Arc 1God Valley’s Fall

Shane survived the battle at God Valley, gained the Azure Dragon power, and pushed himself to awaken Haki while fighting Saint Saturn and the Marines. Rocks overwhelmed the island and declared war on the world, while Shane was left battling Bogard and the young Dragon.

  • Shane awakened the Demon Compass’s powers, survived the fighting at Rocky Port, and earned Kaido’s respect after their brutal duel aboard the ship to God Valley.
  • At God Valley, Shane killed Celestial Dragons and gained the Azure Dragon power, then joined Kuma and Ivankov as the battle engulfed the island.
  • Shane and Kaido fought Sengoku and Saint Saturn, while Rocks defeated Saturn and brought Shane into the Rocks Pirates as an apprentice.
  • Shane repeatedly challenged Saint Saturn, awakened Armament Haki, and returned to the fight after Stussy treated his wounds.
  • Rocks defeated Kong and unleashed darkness and Conqueror’s Haki across God Valley, then announced his ambition to rule the world through pirates.
  • Garp and Roger joined forces against Rocks as the surviving fighters continued battling across the island.
  • Shane fought Bogard with his Rokushiki, Electro, Haki, and dragon powers, then countered the young Dragon and emerged from the rubble with stronger Armament Haki.
Chapters 1–25 Vol. 1 Read

Ch. 1The Rocks Era: A First Taste of a Pirate Paradise

After learning that the Rocks Pirates were attacking God Valley and Roger might join them, Garp ended his vacation and set out with Bogard. A week earlier on Hachinosu, Shane had awakened in the body of a rookie pirate, used the Demon Compass to gain strength, and killed veteran pirate Doron, establishing himself among the Rocks Pirates.

  • Kong warned Garp that the Rocks Pirates were heading to God Valley, and Garp ordered Bogard to move out after hearing Roger was also on the way.
  • After the Rocks Pirates returned to Hachinosu, Shane awakened on Rocky Port and learned that the Demon Compass could offer choices at fate singularities.
  • Shane chose to absorb the original Shane's memories and skills, greatly increasing his physical ability, memory, and combat strength.
  • When Doron ordered Shane to move bodies and then attacked him, Shane refused, gained Finger Pistol, and killed Doron with the technique.
  • Shane stepped over Doron's body as the other rookie pirates carried it away, while the Rocks Pirates celebrated their return to Hachinosu.

Ch. 2Survive until dawn, set sail for God Valley

Rocks rallied the surviving pirates at Rocky Port to sail for God Valley and challenge the Celestial Dragons. Shane survived the night-long battle, gained Soru through his choice, and fell asleep aboard the departing fleet.

  • Rocks ordered the pirates to gather combat crew members at Hachinosu and declared that survivors at Rocky Port would sail for God Valley.
  • Shane killed a pirate who attacked him from behind as fighters crowded around him at Rocky Port.
  • Shane chose to survive until dawn and board the ship for God Valley, fighting through the night and taking the fallen pirates' rations.
  • At dawn, Rocks told the survivors to prepare for the voyage, and Shane's completed choice granted him Soru and enhanced his physical abilities.
  • Shane ate aboard the ship and fell asleep, while Rocks checked with Streusen that the pirates had been fed.

Ch. 3Young Kaido, the Paradise Cabin

Shane faced Kaido after refusing to obey his order aboard the Rocks Pirates' ship, and chose a challenge that earned him Sulong and Electrostatic Mastery. The two entered the Paradise cabin to fight, with the crew gathering to watch.

  • Jeff woke the cabin pirates and announced that Kaido had arrived to prepare them for the coming battle at God Valley.
  • Kaido smashed the cabin door and attacked Shane, who dodged with Shave and countered with Finger Pistol.
  • Kaido recognized Shane from Rocky Port, introduced himself, and invited him to continue fighting in a more suitable place.
  • Shane chose to accept Kaido's challenge and received Sulong and Electrostatic Mastery from the Demon Compass.
  • Shane and Kaido walked into the Paradise cabin as the pirates followed to watch their fight.

Ch. 4Sulong, Thunder Bagua

Shane fought Kaido aboard the Paradise, revealing his Sulong transformation and powerful Electro Finger Pistol attacks. The two traded blows, and Kaido named his still-developing finishing move Thunder Bagua as Shane charged back into the fight.

