The Realm of the Swordmaster

The next day, after Nangong Yan woke up and took his newly recruited subordinate to breakfast, he began training in swordsmanship.

Roger arrived at that time. Since they were staying nearby, he did not disturb Nangong Yan when he saw him practicing his swordsmanship, merely watching quietly from the side.

Only after Nangong Yan finished training did Roger smile and say, "Brother Nangong, you've already grasped the basics of swordsmanship, but your transitions between moves are still somewhat stiff. Your sword force is fierce, but scattered rather than focused."

Nangong Yan was slightly taken aback. Then he bent at the waist and humbly asked, "Please give me more guidance, Senior Roger."

Roger was an expert in physical combat, Haki, and swordsmanship. Of those three methods of attack, Haki was his strongest, but his swordsmanship was equally formidable. He had long since reached the realm of the Great Swordmaster. Just how strong was Roger's swordsmanship? Perhaps it could not compare to Golden Lion, the current world's greatest swordsman, but it was certainly not far behind.

Thus, with Roger's attainments in swordsmanship, guiding Nangong Yan was more than easy enough.

"As everyone knows, the realm of the Swordmaster is also called the realm of cutting steel. It is preparation for reaching the realm of hearing the breath of all things and becoming a Great Swordmaster."

"Nearly every blade a swordsman wields contains iron. After practicing the sword year after year, sensing the breath of iron is the easiest thing of all."

"To reach the realm of the Swordmaster, it is not enough to have a certain understanding of iron. Your swordsmanship fundamentals must be flawless, your transitions between sword moves smooth and perfect, and your sword force focused rather than dispersed. Only then can you reach the realm of the Swordmaster and use even an ordinary piece of iron to cut through steel." Roger spoke at length with a smile. He had none of the majesty or imposing aura of the future Pirate King, yet he felt exceptionally approachable.

"In simple terms, it means reaching the realm where man and blade become one, right?" Nangong Yan pondered briefly before summarizing.

"That's right. Well put. But just talking about it won't help you understand anytime soon. How about this? I happen to be free. If you're willing to treat me to some good liquor, I'll let you experience it through actual combat."

Joy appeared on Nangong Yan's face. If such a wonderful opportunity could be settled with alcohol, then all the liquor in the world would be drunk dry.

"Then thank you, Senior Roger. Forget one round of good liquor—whenever you want to drink, drink as much as you like. It won't matter even if you drink me into bankruptcy." Nangong Yan thumped his chest and spoke generously.

"Hahaha... You said that yourself, Brother. Don't regret it later. You saw my drinking capacity last night."

"I definitely won't regret it. Money is nothing more than a worldly possession."

"Good. Then let's head outside. Attack me with your sword at full strength. I'll suppress my own power. Make sure you feel it properly."

"Understood."

At Marine Headquarters, Marineford, a Marine colonel knocked on the Fleet Admiral's office door. After receiving permission, he entered, saluted, and reported loudly, "Reporting to the Fleet Admiral, the Intelligence Division and P0 have sent urgent intelligence. The Roger Pirates and the Golden Lion Pirates have both appeared in the Edd War Sea. We do not know whether it was a chance encounter or planned, but based on their routes, they will definitely meet within a week."

"In addition, Nangong Yan, a heinous criminal with a bounty of one billion Beli, has also appeared in the Edd War Sea and has already made contact with the Roger Pirates."

Upon hearing this intelligence, delight appeared on Fleet Admiral Kong's face. His voice boomed like a great bell as he said, "Immediately notify the Marine Headquarters admirals, Vice Admiral Garp, and the other main combat forces at headquarters to gather in the main conference room. There is an important combat mission."

"Yes, Fleet Admiral." The Marine colonel saluted once more, then hurried out.

Very soon, Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Zephyr, Vice Admiral Garp, Chief Staff Officer Tsuru, three Marine vice admirals, the admiral candidates Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji, along with most of the vice admirals and rear admirals from Marine Headquarters, gathered in the main conference room. A solemn atmosphere filled the room. Even Garp, who usually lacked all seriousness, wore a grave expression.

After Fleet Admiral Kong shared the intelligence with everyone, he coughed lightly, interrupting the heated discussion below. His voice boomed with passion as he declared, "Everyone, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has arrived. As long as Roger and Golden Lion meet, Golden Lion's arrogant, domineering, and overbearing temperament will definitely lead to a fierce conflict with Roger."

