It had been four days since Sean and his crew entered the Grand Line. They had yet to find an island they could land on. After all, not everyone was as lucky as Luffy—meetings Laboon and getting a permanent Log Pose from Crocus, the former doctor of the Pirate King's crew. In the South Blue, permanent Log Poses were essentially unavailable for purchase, so Sean and his crew would have to wait until they reached an island to buy one. Whether they'd be able to get one? Well, there's a saying: "With money, even ghosts will push the millstone." Never underestimate the darker side of this world.
Fortunately, they had thoroughly resupplied before entering the Grand Line. Unlike Luffy's crew, none of them had bottomless stomachs. Plus, they occasionally fished or hunted birds, so they hadn't run into any food shortages. Seeing Sean's strength, the crew had become motivated and began training harder themselves.
Sean, during an encounter with a Sea King, discovered something remarkable—he could absorb energy from Sea Kings to enhance his strength. From that point on, his daily routine included not just intense training and meditation, but also hunting Sea Kings. Their meat was not only delicious but packed with nutrients, so their food supplies actually increased instead of dwindling.
Xie Dao was absolutely thrilled, enjoying the benefits of this lifestyle. Grinning from within the blade, he never stopped smiling. If he had a face, his cheeks would've cramped up by now.
Name: Xie Dao
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Identity: Traveler
Transmigration Form: One of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades – Blood Pursuer
Skills:
Skill Storage
Self-Control
Mental Communication
Cut Cause, Shatter Effect
Causality Slash
Iaido Slash
Blade Dance
Demon Blade
Intermediate Swordsmanship (326/1000)
Flesh Collection Progress: 5.4% [+]
Hardness: S +3 (3/100)
Sharpness: SS +1.5 (1.5/1000)
Main Quest: Become the world's fastest blade
Reward: End the journey and return home with acquired skills
Side Quests: None
The battle at Reverse Mountain—those two "generous" pirates had given him 0.7% Flesh Progress, along with boosts to his hardness and sharpness. Combined with Sean's continued Sea King hunting, his Flesh Collection had more than doubled. Watching Sean train and fight so relentlessly, Xie Dao smiled again like a proud father.
"A hardworking, uncomplaining, unpaid (and expendable) laborer like Sean is a rare find. I've struck gold! Ahahahaha~ 罒ω罒"
While Xie Dao reveled in joy, Sean had finished his training for the day and returned to his room. He pulled out the intelligence he had obtained in Mellow Town—a reward he had earned after eliminating a pirate with a 24 million bounty and letting the local South Blue Marines take credit.
Back when he went to retrieve this information, he had noticed a route that matched a family treasure map he had inherited. Following that clue, he had found Blood Pursuer and gained immense power. Clenching his fists, he could feel how much stronger he was now—at least 20–30% more powerful than back in Mellow Town. That gave him more confidence in his quest for revenge.
He slowly opened the envelope. Inside was a dossier—intel on the people who had slaughtered his entire family:
Twisted Pirate Crew
One of the most vicious pirate crews in the world. Known for arson, murder, pillaging, and countless atrocities.
Captain: Westvam
Paramecia-type Twist-Twist Fruit user.
Can distort objects within a 100-meter radius.
Once killed 300 Marines and destroyed half a town in an instant.
Master of Armament Haki. No Observation Haki.
True strength: unknown.
Bounty: 220 million Berries. Dead or Alive.
First Mate: Fog Banner
Zoan-type Cat-Cat Fruit: Tiger Form.
Master of Armament Haki. Extremely powerful.
Bounty: 150 million Berries. Dead or Alive.
Officer: Polley
Paramecia-type Tooth-Tooth Fruit.
Can turn teeth into ultra-sharp blades.
Once bit through a fine-grade sword.
No Haki.
Bounty: 73 million Berries. Dead or Alive.
Officer: Corksy
Paramecia-type Bone-Bone Fruit.
Can detach and weaponize bones. Incredibly durable.
Ordinary weapons cannot scratch him.
Bounty: 61 million Berries. Dead or Alive.
Crew Size: Around 200 members.
