'A gym and a Sword Enlightenment Room? Interesting,' Ikki thought. 'Now I can increase my strength quickly. Through training in the gym, I might be able to use the "Sky-Cutting Realm Challenge Permission" to elevate my swordsmanship to the next level.'
In terms of swordsmanship, the system divided skill into four realms: The entry level was the Iron-Cutting Realm, followed by the Sky-Cutting Realm, the Mountain-Cutting Realm, and finally the Sea-Breaking Realm.
Currently, Ikki belonged to the Iron-Cutting Realm, which was why he could easily sever Yosaku's sword. Once his swordsmanship reached the Sky-Cutting Realm, he would be able to freely wield flying slashes.
Processing the system's information, Ikki felt quite satisfied. Although the system had only provided ten bottles of C-level Nutritional Potion, even these would increase his Life force at a rate far superior to ordinary training. Ikki calculated that after consuming all ten bottles, his Life force would approach B-level.
'Unfortunately, the C-level Nutritional Potions can only be used while my Life force remain at C-level,' he mused. 'Once I surpass C-level, this reward becomes useless. Still, I should be able to obtain B-level or higher potions from the system in the future.'
With this in mind, Ikki turned his attention to the three lottery opportunities he had earned.
'System, conduct three draws!'
[Lottery in progress... Congratulations to Host for winning: 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Complete Set of Breathing Techniques,' 'Zanpakutō Gonryōmaru ,' and 'D-level Nutritional Potion x10.']
'Another Zanpakutō?!' Ikki was overjoyed. He immediately retreated into his mindscape to examine the new acquisition—a zanpakutō that originally belonged to the Vice-Captain of the Soul Society's First Division, a blade wielding the power of thunder.
Soon, however, Ikki's expression soured.
'Because I already possess Zangetsu, I can't liberate "Gonryōmaru" with my own power? System, what kind of rule is this?!'
[Host already possesses Zanpakutō 'Zangetsu.' If you wish to use the power of the new Zanpakutō, you can bind Zanpakutō 'Gonryōmaru' to a partner. When your partner meets the liberation conditions, you can also liberate the sword.]
'It truly is an "All Great Swordsman" system. Even the weapons I draw are designed to encourage recruiting partners?' Ikki shook his head. 'It seems I'll need to recruit some people to join my team in the future.'
He rose from his seat and began studying the 'Complete Set of Demon Slayer Breathing Techniques' he had acquired.
Just as he was beginning to comprehend them, the sound of cannon fire suddenly broke into his awareness, followed by the ship's hull shuddering violently.
"Shelling?" Ikki frowned slightly. He left his cabin and dashed toward the deck, his enhanced speed bringing him to the bow in less than a minute.
"Boy over there, stop your vessel! Your treasure belongs to me now. Hahaha!" On the sea nearby, a man wearing a pirate captain's hat shouted from the deck of his ship.
"First time a pirate has actively tried to rob me," Ikki murmured. "No matter. This is a perfect opportunity to practice those new techniques."
He pressed hard against the deck with his foot and launched himself across the ten-meter gap, landing smoothly on the pirate ship.
"Boy, are you looking for death?!" The pirate captain's eyes narrowed as he moved to draw his pistol.
However, Ikki's movements were far swifter.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"
BOOM!
With a sound like thunder, Ikki's figure transformed into golden lightning that swiftly passed through the pirate captain's body. The captain didn't even have time to process what was happening before his body, still standing in its original position, split cleanly in two.
'Lightning?' Ikki stared curiously at the traces of electricity still dancing along his blade.
'In Demon Slayer, swordsmen don't actually produce thunder, fire, water, or other elemental effects when using their breathing techniques. The flames and thunder in the series are just visual representations. Could it be that the "Complete Set of Breathing Techniques" given to me by the system is an enhanced version?'
Testing his theory, Ikki altered his breathing rhythm, switching from Thunder Breathing to Sun Breathing. Sure enough, Zangetsu's blade ignited with brilliant flames.
'Excellent. This means my sword now wields elemental power.' Ikki nodded with satisfaction as he observed the fire dancing along his blade.
By this time, the surrounding pirates had finally processed what they were seeing.
"The Captain... is dead?!"
"Is this a joke? Am I having a nightmare?"
"Quick, attack! Kill this guy and avenge the Captain!"
"Kill him!"
Their shouts drew Ikki's attention back to his surroundings.
"Since you're all so eager to die, I'll oblige you," he said calmly. "Sun Breathing, First Form: Dance!"
With these words, Ikki swiftly drew a circular trajectory with Zangetsu. Following this path, the flames from his blade spread outward in a perfect circle, engulfing all the pirates who had rushed forward.
In mere seconds, every pirate had fallen to his sword and flames.
"I think I overestimated you all," Ikki sighed as he sheathed his blade. "Ordinary pirates don't provide much challenge for sword practice."
His gaze fell on a small orange-haired girl trembling in the corner. "Wouldn't you agree?"
"Please... don't kill me!" she pleaded. "I'm not with them. I'm just a slave they captured and brought aboard."
"Is that so?" Ikki studied her carefully. "What's your name?"
"My name is Nami!"