Name: Xie Dao
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Identity: Traveler
Transmigration Form: One of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades – Blood Pursuer
Skills:
Skill Storage
Self-Control
Mental Communication
Cut Cause, Shatter Effect
Causality Slash
Iaido Slash
Blade Dance
Demon Blade
Intermediate Swordsmanship (1/1000)
Flesh Collection Progress: 0.7% [+]
Hardness: S +1 (1/100)
Sharpness: SS +0.5 (0.5/1000)
Main Quest: Become the world's fastest blade
Reward: End the journey and return home with acquired skills
Side Quests: None
Mental Communication: The host can select one or more targets to communicate with mentally.
"Hahaha! I can finally talk?! Took long enough.
But I can't reveal myself yet—better to keep this skill on standby until I find a powerful, trustworthy host, or until I'm strong enough to protect myself. For now, playing it safe and developing in the shadows is the way to go."
Just as Xie Dao was enjoying his new power, he noticed a new tab on his status screen.
"Flesh Collection Progress? What's this?
Hmm… Last time I broke a fine-grade sword and my stats increased—maybe this 'flesh collection' increases after killing someone? But what's it for?"
Suddenly, a bold idea entered his mind.
"Could it be…? If I collect enough flesh—does that mean I can rebuild a body?
And if I get a new body… who else would use it besides me?!"
The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. If this percentage reached 100%, he might no longer need to remain a sword. He could walk the world as a person again, free to go wherever he pleased. Sure, it might be more dangerous, but the idea of being human again was worth it.
While Xie Dao was busy fantasizing in his blade-space, Sean wasn't idle either. After killing Sido and Carlo, he clearly felt a new power flow into his body. As a swordsman, he was certain it wasn't his imagination—his physical strength and constitution had both improved. Even stranger, he didn't feel any fatigue or side effects at all.
"Is this a hidden ability of the Supreme Grade Blade? Incredible. With this… can I just keep getting stronger endlessly?"
Sean looked at Blood Pursuer like it was a divine treasure, then glanced at the envelope in his hand. His eyes turned sharp—he had made up his mind and headed back to his ship without hesitation.
"What hidden ability? Did I get exposed? What's going on???"
Xie Dao watched Sean's odd behavior, utterly confused.
"Did I slip up somehow? That can't be it..."
Puzzled, he returned to his status panel.
Nothing new had appeared—just that FleshCollectionProgress line.
Wait—was that a plus symbol? What's that for?
Curious, Xie Dao mentally tapped the [+] icon.
Suddenly, a block of text popped up:
Flesh Collection Progress:
Through the host's act of slaying living beings, a portion of flesh and blood is collected to construct a new body for the host.
To ensure the host's servant (i.e., the wielder) puts in enough effort, each kill grants the host's servant 1% of the gained power (cannot be modified).
Once the servant dies, the host may choose to temporarily control their corpse for three days, or absorb it entirely to increase Flesh Collection Progress.
"I... What—!!! This is... overpowered! No—I'm going to be overpowered!
Seriously, this system is insane.
But man... 1% cut to the wielder? Ruthless!
Still... I love it. "
Xie Dao was stunned. He never imagined such a powerful hidden mechanic. He was giddy—Sean would now be extra motivated to keep killing, and Xie Dao's transformation into a real person would come that much sooner.
As Xie Dao suspected, Sean was indeed planning to use Blood Pursuer to grow stronger. However, being a straightforward swordsman, Sean only thought about killing humans—he never considered sea kings or beasts. Fortunately, he wasn't the evil type either. He had principles and didn't get blinded by power. He returned to the ship, determined to move forward with his crew.
The South Blue was different from the East Blue—its pirates were much stronger. Mellow Town didn't have a powerful Marine like Smoker to guard it. Most Marines didn't stop strong pirates from leaving—if anything, they were relieved to see them go. They only needed to catch a few 10-million bounty pirates each year to maintain appearances.
Soon, Sean returned to the ship, where the others had already gathered.
"Sean, you're so slow. We've been waiting forever," Takli said with a grin.
"Ran into a little trouble," Sean replied sheepishly, scratching his head.
Vexi's expression changed instantly.
"Someone blocked your way?
After your recent power-up—and with a Supreme Grade Blade—who could slow you down in the South Blue?
You were dealing with the Marines, so whoever intercepted you must've been pirates.
This island only has one port—quick, which crew was it? We'll go plunder them immediately!"
Everyone looked at Vexi like she had grown another head.
Flushed with embarrassment, she snapped:
"What are you all staring at?! You guys don't manage the money—you've no idea how tight our finances are! If we don't get more soon, we'll be broke when we reach the Grand Line! Now tell me!"
Startled by her fury, Sean panicked and confessed:
"It was Carlo the Demon Ghost and Iron Fist Sido—captains of the Demon Pirate Crew and the Fist Pirate Crew."
Dory's eyes widened.
