Within the branch's training grounds, two figures clashed in a blur of motion.
Though they were sparring in swordsmanship, both had tacitly agreed not to use high-level swordsman slashes. Such attacks possessed far too much destructive power; a few careless strikes would likely leave the entire training ground in need of extensive repairs.
After a long while, as the two crossed paths once more, a shockwave of Sword Energy suddenly erupted, blasting outward in all directions.
"In less than a year, your swordsmanship is barely inferior to mine," Gion remarked, sheathing her blade with a sigh of admiration.
When Sean was still in the Headquarters training camp, she could handle him with ease. But in the short ti since, he had closed the gap significantly. While he wasn't quite stronger than her yet, he was certainly no longer outclassed. Even if they were to fight to a definitive conclusion, it wouldn't be sothing decided in a short window of ti.
At this rate, she feared she wouldn't be his match by next year.
'My dignity as an older sister is about to vanish...'
Sean glanced at his attributes. Today, his Zanjutsu growth from sparring had already reached 78, but it still wasn't enough. Gion had been helping him train for nearly ten days now, and her ti here was running out.
Therefore...
"Gion-san, one more round!"
"I say, we've been at this from early morning until the afternoon. Are you still not satisfied? Are you trying to squeeze every last drop out of ?"
"I'm young, and opportunities like this are rare. Naturally, I'm full of energy. Besides, there's a famous saying in my hotown..."
"What saying?" Gion asked curiously.
Every ti Sean ntioned a proverb from his holand, sothing bizarre and eccentric usually followed. She found it quite entertaining.
"A man who gives his absolute all is the only one who can satisfy a woman who refuses to be broken."
"What... what does that even an?" Gion blinked, completely bewildered.
Sean naturally had no intention of explaining; if he did, he feared he might not live to see tomorrow's sunrise. He simply replied that she would understand when the ti was right.
Gion was left utterly confused. 'Does he really have to be that mysterious?'
'''
It wasn't until nightfall that Sean finally let Gion go and returned to his office. He pulled up his personal attribute panel.
After yesterday's multiplier bonus, his Zanjutsu experience had reached 20,850. Now, it stood at 20,980. In a single day, it had increased by 130.
As expected, sparring with soone of equal or slightly superior strength accelerated experience gain significantly. It had been a while since he'd hit a high multiplier; he hoped today would be generous.
"System, begin today's Multiplication. Target: Zanjutsu training experience gain."
[Ding! Multiplying now. Please wait...]
[Ding! Multiplication complete. Today's Zanjutsu experience gain is 130. The random multiplier is 87x. The host has received an additional 11,180 Zanjutsu experience.]
[Ding! Zanjutsu experience is full. Level increased to 8. Experience required for the next level: 100,000.]
Instantly, Sean felt his understanding of Zanjutsu deepen.
'Hiss... I actually hit a high multiplier, and it was an 87! Over ten thousand extra experience. This is a massive harvest.'
"System, show my personal panel."
[Ding! Personal attribute panel expanded.]
[Sean Campbell]
[Zanjutsu: Lv.8 (2,160/100,000)]
[Hakuda: Lv.6 (0/10,000)]
[Hohō: Lv.6 (0/10,000)]
[Kidō: Lv.6 (360/10,000)]
[Reiryoku: 28,550]
[Physique: 5,510]
[Zanpakutō: Hekireki (Shikai attained), Bankai Progress: 68%]
[Special Ability: High-Speed Regeneration Lv.4 (280/3,000)]
Level 8!
Sean speculated that if he fought Gion one more ti, he might be able to defeat her within half an hour. He could feel the profound shift in his tactical understanding.
However, there were still concerns.
First, Gion's warship would arrive tomorrow. Once she returned to Headquarters, there would be no one left to help him practice his swordsmanship. Even if she stayed, the experience gains wouldn't be as rich as they were over the last ten days. He needed a stronger swordsman—soone on the level of Rayleigh, Hawkeye, or perhaps Shanks.
Second, reaching Level 9 required a staggering 100,000 experience. That was no easy feat unless he could recruit a top-tier master to train with him for several months, which was currently impossible.
Third, while his Zanjutsu had reached Level 8, his other three skills were only at Level 6. By Shinigami standards, he was severely unbalanced. Only by improving Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō together could he maximize a Shinigami's fundantal capabilities.
As for his Zanpakutō, he had a goal after studying the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, but there was no rush. The Marine had no records of the two lightning-type fruits he was interested in. Much like the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, they hadn't appeared for a very long ti. Lucci had already arranged for an investigation; being anxious wouldn't speed things up.
'''
The following afternoon.
Gion stood at the port of the fortress's central island with a group of Marines. Her gaze was vacant, her mind reeling.
'What on earth is this?'
The unconventional design was one thing, but more importantly... unless she was seeing things, this ship was made of iron.
Could a ship made of steel actually float on water? Was she going crazy, or had the world gone mad?
And where were the sails? Even without sails, there were no auxiliary wheels for navigating the Calm Belt. Was this thing even capable of moving?
Wait—she had literally just watched this ship sail into the harbor.
