One Piece: Fist of the World

"Although we avoided Holgus Town, where the navy might be lying in wait, it doesn't mean we can definitely evade the navy's pursuit."

"The navy rarely sets such a high amount for a first bounty. Such a significant sum can only indicate that the navy has fully acknowledged our strength."

"While this is something to be proud of, it also implies that the Navy will hunt us down with higher standards. The next time, it might be a team led by a headquarters vice admiral."

"Moreover, it's not just the navy eyeing us, but also bounty hunters lurking in the shadows and pirates with their agendas! After all, the combined bounty of our crew is close to 200 million Berries, an amount rarely seen in the entire North Blue."

"Whether it's the bounty obtainable by killing us or the fame to be gained, it will attract countless individuals to action."

Rhode looked at his companions before him, his expression serious.

"We aren't fools. We all understand this truth."

Law stood up, his sword held in his hand.

Having become serious, he exuded the aura of a captain.

With this thought flashing through his mind, Law walked directly to his room.

His room was adjacent to the dining area, a large space connected to the medical room.

Because he sometimes needed to study certain things and wanted to save time, Law had requested during the Polaris's construction that his room be connected to the medical room.

He had some ideas he wanted to test.

The battle with Gladius had been manageable and hadn't placed excessive pressure on him.

However, Rhode's proposal to intercept the power of a Devil Fruit and create a completely isolated space through his fruit's ability, especially after three attempts and one successful experience, had sparked new insights in Law.

If this ability could be further developed, it could not only increase the success rate of obtaining Devil Fruits and enhance the crew's future potential but also serve as an effective combat strategy.

"I probably can't contribute much in terms of direct combat; I'd better go and modify the warehouse."

Gray rose silently and headed towards the research room below.

"Let's go train!"

Penguin and Shachi were still brimming with energy.

The two of them felt relatively weak on the ship, and unlike Gray, they lacked any special skills, so they never relaxed their self-imposed training regimen. They exercised daily and sometimes jumped into the sea to swim.

Especially after obtaining the Pamu Pamu no Mi, the two seized every opportunity to swim in the sea, cherishing their last moments in the water before becoming Devil Fruit users.

Seeing everyone full of vigor, Rhode smiled with relief.

Then, he got up and went to his own room.

As the captain, his room was located in the middle of the second floor, featuring a small balcony at the entrance, where the Polaris's rudder was also situated.

Upon opening the door, the first thing that caught his eye was the large saw blade [Shark Cutter] hung on the wall by Rhode, the trophy from his victory over Bastille.

Reaching out to grasp [Shark Cutter], Rhode's ability [Knights Do Not Die Barehanded] automatically activated, granting him instant mastery of using the saw blade.

Unlike ordinary katanas or swords, this weapon focused more on chopping and demanded significant strength from its wielder. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Most importantly, Bastille was a swordsman who had mastered [Slashing Iron].

Closing his eyes slightly, feeling the power of the swordsman's realm, Rhode exuded a sharp aura.

After a long moment, Rhode released [Shark Cutter] and instead grasped a long sword he had taken from the captured items.

A sense of enlightenment filled Rhode's mind. He could feel that he could now cut through steel with this ordinary weapon in his hand!

He was now a swordsman!

Although his swordsmanship was only at the beginner level, relying on Rhode's formidable physical strength, the power of the slashes he could now unleash far surpassed that of ordinary swordsmen.

And not only that!

Rhode's mind stirred slightly, and an invisible force surged from his body, through his hand, and enveloped the long sword.

Busoshoku Haki! (Armament Haki!)

The so-called [Busoshoku Haki], similar to Kenbunshoku Haki, was also a power of will, capable of enhancing defense and attack power.

In addition to being a swordsman, Bastille had also mastered the two colors of Haki. Although his mastery wasn't profound, it was enough for Rhode to unlock Busoshoku Haki.

Having been in the North Blue previously, he hadn't encountered opponents with sufficient strength. Even though he knew the principle of the two colors of Haki, Rhode had only relied on Neru to master Kenbunshoku Haki but hadn't grasped the use of Busoshoku Haki.

"Rear Admiral Bastille, what a truly helpful individual!"

Releasing the long sword, Rhode allowed the Haki to flow through his body. Supported by his immense physical strength, the Haki continuously emanated from his being, coating his entire body in the blink of an eye.

Entanglement and hardening! Flowing outward! Internal destruction!

There were several techniques for using Busoshoku Haki that Rhode knew.

Drawing insights from [Shark Cutter], Rhode had not only awakened Busoshoku Haki but also quickly mastered the technique of entanglement and hardening. And thanks to his powerful physique, even though it was only a preliminary awakening, the strength of his Haki far surpassed Bastille's.

Now I should be able to face the Seven Warlords of the Sea head-on!

Rhode silently assessed his own strength.

The average physical strength in the pirate world is not quite low, but he had been training since childhood and was confident that he was not inferior to those individuals, and even surpassed many of them.

He had now mastered the two colors of Haki. He had mastered Kenbunshoku Haki thanks to Neru, and his Busoshoku Haki was just a preliminary grasp, but with his own physique, its quality and quantity should be considerable.

His swordsmanship had also reached the realm of a swordsman, and he had just learned [Shave] in terms of footwork.

Thinking of this, Rhode silently added in his heart, "Lieutenant Commander Hina is also a good person!"

The only thing he lacked now was combat experience!

Letting the Haki flow around him, slowly familiarizing himself with this new power, a heroic spirit surged within Rhode's heart.

The solid foundation laid by his lifelong training, coupled with the ability of [Sit-ups], was enough to ensure his physical growth potential, and he would soon be able to reach the pinnacle of this world.

And [Knights do not die with bare hands] ensured that he could master various combat skills as quickly as possible.

Especially his latest discovery: as long as he obtained the weapons used by the strong, he could master the opponent's skills through those weapons.

Next, as long as he continued to fight strong opponents, thoroughly tapped the potential of his body in battle, and then thoroughly absorbed and integrated the skills he had mastered, he would soon be able to stand at the apex of this ocean!