer's uniform Will had delivered and could not help but smile bitterly as he muttered to himself.

"What was this supposed to be? Praising me to death? My rank had risen far too quickly."

Long Yi had already learned of Marine Headquarters' decision from the official telegram. The impact of wiping out the Belik Pirates was far greater than he had imagined, leaving him somewhat unable to process it.

Thinking of the reverent expression Will had worn earlier, Long Yi shook his head.

Ranks from Marine Headquarters stood a full tier above those of the branch bases. Here, his status was almost on par with the person in charge. No wonder Will had treated a boy twenty years his junior that way.

"Forget it. No point thinking about it."

No matter how much he thought it over, Long Yi could not figure out what deeper meaning lay behind Marine Headquarters' decision. But since they had given him the rank of ensign, he would simply accept it.

"I'm going to become an admiral someday. What's a mere ensign?"

Muttering under his breath, Long Yi closed his eyes and entered his sea of consciousness.

The scene within remained unchanged. The holy aura made Long Yi feel a relaxation that reached deep into his soul.

Kazan was nowhere to be seen, but Long Yi knew that sly ghost god had not vanished. He was merely hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity.

Pushing those thoughts aside and refusing to dwell on Kazan, Long Yi began calling for his system.

"System, display my current stats."

[Data display. Current host data is as follows.]

[Host: Long Yi]

[Faction: Marines]

[Level: 0 (Ensign)]

[Reputation: 70 (Reputation System unlocked)]

[Unlocked classes: Ghost Swordsman (Basic), Ashura]

[Unlocked skills: Upward Slash (Mastery), Chain Thrust (Level 5), Kazan's Blade Soul (Level 5), Air Combo (Level 1), Guard (Level 7), Silver Light Falling Blade (Level 4), Ghost Slash (Level), Mountain-Breaking Strike (Level), Wave-Splitting Slash (Level 1), Cross Slash (Level 1), Three-Section Slash (Level 1), Moonlight Slash (Level 1), Earth-Splitting Wave Sword (Level), Ghost Seal Orb (Level), Evil Light Slash (Level)]

[Unlocked abilities: Six Powers (Soru), Wave Imprint (Level 1), Killing Intent Perception]

[Unlocked achievements: "A Brilliant Debut" (The appearance of ghost god power caused quite a stir at Marineford, drawing the attention of the higher-ups and completing a brilliant debut.)

"Crocker Town's Savior" (You killed the bandit leader who came to raid the town, saving Crocker Town and becoming its savior.)

"Ashura" (Only after suffering endless hardship and remaining unbroken through countless trials could one comprehend the way of waves. At the brink of life and death, you successfully broke through the limits of human will, awakened the soul of Ashura, opened the Eye of Waves, and changed class to Ashura.)

"The Young Demon of the Marines" (At a young age, you single-handedly completed your revenge. The pirates of an entire fleet died beneath the blades in your hands. Your ruthlessness inspires fear, and your unique title is spreading to every corner of the North Blue.)]

[Lottery draws: 5]

[Evaluation: You have made quite a name for yourself in the North Blue. Combined with your age and methods, you have made many pirates fearful. However, vast parts of the world still do not know your name. With the sword in your hand, carve out your own era.]

Stroking his chin, Long Yi fell into thought. Aside from the newly learned skills and unlocked achievements, what concerned him most was the so-called "Reputation System."

Thinking of that, he could not help asking.

"System, what is the use of this Reputation System?"

Long Yi's question was quickly answered.

[After the Reputation System is unlocked, every one hundred reputation points can be exchanged for one lottery draw.]

Hearing the system's explanation, Long Yi's eyes lit up. That meant he could exchange his more than seven hundred reputation points for seven lottery draws. Added to his original five chances, he had a full twelve chances for a multi-draw.

"System, exchange all my reputation for lottery draws. I want to draw!"

Rubbing his hands excitedly, Long Yi looked like a gambler with bloodshot eyes.

It was not entirely his fault. In his battle with Belik, he had used up too many items. Even his trusty katana had snapped, while his spare infantry greatsword had been damaged too badly to be of any real use.

He needed a new weapon.

"What kind of swordsman didn't carry a sword?"

Muttering nonstop, Long Yi opened the lottery without hesitation.

[Please select lottery type.]

"Weapons. I choose the weapon category."

[Host has selected lottery type: Weapons.]

[Beginning lottery draw.]

[Congratulations. Host has obtained item ×1. Item details are as follows:

Purple Pill (Rare)

Type: Katana

Attributes: None

Special ability: Three-Section Slash +1

Item description: A blade nominated for the "Best Weapon" award at the world's number one blacksmith competition.]

When Long Yi saw the result, he froze for a moment before involuntarily jumping to his feet.

He had never imagined that his luck would let him strike gold in one draw and obtain a Rare-grade weapon.

"Goodbye bad luck, hello Europe! Today is the day!"

Long Yi's gaze was resolute, a faint smile hanging at the corners of his mouth. In his imagination, a force known as the "European Emperor Aura" was slowly swirling behind him. With that aura's blessing, he would be unstoppable.

Shaking off that unrealistic fantasy, Long Yi drew his newly acquired weapon.

The slender blade was icy cold, with pale violet glimmers flowing across its edge.

This was a fine blade.

"As expected of a Rare weapon!"

Secretly marveling at Purple Pill's quality, Long Yi could not have been more satisfied. But he had no intention of stopping. Now that he had a primary weapon, it was best to get a spare as well. It never hurt to be prepared.

"Weapons again!"

[Host has selected lottery type: Weapons.]

[Beginning lottery draw.]

[Congratulations. Host has obtained item ×1. Item details are as follows:

Blazing Sun (Artifact)

Type: Lightsaber

Attributes: None

Special abilities: Extreme Blade + (Skill not unlocked), Silver Light Falling Blade +, Lightsaber Mastery +1 (Skill not unlocked)

Item description: Its superheated flames can melt you by burning everything to ashes!]

Long Yi went from shock to wild joy in just three seconds. Although he still could not equip a lightsaber, that was fine. Even simply leaving such a weapon in his system storage was pleasing to the eye.

After the Wild Strawberry Incident, Long Yi had once suspected that the system lottery was a bottomless pit with no end.

But now, it seemed that he had simply worried too much.

But were things really as simple as he imagined?

"Continue. Weapons!"

[Host has selected lottery type: Weapons.]

[Beginning lottery draw.]

[Congratulations. Host has obtained item ×1. Item details are as follows:

Dim Fluorescent Sword (Broken)

Type: Lightsaber

Attributes: None

Special abilities: None

Item description: The lightsaber has gone dim and lost its glow. Can it still be used?]

Long Yi fell silent, then forced a casual smile.

"It's fine. There are still nine draws left. I'll definitely get a spare weapon."

After nine consecutive draws, Long Yi, who had experienced the wildest ups and downs of his life, was left unable to recover. Ten Dim Fluorescent Swords in a row had shattered his mentality into dust.

The European Emperor Aura had utterly collapsed!

Long Yi, whose consciousness remained inside the system, had no idea that a burly figure had appeared outside the Marine branch base.

The man wore a purple kimono and carried a cane sword.

"Boy, this old man has come to fulfill his promise."

Fujitora's lips curved faintly upward as he stepped forward.