"Two of them?! Carlo and Sido?! Both have bounties around 20 million!
Sean, you're that strong already?"
"It wasn't that hard," Sean said, smiling proudly.
Vexi quickly composed herself.
"Why are you still standing around?! Their ships are right over there!
Get over there and loot their treasure—NOW!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Sean and the others bolted in fear, including Rom, who sprinted like a scared rabbit despite not being much of a fighter.
The ship officers had already been slain by Sean. The rest were handled by Takli, Dory, and Rom. They returned with two treasure chests full of Berries and gems, ignoring the curious, fearful, and greedy stares around them—and set sail immediately.
"Hahaha! These pirates were loaded! We're rich!"
Vexi bounced around the deck in joy after counting the loot.
Sean calmly polished Blood Pursuer, his eyes blazing.
"As expected… I've grown stronger again—no side effects. This blade… is a divine weapon."
Meanwhile, Xie Dao's Flesh Collection Progress had reached 1.2%.
"How much did we get?" Takli asked curiously.
Vexi grinned and held up a finger:
"At least 130million Berries.
Over 60 million in cash, and gems worth more than 70 million!"
Even Sean froze for a second—this was the South Blue, not the Grand Line or New World.
A sum like that was huge here. His bounty was only 33 million—and his true strength far exceeded it.
"With that much, we won't need to worry about money for a while.
We've had amazing luck lately. A great omen as we enter the Grand Line.
Let's ride that momentum forward—next stop: ReverseMountain!"
Sean raised his fist and shouted.
"Yeah! Let's go!"
Vexi and the others echoed enthusiastically.
By the way, here's a recap of the crew roles:
Navigator – Vexi
Cook – Rom
Doctor & Gunner – Dory
Combatant – Takli
Captain/Swordsman – Sean
Dory used to wander the South Blue solo and got injured frequently. He eventually apprenticed under a doctor and learned medicine—a key reason Sean invited him aboard.
After half a day of sailing, they saw their destination: Reverse Mountain.
In One Piece, the Red Line and the Grand Line form a ring with two crossing points. One is Reverse Mountain (the other is Mary Geoise).
Reverse Mountain is a surreal, dangerous mountain that marks the entrance to the GrandLine. It has five water channels in an X-shape—four flow upward from the four Blues, and the fifth flows down into the Grand Line.
Entering the Grand Line requires either crossing the Calm Belt or ascending Reverse Mountain. Once crossed, you land at the starting point of the Grand Line.
In a sense, ReverseMountain is both the start and the end—the other side connects to the New World.
The currents from all four seas are so powerful that they overcome gravity, allowing water to flow uphill.
The crew stared in awe at the roaring stream that shot straight toward the sky.
"Everyone hold on! We're going up!"
Vexi shouted from the helm.
Their ship charged into the upward current. The water roared. The ship rocked violently—just a moment's distraction could crash them into the walls and destroy them. Many perish here every year.
This is why a skilled navigator is critical.
Thanks to Vexi's precision steering, they narrowly avoided danger and reached the junction of the Blues and the Grand Line.
Suddenly, from the North Blue, another pirate ship surged up—a direct collision course.
If they didn't act, both crews would die.
"Sean! Cut them down!"
Vexi shouted.
"Got it."
Sean stood at the bow.
The other pirate crew had the same destination. Two figures appeared on deck—one wielded twin swords, and the other summoned blazingsparks from his palms.
"We are the Scorch blade Pirates from the North Blue.
I'm Mohai, wielder of the Blaze-Blaze Fruit.
This is my first mate, Dual-Blade Cory.
Remember our names—so you know who killed you."
Mohai laughed madly, flames crackling.
Cory readied his twin swords. Both prepared to unleash their techniques.
Sean remained calm.
"I'm Sean.
They call me Phantom Blade, captain of the Scythe Demon Pirates from the South Blue."
He drew Blood Pursuer. In the sunlight, it shimmered crimson.
"If that's your final speech, then allow me to see you off."
Mohai raised his arms. An inferno erupted toward Sean's ship. Cory unleashed a purple cross-shaped slash.
Sean didn't panic. He closed his eyes.
"Where there is cause, there is effect.Today's encounter is cause.
Your attack is cause.
My retaliation is effect.
The cycle complete—Eightfold Prayers Hidden.
This is... Causality Slash."
He opened his eyes. A 100-meter blood-gold blade wave erupted and met the fire pillar and purple slash.
The fire collapsed instantly. The purple slash vanished.
The blade wave crashed into the enemy ship—splitting it clean in half.
Mohai and Cory died on the spot—without uttering another word.
Sean sheathed Blood Pursuer, feeling the surge of strength flow through him.
His companions cheered.
"Mission accomplished!"
Sean smiled, truly content.
In the cheers of his comrades, the ship descended Reverse Mountain. Ahead of them stretched the endless sea.
They smiled toward the horizon—
and stepped onto their next destination:
The Grand Line.