"gura rara rara, Nox, why did you call us here?"
Golden Lion asked.
"Yohohoho, Nox, you're not thinking about our millennium dragon bone, are you?"
John said with a smile, they had bought this with a hefty price, and they wouldn't let go.
"You have the millennium dragon bone, but you don't have the recipe for the Longevity Potion, so you can't make it."
Nox looked at the cautious John and said with a smile.
"You mean, you have the recipe?"
John looked at Nox with fervent eyes.
"Of course I do, otherwise why would I come find you?"
Nox laughed.
"What do you want?"
John quickly reacted, Nox had come to them with a plan.
"Hehe, I can help you prepare the Longevity Potion, but I want one Longevity Potion as compensation."
Nox stated his purpose directly.
"How many Longevity Potions can be made from the dragon wings we have?"
John asked.
He knew that the dragon wings in his hands were not bought with his own money, but were jointly purchased with Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, Brandon, and World, each contributing 10 billion Berries.
"Six regular versions can be made, and three enhanced versions can be made."
Nox laughed.
"What's the difference between the regular and enhanced versions?"
Golden Lion asked.
"What difference could there be? Since it's called Longevity Potion, the enhanced version naturally prolongs life more."
Nox explained.
"Nox, you said you wanted one as compensation before, but you didn't say if it was the regular or enhanced version, did you?"
Golden Lion asked with a smile.
"Of course, it's the regular version."
Nox knew that Golden Lion was asking on behalf of John. They were together now, after all, since Nox currently held the Longevity Potion recipe, they had to go through Nox if they wanted to make the Longevity Potion, otherwise the millennium dragon bone they had bid on would be useless.
"gura rara rara, Nox, then I agree. You make me two enhanced versions and two regular versions of the Longevity Potion."
Golden Lion laughed.
"Yohohoho, Nox, please make me six regular versions of the Longevity Potion."
John had no choice but to make the regular versions. It was his fault for not buying this piece of dragon wing alone, but buying it with others.
"No problem, take the materials and follow me."
Nox immediately led them to a medical clinic not far outside the Battle Pyramid. This place had the equipment for making the Longevity Potion, and Lesley was also waiting here.
"Lesley, I'll leave it to you. From one pair of dragon wings, make two enhanced versions and eight regular versions of the Longevity Potion."
Upon arriving, Nox handed the two pieces of dragon wings to Lesley.
"No problem!"
Lesley took the two pieces of dragon wings and began working.
Lesley was the only one here. The making of the Longevity Potion had always been done by Lesley alone, never by anyone else.
"gura rara rara, Nox, it seems you were well prepared!"
Golden Lion looked at Lesley working and laughed.
"I never do anything without preparation. I organized the World Expo, and when I saw the Millennium Dragon on the list, I already started preparing."
Nox was not afraid to tell Golden Lion and the others.
"Nox, how long does it take to make the Longevity Potion?"
Wang Zhi asked.
Golden Lion, John, Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, World, and Brandon, all six of them, followed Nox here. They wanted to watch the Longevity Potion being made step by step, just in case Nox pocketed some for himself.
If they didn't watch, who knew if what Nox said was true?
"With so many portions of the Longevity Potion, it will take about three days. Just wait, someone will bring food over."
Nox said.
"gura rara rara, it's only three days, I'll wait here for three days!"
"Speaking of which, Nox, how did you get the recipe for the Longevity Potion?"
Golden Lion asked curiously.
"How else? It was just that among the treasures I snatched during the God Valley incident, there was such a recipe hidden."
Nox shrugged.
"Yohohoho, then you are really lucky. Why didn't I get this recipe back then!"
John said with some disappointment.
"John, I remember back when a few of us were at God Valley and saw that pile of treasures, then a few of us went separately to chase after the Celestial Dragons who fled."
"Later, when we returned to the location of that pile of treasures, we found that the pile of treasures was missing quite a bit. Could it be that you took it?"
Speaking of God Valley, Nox remembered this story from back then.
"Yohohoho, back then you wanted Devil Fruits, so you gave up on these treasures, while I didn't compete with you for the Devil Fruits and chose to take the treasures instead."
"You should be glad I couldn't take away so many treasures back then, otherwise how would there be so much left for you."
