Speed is fast, which of course is also suitable for practicing Iaido.
Clang!
Lily slashed at the rock with one sword, the Haki coiling around the blade turning the cold light to black, as if a black thunderbolt.
Ting!
But for the hard Poneglyph, this sword did not deal any damage; such hardness would dull the blade if Haki wasn't used.
What Lily wants to practice is the realm of 'Iron Cutting'. She doesn't need to brute force like Sage; she can use Haki, but should not overly rely on the convenience brought by Haki, only hardening the sword will do.
Haki itself can achieve 'Iron Cutting', just like Sage mentioned, there are at least three ways to destroy hard things.
When you want to cut, even steel can be split; when you don't want to cut, even paper won't break.
Let the Haki flow, and it will have this level of power.
Many sword masters on the sea use it this way; the power of heart and will, although not much related to physique, under the same Haki, it boils down to a matter of physique.
In this aspect, women are at a disadvantage.
Better to enhance the 'Iron Cutting' breath that belongs to sword masters; even if the physique is inferior, the realm can make up for this weakness.
Brute force cutting is one path; listening closely to the breath, that's also a path.
"Listening for long, meditating for long, perhaps can comprehend Life Return."
Sage glanced at Lily, "The rest, you'll have to rely on yourself."
Cultivating this kind of thing progresses slowly. Even if it's the basics of Haki, it'll take years even if someone is guiding you with good aptitude, only fighting with people, even deadly battles, forging will in life and death can bring maximum growth.
Before that, laying the foundation is enough.
...
Jaya Island.
A Spring Island, the whole island and the nearby sea areas are under spring climate, which is normally very comfortable and warm, with occasional wind and rain not being too large.
If under normal circumstances...
The people coming and going at the port all looked up at the sky at this moment, only to see a giant dark cloud approaching not far away, overshadowing the town.
Rumble!
A thunderbolt resounded, illuminating a flash of light in the dark cloud, but it quickly faded away, becoming darker than before.
A strong wind blew from the sea, raising huge waves, causing several ships docked at the port to shake violently, even crashing onto the port ground.
The people on the street only felt wetness overhead, and when they looked up, they saw large raindrops falling, each ran into the buildings holding their heads.
"How could it be a storm... Jaya Island doesn't have this kind of weather?" A pirate asked.
"Don't know, but this aura... I can't quite breathe, so scary."
Gazing at the billowing dark clouds above, another pirate spoke with a bit of apprehension.
"Hey, isn't there a ship there..."
The pirate who spoke first pointed at the storm on the sea, looking at the front of the port. Vaguely, in the violent storm, he saw the outline of a ship.
"Isn't having a ship normal? Shouldn't docking during this be correct, otherwise in such a big storm, sailing is impossible." The pirate said.
"No, no... A ship under a storm, that's indeed a ship under a storm!" The pirate looking at the sea suddenly widened his eyes, exclaiming in horror.
A ship under a storm...
"You mean..."
Another pirate thought of something and looked straight toward the storm. On this increasingly violent island, the ship's outline gradually appeared in their sight.
The black hull, like an ancient legend, seemed to be summoned by this storm, the black sail and black flag fluttering in the storm, as it gradually approached, revealing its specific appearance.
The black fabric like the night sky, painted with scattered stars, like a starry sky; within this starry sky, a skull surrounded by flame-like designs, enveloping the starry sky, seemingly wanting to burn it all.
The pirate flag hung atop the sail also bears such a symbol.
"Starry Sky Skull Flag!"
The pirate's lips trembled, "Could it be..."
Rumble!
Another thunderbolt exploded, illuminating this gloomy sky and the ship under the storm.
On the deck, a group of straight-standing people entered their view.
And at the forefront, a white-haired man draped in a black woolen cloak with red tips, carrying a luxurious flintlock gun at his waist, his face looked extremely somber under the thunder.
White hair...
Starry Sky Skull Flag...
"Calamity?!"
The pirate's body trembled, "A-A big shot is here!"
For the pirates in the first half of the Grand Line, they pay attention to many wanted orders, among them, the 'Calamity' who became famous with a high bounty immediately upon entering the Grand Line, is especially their focus.
Especially...
Recently, the other party's bounty increased even more!
"F-Four hundred and twenty million... Such a big shot, coming to such a small town? This is incredible!"
The pirate trembled and hurriedly ran towards the street, needing to tell his Captain this news!
"There's actually a town..."
As they approached, Marika glanced over the ships docked at the port, and above them were pirate flags, "It's even a pirate town."
"From inside out, whether doing business or stopping to spend, are either greedy fellows or ones with a bounty. This place being frequented by pirates is actually quite safe." Sage said.
The gigantic Black Ship docked at the port, because of the storm, around it was deserted, the entire port was even more spacious, waiting for them to dock and lower the gangway.
"A hundred people stay behind, the rest are free to act." Sage instructed.
As for how to rotate, he didn't need to worry, Gin as the General Commander would coordinate this matter.
"Pearl, find a good place, I want to rest here, and throw a banquet along the way."
Sage said to Pearl, then looked up at the sky, clicked his tongue and said, "This rain makes me uninterested in strolling, find a tavern and ask how long it will take to store up Magnetic Power."
"Four days, also, if it's a place to rest, I know a good spot..."
A voice abruptly sounded in his ear.
Sage raised an eyebrow, looking to the side, only to see a group of people walking out from a building by the port street.
Leading them was a gray-haired fellow, with hair tied into dreadlocks, covered in tattoos, and a headband with a hanged man symbol on it.
He brought dozens of people, swallowed, standing there without daring to approach, letting the rain hit them.
"Who are you?" Lily asked calmly.
"You must be Captain Lily with a bounty of eight million, yes? I'm called Roshio, known as 'Executioner', a bounty of four million; it's nothing noteworthy..."
Roshio glanced at Sage, half trembling, half excited, "I just heard you arrived, and I couldn't believe it, so I came to see with my own eyes... Master Sage, I admire you greatly. Please allow me to join your Pirates!"
"Oh?"
Sage chuckled, "Is it my reputation that brings you? You're a Captain, why join me?"
"Because you're a big shot of course!"
Roshio said excitedly, "The Black Ship under the storm, where it goes, everything turns to ruin, the Calamity on the sea! Following such a big shot is my honor!"
"Interesting, four million..."
Sage scanned Roshio up and down, said, "Looks decent, alright, I allow it, hoist my flag, and join my Pirates."
With fame comes followers, naturally.
Aren't Pirates such creatures?
Sage wasn't a germophobe, nor did he need people with familiar backgrounds, he even took people from the Krieg Pirates, no difference.
His ship just happened to lack people, he could recruit a batch, fill the vacancies.
As for whether they can follow rules after boarding...
Those who don't follow will be killed and thrown into the sea.
How simple.
"You're familiar with this place, right? My Pirates still lack people, send out the word. As the first to join, you'll handle the screening."
Sage chuckled, not minding Roshio, and walked straight ahead.
The umbrella-toting Mute followed closely.
"Y-yes!"
Roshio's eyes widened, quickly approaching, saying, "Master Sage, I won't let you down!"
Success!
It's done now!
This is a four hundred and twenty million bounty big shot!
Following him will surely bring fame even faster!