Swing a Sword and Become Stronger

"999.... 1000!"

At the 188th Branch of the Marines, situated in the heart of the training base square, a young man named Bai Yu was engaged in a rigorous training regimen, repeatedly swinging a colossal blade that resembled a Taido but was significantly larger than the standard swords.

Despite the intense heat of the summer sun, Bai Yu persevered, his forehead glistening with sweat as he completed his thousandth swing.

"A thousand swings completed."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Bai Yu couldn't help but reflect on his incredible journey. Just a week ago, he had inexplicably found himself transported into the world of his favorite anime, One Piece. His arrival was timely, coinciding with the recruitment of Marine officers.

Before he could make sense of his new reality, he was spotted by the "Naval Hero" Garp, who was passing by at that moment. Garp saw potential in him and brought him to the 188th branch, enlisting him as a soldier.

Suddenly, a mysterious voice echoed in Bai Yu's mind.

  [Ding! You have successfully completed 1000 sword swings. Reward: Rokushiki proficiency increased by 10%, basic swordsmanship proficiency increased by 10%.]

"System Panel!" Bai Yu whispered, and in the blink of an eye, a translucent interface that only he could see appeared before him. It was the 'Strongest Swordsman System,' a special feature he'd acquired since his arrival in this world, displaying his skills, weapon, techniques, physique, and more to be discovered.

  [The Strongest Swordsman System]

  [Host: Bai Yu]

  [Swordsmanship: Basic Swordsmanship (80%)]

  [Technique: Rokushiki (80%)]

  [Weapon: Novice Sword]

  [Physique: Grade C]

  [Others: None]

Realizing that his continuous training was recognized and rewarded by this system, Bai Yu became more determined. Every swing of his sword, provided it was precise and he could withstand the enormous weight of his special weapon, brought various rewards, enhancing his abilities and physical strength.

As long as he kept swinging the sword correctly, he would grow.

Over the past week, through sheer will and constant practice, Bai Yu had managed to perform 1000 swings daily. His proficiency in basic swordsmanship and Rokushiki had both reached 80%. Moreover, his physical rating had risen from a D to a C, indicating his enhanced strength, speed, and explosive power.

Bai Yu mused, "It won't be long before I master basic swordsmanship and Rokushiki. My physical strength is also nearing level B."

However, his moment of contemplation was abruptly interrupted.

"Bai Yu!" A thunderous voice shattered the silence, followed by the unmistakable sensation of the ground trembling under the force of someone approaching at incredible speed.

Without needing to turn, Bai Yu recognized the aura — it was Garp, the man who had recruited him and who now, apparently, was hellbent on personally training him...or rather, giving him a tough time. It might have been due to the potential he saw waiting to be brought out. Still, the memories of being beaten for not using the correct form made Bai Yu prefer to miss out on today's beating.

"Rokushiki, Soru!" Bai Yu reacted instantly, his feet pushing off the ground multiple times in rapid succession, propelling him forward at an explosive speed, just as Garp's figure emerged from the other side of the square.

However, Garp was not one to be easily evaded. "Running away, recruit?" he bellowed, his own speed astonishing as he closed the distance between them.

Bai Yu, now airborne using the Geppo technique, looked down at Garp, who had leapt up after him. In the heat of the moment, with Garp's fist of love flying towards him, Bai Yu gripped his sword tightly, channeling all his strength into a powerful counterstrike.

CLANG! Metal clashed, and Bai Yu's sword met Garp's iron-hard fist. Sparks flew, but Bai Yu was sent reeling back from the sheer force of the impact.

The mid-air standoff between master and student continued, the sounds of their intense battle reverberating throughout the Marine base. Bai Yu, though still a talented new recruit, had no intention of backing down so easily without putting up a fight. He felt something inside him bubbling and awakening, making him want to push his limits against his teacher, despite knowing the mountain of fear he was facing.

This attitude made Garp very happy, grinning while wishing for Bai Yu to show him what he can do.

"Rokushiki, Tekkai!"

In a critical juncture, Bai Yu instinctively activated Tekkai, a technique that hardens the user's muscles to the level of iron, in order to defend against the incoming attack.

In the blink of an eye, his body became as rigid as steel.

Bracing himself, Bai Yu crossed his arms in front, just in time to meet the force of Garp's powerful punch.

Clang! Boom!

The sound of metal striking echoed as Garp's fist collided with Bai Yu, followed by a resounding crash as Bai Yu was sent hurtling to the ground, creating a massive crater, with dust billowing up around him.

Garp then descended slowly to the ground.

"Cough, cough. You old geezer! Were you trying to kill me?" Bai Yu cursed amidst the settling dust.

Emerging from the haze, he was clapping dust off his body.

"Hmm?"

Upon seeing Bai Yu's condition, Garp hummed in surprise.

Despite the layer of dust covering him, Bai Yu was completely unharmed!

Even though Garp had held back, the strength behind that punch was not something an average person could withstand.

Initially, Garp intended to use this punch to temper Bai Yu's resolve.

Besides surprise, Garp's eyes sparkled with anticipation. Although he was a new recruit, Garp considered him a close student who could one day become a Vice-Admiral with enough training.