John admitted it openly. Anyway, so much time had passed, and he couldn't take out the treasures he had taken.
The few of them just waited silently here, chatting and bragging. When they were hungry, someone would bring food over, but their Kenbunshoku Haki was always focused on whether Lesley was cutting corners or secretly keeping their millennium dragon bone.
Inside the Battle Pyramid, Whitebeard and Roger sat together drinking, with Bullet standing guard nearby.
"Whitebeard, Nox, Golden Lion, and John are all gone. What do you think they're doing?"
Roger asked sheepishly after letting out a burp.
"gura rara rara, what else could it be? They are the ones who bid on the millennium dragon bone, so of course they are gathered together because of this matter."
"We didn't bid on the millennium dragon bone, so they naturally won't let us get involved."
Whitebeard said indifferently.
Pirates are selfish. There's nothing wrong with what they're doing. In fact, to keep Whitebeard and the others stable, Nox paid for Whitebeard, Roger, and Charlotte Linlin's expenses at the Battle Pyramid. They just needed to eat and drink.
"An elixir of immortality? That's just a legend. What's so good about living forever? It's better to live a fulfilling life. After living through the most exciting times and achieving one's dreams, dying peacefully, that's what I pursue!"
Roger said in a relaxed manner.
"gura rara rara, that's right, there's nothing good about living forever. As long as you can achieve your dreams, it doesn't matter how long you live."
Whitebeard also laughed. His biggest dream was to have a family and live peacefully and happily with them. That was enough!
Outside the entrance of the Battle Pyramid, sword masters were lining up eagerly to register.
"Listen up everyone, everyone has the qualification to register, but not everyone can participate in the competition!"
"Only by passing the test set by the Limitless Pirates can you participate in the World Swordsmanship Competition."
"And this test is very simple. Whoever can cut through this piece of steel in my hand is qualified to participate!"
The person in charge of managing the registration placed a piece of ordinary steel, about the size of a thumb, on a steel clamp next to him.
"What? You have to pass a test to participate? Didn't they say that sword masters from all over the world could participate before?"
"Exactly, exactly. Aren't you Limitless Pirates just messing with people?"
"You even have to pass an assessment to participate, what kind of broken rule is this? I'm not participating!"
"..."
As soon as the registration staff finished explaining the rules, many people below started making a fuss, accusing the Limitless Pirates of inaction and deception!
"Hmph, what are you all arguing about? If you can't even cut through a piece of steel the size of a thumb, what qualifications do you have to participate in the World Swordsmanship Competition!"
"This competition is to select the World's Greatest Swordsman, not to watch you weaklings compete!"
"Those who don't want to participate in the World Swordsmanship Competition, get out of here and stop blocking those who want to register!"
Just then, Ashura Doji, emanating a Shura aura, walked over. His sharp gaze swept over everyone present, causing everyone to involuntarily shut their mouths.
No one dared to refute Ashura Doji's words, after all, this was Ashura Doji, an Executive Officer of the Limitless Pirates, and a powerful Sword Master.
"Also, if a Grand Swordmaster comes to register, they can skip the assessment, and even don't need to participate in the preliminary matches to advance to the top 64. They don't need to participate in multiple matches like Sword Masters."
Ashura Doji continued.
"Then may I ask, how do you confirm if someone is a Grand Swordmaster?"
Roberts, Hawkeye Mihawk's master, came forward and asked politely.
"Naturally, it will be confirmed by our Captain personally. I am a Sword Master and cannot confirm if you are a Grand Swordmaster."
Ashura Doji looked at Roberts, who had come forward, vigilantly and said.
"By the way, I came with my apprentice. Can I bring him along?"
Roberts said.
"No problem, Mr. Roberts, follow me!"
Ashura Doji motioned.
"Mihawk, come on, let's go."
Roberts motioned to Mihawk, who was hiding in the crowd behind him, and said.
"Coming, Master!"
Mihawk ran over excitedly after hearing his master's words.
Soon, Ashura Doji led Roberts and Mihawk to the outside of Lesley's laboratory, and Nox also came out.
"Captain, I've brought someone."
Ashura Doji said.
"May I know your name, Mr. Roberts?"
Nox sized up Roberts in front of him, felt the Sword Intent on him, nodded, and then looked at Mihawk beside him.