  • Kaido challenged Shane to withstand his full-power attack, and the pirates gathered to watch them fight.
  • Shane used Soru and Electro Finger Pistol to clash with Kaido, and both landed hits before exchanging positions.
  • The spectators learned the newcomer's name was Shane, while Shane endured his injuries and prepared to continue.
  • Under the full moon, Shane activated Sulong, transforming with white hair, increased size, and amplified speed and electricity.
  • Shane attacked with Moon God as Kaido struck back with his newly named Thunder Bagua, and both staggered without falling.
  • Shane coughed blood and charged again as Kaido launched another Thunder Bagua.

Ch. 5Remember this name

Shane fought Kaido to a standstill aboard the Rocks Pirates’ ship before collapsing from his Sulong transformation. As the crew approached God Valley, Katakuri took an interest in Shane, who woke at dawn.

  • Shane and Kaido exchanged Haki-infused blows until Linlin carried Kaido away, calling their fight a draw and warning Shane to save his strength for God Valley.
  • Shane charged after Kaido, but Semimaru’s barrier stopped him, and he collapsed asleep after exhausting himself.
  • Perospero and Katakuri found Shane surrounded by hostile pirates, and Katakuri drove them off while Shane’s Electro continued to protect him in his sleep.
  • Katakuri told Perospero he wanted to leave Hachinosu and build a safe kingdom for their siblings, while Shane’s strength stayed on his mind.
  • At dawn, Shane’s fingers twitched as the crew announced that they were nearing God Valley.

Ch. 6The kingdom-destroying game, God Valley

Shane ate his fill aboard the Saber of Xebec before the Rocks Pirates reached God Valley, where the Celestial Dragons’ deadly kingdom-destroying game was underway. The Rocks Pirates landed and began fighting the Marines and Holy Knights as slaves fled and the island descended into chaos.

  • Shane ignored Old Jeff’s warning that God Valley was in sight and ate until he had regained some strength.
  • Rocks rallied the crew, while Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Linlin, and the other Rocks Pirates prepared to attack God Valley.
  • Captain John drunkenly encountered Shane in the cabin, learned his name, and promptly forgot it before following him toward the deck.
  • Rocks unleashed his Haki toward God Valley, where Saint Figarland Garling guarded the Devil Fruits alongside the Holy Knights and Jaygarcia Saturn Saint.
  • The Rocks Pirates landed and charged into battle as Shane kicked a Marine aside and slaves ran for their lives.
  • A Celestial Dragon beheaded God Valley’s king while the people wept amid the fighting.

Ch. 7Attack! Make the Celestial Dragons tremble

Shane chose to kill a Celestial Dragon and fought through the chaos at God Valley as Rocks revealed his terrifying combination of Devil Fruits and overwhelmed Saint Garling. Garp and Roger clashed nearby, while the Celestial Dragons wept and trembled amid the battlefield’s destruction.

  • Garp led the Marines into the battle, demanded the slaves be freed, and searched for Roger while Shane chose the Demon Compass task to kill a Celestial Dragon.
  • Shane killed guards and then killed a Celestial Dragon with Electro Finger Pistol, while Rocks ordered the pirates to seize God Valley and its treasure.
  • Rocks revealed that he had eaten both the Love-Love Fruit and the Dark-Dark Fruit, petrified crowds, and tore the affected people apart.
  • Rocks overpowered Saint Garling and drove him toward the deep valley as pirates celebrated and slaves rebelled.
  • Shane received his chosen rewards and improved his Rokushiki, then dodged Garp’s attack as Roger charged in and Haki shook the plaza.

Ch. 8Want to join the Roger Pirates?

God Valley descended into a chaotic battle as Shane searched for the Devil Fruits while Roger and Garp tried to recruit him. Shane reached Ivankov and Kuma just as Linlin arrived to seize a prize, leaving the fruits’ fate uncertain.

  • Roger asked Shane to join his crew, while Garp urged him to become a Marine, and Shane refused both offers.
  • Golden Lion Shiki destroyed the harbor with his powers, and Garp fought back as Shiki began his life as a flying pirate.
  • Rocks and Saint Garling resumed their battle while the fighters across God Valley faced mounting destruction.
  • Shane rushed toward the Devil Fruits, following Linlin’s direction to find Kuma and Ivankov.
  • Ivankov and Kuma seized the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon and the Paw-Paw Fruit, just as Linlin arrived and snatched a prize.

