This sword strike was nothing like "A Gentle Serenade," which was silent and subtle.
This sword strike was nothing like "Waltz of the Heavens," which enveloped the world.
This sword strike was nothing like "Rhapsody of Extremes," whose momentum surged to the skies.
This sword strike flames danced and twisted along the blade of Blazing Warblade, resonating with the soul and the will of the sword. From this fusion, fire itself was born.
"The fourth sword shall be named Blazing Feast: Inferno Ascend."
Ding! Congratulations, host, for triggering the Supreme Swordmaster talent. You have now officially advanced to the rank of Supreme Swordmaster, surpassing 99% of the swordsmen in the world of pirates!
Staring at the system interface only he could see, Jacob Bovan didn't even have the energy to mock it anymore. What was with this weird "99%" thing all the time? It reminded him of some tacky antivirus software.
Still, leveling up was undeniably a good thing. At the very least, it gave Jacob the capital to truly move freely in this world.
The title Supreme Swordmaster was the highest peak any swordsman could dream of reaching.
Very few had ever attained it, and those who had were all absolute powerhouses.
That said, even among the powerful, differences remained. For example, Jacob now had only just stepped into the realm of a Supreme Swordmaster. Compared to someone like Hawk-Eye Mihawk, who had immersed himself in the sword for decades, Jacob was practically still in grade school. A hair's breadth in this realm could mean a gulf wider than oceans.
"I still have a long way to go," he muttered.
With Blazing Warblade gripped tightly in his hand, Jacob felt a complex surge of emotion wash over him.
—
The sun dipped into the west, casting crimson light across the sky that echoed over the vast, boundless sea.
After Vice Admiral Mole officially announced the end of the recruitment, Jacob's figure appeared once again in the center of the square.
"Vice Admiral, looks like you had a pretty good harvest."
After a full day's observation, Vice Admiral Mole wasn't as wary of Jacob as before. After all, if this man had harbored any dangerous intentions, he would've acted already. Why wait until now?
"That's right. These young ones will become the backbone of the Navy in the future, the pillars that hold it up."
Jacob nodded beside him, then flashed a mischievous grin.
"Vice Admiral, don't you think it'd be better if you sent them straight to the battlefield now?"
"To the battlefield?!" Mole's voice shot up a few notches. Ever since meeting Jacob, he'd been shocked more times than in the past few months of missions combined.
"Of course. Only soldiers forged in blood can become true warriors. Otherwise, they're just cannon fodder! Hahaha!" Jacob added cheerfully, "Come on, Vice Admiral, hurry it up. I've been waiting the whole day."
"This guy…"
Behind Jacob, Commander Karl clenched his fists tightly, his eyes glued to Jacob's retreating back. But in the end, his fists fell powerlessly to his sides.
"Are we really taking him back to Marineford?"
"Yes," Vice Admiral Mole replied, patting Karl on the shoulder meaningfully. "But once we get there, it won't be as simple as him just coming and going as he pleases."
Understanding flashed in Karl's eyes, and the fire returned to his gaze.
The recruits who had passed the selection had already boarded the warships, many of them from Island No. 824 but also from other Navy-controlled territories.
This scene alone made it clear just how extensive the Navy's grip on the world truly was.
Leaning against the ship's railing with his arms crossed, Jacob gazed out at the endless sea, letting the ocean breeze wash over him.
"I wonder how long this balance will last. Probably not much longer, right?" He smiled faintly. "If they won't start the chaos, then I guess I'll have to. Otherwise, my growth rate will drop by who knows how much."
Vice Admiral Mole and Commander Karl had no idea what dangerous thoughts were churning in Jacob's mind at that very moment. The two of them were too busy calling him over to enjoy a meal together.
This time, thankfully, the food wasn't laced with any exotic poisons.