Heaven help her... how was this even possible?
Gion wasn't the only one on the verge of a breakdown; every Marine under her command was equally stunned.
"Sean, what exactly is going on with this ship?"
"Oh, this? It's a next-generation warship I commissioned from the Galley-La Company!"
"A next-generation warship? Made of steel?"
"Exactly. The entire hull is constructed from steel!"
"And it can float?"
"You just saw it do it, didn't you?"
Gion froze, realizing how foolish her question was. A Steel Warship was sitting right in front of her, floating perfectly on the water.
"Then what about the sails? How does it move without them?"
"This is also new technology. Not only does this warship not require sails, but its maximum speed can reach 18 knots. Of course, it's best not to maintain maximum speed for long unless necessary to avoid damaging the propulsion system. Normally, 13 knots is sufficient," Sean explained.
Gion listened, but she was completely lost.
"By the way, although this warship doesn't rely on sails and is twice as fast as old-style ships, propelling the vessel still requires energy. And that energy is..."
"What is it?"
"Cola!"
"You an that drink called cola?"
After a mont of confusion, Gion asked. She had tried cola a few tis, so she knew what it was. But wasn't it just a beverage? Since when did it beco the fuel required for a warship to sail?
"Exactly!" Sean replied. "Theoretically, if you pump ten thousand bottles of cola into the warship before every voyage, it can maintain a range of over 4,000 nautical miles."
"Wait a second... did you say ten thousand bottles?"
Gion's mind imdiately began running the numbers. At 50 Belly a bottle, ten thousand bottles...
Was she going to spend 500,000 Belly on cola every ti they set sail?
'Are you crazy, or am I?'
"That's right. While the travel expenses have increased slightly, this warship is incredibly fast. Is doubling the speed not worth the cost of so cola?"
"Well, I suppose that's true. I can just expense it to the Fleet Admiral anyway; it's not like I'm paying out of my own pocket!"
"That's the spirit. Tell you what, I'll have the shipwrights from the Galley-La Company take you aboard so you can get familiar with the new vessel."
"Sounds good," Gion nodded.
Sean then called over Barry, who had delivered the ship, and asked him to give Gion a comprehensive tour of the warship. Otherwise, if he just handed it over, she wouldn't even know how to steer it.
It had to be said that people in the world of pirates had an incredible capacity for learning. Sean had initially thought it would take at least three days, but as it turned out...
In just one day, Gion announced that her crew had mastered the ship's controls.
By noon the following day, Gion prepared to depart. She was already supposed to have returned to Headquarters to report, but between the Sea King incident, escorting the fleet to the 16th Branch, and waiting for the new warship, she had been delayed by an entire month. Now that the ship was ready, she needed to hurry back.
"Sister Gion, I'm leaving this kid in your hands. I promised old man Garp I'd send him over."
Before she left, Sean brought Luffy forward.
Gion nodded. Having stayed at the 16th Branch for so long, she had already heard about Luffy. Taking him along was no trouble at all; it was simply a matter of convenience.
"Fine, I'll deliver him to Vice Admiral Garp personally. Anything else?"
"That's all. But be careful on the way. The last ti I sent soone to deliver a capture to Garp, Kaku was attacked by Dragon on the road. If you encounter any attacks, contact imdiately. I have a way to reach you in a very short amount of ti."
"Stop fussing. If I can't handle it, what use would you be coming over?"
'Sigh, can I tell you that I'm already stronger than you?' Sean thought.
Furthermore, if they really encountered top-tier powerhouses, he and Gion could hold their own for quite a while if they tead up. And if both of them were truly overwheld, he could always have Blueno go to Headquarters to fetch an Admiral.
Despite his thoughts, Sean kept his mouth shut. How else would he explain how he had beco significantly stronger in just a single day?
"Sister Gion, take my advice. If you encounter an opponent you truly cannot deal with, contact imdiately. I have a way to handle it!"
"Alright, I get it!" Seeing the seriousness in Sean's expression, Gion finally nodded and agreed.
'''
Two days later.
Gion finally experienced the sheer speed of this new-style warship. In just over two days, she had traveled from the 16th Branch into the Calm Belt.
If she were using her original large warship, it likely would have taken around five days, given its speed of only seven or eight knots. She grew increasingly satisfied with her new ride; long-distance travel was going to be much easier from now on.
Especially in the Calm Belt. Previously, when Marine warships passed through the Calm Belt, they had to rely on auxiliary wheels to move. Those things were painfully slow, moving at only about four knots.
But now...
"Vice Admiral! A pirate ship has been spotted ahead! It's... impossible... damn it, why are they here?"
On the bridge, a Commodore looking through binoculars suddenly spotted sothing. He imdiately reported to Gion, but as he clearly saw the flag of the ship, he began to stutter, his face filled with disbelief.
Seeing the Commodore's reaction, Gion snatched the binoculars from his hand and looked for herself.
'Did Sean actually predict it? Is that Dragon fellow trying to kidnap Luffy again?'
But in the next instant, Gion's eyes widened in shock.
"The Red-Haired Pirates... Four Emperors Shanks!!"
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