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Currently at chapter 234
[Ding! Consuming stored Forging Knives. Upgrading Wushuang Taidao—initiating system forging.]
As Bai Yu gave the mental command, the system's cold mechanical voice echoed in his mind once again.
Hum!
A pure white light erupted from his body. It surrounded the Wushuang Taidao, which floated into the air in front of him, suspended as if held by an invisible hand.
The light wasn't ordinary—it contained dense and mysterious forging energy that began to infuse into the blade, initiating the upgrade process.
Time passed slowly.
[Ding! System forging complete. Wushuang Taidao has been successfully upgraded to: True Wushuang Taidao (Great Grade Sword)]
Another mechanical prompt chimed.
At the same time, the blinding white aura faded.
In its place appeared the newly reforged True Wushuang Taidao—its transformation complete.
The blade's length had increased subtly, exuding a heavier and more menacing presence.
While the hilt retained its original form, the scabbard now bore a new addition—a patterned sheen resembling dragon scales.
Bai Yu stepped forward and drew the sword.
Hum!
A resonant vibration buzzed from the blade as it slid from the scabbard, trembling ever so slightly in his grip.
The first thing Bai Yu noticed was its weight. Considerably heavier than before.
Unlike the sakura-patterned Sakuragi, which exuded a cool, flowing elegance, this sword radiated a dry and scorching heat.
The blade itself retained its clean curvature, but now shimmered faintly with a dragon-scale motif, as if alive.
Bai Yu narrowed his eyes and murmured, "Azure Dragon Sword Intent!"
With that thought, a burst of sword aura surged from his body and condensed onto the blade.
Whoosh!
This time, the sword intent that ignited along the edge wasn't turquoise like before—it had changed.
Now, the flame it emitted was deep crimson, like boiling blood.
Its searing heat was far more intense than anything he'd released previously.
"One hard, one soft… One yin, one yang."
Feeling the contrast between this sword and Sakuragi, Bai Yu chuckled softly to himself.
With that, he began a brief training session to familiarize himself with the new weight, balance, and responsiveness of True Wushuang Taidao.
The night passed in silence.
— — —
By noon the next day, Bai Yu gathered Maya and the other three.
Their liaison with Marine HQ was complete, and it was time to depart for the G5 Branch.
Just as everyone was preparing to leave—
"Wait!"
A sudden shout came from behind.
All turned toward the source.
A young man, likely around Bai Yu's age, was sprinting toward them. He had neat features, a slender build, and wore a white coat with the Science Division's emblem flapping behind him.
"You are…?" Bai Yu asked as the newcomer reached them.
"Huff… Huff…"
"Let me… come with you…"
The young man, clearly not used to physical activity, spoke between breaths.
Bai Yu raised a brow. "And you are?"
"I'm Lie Qing, from the Naval Science Division!" he said quickly. "Dr. Vegapunk sent me."
That name made Bai Yu's pupils shrink slightly.
Vegapunk.
The greatest scientist in the world. The mind behind the Pacifistas, lineage factor research, and countless technological marvels. A man said to be 500 years ahead of modern science.
"He said this is to repay you," Lie Qing added, "for returning Caesar Clown to the Science Division."
"It's also meant to be part of my field training."
"...And," he added with a small smirk, "I'm his disciple."
The last statement clearly filled him with pride.
It should.
Being a student of Vegapunk was no small feat—it implied not only talent, but an understanding of cutting-edge scientific theory far beyond common reach.
Bai Yu and his companions looked at each other, surprised.
When they'd handed Caesar over, it was only out of duty. Bai Yu hadn't expected it would open the door to direct ties with Vegapunk himself.
And now… they were being entrusted with his disciple.
"Major General Bai Yu!"
Smoker stepped forward with a serious expression. "Accept him!"
"With his help, we might gain access to advanced weapons—maybe even prototypes."
"The G5 Branch could rise to an entirely new level!"
Smoker, once reluctant about G5's condition, now saw hope.
If Vegapunk's disciple could assist them—even in small ways—it might transform G5 into a modern fortress.
"Very well," Bai Yu finally spoke.
"Please thank Dr. Vegapunk for his support."
"But I have one condition."
"No matter who you are or where you're from… once you're in G5, you follow my command."
His voice was calm but firm.
Bai Yu wasn't looking to pamper a genius.
He sought people who could work with him—and possibly help unlock the secret of Pluton, the ancient weapon whose blueprints he now held.
Perhaps Lie Qing was the key he'd been waiting for.
"No problem!"
Lie Qing agreed immediately.
"All I need is a well-equipped lab and time for my experiments."
Scientists like him lived only for progress.
As for long-term loyalty to G5? That would depend on how useful and free he felt there.
"Then you're in."
"Everyone, prepare to depart!"
With that, Bai Yu issued the order.
The group boarded the Marine warship docked nearby.
"Set sail!"
Under Bai Yu's command, the ship pulled away from the harbor, heading straight for the G5 Branch—guided by a permanent pointer.
According to Smoker, the G5 Branch wasn't far.
With full sails, Sea King assistance, and no detours, they'd arrive in half a day.
— — —
While there was still time, Bai Yu made his way to the deck.
He had no intention of letting a day pass without training.
There, beneath the open sky and salty breeze, Bai Yu resumed his practice.
One slash. Then another.
The rhythm of steel cut through the air again and again.
Unseen to the others, every swing was registered by the system.
The sun dipped into the sea, dyeing the clouds orange.
"998… 999… 1000!"
Bai Yu finished his thousandth swing. As expected, the familiar system notification chimed.
[Ding! The host has completed 1000 slashes. Rewards unlocked: +5% proficiency in 'Gathering · Twelve Company' and 'Azure Dragon · Extreme · Ten Thousand Blade Scroll']
[+1% Three-Color Haki proficiency, +5% Advanced Swordsmanship proficiency]
[+5% Dual Blade Mastery proficiency]
He took a deep breath.
[Ding! 'Gathering · Twelve Company' has reached 100% mastery. Unlocking next tier technique: 'Gathering · Twenty-Four Company' (5%)]
With this final prompt, Bai Yu's expression brightened slightly.
He had reached full mastery over Twelve Company.
And now, a new path was open—Twenty-Four Company.
The blade in his hand felt more responsive.
Sharper.
Heavier.
More connected.
He smiled quietly.
On this vast sea, where pirates like Blackbeard schemed in the dark, and world powers played with justice and deceit—
He would forge his own power, one blade swing at a time.
And with Lie Qing's arrival—
Perhaps the era of true advancement for G5… was about to begin.
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