Ch. 9Trading Celestial Dragon Fragments for Azure Dragon Form

Shane chose to kill 38 Celestial Dragons at God Valley in exchange for the Azure Dragon Form, slaughtering them as the Marines struggled to protect them. After he killed Saint George and gained the complete Azure Dragon power, Saint Saturn attacked, while Golden Lion and Rayleigh intervened to help the others escape.

  • Linlin left to find Kaido after Kuma ate the Paw-Paw Fruit, and Shane realized the battle was following its expected course.
  • The Demon Compass offered Shane a reward of the Azure Dragon Form if he killed 38 Celestial Dragons, and he accepted.
  • Shane pursued and killed Celestial Dragons across God Valley, evading the Marines and their defenses.
  • Saint George tried to reach the harbor and insulted the slaves, but Shane killed him, completing the requirement and gaining the Azure Dragon power.
  • Saint Saturn attacked Shane and Kuma, while Golden Lion and Rayleigh fought the Five Elders to protect the group’s escape.

Ch. 10The Five Elders' fury, Marine Headquarters joins the battle

Shane transformed into a black dragon and fought Saint Saturn while Kuma escaped God Valley. As the battle spread across the island, Kaido also revealed his dragon form, and Shane chose to remain independent after Golden Lion invited him to join the Flying Pirates.

  • Kuma rescued Ginny and Ivankov, freed more than two hundred slaves, and stood with Shane against Saint Saturn as Golden Lion and Rayleigh held Saturn back.
  • Kuma questioned Saturn’s claims that he deserved to die, and Shane mocked the Celestial Dragons for calling nearly extinct peoples remnants of extinct races.
  • Shane’s Azure Dragon powers transformed his body; he became a black dragon and Kuma used the Paw-Paw Fruit to launch himself out of God Valley toward the South Blue.
  • Kaido transformed into an azure dragon, surprising Linlin and Shane, while Linlin pressed Kaido to join her and build a new pirate crew.
  • Shane fired a Bolo Breath at Saint Saturn, who could not reach him while Golden Lion and Rayleigh fought him; Shane declined Golden Lion’s invitation to join the Flying Pirates.
  • Fighters including Gaban, Silver Axe, Zephyr, Sengoku, Wang Zhi, Kong, Linlin, Tsuru, Bakkin, Rocks, Saint Garling, Roger, Whitebeard, and Garp continued battling as Shane returned to human form and the Demon Compass spun again.

Ch. 11The heavens belonged to the Celestial Dragons

Shane chose to eliminate the Celestial Dragons at God Valley and killed every one he could find, including those hiding aboard Sengoku's warship. Sengoku confronted Shane and Kaido as they prepared to fight, leaving the outcome unresolved.

  • Gaban and Silver Axe fought while Kaido stumbled into their battle and was badly injured.
  • Shane found Kaido, received new choices from the Demon Compass, and decided to kill all the Celestial Dragons at God Valley.
  • Shane searched the island and beheaded a hiding Celestial Dragon, while Kaido followed him as he hunted more targets.
  • Shane and Kaido boarded Sengoku's warship, where Shane killed the Celestial Dragons hiding in the cabin.
  • Sengoku confronted Shane and Kaido on the deck, and the two laughed as they faced him.

Ch. 12Don't Underestimate the Rocks Pirates!

At God Valley, Shane and Kaido joined forces against Sengoku but were overwhelmed by the Marine Admiral's power. As Sengoku tried to finish them, Captain John and Wang Zhi intervened, turning the battle against him.

  • Sengoku confronted Shane and Kaido, who revealed their matching Azure Dragon forms and attacked him together.
  • Shane recalled gaining new Six Powers techniques and planned to survive God Valley and establish his own pirate crew.
  • Sengoku's Haki-enhanced Buddha Shockwaves repeatedly injured Shane and Kaido and eventually destroyed their warship.
  • Across God Valley, Whitebeard fought Kong while Golden Lion attacked the Marines with ships, and Zephyr and Tsuru condemned the out-of-control game.
  • At the harbor, Shane and Kaido woke and fired Bolo Breath at Sengoku, who was also confronted by Captain John and Wang Zhi.
  • Wang Zhi struck Sengoku with a giant stone hand as Captain John attacked, and the Rocks Pirates shouted their defiance.

