An Unexpected Encounter

Half a month later.

Above the seas of the New World.

A Floating Archipelago that defied all reason drifted leisurely along its predetermined course. Clouds spread beneath it like a blanket of white velvet, while sunlight poured down unobstructed, bathing the buildings across the islands in a warm glow.

In an open area at the heart of the islands, several lounge chairs had been arranged in a row. A group of women, each beautiful in her own way, were enjoying this rare moment of peace.

Stussy wore sunglasses as she lazily sipped the juice in her glass;

Even Perona's ghosts seemed to have lost their tempers beneath the warm sunlight, drifting languidly at her side;

Even the ever-composed Robin and the meticulous Kalifa had relaxed their taut nerves, leaning against their chairs for a brief nap. Only Stella occasionally raised her eyes toward the empty field ahead.

There, Adams was carrying out his daily mandatory training, his attention fixed on the sword in his hand.

Thrust, slash, lift, sweep... His movements were simple and efficient, without a hint of needless flair. There was only the precision that came from countless repetitions, ingrained into his instincts.

The mechanical repetitions continued—one thousand times, five thousand times, until he had completed a full ten thousand.

"Whew..." He finally stopped, his breathing slightly hurried as sweat trickled down the grooves of his muscles.

He lowered his head and stared at the hand gripping his sword. It was large and powerful, strong enough to crush steel with ease, yet he still had no clue how to produce that intangible sword aura capable of cutting through anything, or those flying slashes that could wound enemies from afar.

Pure muscle strength alone really wasn't enough. He sighed silently to himself.

Then he gave a mute laugh. That