Nameless Divine Wind Style

King the Conflagration belonged to the Lunaria, a race that had once lived in a place on the Red Line known as the "Land of Gods," a people called "gods."

Members of the Lunaria could produce flames from their bodies, survive under all kinds of natural conditions, and possessed incredibly powerful vitality. They were called "gods" because of their formidable physiques!

What others did not know was that within that Land of Gods, there was another race capable of rivaling the Lunaria: the Olycia Tribe.

The two races had once been hailed as the Twin Poles of the Land of Gods!

The Lunaria were born with control over flames, while the Olycia Tribe were born with control over ice.

Moreover... the two races were hostile toward one another, sworn mortal enemies whose hatred demanded that one side die whenever they met!

They were called the Twin Poles for those reasons as well!

The territory of the Four Emperor Red-Haired.

Red-Haired looked at the newspaper, an involuntary smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "The era Captain Roger opened really is full of turbulent winds and clouds..."

The territory of the Four Emperor Whitebeard Pirates.

Whitebeard put down the newspaper and could not help shaking his head. "Roger, is this the new era you wanted?"

Any major force with even slightly well-informed channels had learned of this matter, and it triggered a series of tremors!

Ian's photograph had also appeared on the desks of many people in power...

World Government, Holy Land Mary Geoise.

The Five Elders' office.

At this moment, the five were either seated or standing, likewise discussing this incident.

One of the Five Elders spoke solemnly. "That emblem, those ice-based abilities—it should be correct. He is one of the Twin Poles races from that kingdom of old, the Olycia Tribe!"

"I never expected that, aside from King the Conflagration, there would be another survivor."

"The changes in his body should be the result of a Zoan ability, right?"

"For a race like theirs, Zoan fruits are the best choice, because they already possess the ability to control flames and solid ice."

"Since he was able to defeat Donquixote Doflamingo, there is no question about his strength. Should we recruit him as a Shichibukai? He would conveniently fill Donquixote Doflamingo's vacancy."

"Let us try. The Shichibukai are of great importance, not only to deal with the Four Emperors structure taking shape in the New World, but also for another reason..."

"The Pacifistas..."

"Vegapunk's research has stalled lately. His reason is that he needs people with powerful physiques and firm wills as test subjects."

"Wouldn't people from the Marines do?"

"The Marines are, after all, one of our subordinate forces. Sengoku would not agree, and if we push too hard, it would cause dissatisfaction within the Marines."

"Then let the criminals in Impel Down try?"

"Vegapunk has said that the test subjects need to cooperate wholeheartedly. The people above Level Five are not strong enough, and those monsters in Level Six—do you think they would cooperate? Do not forget that King the Conflagration escaped during an experiment once!"

"There is no need to rush this matter. Let us settle the Shichibukai position first."

"Send word to the Marines. Have them approach that man and test the waters." One of the Five Elders made the final decision.

"That is all we can do."

"Besides that member of the Olycia Tribe, there is still one vacant position..."

"How has Fire Fist Ace been lately? He ate a Logia fruit, so his strength should not be weak."

"Have the Marines approach him as well."

"..."

Having already left Al Island, Ian had no idea that many major forces had set their sights on him...

At this moment, Ian was sailing alone across the sea in a small boat.

With Ian's strength, he could already cross the seas by himself. Even with only a small boat, he could come and go freely.

Ian sailed the sea without any particular destination. He possessed a Dimensional Space filled to the brim with food, so he did not need to fear running out even if he drifted at sea for several months.

"Since I have nothing to do, I might as well draw a prize."

Ian yawned and lay down on the deck of the small boat.

His consciousness sank into the system. "Start the draw."

[Lottery draw commencing...

Ding, acquired skill—Nameless Divine Wind Style!]

"Nameless Divine Wind Style? What kind of skill is that? Swordsmanship?" Ian had never heard of the skill before and was somewhat puzzled.

But it did not matter. He would understand once he fused with the skill.

Countless streams of information surged into Ian's mind like a raging flood, allowing him to master the skill in an instant.

So it really is swordsmanship? Ian stroked his chin. Hyorinmaru slid from its sheath at his waist, his gaze sharpening as a swordsman's aura rose from his body.

"Nameless Divine Wind Style: White Tiger!" Ian pushed his sword aura to its limit, then brought Hyorinmaru down in a slash toward the sea ahead!

With a hum, a slash burst from Ian's blade, transforming into a ferocious white tiger that roared as it charged forward!

Its sharp claws and fangs seemed capable of tearing apart everything. The soaring slash broke through layer after layer of obstruction, pierced space, and plunged into the sea!

Boom!

The slash entered the sea and suddenly exploded. The entire ocean seemed to boil. Then, the exploded slash directly carved apart the surface, forming ravines as though torn open by chaotic currents!

Waves crashed and surged in every direction, smashing toward Ian's small boat.

Ian blasted apart the waves with a Thunder Roar Cannon, frowning. "That was far too flashy!"

"Swordsmanship lies in intent, not form..." Ian narrowed his eyes, gathering his sword aura upon the blade. Hyorinmaru drew the slash along as he brought it down once more.

Roar!

A tiger's roar rang out. Then, a phantom white tiger emerged from Ian's blade. In the next moment, a thousand-meter crescent slash shot forth and fell into the sea!

With a hiss, sword energy churned, cutting apart the previously turbulent sea. A long ravine stretched for several thousand meters!

The sea surface... had been directly cleaved apart!

Rumble!

The sea folded back together and collided, sending spray soaring into the sky. A wave dozens of meters high crashed toward Ian.

"Now that is more like it..." Ian nodded in satisfaction, casually shattering the wave with one strike as the small boat continued onward.

A fused skill could be used according to Ian's will, as though he had already mastered it completely and was no longer restricted by fixed techniques or forms.

Ian could wield it freely.

That previous strike had merely used Nameless Divine Wind Style: White Tiger in a different manner, and its power was more or less the same.

But this was the effect Ian wanted. The earlier version had been a little too flashy.

Several days later, Ian spotted an island in the distance.

"Finally, an island?" Ian smiled. After several days of sailing, there had been nothing but sea after sea, and he was already sick of it.

Guiding the small boat to shore, Ian landed at the port and headed toward the town.

However, as he walked, he overheard the conversations of the people around him.

One person said, "I heard that Hawk-Eye Mihawk, the World's Greatest Swordsman and one of the Shichibukai, is on this island."

Another person became interested as well. "What happened?"

"Apparently, a famous swordsman wants to challenge him for the title of World's Greatest Swordsman."

"Now that is interesting. Will we get to see Hawk-Eye fight? Who is challenging him?"

"Apparently, it is 'Ghost Hunter' Thorne, with a bounty of seven hundred million Beli!"

"Hiss, I remember that guy had already gone to the New World, right? Why has he returned from the New World?"

"He came specifically to the first half of the Grand Line to challenge Hawk-Eye."

"Hawk-Eye?" Ian listened to their conversation, surprise appearing on his face.

Someone wanted to challenge Hawk-Eye?

This could be interesting...