Boom!
A black-red Flying Slash shot out from the stern of the warship, landing on the sea surface and cleaving through a large expanse of water. The recoil force generated by the slash transformed into a powerful thrust, causing the ship's speed to skyrocket.
In the anime, Garp liked to use this technique to accelerate ships, and now Ivan was utilizing it as well.
Half an hour later, the rumbling on the deck gradually subsided. Ivan ended his training, breathing slightly heavily as he sheathed his sword.
However, a careful observer would notice that the long sword in Ivan's hand was not his previous one, but a standard-issue naval sword.
Recalling the battle from a few days ago, Ivan couldn't help but sigh.
He had not yet mastered Haki and was unable to use Armament Haki to reinforce and strengthen his weapon.
After unleashing 'One Sword Style·Black Azure·Asura' a few days prior, the long sword that had accompanied him for years shattered into pieces, unable to bear the strain.
The long sword Ivan now wielded was of even poorer quality. After just a few days of sword practice, the blade was already covered in nicks and chips, looking like it wouldn't last much longer.
This solidified Ivan's determination to acquire a good sword.
Thinking of good swords, he recalled the Ipponmatsu Weapon Shop in Loguetown.
That shop housed two famous blades: "Snowfall" and "Sandai Kitetsu," both part of the Fifty Skillful Swords.
He had wanted to buy those two swords before, but the shop owner, Ipponmatsu, had chased him out.
In the old man's words: "You are not a true swordsman, unworthy of wielding such fine blades!"
Now, having become a Swordsman Master, Ivan believed Ipponmatsu would no longer refuse him.
Just then, Nami's anxious voice rang out: "Ivan, there seems to be a small island ahead... Wait, there are pirates robbing people on the island! Let's hurry over!"
She held a telescope, her brow furrowed as she stared intently at the distant island.
Ivan looked up and indeed saw a verdant green island standing on the horizon. Figures were swarming on the shore, and the sounds of fighting faintly carried over on the sea breeze.
The two sides fighting were clearly pirates and the island's residents.
Currently, the pirates held complete dominance. Without intervention, the residents would be brutally slaughtered before long.
Ivan immediately shot out by kicking off the air, leaving behind a message: "I'll go ahead first. You all catch up."
Blue Moon Step!
With the aid of gravity, Ivan's Moon Step consumed less energy and was faster than the usual version.
In just a few minutes, Ivan arrived above the small island.
He ceased maintaining his hover, his body plummeting from the sky like a meteor. During the descent, he shouted: "Crimson Storm Leg!"
His legs moved rapidly, unleashing countless tiny black slashes that rained down from the sky, landing precisely on each pirate.
Swoosh!
In an instant, dozens of pirates either had their heads sent flying or were cut in half at the waist, none surviving.
This scene froze the island's residents in place, their faces filled with disbelief.
Several elderly residents even fell to their knees on the spot, clasping their hands together, murmuring prayers that a deity had manifested.
Only when Ivan appeared did they realize he was the one responsible.
By the time Nami and the others arrived, the island residents were even more astonished to learn that Ivan was the legendary White Dove.
Before long, an old man carefully handed a small box to Ivan, saying gratefully:
"Sir, those pirates invaded our island to steal this very box.
If not for your timely arrival, none of us on this island would have survived. Please accept this box as a small token of our gratitude!"
Upon opening the box, Ivan discovered it contained a strange, pink, smooth fruit.
Ivan's pupils contracted slightly. He immediately understood—this was the Slippery Fruit that was originally meant to be eaten by Alvida!
After dealing with the pirates and using Wood Release to help the villagers construct some wooden houses, the warship set sail again, its destination: Loguetown.
During the voyage, in the captain's quarters.
Ivan held the smooth, pink Slippery Fruit and, without hesitation, took a bite.
[Congratulations! You have obtained one lottery draw!]
[Would you like to draw?]
[Yes/No]
Ivan silently thought: "Yes!"
Soon, the lottery began. On the system panel, countless cards flashed by, each bearing the likeness of powerful beings from across the multiverse.
Before long, the flashing speed of the cards gradually slowed.
[The Omen King], [Frieren], [Uchiha Madara・Remnant]...
Finally, the cards stopped. The one displayed showed a young man with sea-blue eyes and long black hair.
[Congratulations! You have obtained the Template: Giyu Tomioka!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained the skill: Water Breathing!]
[Water Breathing: One of the foundational breathing styles derived from Sun Breathing. Possesses the power to strengthen the physique and enhance the potency of swordsmanship.]
A flood of knowledge about breathing techniques poured into Ivan's mind, etching itself deep into his soul.
He instinctively mastered a special breathing method and also acquired several techniques to complement it.
Ivan subconsciously drew his sword and took a deep breath.
The next moment, his physical abilities surged beyond their original baseline, and even his senses became sharper.
Simultaneously, he perceived the moisture in the air, the ocean beneath the ship, and even the blood within his own body as if they had all become controllable streams, able to tremble lightly to the rhythm of his breath.
Undoubtedly, the power of Water Breathing would be elevated to an incredible degree in the pirate world, filled with oceans.
But even so, this was not the gain Ivan valued most.
Because while breathing, Ivan could perceive a special power contained within his body even more clearly...
That seemed to be... Haki!
The rhythm of Water Breathing had directly helped him touch the threshold of Armament Haki!
This delighted him more than simply mastering the breathing technique itself.
Ivan went to the top deck, drew his long sword, and it was immediately enveloped by a sudden surge of flowing water.
After several practice swings, Ivan was certain that with Water Breathing, it wouldn't be long before he could master Armament Haki!
Knowing this, Ivan grew even more excited and continued practicing his swordsmanship against the sea.
However, unlike the previous imposing black-red slashes, the water-based slashes he now unleashed seemed much weaker, as docile as an ordinary stream.
These water streams appeared utterly harmless. But just then, a small Sea King Species leaped out of the sea, precisely colliding with a water current slash.
A bizarre scene unfolded. The seemingly soft water stream sliced through the Sea King's body like the sharpest blade, severing it instantly!
Witnessing this, Ivan sheathed his sword and laughed heartily: "Brothers, we're in for a treat today! Extra rations—Sea King meat!"
...
Time passed bit by bit. On this day, by the port of Loguetown, the fruit shop owner was sprawled on a sun lounger, leisurely dozing off.
Just as the fruit shop owner was lying on the chair, about to drift into dreamland, he suddenly heard the trembling voice of the old lady from the toy shop:
"Hey, k... kid, stop sleeping! Something big's happened! Look at the sea!"
The fruit shop owner was puzzled: "What is it?"
He sat up and looked towards the sea, confused. Then he saw over a dozen large warships slowly sailing towards Loguetown!
Tattered skull-and-crossbones pirate flags fluttered on all these ships!
The fruit shop owner was all too familiar with this pirate flag. He screamed in terror:
"Ahhh! It's terrible! The Krieg Pirates are attacking Loguetown!"
In an instant, the entire town of Loguetown was plunged into panic!