"They will surely wound each other badly. Then our Marines will strike and, with our full strength, wipe out both pirate crews. Without these two pirate crews, the Marines will not only gain a foothold in the New World, but will also be able to completely suppress the pirates."

"The Whitebeard Pirates cannot stand alone. Red the Lone is a lone wolf with limited influence, while the remaining newcomers have yet to reach an uncontrollable level."

"As long as we wipe out these two pirate crews, the Marines will completely suppress the evil force known as pirates. With a few more years of effort, justice will eradicate evil once and for all."

"To accomplish this goal, I have decided that everyone present will head to the New World this time. We must strike true in one blow. As for the security of headquarters, recalling the vice admirals and rear admirals currently carrying out missions will be enough. I refuse to believe anyone would dare cause trouble in Marineford."

"Everyone, give it everything you have. Understood?"

"Understood!" Every Marine smiled as they answered in unison, their voices exploding like thunder, as though the Golden Lion Grand Fleet and the Roger Pirates had already been destroyed.

"Oh, right, there is one more matter. Before Roger and Golden Lion begin fighting, officers of vice admiral rank and above may split up and visit the islands around the Edd War Sea. The brat who kidnapped the dragonfolk is also in the Edd War Sea."

"That brat is slippery as an eel. Once you find him, keep him entangled and send a signal for reinforcements. Do not give him the chance to use that bizarre ability."

"Enough. Meeting adjourned. Make your preparations. We depart for the New World in two hours."

Two hours later, three warships carrying the Marines' main combat forces departed Marineford for the New World.

The combat strength aboard those three warships was terrifying beyond measure, enough to defeat any single overlord of the New World. After entering the New World, the three warships advanced with equal arrogance and dominance, crushing several pirate forces that did not know their place.

The Roger Pirates remained on Orange Island for three days before departing.

Thanks to Roger's guidance over those three days, Nangong Yan's swordsmanship successfully reached the realm of the Swordmaster. Even without a famed blade, Nangong Yan could now easily cleave steel apart. His strength had improved considerably.

Although Roger had needed nothing more than drinks, Nangong Yan still remembered this favor in his heart. If he had the opportunity in the future, he would repay it.

The Roger Pirates had left, but Nangong Yan had not. It was not that he did not want to leave, nor was it because he lacked a ship.

Pike was also the captain of a pirate crew, so he did have a ship. The problem was that they had too few people.

There were only Pike and Nangong Yan. Having few people was one thing, but the key issue was that neither of them knew anything about navigation... Unless absolutely necessary, Nangong Yan truly did not want to challenge the New World's ever-changing weather conditions with the ignorance of just two people.

They certainly would not die. After all, Nangong Yan could fly, possessed the Kamui Dimension, and could teleport through space. But getting lost was inevitable.

Had they not come to the Edd War Sea to watch the battle? Then staying on Orange Island, eating well, drinking well, and sleeping well was rather wonderful. He could develop his Devil Fruit abilities, strengthen his body, train his swordsmanship, study Haki, and quietly await the coming battle. Wasn't that perfect?

As for Pike, Nangong Yan gave him five million Beli to recruit some people, so that after they set sail, Nangong Yan would not have to handle everything himself.

Nangong Yan had no intention of forming a pirate crew for the time being. He had yet to gain confidence in recruiting the core crew members he had in mind. As for ordinary pirates, Nangong Yan looked down on them and would never consider them core crew members.

While Nangong Yan happily remained on Orange Island, the Marine warships were already close to reaching the Edd War Sea. Quite a few vice admirals, Marine admiral candidates, and Marine admirals had been assigned to different islands and were searching for Nangong Yan's trail.

It was worth mentioning that since receiving Roger's guidance, Nangong Yan had kept a low profile and focused on improving his strength, leaving all matters to Pike.

The intelligence agents of the Marines and P0 did not know whether Nangong Yan had left Orange Island. None of the Roger Pirates were weak, and neither Nangong Yan nor Pike was particularly weak either. Especially while Roger was present, the intelligence agents did not dare approach, or they would be discovered. Thus, the intelligence was not especially accurate.