After explaining the navigation route, Bai Yu finally had a moment to practice his sword swings on the deck.
He had to keep collecting system rewards through sword swings!
On the other side, Smoker took the opportunity to "observe" Bai Yu's daily training routine.
But the more Smoker watched, the more puzzled he became.
"You two."
Suspicious, Smoker called over Helmeppo and Koby, who were also training nearby.
"Does Bai Yu train like this every single day?"
Smoker asked them directly.
"Correct."
Helmeppo and Koby both nodded without hesitation.
"…"
Receiving such a firm confirmation only deepened Smoker's confusion.
From what he could see, Bai Yu was simply swinging a sword in repetition.
If there was anything different about it, it was that Bai Yu's movements followed a peculiar, refined set of stances.
Also, the blade he used—Sakuragi—was clearly much heavier than a standard weapon.
Other than that, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
Could someone really grow so much stronger just from repeatedly swinging a sword?
Smoker couldn't wrap his head around it—but that answer came sooner than expected.
By the time the sun was directly overhead, Bai Yu had already completed his 1,000th swing on the warship deck.
"998… 999… 1000!"
> [Ding! Host has completed 1,000 sword swings. Rewards acquired: Ju Twelve Company proficiency +5%, Ben Lei proficiency +5%]
[Azure Dragon: Final Form – Ten Thousand Blade Scroll proficiency +5%, Armament/Observation/Conqueror's Haki +1%]
[Advanced Swordsmanship proficiency +5%]
The system's notification chimed in Bai Yu's mind immediately.
Notably, Ben Lei's proficiency had now reached full mastery!
Hoo…
Bai Yu exhaled slowly, sensing the subtle boost in physical strength brought about by the move's evolution.
"…Was that my imagination?"
Smoker muttered in surprise.
Just now, in the moment Bai Yu exhaled, Smoker had sensed a faint, yet distinctly elevated aura of danger.
It wasn't something overt—but Smoker, a seasoned Marine officer, had honed instincts. He felt the change.
"Is he seriously getting stronger just by swinging his sword…?"
A turbulent storm of disbelief stirred in Smoker's chest.
This wasn't talent anymore.
This was monstrous.
A body like a beast's, training methods beyond logic—it all pointed to something beyond human understanding.
"Could it be the sword…?"
Of course, Smoker couldn't imagine something like a system was behind it all. He chalked it up to Sakuragi—Bai Yu's mysterious weapon.
Smoker made a mental note to investigate that sword more closely.
After a quick lunch, Bai Yu resumed training without pause.
Smoker kept his eyes glued to Bai Yu, studying every movement.
"Tch, this guy's persistence is getting annoying."
Bai Yu, while focused on training, naturally noticed Smoker's unwavering stare.
It was starting to get under his skin.
Still, he didn't bother hiding anything.
Unlike the top brass of Marine Headquarters, Smoker didn't pose much of a threat.
Even if Smoker reported something, most would just assume he was mistaken.
Besides, Smoker wasn't exactly aligned with Marine HQ. He had a blunt and honest nature—something Bai Yu actually appreciated.
If the system ever gave him a chance to recruit more followers, Bai Yu wouldn't mind adding someone like Smoker to his crew.
For now, though, he ignored the attention and kept swinging Sakuragi.
Sakuragi was far heavier than the Wushuang Blade.
That meant it took far more effort to train with.
But the upside? The physical strain also built up Bai Yu's raw strength with every swing.
That's why Bai Yu didn't use Wushuang Blade to rack up swing counts and rewards—despite their similar difficulty levels due to strict movement standards.
Time passed quietly, and soon the sky was stained with the orange hues of dusk.
> [Ding! Host has completed 2,000 sword swings. Rewards acquired: Ju Twelve Company proficiency +5%, Azure Dragon: Final Form – Ten Thousand Blade Scroll proficiency +5%]
[Three Haki proficiencies +1%, Advanced Swordsmanship +5%]
[Ding! Host has completed 3,000 sword swings. Rewards acquired: Ju Twelve Company proficiency +5%, Azure Dragon: Final Form – Ten Thousand Blade Scroll proficiency +5%]
[Three Haki proficiencies +1%, Advanced Swordsmanship +5%]
After a full afternoon, Bai Yu had received rewards for both the 2,000 and 3,000 swing milestones.
His mastery in sword techniques, special moves, and Haki rose visibly.
"At this pace, the next cumulative reward should trigger soon…"
Bai Yu paused after 3,000 swings, calculating silently.
Whenever he reached a milestone, the system would grant an extra cumulative bonus—a major reward significantly more potent than the standard ones.
He estimated he wasn't far from triggering the next big one.
Satisfied for the day, Bai Yu finally decided to go check on the Maya trio's progress.
But as he turned, he caught Smoker's stunned gaze still locked on him.
"…Really now."
Even if Bai Yu had claimed earlier not to care, it was still uncomfortable being stared at like that all day.
"You seriously don't have anything better to do?"
Bai Yu asked Smoker with a faint smirk.
Gulp.
Smoker swallowed, then walked forward—his face oddly stiff.
After witnessing the changes from 2,000 and 3,000 swings, Smoker was now certain of it.
Bai Yu was getting stronger just by swinging his sword.
Even if it sounded insane, the truth was now staring him in the face.
"Um…"
"…Can I borrow your sword for a bit?"
Smoker asked hesitantly, his pride clearly taking a hit.
Pfft—
Bai Yu couldn't help laughing.
Seeing Smoker's unusually sheepish face, he instantly understood what was going through the man's head.
So that's why Smoker had been staring all day!
Smoker thought all the changes came from Sakuragi.
Clang!
Without explaining a thing, Bai Yu casually laid Sakuragi on the deck.
"Be my guest."
"Just don't damage it."
Leaving that simple warning behind, Bai Yu turned and walked toward the Maya trio.
Smoker froze in surprise, stunned by how easily Bai Yu had handed the sword over.
He immediately stepped forward, took a deep breath, and braced himself.
He lifted Sakuragi with effort—and tried to mimic Bai Yu's form as closely as possible.
Hoooom—
A heavy gust of wind burst out as Smoker managed a single, proper swing.
But…
Nothing changed.
Smoker felt no difference. No surge in power, no system beep—nothing.
"…Was my form off?"
Frowning, Smoker replayed Bai Yu's movements in his head.
Then, gritting his teeth, he tried swinging Sakuragi again.
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