Current Status:
Pursued by HQ Vice Admiral "Mole," their ship was heavily damaged.
They're heading to Water 7 for repairs. Estimated arrival: 5 days.
Estimated stay: ~20 days, depending on damage.
"Damn it… they're already this strong? They actually escaped from a Marine HQ Vice Admiral?! Damn it! I'm still too weak!"
Sean slammed the table in frustration. His earlier confidence vanished.
Even against the first mate Fog Banner, the best he could hope for was a mutual kill. But against Westvam? He'd die. Without a doubt. And the two officers? Not weaklings either. Add 200 more crew members, and it wasn't even a fight.
Some might wonder: How powerful could a pirate be if they merely escaped from a vice admiral?
But HQ Vice Admirals are a different beast from branch ones. They're elite—often capable of becoming base commanders, leaders of Buster Calls, and experts in both Armament and Observation Haki. There are fewer than 100 HQ Vice Admirals in the world, despite how large the seas are.
Even someone like Don Krieg, with a 20 million bounty, commanded a fleet of over 2,000 men in East Blue. When you scale that up to the four Blues, Grand Line, and New World, the number of Vice Admirals is pitifully small.
Admirals rarely move—Vice Admirals are the highest combat force most missions see.
And this "Mole" Vice Admiral? He's among the elite of elites. Careful, meticulous, and deadly. The fact that the Twisted Pirates escaped him proves just how dangerous they are.
Sean sat there—desperate, nearly hopeless.
A terrifying thought crept into his mind.
Just as his resolve began to crack—
A soft, pale hand reached over and gently patted his head.
"My dear captain... what's wrong? Why the long face?"
Vexi stood before him, smiling gently.
She had never seen Sean look so distraught. Always calm and rational, he now seemed defeated. She didn't know what had happened, but she knew—if she didn't act now, something terrible might happen.
Seeing her smile, Sean slowly calmed down—but he still looked dejected. He couldn't become insanely strong overnight. And even if he did, would the enemy just stay still and wait? Of course not!
Vexi exhaled in relief as Sean stabilized. She hugged him gently, her eyes catching the file in his hand. Scanning it quickly, she understood.
She stroked his head and whispered:
"Sean, do you know what kind of captain I know you to be?
You're calm, decisive, and you care about your crew.
You treat us like family. You don't speak much, but your actions always show it.
Whenever danger comes, you're always the first one to step forward.
I may not be smart, but I've always seen your care and kindness."
"The captain I know never gives up. You always find a way out, no matter the odds."
Seeing him quiet, she continued:
"Ever since you returned from Mellow Town, you haven't been the same.
Your training has gotten more intense—I figured something was wrong.
I wanted to talk, but when I came to find you, I saw you like this."
"Captain, even if the enemy is strong, I believe in you.
And I want you to believe in us. We'll grow stronger too.
We're not just baggage—we can fight beside you!"
Her eyes blazed with determination.
"We will get stronger. We will fight. You're not alone."
"Vexi… I... thank you."
Sean's voice trembled. He was deeply moved.
Just then—
"That's right, Captain! We can fight too!"
A rough yet warm voice came from the door—Takli, Dory, and Rom stood smiling outside.
"Everyone... You're right.
We've survived so much together—why despair now?
I'm Sean the Phantom Blade, of the South Blue!"
His gaze turned firm, confident—calm once more.
"Thank you, everyone. I lost my way for a moment.
This will be the first and last time.
From now on—I'll win every battle. I'll never give up!"
"Damn, Captain, you scared us.
I thought you'd gone full emo.
Anyway... maybe now's a good time to, uh, get off of her?"
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
Sean and Vexi looked at each other—realizing their position.
Sean lay in Vexi's lap, her hand on his head, both frozen in a warm embrace.
KYAA!!"
Vexi screamed and shoved Sean away, blushing furiously before running off—leaving Sean stunned and the others laughing uncontrollably.
Time flew by, and another three days passed.
Knowing the powerful enemy ahead, everyone trained like madmen. For their captain, for each other, for themselves—they pushed their limits.
That day, they finally reached their first island in the Grand Line:
Whiskey Peak.