Chapter 6: Slaying Cook

"Li Yuan, remember this name! One day, it will echo throughout the world, even if you may never see it again."

Li Yuan raised his sword, pointing it at Cook with fiery determination. This pirate was powerful and was a fitting opponent for him.

"Brat, today I'll teach you that talent doesn't equal strength. You'll die a miserable death."

Cook's anger surged as he recalled how he had knelt before a mere child moments ago.

In an instant, he lunged toward Li Yuan, swinging his large machete mercilessly.

"Too fast! I can't dodge!"

Even with his Observation Haki predicting Cook's machete trajectory, Li Yuan's reaction speed wasn't fast enough to evade the blow.

"Clang!!!"

The force of Cook's machete, combined with his momentum, sent Li Yuan flying back several meters as he blocked the attack with both hands on his sword.

"If you only have this much power, then you can go die!"

"Wuji·Cutting Steel·One Slash!!!"

As he steadied himself, Li Yuan pushed off the ground and charged forward at high speed, gripping his sword tightly, his eyes blazing as he closed in on Cook.

"Kid, you're getting too cocky!"

Cook raised his machete to strike down at Li Yuan's head.

However, despite the size and strength of Cook's weapon, it was as fragile as paper in front of Li Yuan, who had comprehended the Cutting Steel realm.

He could clearly see the weak points in Cook's attack.

"Crack!!!!"

As Li Yuan's iron sword clashed with Cook's machete, instead of the expected sound of metal striking metal, a crisp breaking sound resonated.

In Cook's shocked gaze, his machete was actually cleaved in two by Li Yuan's iron sword!

"Swish!!!"

The iron sword swept past, but Cook instinctively retreated just in time, narrowly avoiding being cut in half. However, a deep gash remained on his abdomen.

"Ah!!!"

"It hurts like hell!"

"Brat, you forced my hand! I'll make you die a very painful death!!"

Cook clutched his bleeding stomach, his eyes filled with rage as he shouted.

In the next moment, his body began to grow taller and larger, transforming into a monstrous black boar standing five meters high, the wound on his abdomen healing rapidly.

"Zoan-type Devil Fruit."

Seeing this change, Li Yuan realized that Cook was a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, which explained his hefty bounty of thirty-nine million.

"Hmph!!!"

Cook, now in boar form, let out a furious roar and charged at Li Yuan with incredible speed.

The combination of mass and speed made Cook's boar form resemble a tank. Even Li Yuan hesitated to face it head-on.

Using his Observation Haki, Li Yuan easily dodged the boar's initial charge.

"What if it's a Zoan-type? Let's see if your pigskin defense is stronger or my sword's edge is sharper!"

Li Yuan sheathed his iron sword, gripping the scabbard with his left hand while resting his right hand on the hilt, gathering all his strength.

With his Observation Haki fully activated, he anticipated Cook's next move.

"Boom!!!!"

Cook, having missed the first attack, turned around and charged at Li Yuan once more from a greater distance.

This time, he was faster and stronger, and even before he got close, Li Yuan felt the raw power radiating from him.

"Wuji·Charged Draw Sword Technique!!!"

As the boar drew near, Li Yuan executed a swift sword step, evading the charge, then reversed direction to strike at Cook's neck.

"Clang!!!"

The sound of the sword ringing out echoed as Li Yuan's iron sword shot forth, white sword light enveloping the blade, transforming it into a weapon of unparalleled sharpness.

"Swish! Swish!!"

The boar's thick skin and muscle were no match for the iron sword, which easily sliced through, embedding itself deeply into Cook's neck and severing his carotid artery.

"Boom!!!!"

Cook, in disbelief, could hardly comprehend how his formidable defense had been breached.

With his artery severed, Cook reverted to human form, clutching his neck in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding. His eyes were locked onto Li Yuan as he struggled to remain conscious.

In just five seconds, he succumbed to his injuries, dying with a look of resentment.

"Crack!!!"

At that moment, Li Yuan's iron sword shattered, the sword light dissipating, leaving only the hilt in his grasp.

"Ah, an ordinary iron sword can't withstand my Cutting Steel sword light. If I reach the Sword Hero realm and can unleash Flying Slash attacks, will I have to replace my sword every time I swing it?"

"I guess I need to find a better sword in the future."

Li Yuan sighed, contemplating his situation.

"Li Yuan, congratulations on slaying Cook! Your strength now surpasses even that of your master."

Louis approached, commending him.

"Master, it's all thanks to your teachings."

Li Yuan smiled back.

"You know I'm not a stingy person. You can consider this your graduation. This is yours now."

"I didn't give it to you before because I was worried you'd become complacent in your sword training."

"Seeing your talent for swordsmanship, which is the best I've ever seen, I believe you might reach the Sword Hero realm soon."

Louis pulled out a book from his pocket and handed it to Li Yuan.

"The Six Powers of the Navy?"

Li Yuan looked at the title, recognizing it as a manual for training in the Navy's Six Powers, complete with detailed notes.

"This was given to me by a predecessor, but it's of no use to me. Today, I'm passing it on to you."

Louis spoke with a hint of nostalgia. Once, he believed himself to be a genius, training in both swordsmanship and physical combat.

But after being harshly reminded of reality, he abandoned physical training to focus solely on swordsmanship.

By the time he had reached the Cutting Steel realm, he was too old, his vitality waning, and he could progress no further in swordsmanship. This had become a lifelong regret.

In Li Yuan, he saw the dreams he once wished to achieve but thought impossible.

"Master, Senior Brother!!!"

After the battle, many junior disciples from the Infinite Sword Pavilion rushed over.

"Ugh!!!!"

"Gulp!!!!"

However, upon witnessing the dismembered bodies around them, their faces turned pale, and many of the first-timers to see blood began to vomit.

"Kano, quickly grab some rope and tie up all the unconscious pirates!!!"

Li Yuan didn't comment on the vomiting juniors; instead, he jumped onto Cook's pirate ship and tore down the pirate flag.

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