Yujiro Hanma’s corpse vanished.
A moment later, a completely renewed version of him regenerated.
“To think you actually cut me down with a single strike…” Yujiro Hanma stared at Skyler, his expression grave.
This man’s determination to become stronger was beyond extraordinary.
Anyone with less than absolute resolve would have long collapsed after enduring countless tortures and deaths.
Skyler could have dismissed him as an instructor at any time, yet he never did.
“Congratulations…
I don’t know much about swordsmanship, but I can tell yours is formidable…
However, your physical frame is still somewhat weak.
For the remaining year, let’s focus entirely on polishing your taijutsu.” Suddenly, Yujiro Hanma’s expression relaxed, and he began to applaud with slow, rhythmic claps.
“Much obliged.”
Skyler glanced at him and spoke indifferently.
A year passed, and the time limit of the Time Chamber was coming to an end.
Yujiro Hanma stood in front of Skyler and extended his hand toward him: “Our sparring is over.
You are a truly strong warrior…
Though I am merely a phantom created by the system, and I have no idea how dangerous your world is to make someone like you so desperately eager to grow as if sitting on pins and needles…
I still want to say that if you ever get the chance, I hope you can come to my world and compete against my true self.
Being killed by someone like you again would be a privilege for me!”
“Of course, nothing that happened here is connected to my real self—he doesn’t know you.”
The corner of Skyler’s mouth curved upward.
“If that day ever comes, trust me…
you won’t want to see me.”
Shaking his hand, Skyler departed leisurely as his consciousness gradually dissolved into nothingness.
“Hmph!
Arrogant brat…”
“Still, I really envy that unknown world for having a powerhouse like you…
It’s a pity I can’t go.”
The voice faded away, and everything turned to darkness.
…
“Sir, the man is right over here, very quiet…
Rest assured, nothing will go wrong on my watch.”
“Don’t drop your guard.
Even though he’s just a nobody with a two-million-berry bounty, he managed to become an executive of the Tils Pirates after setting sail for only a year, which means his potential threat is extremely high!
I looked over his file; he seems to have just reached adulthood…
As Marines stationed on the Grand Line, we must demonstrate greater competence and discipline, unlike our colleagues in the Four Seas who make no progress…
If he actually managed to escape, it might be a small matter, but it would leave a stain on both our records—a clear dereliction of duty.”
“I understand, I understand.”
“Among pirates from the Four Seas, aside from the East Blue which is relatively peaceful, the scum coming from the other three seas are all fairly troublesome…”
“Sir, look, he’s right here!”
Just as Skyler’s consciousness returned to his physical body, he heard footsteps approaching.
Accompanied by the sound of voices in conversation.
Then, someone kicked the iron bars of the cell and urged impatiently, “Wake up!
Our respectable Sub-lieutenant Diman is here to see you.
Raise your filthy head!”
“Huh?
What’s going on?!”
The non-commissioned officer who had been guarding the cell froze.
Taking a closer look, he saw a man sitting inside with disheveled hair.
It gave him quite a start!
Staring closely for a few more moments, he realized this person was Qin.
Though it had only been three days since he last saw him, the man’s hair seemed to have grown enormously as if overnight.
Although only his mind had entered the Time Chamber, when his consciousness returned to his physical body, his flesh and blood underwent corresponding changes.
“Hurry up and open the door!”
the officer shouted.
One of the soldiers pulled out a key and unlocked the cell door.
Then, seven or eight soldiers filed inside in formation, raising their rifles to aim at Skyler crouching in the corner to prevent him from rioting.
Only then did the NCO accompany the young Sub-lieutenant Diman inside.
Sub-lieutenant Diman didn’t look old, barely around twenty, with naturally curly blue hair and wearing the iconic Marine Justice coat over his shoulders.
He held a file in his hand.
Upon seeing Skyler, Diman raised the document, flipped through a few pages, and frowned: “Tils Pirates, Demon skyler, combat executive…
Orphan.
Worked as a handyman in a martial arts dojo in his youth, gaining the chance to learn swordsmanship and developing decent skill.
Though his bounty isn’t high, relying on Tils’ prestige, he gained some renown in the South Blue—mostly because he fights relentlessly like a suicidal lunatic on the battlefield…
highly valued by Tils.”
After reading this, seeing no reaction from Skyler, he continued, “Originally, according to orders from above, you were to be sent to Level 1 of Impel Down, the Crimson Hell.
They’re short on people over there…
or rather, short on toys.
Believe me, once you get there, you’ll learn what it means to wish you were dead, and realize that living is harder than dying…
I’ll give you a chance now.
That trash, that scum, your Captain Tils escaped.
According to our leads, before your clash with us Marines, Tils had instructed that if the crew were scattered, you would flee to a hideout to regroup.
Tell me…
where is it?”
“It seems…
I’m the only executive you managed to capture.
No…
the only surviving executive, right?”
Skyler stood up unhurriedly.
At his movement, the surrounding rifles all jutted forward in unison.
Warning him to behave.
“If you don’t want to go to Impel Down, confess honestly,” Diman said coldly.
“Even if I tell you, I’ll still die…
Would you Marines really let me go?”
“Marines and pirates…
are fundamentally irreconcilable.”
As the pirate inside the cell finished speaking, a horrifying burst of murderous intent suddenly erupted.
“Fire!”
the NCO screamed, his facial features contorted in panic.
All the soldiers were about to pull their triggers, but in the pirate’s hand before them, a long black sword had bizarrely materialized out of thin air.
Swoosh!
A flash of sword light flickered, and a fine red line appeared on everyone’s neck.
Instantly, heads detached from their bodies, rolling onto the ground.
A pungent stench of blood drifted into the air.
The only one who had reacted in time was Sub-lieutenant Diman!
Yet he, too, had been struck.
A ten-centimeter-long wound, deep enough to expose bone, appeared on the side of his palm.
So fast!
Diman’s pupils constricted.
This man’s murderous intent…
and the power of his swordsmanship were completely inconsistent with the files.
What on earth had happened?!
Crack!
Skyler swung his blade, severing both his handcuffs and leg shackles.
He limbered up his limbs.
“My movement with that strike was slightly hindered by the shackles.
Impressive that you managed to dodge it—as expected of a promising young Marine Sub-lieutenant.”
Skyler brushed aside the long hair obscuring his face and spoke calmly.
When he met Skyler’s eyes, goosebumps suddenly erupted all over Diman’s body.
He sensed an utmost, absolute malice.
The gaze this man directed at him contained no emotion whatsoever—it was total indifference toward his life…
Like looking at a dead man!
Shigan!
Bang!
Diman struck instantly with lightning speed, his fingertip thrusting forward with a muffled pop…
yet in the end, it failed to harm Skyler, blocked instead by the flat of the blade.
The immense impact caused the blade to vibrate violently, yet the hand gripping the hilt remained immovably steady.
Squelch!
Skyler twisted his wrist just as Diman opened his mouth to utter two words: “Iron…
Body…”
Before the muscles of his body could fully harden, the tip of the blade pierced through his chest and protruded from his back.
“Your speed was too slow.
You haven’t mastered the Rokushiki very well…”
The pirate whispered softly into the sub-lieutenant’s ear, “By the way…
thanks for opening the cell door for me.”
With those words, he drew back his blade and flicked away the blood, splattering it across the wall.
He strolled out as casually as if taking a walk in a garden.
Diman collapsed to his knees in the damp, dark cell, his head slumping limply as his breath ceased.