Ch. 13Become My Right-Hand Man!

The battle at God Valley intensified as Shane and Kaido fought alongside Roger and Garp against the forces protecting the Celestial Dragons. After confronting Saint Saturn and deciding to overturn the world, Shane rejected Kaido’s offer to become his right-hand man and declared he would form his own pirate crew.

  • Sengoku fought Wang Zhi, Captain John, and Kaido while Roger and Garp collided with Haki against Silver Axe and Gaban.
  • Kaido urged Shane to survive the war and join forces with him, saying they could master the strongest Haki and reach the pinnacle of the seas.
  • Saint Saturn attacked Shane, who dodged and told Kaido that the Celestial Dragons were the true devils behind the world’s wars.
  • Shane decided to overturn the world, pushed his body beyond its limits with Life Return, and prepared to fight Saint Saturn alongside Kaido.
  • Kaido decided to form his own pirate crew and asked Shane to become his right-hand man, but Shane said he would be a captain himself.

Ch. 14The pinnacle of the era, Rocks

Shane and Kaido fought Saint Saturn at God Valley until Rocks broke through and turned the battle in the Rocks Pirates’ favor. As the Marines and Holy Knights faced defeat, Roger and Garp stepped onto the battlefield to challenge Rocks.

  • Shane and Kaido attacked Saint Saturn with their dragon forms and combined Bolo Breath, but his black flames and ink countered their assault.
  • Rocks broke through Saint Garling’s interception and used the Dark-Dark Fruit to pull at Saint Saturn and turn many Marines and pirates into stone statues.
  • Rocks and the assembled Rocks Pirates advanced on Saint Saturn after the Holy Knights were left unable to fight.
  • Kong ordered Marines below Vice Admiral to withdraw while Sengoku, Zephyr, Tsuru, and the other senior officers prepared to face the Rocks Pirates.
  • Roger and Garp entered the battlefield, with Roger ready to fight Rocks and Garp striding forward to challenge him.

Ch. 15You're an apprentice now

Rocks and the Rocks Pirates defeated Saint Saturn after a brutal battle at God Valley, leaving the crew poised to overthrow the Celestial Dragons. As Shane began mastering Sulong and awakening Life Return, Rocks declared him an apprentice crew member.

  • Rocks petrified the fighters at God Valley with Dark Hole and announced his plan to make the island the next Hachinosu.
  • The Rocks Pirates attacked Saint Saturn together, using darkness and their combined powers to overwhelm him.
  • Rocks struck Saturn with a final punch, and Saturn fell, his heart partly petrified by the darkness.
  • After a day-and-night battle, Shane continued developing his powers beneath the moonlight.
  • Rocks asked Shane his name and made him an apprentice crew member.

Ch. 16Could an Admiral Never Lose?

During the battle at God Valley, Shane rejected Linlin’s invitation and fought to restore his strength while powerful pirates and Marines clashed around him. After mastering Life Return, he found himself facing Kong as the battlefield left him struggling to find an opponent.

  • Rocks urged the pirates to fight the Navy, while Linlin invited Shane to join her crew and Shane refused, saying he would not live under someone else’s roof.
  • Shane ate meat from a collapsed tavern to recover from Sulong’s strain and fully mastered Life Return.
  • Linlin battled Zephyr, Kaido clashed with Bogard, and Golden Lion Shiki attacked Sengoku with suspended warships.
  • Tsuru confronted Shane and urged him to turn back, but Shane transformed into a black dragon and fought her before Captain John took over the fight.
  • Shane encountered Wang Zhi and Rayleigh, who were guarding an enormous egg, then turned to find Kong’s fist rushing toward the back of his head.

Ch. 17Fleet Admiral, Kong

Fleet Admiral Kong fought Shane with overwhelming Haki and defeated him, but Whitebeard intercepted Kong’s next attack and helped Shane rise again. As Marine reinforcements arrived, Shane prepared to continue the battle.