It was quite the sight. In just one week in the Marine, Bai Yu had evidently mastered Rokushiki, the Six Powers.

Furthermore, his fluid transitioning between the techniques surpassed even that of seasoned marines who spent months training.

In time, it was difficult to fathom how much he would improve.

Garp saw in Bai Yu the bright future of the Marine's new generation! In a way he saw himself, or his past self. Although others might make light of Garp's power for not injuring his student, despite how wrong it sounded, he wasn't upset about that.

What vexed him was that he wasn't the one who taught Bai Yu these skills.

Moreover, Bai Yu frequently 'ditched' his training sessions to practice his swordsmanship alone.

This fact irked Garp more, being unversed in the way of the sword himself, realizing that he couldn't teach or figure out this part of his student.

"Heh!"

"Not bad, kid! You've managed to take one of my punches! Next time I'll be sure to add more 'love' in it!"

Garp remarked, feigning nonchalance.

Bai Yu, speechless, rolled his eyes at Garp with sweat trickling down.

"I see you've at least grasped the basics of Rokushiki. The standard training courses are indeed beneath you." Garp picked his nose and flung it at his student playfully, "How about this, are you interested in some advanced training, directly from me?"

Garp yawned, seemingly unfazed by Bai Yu's progress, emphasizing the words "basics" and "standard" as if to suggest that Bai Yu's current abilities were still elementary in his eyes.

"No, thanks."

Without hesitation, Bai Yu declined.

Why would he need that, when all he needed to become stronger was to keep swinging his sword? The thought of accepting would only cross his mind if such a gift wasn't in his hands. Still, he appreciated the offer.

Thus he was straightforward and, more importantly, quick in answering.

"What?!"

"Do you have any idea how many people dream of being mentored by me?"

Garp, teeth clenched, exclaimed loudly.

Was his reputation as a hero for naught?

Many in the Marines would leap at the chance to be trained by Garp!

But Bai Yu's reaction was entirely different.

"Let those who are interested come forward."

"You've just said I'm exempt from the basic training."

"So, I'll carry on with my practice, if you don't mind."

With that, Bai Yu, nursing his sore wrist, walked over and retrieved his beginner's greatsword that had been knocked away by Garp's punch earlier.

The system-rewarded blade, though basic, proved to be incredibly durable.

Despite enduring a punch from Garp, it remained unscathed.

"I'm starting to think you're asking for a thrashing!"

Seeing Bai Yu resume his sword practice without another word, Garp was nearly out of patience.

He rolled up his sleeves, preparing to 'enlighten' Bai Yu through his own means.

"Report!"

At that moment, a young Marine soldier hurried over.

Upon reaching Garp, he saluted respectfully.

"Can't you see I'm in the middle of something?"

"Come back later."

Garp, preoccupied, dismissed the soldier with a wave of his hand.

"Sir, Vice Admiral Garp!"

"Our base in Alabasta has issued a distress signal."

The soldier reported urgently.

"Alabasta?"

Hearing this, Garp's demeanor shifted.

He seemed to recall some crucial information. Garp fell silent, contemplating.

During this brief pause, his gaze inadvertently met Bai Yu, who was once again engrossed in his sword swinging exercise.

A sly grin crept onto his face.

"Understood, you're dismissed for now."

He responded to the reporting soldier.

Then, Garp approached Bai Yu.

"So, you're really not interested in my training, huh?" Garp probed.

"Nope." Bai Yu responded bluntly.

"That's a shame. After all, there's a transitional program for newcomers. Normally, being trained by me would fast-track you, skipping a lot of the rookie courses, but now..."

Garp spoke, feigning disappointment with a hand covering his face in sadness. But under his hand, he was grinning with his tongue stuck out. Bai Yu couldn't see this and responded, "Just spit it out, no need for the runaround."

Sensing the hidden agenda in Garp's tone, Bai Yu halted his sword exercise.

He had a hunch that Garp was up to no good!

"Fine, let's strike a deal. If you can accomplish a mission I assign to you, I'll grant you any request you have. But, if you fail, you'll follow my training regimen to the letter!" Garp proposed with a big smile.

'As expected!' Internally, Bai Yu cursed, but the conditions intrigued him.

"Whatever. Let's hear it then. What's the mission?"

Curious yet cautious, he asked.

Having Garp as a backer would afford him more freedom to pursue his own path in the Marines — the path of the sword.

However, Garp's next words instantly clouded Bai Yu's expression.

"It's simple: provide reinforcement for our troops stationed in Alabasta."

Garp explained, with deceptive calm.

Alabasta!

Upon hearing the name, Bai Yu's heart sank.

It wasn't as simple as Garp made it sound.

Given the current timeline, it likely involved the schemes of the former Warlord, Crocodile.

On the surface, it was about instigating a civil war in Alabasta for control of the kingdom.

But the true objective was to unearth a historical text hidden within Alabasta's royal tombs — a text that chronicled the existence of an ancient weapon, Pluton.

This was sensitive information that could pose a threat to the Marine and the balance of powers at large.

And Garp had the audacity to imply it was a simple task?!

It was a veritable death trap!