"I'm sorry for being late, sir," a voice called out from the entrance of the training grounds. "Captain Amisu of the Guard, and four others, have arrived."
In the capital of the non-allied Mopuchi Country, many people were now gathering, hoping to join the Silent Step Pirates.
Some wanted to join as pirates—no, as soldiers—while many others came because of the notice put up under Gild Tesoro's suggestion, which Daz issued, saying they were hiring "pioneers and workers."
In one corner of the Mopuchi Castle training yard—a large open space used for the Guard and the current main fleet crew—some of the strongest swordsmen in Silent Step were gathered.
There was Captain Amisu. Chris, said to be the best swordfighter in the Guard. And the two who did great work in sea battles—Troy and Kika.
In front of them sat a man who, though only a guest, was said to be the strongest in the Silent Step Pirates.
"Sorry to call you when you're busy. But I think it's time to act on something I've been thinking about for a long time, so I asked you to come."
Dracule Mihawk.
The master swordsman who turned the Guard—once only young officers' protectors—into one of the strongest elite units in the world, looked serious.
"What have you been thinking, sir?" Amisu asked, straightening her posture.
"Reviewing the basic training for regular soldiers."
Mihawk, who had spent most days in work clothes and a straw hat doing farm work on Kanan Kingdom, was now wearing his battle clothes. It added tension to the air.
"You, and the whole Guard, have very high skill," Mihawk continued, analyzing them. "Swordfighters like Amelia and Valeria of course, and even people like Cazarie and Airi, who fight best from a distance, never skip sword training. If an enemy thinks they are safe because they get close, they'll be cut down the next moment."
They also trained their Haki well. They could defend even against Mihawk's attacks.
If they focused only on defending, each one could hold out alone for quite a while.
The original twenty-one members who had once been trapped in a mafia warehouse centered around Amisu.
After becoming the Guard, Mihawk had approved four more to join.
All of them trained constantly with Silent Step's strongest—Kuro, Mihawk, Daz, and Hancock.
Their skill was recognized even by the Navy. The powerful admiral Kuzan, called Aokiji, even told his men: "If three of the Guard are together, you should run unless you have no other choice."
"I think the soldiers are doing well too," Mihawk said, shifting his tone. "But for sea battles—especially steering and cannon work—they focus too much on those skills. I worry about their close-combat ability."
"Admiral Hancock also said the same," Chris noted. "She said the First Fleet needs more close combat experience."
"That fleet is a different kind of danger," Mihawk mused. "Even I have trouble sensing them sometimes, which is not normal for regular soldiers."
"…It's a bit comforting to hear you say that, sir," Troy muttered with a wry smile. "The First Fleet soldiers do feel scary in that way."
Since Hancock became Admiral, the First Fleet had trained hard. But because they often worked with the Navy, they needed to steal supplies or rescue civilians from enemy pirate ships without harming them.
As a result, the First Fleet became a group that specialized in hiding.
They would sneak into enemy bases or ships without being seen, rescue supplies, wipe out the enemy, and leave with no trace.
"The ones who fear them most are probably the Navy," Amisu added.
The First Fleet scared their Marine partners so badly that some trembled around them.
They killed almost all enemy pirates without showing themselves, and rescued civilians without a single drop of blood on them.
"In contrast," Mihawk said, bringing the topic back to the present, "the fleet led by Kuro—no, by Daz now—has high morale, strong fighting spirit, and solid training. But again, they rely too much on sailor skills. If they meet a Devil Fruit user or get into close-range ship combat, I worry…"
Kika tilted her head. "…So that's why you gathered the Guard's best swordfighters?"
"Yes."
Mihawk took out a thick bundle of papers.
These were notes from past training sessions—things he noticed, patterns in how people he taught used their swords, and the habits they tended to develop.
"Using my teachings and your own front-line experience," he commanded, "create the core sword style of Silent Step."
It was said so casually, but the swordsmen's faces tightened. This was a huge task.
"Us?"
"That's unexpected…"
"Yes. Troy, Kika. I called you instead of Valeria or Amelia for that reason."
In pure sword skill, Troy and Kika were slightly above the Guard's average.
But as acting fleet captains during emergencies and as ship captains, they showed talent Mihawk himself didn't have.
"Like Amisu, you two are skilled at leading ships or small fleets in battle. Because of that, you understand better than anyone how soldiers should move during sea battles. Use that as the base to build Silent Step's sword style."
Right now, almost all Silent Step soldiers studied Fish-Man Karate under Hack.
It was strong, but depended too much on the soldier's own talent, so the strength of the troops varied greatly.
To help raise the level of soldiers who were not naturally suited for close combat, Daz had ordered research and development of better cannons, gatling guns, and ammunition.
But most resources were going into food-related frontier work.
"…If we need to raise everyone's ability, does that mean you think war is near, Master?"
Kika—one of the few who called Mihawk "Master"—asked.
"I don't know. Kuro would know better… but."
Mihawk always carried two swords.
One was Miyao, one of the 21 Great Grade swords Kuro gave him, saying, "Good swords should be used by good swordsmen." (Note: This great sword is not canon)
The other was a nameless sword reforged by an old blacksmith they found while restoring Kanan Kingdom Island.
It was the blade Kuro himself had cracked.
"Ever since that man was invited to become a Celestial Dragon, things have moved fast. Even the Mopuchi people seem restless. Anything could happen."
The four who were meant to inspire the soldiers and cut open enemy lines felt their bodies tense.
"…It won't show results right away. But preparing won't hurt."
"Create a sword style that only you—the symbols of Silent Step—can make."
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