"These eyes are very special. Could this little guy be the Hawkeye Mihawk from the original story?"
Nox thought to himself.
"I am the owner of a sword dojo in the West Blue, named Dwight Roberts. This is my apprentice Mihawk. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Nox."
Dwight Roberts performed a Swordsman's courtesy.
Since seeing Nox, the 13-year-old Mihawk's eyes had been fixed on Nox. He had grown up listening to stories about Nox.
This man, who was hailed as the current World's Greatest Swordsman, stood before him. He would also become the World's Greatest Swordsman in the future, so this man was the target he would surpass!
"Ashura Doji, take Mr. Roberts to get the top 64 number."
"Mr. Roberts, the relevant rules will be explained to you in detail by a dedicated person. You can just use the number to participate in the top 64 matches then."
Nox said.
"Thank you, Mr. Nox!"
Roberts said with a smile, and then took Mihawk and left with Ashura Doji.
In the following days, several other Great Swordsmen who had not appeared publicly before were brought to meet Nox.
Nox did not expect that this fishing expedition would reveal so many Great Swordsmen, some of whom he had never even heard of before.
Three days later, the Longevity Potion was completed!
"Each portion of the Longevity Potion, whether it's the regular version or the enhanced version, can only be used once per person. The second portion is ineffective."
Lesley handed over the Longevity Potions and said.
"Ah, refreshing!"
Golden Lion and the others opened the bottles, and just by smelling them, they immediately felt refreshed, as if their entire bodies had been injected with new vitality.
"I hope you can all keep today's matter a secret, otherwise, the World Government won't mind coming to find you individually."
Nox specifically reminded Golden Lion and the others.
"Yohohoho, don't worry, we wouldn't be that foolish."
John laughed.
After receiving the Longevity Potions, they didn't drink them immediately. Instead, they held onto them and planned to conduct some experiments themselves before drinking them.
Although Nox had no intention of harming them, who could say for sure about such things?
They were all Pirates, and none of them were good people.
"Lesley, you worked hard!"
After Golden Lion and the others left, Nox gently supported the tired Lesley and said.
"Just need a good sleep."
After working continuously for three days and three nights, Lesley was indeed very tired. She quickly fell asleep in Nox's arms.
After settling Lesley, Nox returned to the Battle Pyramid to oversee things.
Too many strong people had come this time, and Bullet alone couldn't keep these guys in check. If he didn't show up for a long time, who knew if something unexpected would happen?
Seven days later, the registration for the Sword Art Tournament officially closed. A total of 1086 individuals were eligible to participate in the World Swordsmanship Competition.
This number made Nox feel somewhat unbelievable, but in fact, there were exactly that many Swordsmen who could cut through steel and registered!
Even the Limitless Pirates alone had seventy to eighty people who passed the assessment and could participate in the competition. With the whole World combined, having 1086 was also reasonable.
"The World Sword Art Tournament is about to begin. All 1086 Sword Master contestants, please pay attention to the big screen, which shows the current match information for your respective numbers. Please arrive at the designated arena within the specified time for your match!"
A beautiful young hostess stood under the spotlight and read out the rules of the competition.
And beside each of the 1086 Sword Master contestants, there was a professionally trained staff member accompanying them. They would answer questions about the rules for these contestants.
This was also an explainer provided by the Limitless Pirates for each contestant, in case some single-minded or directionally challenged contestants missed their matches due to various problems.
The competition rules adopted a point system. The 1086 Sword Masters would be randomly paired for matches. Winners would get one point, and losers would lose one point. Each person would participate in a total of 15 matches. The top 45 Sword Masters with the most points would advance to the top 64 matches.
Why choose 45 Sword Masters?
Naturally, it was because there were a total of 19 Great Swordsmen participating in this Sword Art Tournament.
The 1086 Sword Masters were randomly paired up for matches under the arrangement of the Limitless Pirates.
Because they were all Sword Masters, their matches were incredibly intense. Many people came to watch each match, and at the competition venues, there were live broadcasts specifically transmitting their combat videos to the entire World, allowing more people to see the matches of these Sword Masters.
For many people, this was simply a visual feast.
After all, some ordinary people had never even seen a Sword Master, let alone a match between Sword Masters!