Pirates: I Loaded the Game Panel

Before him stood a gray-white boulder as tall as a person. A thick white sacred rope was wrapped around its middle. For the past few days, it had been the target of his swordsmanship training.

Sensing the rhythm of all things was not simply a matter of perceiving the presence of his surroundings.

If that were all it took, anyone who had mastered Observation Haki could do it.

But while Observation Haki was common, Swordmasters were exceedingly rare!

Coating a blade in Armament Haki and slicing through steel with ease was not enough to make someone a Swordmaster!

Adrian relaxed his mind completely, emptied his thoughts, and let his awareness reach toward everything in nature around him. At the same time, he opened his senses and Observation Haki as far as he could.

Gradually, a faint but distinct "sound" began to register in his mind.

Breathe in—breathe out—breathe in—breathe out—

In Adrian's perception, the huge rock before him seemed to come alive. Its gray-white surface, once utterly still, now rose and fell slowly and steadily like living skin.

Adrian's eyes snapped open, his dark pupils gleaming brilliantly.

He drew Yubashiri and gave it a gentle swing.

Shing—

With a clear ring of steel, the man-sized boulder split in two. The halves toppled away from each other, their cut surfaces as smooth as mirrors.

"Steel-cutting!"

[Advanced quest [Breath of All Things] completed.]

[You have gained the [Breath of All Things] specialty!]

[[Breath of All Things]—Specialty: All things breathe, and all things must die. Everything will eventually reach its end, whether tangible or intangible; all can be severed! When attacking with swordsmanship, perceive weaknesses; critical hit effectiveness +200%.]

Another new specialty!

Adrian perked up and examined its effects.

"With swordsmanship specialties like this and [Three Thousand Styles], the first half of the description always sounds stronger than the actual effect..."

Adrian scratched his head, unable to make sense of it.

"Can't they be straightforward like the other specialties? Look at [Low-Level Toughness] and [Well-Built]. Those descriptions tell it like it is."

After a few idle complaints, the panel displayed more notifications.

[Level 60 advancement quest completed!]

[Your [Sword Master] class has advanced to [Swordmaster]. Stamina has increased significantly; Strength +5, Agility +5, Intelligence +5. You have gained 5 Free Attribute Points and 1 Skill Point.]

[You have learned [Master-Level Swordsmanship Training]!]

[You have learned [Master-Level Swordsmanship Affinity]!]

[You have learned [Sword Momentum]!]

Just as he had expected, Swordmaster was the next class after Sword Master.

The first two skills were upgraded versions of ones he already had. [Swordsmanship Training] let him gain swordsmanship proficiency through practice, while [Swordsmanship Affinity] improved his understanding of swordsmanship and increased its power.

But the last one, [Sword Momentum], came out of nowhere.

Adrian had expected [Flying Slash] to be the upgrade after [Sword Aura], yet [Sword Momentum] had appeared instead. He hurried to check its effect.

[[Sword Momentum]: Tangible aura becomes intangible momentum, greatly increasing the power and concentration of slashes.]

"So it basically is Flying Slash?!" Adrian thought, his expression darkening.

He poured the large stockpile of Free Attribute Points he had saved from leveling into Intelligence. Allocating points as a Ghost Fruit user really was that simple.

Adrian checked his panel.

—(Updated or important information)

Level: 61

Main class: Swordmaster LV1 (0/100 million)

Attributes: Strength 238, Agility 157, Stamina 145, Intelligence 764, Charisma 45, Luck 1

Free Attribute Points: 0

Skill Points: 51

Specialties: [Low-Level Toughness], [Ghost Fruit], [Sea Curse], [Well-Built], [Three Thousand Styles], [Breath of All Things]

Skills: [Ghost Body] (MAX), [Ghost Creation] (MAX), [Spirit Projection] LV2

[Armament Haki] LV1 (1024/100,000), [Observation Haki] LV1 (2048/100,000)

[Master-Level Swordsmanship Training] LV1 (0/5 million), [Master-Level Swordsmanship Affinity] LV1 (0/15 million), [Sword Momentum] LV1 (0/10 million)

Legend: [East Blue · Evil Swordsman]

Equipment: Skillful Grade Sword · Yubashiri

—

Having successfully advanced to Swordmaster, Adrian was delighted with his soaring strength.

But when he thought of the experience needed for his next level, his smile turned a little bitter.

"Looks like I can't stop harvesting experience from players yet. The players in the South Blue must be getting impatient!"

Adrian vs. Koshiro

Seeing that he still had experience to spare, Adrian looked over his skill list again.

After a moment's thought, he divided it evenly between [Armament Haki] and [Observation Haki], raising both to LV3. Advancing either one further would cost tens of millions of experience points.

"I have 51 Skill Points left. Just a little more and I could raise one type of Haki to MAX... Better wait. My Haki is good enough for now... The real headache is that I don't know whether its derivative abilities will need Skill Points too..."

Setting Armament Haki aside, its derivative abilities had not stood out much in the original story.

Observation Haki was another matter!

Red Count Redfield's [Read Hearts] and Fish-Man princess Otohime's [Thought Interference] were terrifying, but both fell under innate Observation Haki. The panel might not be able to unlock them.