  • Kong transformed into his adamantine ape form and attacked Shane, denouncing the Rocks Pirates and declaring he would wipe them out.
  • Shane challenged the Marines’ compromises with the Celestial Dragons and unleashed Purple Lightning Bolo Breath: Three Thousand Miles of Bad Wind.
  • Kong broke through Shane’s attack and struck his head, ending Shane’s Sulong state and sending him crashing to the ground.
  • Whitebeard arrived, caught Kong’s landing punch with Murakumogiri, and stood between Kong and the injured Shane.
  • Shane recovered and prepared to fight as Flame Flower and Stussy appeared and a new wave of Marine reinforcements opened fire.

Ch. 18The Terrifying Vitality of Zoans

Shane fought the Roger Pirates’ Sambel while Kaido explained how awakened Zoans gained extraordinary vitality and recovery. Saint Saturn recovered from his wounds, teleported to Saint Garling, and the chapter ended with Shane and Kaido confronting the two injured Celestial Dragons as Kurozumi Semimaru raised a barrier.

  • Shane fought Sambel with rapid purple-lightning strikes and worked to draw out more of his Armament Haki.
  • Kaido returned from his fight with Bogard and told Shane that awakened Zoans recovered with astonishing speed, identifying Saint Saturn as one.
  • Saint Saturn’s wounds healed as he slaughtered the pirates and marines around him, then teleported deeper into God Valley.
  • Saint Saturn found the badly wounded Saint Garling, who agreed to keep fighting despite his injuries.
  • Kaido attacked Saint Garling with Thunder Bagua while Shane joined the assault with Purple Lightning Bolo Breath.
  • Saint Saturn challenged Shane, and Kurozumi Semimaru stepped forward to create a barrier.

Ch. 19I Absolutely Won't Die!

Kurozumi Semimaru interfered in the battles with his Barrier-Barrier Fruit while Shane and Kaido fought the wounded Five Elders. Shane repeatedly attacked Saint Saturn, using the desperate fight to try to awaken Haki, and ended the chapter still standing against him despite severe injuries.

  • Kurozumi Semimaru raised Haki-coated barriers to interfere with Shane and Kaido's fights, drawing their anger and attacking Saint Garling and Saint Saturn.
  • Kaido charged Saint Garling head-on, while Kurozumi Semimaru shifted his attention to help Shane against Saint Saturn.
  • Saint Saturn activated his Mythical Zoan form and used Advanced Armament Haki to repel Shane's attack, while Kurozumi Semimaru blocked Saturn's strike with another barrier.
  • Shane recovered from his internal injuries and charged Saint Saturn again, determined to awaken the hidden Haki within him.
  • Shane and Saint Saturn exchanged attacks at close range as Shane endured repeated wounds and declared that he absolutely would not die.

Ch. 20Rocks? No, the Clone-Clone Fruit

Shane fought Saint Saturn and awakened basic Armament Haki, but Saturn nearly killed him. Stussy and the Kurozumi siblings rescued Shane and escaped as Rocks arrived, while Linlin carried the injured Kaido away.

  • Shane pushed himself against Saint Saturn, realized he needed Haki to overcome powerful defenses, and awakened basic Armament Haki during their fight.
  • Shane's first Haki-coated punch failed to break Saturn's advanced Haki barrier, and Saturn wounded him with Ushi-Oni: Five-Finger Flame Soul.
  • Stussy carried the unconscious Shane away while Flame Flower and Flower Snake held off marines, and Kurozumi Semimaru blocked Saturn's pursuit.
  • Linlin flew in on her thundercloud and carried the badly injured Kaido away as Rocks appeared in the valley.
  • Saint Saturn and Saint Garling attacked Kurozumi Higurashi, but Kurozumi Semimaru shielded his sister and they retreated.

Ch. 21More Evil Than the Celestial Dragons

Stussy used her experimental drug to revive Shane, who attacked Saint Saturn as Rocks returned to the battlefield and struck Saint Garling. Rocks unleashed his darkness across God Valley, while Shane resolved to become more evil than the Celestial Dragons.

  • Stussy poured her pale purple drug onto Shane’s wound, and it accelerated his healing while boosting his vitality and desire to fight.
  • Shane regained consciousness and attacked Saint Saturn with Purple Lightning Hot Windstorm, surprising Kaido and Linlin with his resilience.
  • Shane’s flames lit the corpse-strewn valley as he continued bombarding Saint Saturn and confronted the horror of the Celestial Dragons’ hunting game.
  • Saint Garling attacked Shane with God-Slaying Slash, but Rocks seized and broke his sword before punching him.
  • Rocks told Shane to light up the valley, then unleashed his darkness across God Valley as Shane resolved to be more evil than the Celestial Dragons.

