Training

Training

He had thought the first treasure of his life would be a Devil Fruit. Instead, it was merely some utterly ordinary Berry, with no pleasant surprise at all.

"The scent of despair."

When he reached the bottom of the Pirate Ship, his Observation Haki involuntarily sensed an emotion so intense it was almost overwhelming.

After pushing open the door, he found many people with vacant eyes and listless spirits. They were all slaves Great Cleaver had captured.

With his Observation Haki that could sense good and evil, he could also perceive people's emotions. That despairing emotion felt like a massive boulder pressing against his chest, making him deeply uncomfortable.

"Crack!!!"

"Great Cleaver Kuka has been killed by me, and the entire Kuka Pirate Crew has been wiped out. You are all free now."

Li Yuan casually picked up a blade and cut through all the chains binding the slaves. Then he turned and walked out of the ship's lower deck. The despair below made him extremely uncomfortable.

"Whew, the free air outside is much better!"

Li Yuan took a deep breath and said happily.

"My lord, my name is Lazuli. Please take me in. I am willing to follow you, my lord. I can serve you in any way you wish!"

Just as Li Yuan walked out, a girl in a white dress followed behind him. She looked only fifteen years old, her figure just beginning to develop.

Li Yuan had taken a glance earlier. Among all the slaves, only her eyes still held a spark of light.

"You are already free. On this Small Island, as long as you are not lazy, you can fill your stomach and support yourself. You can even go find your family. You do not need to serve me."

Li Yuan waved his hand. He had no interest in getting involved with women right now. At this stage, women would only affect the speed of his sword.

"My lord, I am the daughter of the lord of Krakou Island. I studied medicine from a young age and was a fairly good doctor on the island. I should be of value to you."

"Before this, Great Cleaver killed all my family. I have no family left."

"My lord, rest assured. Great Cleaver had only captured me not long before he died at your hands. I am still untouched!"

Lazuli stared intently at Li Yuan and spoke without reservation.

"Oh? Why do you want to follow me?"

Li Yuan could not help giving this bold girl a few more looks. It had to be said that although Lazuli did not have much of a figure, her face was exceptionally beautiful.

Her face and figure were so striking that even Li Yuan, who had seen countless celebrities in his previous life, found her stunning.

Her shoulder-length golden hair and exquisite face even gave Li Yuan the feeling that he was seeing Android 18 from Dragon Ball.

"Without strength, one cannot even control one's own fate. In the end, one will become a strong person's dependent, or even someone else's slave!"

"I want to stay by your side and become strong. I do not want to experience something so despairing ever again."

Lazuli bluntly voiced the thoughts in her heart.

In her view, even if she settled down on this island, it could still be raided by pirates just like the island where she had lived before.

Only by possessing great strength could she truly be safe, protect herself in times of danger, and even protect her family and friends.

And Li Yuan was so young, seemingly around her age, yet he possessed the power to destroy the Kuka Pirate Crew. He had also saved her and granted her freedom. Without question, he was someone she could rely on, a shelter from the storm.

"Very good. Your words have moved me. My name is Li Yuan, and I can give you the chance to stay by my side."

"However, I have no need for useless people. If your performance fails to satisfy me, I will throw you out at any time."

Li Yuan's Observation Haki told him that Lazuli was not lying.

Her conviction to pursue strength was strong. Li Yuan thought highly of that, so he decided to keep her. Besides, as a doctor, even if she could not become a combatant in the future, she could still serve as the ship's doctor.

"Thank you for taking me in, Lord Li Yuan!"

Lazuli said gratefully. At the same time, a tear involuntarily fell from her eyes. She had finally taken the first step toward controlling her own fate.

"Senior Brother, all the pirates have been tied up!"

After seeing Li Yuan come down from the Pirate Ship, Kano ran over and said.

"Once they wake up, interrogate them and see whether any of them are navigators. If there are any, keep them. Kill everyone who is not a navigator. Do it yourself!"

Li Yuan looked at Kano and spoke seriously.

"Senior Brother, do not worry. I guarantee I will complete the task."

Kano thought for a moment before answering.

"Good. Her name is Lazuli. Have Karu bring her into the Sword Hall and practice swordsmanship with everyone else."

Li Yuan nodded in satisfaction, then pointed at Lazuli behind him.

After giving his instructions, Li Yuan returned to the Sword Hall. This time, he did not cultivate. Instead, he lay on the bed, considering what he had gained from this battle and reviewing his shortcomings during the fight.

After this battle, his swordsmanship had changed. It had become sharper, fiercer, or rather, more suited for killing.

Most importantly, he had awakened Conqueror's Haki, the bearing of a king!

He had gained a clear understanding of his own strength. Now, even against a pirate worth fifty million, he could fight and win.

"Next, I will continue practicing swordsmanship and strive to break through to the Swordmaster realm as soon as possible. Then I will practice the six physical techniques of the Marine Six Styles. My body is strong, but I lack the corresponding techniques to bring out its advantages."

"If I learn Soru, my speed will greatly improve. Geppo can also enhance my aerial combat ability, while Iron Body will complement my Sword God Body Tempering Technique perfectly."

"Life Return, which can be learned after practicing the Marine Six Styles to the limit, should be roughly equivalent to the third layer of the Sword God Body Tempering Technique. At that time, my Sword God Body Tempering Technique will be able to break through to the third layer."

"Only after I awaken Armament Haki will it be the time for the Sword God Body Tempering Technique to truly show its effects."

Li Yuan summarized the gains and losses of the battle while considering his future training plans.

His current strength was still too weak. He could not even defeat a pirate worth one hundred million. Going out to sea would be too dangerous. At the very least, he would wait until he reached a bottleneck before setting sail.

Early the next morning, after finishing breakfast, Li Yuan prepared to practice the Marine Six Styles.

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother! The master of Fengmang Sword Hall and several core members left the island overnight yesterday!"

Kano hurried over and said.

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