But Charlotte Katakuri's [Future Sight] was different!

That was unquestionably a level of mastery one could train to achieve!

There was a very good chance the panel would treat it as a derivative ability!

"Future Sight, Skill Points... Forget it. No point thinking too much about it now. I've taken care of almost everything here in the East Blue. It's time to get ready to leave."

After gathering his belongings, Adrian took Yubashiri in hand and headed toward Shimotsuki Village.

The moment he stepped into Isshin Dojo, several greetings came his way.

"Mr. Tao Ya!"

"Good morning!"

Adrian answered them one by one.

Before long, a swordsmanship apprentice directed him to Koshiro Shimotsuki.

"Master Koshiro..."

Adrian did not call him that because he had become Koshiro Shimotsuki's disciple. Koshiro had offered him guidance without reservation, and Adrian addressed him respectfully in return.

"Tao Ya!" Koshiro wore his usual gentle, unassuming smile, his eyes narrowed. "What brings you here?"

"I've grasped the Breath of All Things," Adrian said. "I'm getting ready to leave the East Blue, but before I go, there's one last thing I'd like to ask of you, Master Koshiro. Would you be willing to fight me?"

Koshiro looked a little surprised, then gave a slight shake of his head. "That's a swordsman for you... Would you mind having a few spectators?"

"Not if you don't!"

Behind Isshin Dojo lay a dense little grove.

In a clearing among the trees, Adrian and Koshiro Shimotsuki faced each other with swords in hand.

On the top floor of Isshin Dojo, quite a few children leaned against the windows, watching the two figures in the distant grove.

A battle between Swordmasters was vicious. Even the Sword Aura that spilled from their blades was more than ordinary people could withstand.

Koshiro would never allow his students to watch up close, though observing from a distance was acceptable.

Koshiro took a deep breath and slowly drew Wado Ichimonji from his waist. Living in the peaceful East Blue, he could no longer remember how long it had been since he had fought a swordsman of his own caliber. Yet his blood was beginning to stir.

With a clear ring of steel, Koshiro Shimotsuki struck first. He became a dark blur and lunged at Adrian.

"Come on!"

Adrian showed no fear and met him blade-first.

With Three Thousand Styles at his disposal, he picked up traces of Isshin Dojo's swordsmanship despite never having encountered it before.

Clang!

Adrian timed his swing perfectly. The keen edge of Yubashiri caught Wado Ichimonji in midair.

When his first strike failed, Koshiro reacted instantly. A small twist of his wrist sent Wado Ichimonji sliding down Adrian's blade; he turned and slashed upward in a vicious strike at Adrian's abdomen.

Adrian raised his sword beside his body to block. The blades met with another sharp ring, scattering bright sparks.

"Such a nasty move doesn't seem like your style, Master Koshiro!"

"Swordsmanship is a killing art. There's no such thing as a move too nasty! Surely the great Evil Swordsman knows that?"

The two swordsmen, similar in build, locked blades and tested each other's strength.

The stalemate lasted only a moment.

They both pushed off at once, retreating several steps before facing each other again.

Information on Koshiro's level appeared on Adrian's panel.

"LV76. About what I expected. Agility is his highest attribute, followed by Intelligence, while Strength is comparatively low—but he's still within ordinary human limits. I have a slight edge in attributes, but Koshiro may have Haki, perhaps even Ryuo. I can't let my guard down..."

Numerous thoughts flashed through Adrian's mind in an instant. His gaze grew utterly calm as he focused on the fight.

Koshiro charged with his sword again, and Adrian countered.

Downward cuts, rising slashes, sweeping strikes—every blow was vicious and sharp. Even the force spilling from their attacks riddled the surrounding plants with holes.

The crisp clash of metal rang without pause, while red sparks scattered everywhere.

In just a few minutes, the lovely grove was in ruins.

Noticing the sweat beading on Koshiro's forehead, Adrian said, "Master Koshiro, I'm going to get serious!"

Armament Haki began to flow over Yubashiri. The blade hummed softly as its snowy-white steel gradually turned deep black.

"Armament Haki? Then... as you wish!"

Koshiro used Armament Haki as well, coating Wado Ichimonji in a black metallic sheen.

"Moon Sword: Frost Kill!"

Koshiro pressed the attack once more. A pair of crossing slashes flew toward Adrian, their edges alone carving icy furrows across the ground.

From a distance, it looked like a frosted meadow beneath the moonlight.

"Surging Stream Slash!"

Adrian unleashed a fearsome Sword Aura slash of his own.

The two powerful slashes collided in midair. Wild gusts burst outward, and violent shock waves swept through the clearing, pulverizing dead branches and leaves. Countless flecks of dark-brown earth flew up from the ground below.

Both men closed in again, and their two Famous Swords, coated in Armament Haki, met once more.

Clang—!

"Master Koshiro, your Haki feels a little different!"

Adrian felt Koshiro's Haki pass through Yubashiri's blade and rush straight toward his body, only to be dispersed instantly by the power of his Ghost Body.

"It's a technique called Ryuo," Koshiro said frankly, gradually withdrawing the Haki from Wado Ichimonji.

Adrian looked faintly puzzled. "?"

Koshiro waved a hand and sheathed his sword. "That's enough. I'm done fighting!"