Ch. 22I'm the King of the World!

Rocks overwhelmed Kong in God Valley, using his Dark-Dark Fruit and Haki to defeat the Marines’ strongest fighter as the battlefield vanished into darkness. Shane watched from above as sunlight passed over the lifeless island.

  • Rocks declared his ambition to destroy the existing order and create a world ruled by pirates, while Kong led Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, and Tsuru against him.
  • Kong attacked Rocks with Skyburst Kong as Marines, slaves, and pirates watched the clash determine the island’s fate.
  • Rocks’s crew and the gathered pirates celebrated their captain’s imminent victory, while Red the Aloof sailed away from God Valley.
  • Rocks countered Kong’s Haki with his Dark-Dark Fruit, Love-Love Fruit, and Conqueror’s Haki coating, then struck Kong after fear disrupted his Observation Haki.
  • Kong fell in human form, and Rocks’s darkness completely covered God Valley as Shane watched from the sky.

Ch. 23Even gods are no nobler than humans

Rocks overwhelmed the forces at God Valley with the Dark-Dark Fruit and his Conqueror’s Haki, leaving the Marines and Roger Pirates near defeat. As Rocks prepared to crush their remaining hope, Garp began moving and Roger was revealed to be alive, while Kaido noticed Shane had awakened his Haki.

  • Rocks’s Dark-Dark Fruit attack devastated God Valley, petrifying or defeating nearly everyone and leaving the surviving Marines and pirates badly wounded.
  • Rocks’s crew arrived and celebrated as the Marines despaired, while Rocks declared his plans to spread the Rocks Pirates’ rule across the world.
  • Saint Garling attacked Rocks to defend the Celestial Dragons, but Rocks overpowered him and Saint Saturn, declaring that even gods were no nobler than humans.
  • Rocks unleashed a massive wave of Conqueror’s Haki that knocked out those arriving at the shore and overwhelmed the surviving fighters, while Shane, Whitebeard, and Golden Lion struggled to resist it.
  • Rocks and the others noticed Roger was still alive, Wang Zhi saw Garp moving, and Kaido recognized that Shane had awakened his Haki.

Ch. 24This era was called Rocks!

Garp and Roger joined forces against Rocks, and the battle on Hachinosu escalated into a clash among the era’s strongest fighters. Rocks declared that the era belonged to him as the Roger Pirates and the Marines continued fighting, while Shane and Kaido faced Bogard and Zephyr.

  • Garp rose and challenged Rocks, then called Roger to fight beside him.
  • Roger rallied his crew and attacked Rocks with Divine Departure as Garp struck with Fist Bone.
  • Rocks declared war on the Roger Pirates, Marine Headquarters, the Reverie, and the Celestial Dragons, then clashed with Roger and Garp.
  • Whitebeard fought Sengoku while Golden Lion and Rayleigh crossed swords, and Rayleigh promised to find Shakky after his adventure.
  • Bogard attacked Shane as Zephyr confronted Kaido, and Shane and Kaido warned each other about their opponents.

Ch. 25The Navy's strongest swordsman, Black Sword Bogard

During the God Valley battle, Shane fought Zephyr, Bogard, and Dragon while pushing his Haki and combat abilities with the help of Stussy’s Drug. He left the rubble still smiling and asked whether his fists had grown strong enough, while Bogard insisted Shane still had far to go.

  • Zephyr overwhelmed Kaido with Haki-coated punches, while Shane taunted Kaido and continued battling Bogard with attacks that combined the Six Powers, Electro, and Haki.
  • Bogard revealed his Black Sword and challenged Shane’s defenses, as Shane questioned why Bogard’s swordsmanship had failed to advance over the decades.
  • Shane and Bogard exchanged rapid blows, and Shane transformed into a dragon to attack Bogard with Bolo Breath and Purple Lightning.
  • Seventeen-year-old Dragon joined the battlefield, and Bogard warned him as he slashed at Shane, who countered in Hybrid Form.
  • Shane emerged from the rubble with his Armament Haki strengthened, but Bogard told him he was still a long way from matching his sword.
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