"A surprise?"
"So this is what the system meant by a choice that would shape my future?"
Hearing the prompt in his mind, Gawain quickly recovered, his face lighting up with delight.
Three advanced abilities appeared before him. The best choice would of course be to take them all, but the system clearly didn't allow that.
For a moment, he hesitated.
This was about his future combat strength. It might even be his first true transformation at this stage. He could not choose lightly.
Still, even from the names alone, the abilities' functions were clear.
"Cut Iron enhances the power of sword strikes. Zoro demonstrated this against Mr. 1, Daz Bones, back in Alabasta. Even a steel body can be cut apart by a true sword master."
"Flying Blade means ranged slashes. Among swordsmen in this world, it's the mainstream ranged attack in the later stages. Used well, it can be like Mihawk's slashes, cutting mountains or even islands."
Then his gaze settled on the last choice, Godspeed.
"The last one, Godspeed, is undoubtedly about increasing the speed of my attacks. In battle, even the smallest advantage in speed can decide victory or defeat, life or death."
After a moment of thought, Gawain focused on Godspeed.
"My current opponents don't even have Armament Haki. Those Devil Fruits that enhance physical strength aren't in East Blue either."
"Cut Iron would be useful in high-level fights, but right now it won't help much."
"Flying Blade is the same. That's a later-stage skill. Long-range slashes may be strong, but they can't beat a cannon volley. If you need range, just fire artillery or learn from Isshin Ashina's style."
"What kind of master ignores guns to rely only on martial arts?"
"Which means, for me right now, Godspeed is the most useful!"
With that, Gawain chose Godspeed. The system panel disappeared.
At once, heat surged through his body. His skin flushed red, steam rising from him as if he were burning.
His fingers grew longer and stronger. His muscles shifted and rebuilt. His body was transforming, becoming more refined, more powerful, more perfect.
Moments later, his temperature normalized. With a slow exhale of white steam, he opened his eyes, and the sight before him stole his breath.
"What is this…"
Everything around him had slowed down.
Falling leaves, crashing waves, even the swaying of branches in the wind—all moved as though in slow motion.
He could even see a gnat buzzing past his face, every beat of its wings and curve of its flight path clear to his vision.
"The world hasn't slowed. My senses have sharpened!"
On instinct, he swung his sword.
Shing!
Steel flashed silver. Draw, strike, sheath—done in an instant.
By the time he realized, the gnat was already sliced clean in two, its body spiraling down while its wings snapped off and scattered in the wind.
Gawain stared at his blade, pupils shrinking.
"I did that?"
"So fast!"
"Too fast! So fast that even I didn't notice until it was over. At this speed…"
Comparing himself with the Morgan he once fought, Gawain's lips curled.
"Now I could take his head with a single strike."
Godspeed had strengthened him across the board.
From reflexes to perception to attack execution, everything now served his sword speed.
From draw to slash to resheathing, the whole process took less than 0.2 seconds. Faster than the theoretical human limit of his previous life.
And he could feel it still wasn't his limit. Once he grew accustomed to this body, he could do even better.
Even faster.
Empowered by Godspeed, his strikes were outrageously fast.
As long as he could pierce an enemy's guard, that edge in speed would decide life or death.
Gawain tossed a rock into the air and slashed repeatedly.
By the time it hit the ground, the stone was shattered into dozens of smooth fragments.
"Thirteen cuts before it fell. That's already as fast as a light rifle. More than enough for East Blue."
His spirit soared.
The unease of transmigration eased, replaced by excitement at his rapid growth.
"And if every five levels unlocks a new trait, then when swordsmanship hits ten, I'll gain another one."
"No—physique is about to reach level five too. If the crew keeps training at this pace, it'll take less than half a month to upgrade."
"What kind of branch ability will physique unlock?"
Speculation ran through his mind, though he knew it was only guesswork.
Still, once he took a warship from Morgan and secured a safe place, letting his "leeks" train for a couple of weeks, the experience would be enough.
Pushing stray thoughts aside, Gawain focused on mastering his boosted speed.
He practiced form after form, running sword drills while imagining Morgan as his opponent.
Time slipped by, and soon it was late at night. Covered in sweat, he stripped off his shirt. His sculpted muscles, combined with his towering two-meter frame, gave him the proportions of a Greek statue, full of raw beauty.
This body's face was modeled on the Round Table's Gawain, one of the classic "Prince Charming" archetypes. Naturally, he was strikingly handsome—no wonder the queen of Goa Kingdom hadn't resisted him.
Mimicking a certain anime character famous for his hair gel, Gawain slicked back his bangs, revealing sharp, chiseled features. Compared to his previous gentlemanly look, he now radiated a dangerous, predatory charm.
After tidying himself up a little, he made his way toward a cave.
The ship was too damaged to repair.
So he had ordered the cannons dismantled, along with all supplies and munitions, and moved into the hidden cave. Once the powder was safely stored, it became their temporary base.
Before long, the cave came into view.
Most of the pirates were already asleep, snores filling the air. Even the night watch sat back-to-back at the fire, eyes closed in shallow dozing.
Gawain scanned the scene, frowning.
All his men were here, except for those left near the ship.
Only Jamila was missing.
As an injured man, he should have been here under the doctor's care.
"Guarding the ship?"
"No. With enough manpower, there's no way they'd send an injured man."
…
At the cove.
A broken-masted pirate ship rested at anchor.
The hull bore scorch marks, the keel split nearly in half. It was clear this ship would never sail again.
Quietly, Jamila jumped down from the deck. He looked around carefully, then removed the seagull pendant from his chest.
Opening it revealed a hidden miniature Den Den Mushi.
"This is Seaman Third Class Jamila, reporting the location of Knight Gawain. He is near Branch 16…"
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