16: Chapter 016 This Is Called…
No-Sword Style Swordsmanship 16: Chapter 016 This Is Called…
No-Sword Style Swordsmanship “Look!!!
There it is…
the Young Master’s ship!!!” “The young master is back, everyone…
quiet down now!!
Let’s give him our warmest welcome!!” Hundreds of people stood at the harbor of Kuraigana Island.
The port was quite spacious, but the surrounding ruins and debris, along with the towering piles of gravel, forced everyone to crowd together.
Even so, it made for quite a vibrant and lively scene.
Though the crowd was small, their enthusiasm was in no way inferior to that of a grand assembly of thousands.
As the ship came alongside the dock, Liam led the guards, who doubled as sailors and helmsmen, steering the Order Keeper into the channel for safe mooring.
That was where Kuraigana Island’s shipyard was located.
For now, there were only twelve craftsmen there, most of them not yet truly skilled…
they were young men who had just graduated from the novice stage with some basic techniques.
But as time passed, they would certainly grow stronger and more proficient.
Amid the roaring cheers of the crowd, Richard walked down from the dock.
After the cargo was unloaded, he distributed the winter supplies…
grain, firewood, and charcoal.
The distribution was based on the number of household heads.
This was a rule Richard had established: every household needed a designated head to register.
In the future, they would be responsible for managing their own families, and occasionally, if they performed well, they would receive tax reductions.
In truth, the tax amount was very small…
it was more of a form of governance and order.
“The winter resources for this year are all fully prepared.
Everyone, go ahead and enjoy a warm and comfortable winter.” Richard smiled gently.
Under the protection of the guard unit, he brought his younger brother Mihawk back to the Black Rose Castle.
The days ahead would involve the annual routines of land reclamation, military recruitment, and elite troop training.
These were the customary tasks for every year.
In the past, Richard had personally overseen them all, but this year was different…
with Liam as a capable assistant, Richard, as the lord, could afford to rest a bit more.
The able-bodied young men who were selected would be inducted into the guard unit.
From there, the elite guards who graduated from training would be chosen for the special forces team, which Richard personally instructed.
This training program had started two years ago, and so far, the special forces team consisted of only one person…
Liam.
His specialties were fist techniques and physical strength-based combat.
Though Liam had a large build, he was remarkably agile.
He possessed a unique footwork technique that allowed him to close in on enemies swiftly, and using the gaps in his movement, he could deliver a spinning roundhouse kick from behind.
Richard had named this technique “Divine Dragon’s Tail Whip.” It was exceptionally powerful.
…
“Then…
I’ll leave the rest to you, Liam.” “Rest assured, my lord.
I will do my utmost to select the most capable guards for you.
This year is one of harvest…
I’m certain there will be some promising talents.” Liam’s face carried a confident smile.
He knew that in the coming days, Richard would be quite busy.
Word had it that Kuraigana Island needed to expand, which meant increasing the population.
To that end, Richard would have to establish alliances with other nations.
In truth, compared to the chaotic magnetic fields and ever-changing weather of the Grand Line, the climate on Kuraigana Island was relatively pleasant and livable.
Richard glanced at the prompts on his system panel.
Among the achievement quests, one with a high star rating and rewards bearing the [Divine] attribute was “Revival.” It was a quest that ran counter to the world’s current order, so its difficulty was extremely high.
Richard had decided from the very beginning that he would definitely complete the Revival quest.
After all, he had personally experienced the destruction of his nation.
Though he had awakened his system abilities at the very last moment of battle and slain over three thousand enemies, Richard had never been truly satisfied with that outcome.
After the invasion, they had proclaimed their actions as “justice.” He had already seen through that hypocrisy.
If he hadn’t been strong enough, both he and Mihawk probably wouldn’t have survived.
…
A month passed.
After a sparring session, Richard helped his younger brother Mihawk, who had been knocked down with three strikes, back to his feet and said with a hint of a smile: “Mihawk…
would you like to go out traveling with me again?
We’ll go a bit farther this time.” “Is that so?
I don’t really feel like it…” “No…
you do.
A swordsman cannot stay in one place for too long.
You need to be open to accepting challenges from others.” Richard smiled as he spoke.
The truth was, he was the one who wanted to go out.
He just wanted some company.
Mihawk’s eyes ignited with serious fighting spirit.
He nodded firmly: “I understand, Brother!
I will never refuse anyone’s challenge!” And so, Mihawk…
with his sharp, hawk-like gaze full of vigor…
once again followed Richard out to sea.
But this time, they didn’t take the Order Keeper.
Instead, they sailed on a wide, black iron raft with a throne mounted on it, drifting with the currents across the ocean’s surface.
When Mihawk first saw this “coffin-like” little boat, he felt it was rather unlucky.
But after seeing Richard manipulate it, Mihawk became intrigued.
“Watch closely…
use your sword aura to control your body.
Steer with your feet, command the ocean currents with your breath, and release your energy.” Richard focused his mind, let out a sharp breath, and shouted: “Haah!” Whoosh.
A blade aura surged up behind him, kicking up three layers of waves, with foam and spray rolling high into the air.
“See that?
This is called…
No-Sword Style Swordsmanship.” “N-no…
no-sword style…” Mihawk’s eyes widened.
He felt his entire understanding of swordsmanship being overturned once again.
You could use swordsmanship without even holding a sword?!
That was…
that was just too absurd.
Richard grinned.
“A true swordsman is himself a blade.
Some keep their edge hidden; others let it shine.”