"Kid, your swordsmanship isn't bad at all," Rayleigh said, his tone laced with genuine admiration as he glanced at the massive crater before him.
Kaoru Tsubasa's breath came slow and steady. Even after pouring all of his strength into that last strike, he had only managed to cancel out a single, casual blow from Rayleigh, enhanced by Armament Haki.
"Rayleigh," Kaoru said, gripping his sword tighter, eyes gleaming with resolve. "Next, I'll show you my strongest technique. If you can withstand it… you win."
"Oh?" Rayleigh smirked, his curiosity piqued. "Then show me what you've got."
Kaoru slowly sheathed his blade. The world seemed to still around him."One Sword Style — Final Secret Art: Flowing Light."
This was the ultimate secret of the One Sword Style — the pinnacle among its three ultimate techniques.
As Kaoru drew his sword again, his motion seemed paradoxical — so fast it blurred, yet so slow it seemed timeless.
Then—
BOOM!
A vortex tore open the sky above them, and from within, a massive sword descended, glowing with celestial energy.
"This is…" Rayleigh's eyes widened in disbelief.
Gasps rippled through the battlefield. That sword — that colossal blade — loomed larger than the entire Valley of the Gods.
If it fell, not just Rayleigh, but everyone on the island would be obliterated.
"Kaoru!" Whitebeard roared, his voice shaking the air.
Kaoru's arms trembled as he struggled to contain the enormous force. It was his first time using this technique, and even he could barely restrain it.
"Everyone—help him!" Whitebeard commanded the other Rocks Pirates.
They needed no second invitation. The commanders of the Rocks Pirates, as well as the Marines and Roger Pirates, joined forces, launching every attack they could muster toward the descending blade.
Blazing fireballs, slashing winds, beams of light, and waves of Haki all converged at once.
CRACK!
The massive sword split slightly — but only slightly.
Even that combined power had only managed to scratch the blade.
It was, after all, the strongest technique within the One Sword Style — an attack born from divine swordsmanship and the mysterious system that guided Kaoru.
BOOM!
Suddenly, a bolt of pure lightning shot down from the heavens, shattering the colossal sword in a single instant.
Atop the Red Line — the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
"Was that Lord Imu's doing?" one of the Five Elders asked, his hand resting on his blade.
"It appears so. That came from the direction of the Valley of the Gods," replied another, stroking his mustache.
"Something serious must be happening there…" murmured the curly-haired Elder.
Back at the Valley of the Gods—
"What was that attack just now?" Shiki muttered, swallowing hard as he stared at the lightning-scorched sky.
No one answered him.
Whitebeard leapt from his ship, landing beside Kaoru. The young swordsman was on his knees, his strength nearly spent. Only the faint crackle of lightning in his hand kept him conscious.
"Kaoru, are you alright?" Whitebeard asked, steadying him.
"I'm fine… just drained," Kaoru replied with a faint smile. He didn't mention that the attack hadn't just consumed his stamina — it had eaten away at his life force.
He estimated that using it three or four more times would kill him outright.
"Kid, I lost," Rayleigh said, stepping forward, his tone calm but sincere.
Kaoru's lips curved upward. "You admitted it."
[Ding! Mission Complete — Reward: 1000 Sword Skill Points and 1000 Spirit Points.]
As the system's voice echoed in his mind, Kaoru let out a faint chuckle."At least my life force wasn't wasted…"
System Status
Host: Kaoru TsubasaSealing Device: Lightning
First Seal: Ghost Tranquility (Unlocked)
Second Seal: Under the Moon (Unlocked)
Third Seal: Savagery (Requires a Devil Fruit to unlock)
Fourth Seal: Baxia (Unlock conditions hidden until previous seal unlocked)
Swordsmanship:
One Sword Style Complete Manual — Lv.5 → (Next level requires 800 Sword Skill Points)
Two Sword Style — Locked (Requires another Supreme Grade Sword or higher to unlock)
Spiritual Skills: Lv.4 → (Next level requires 400 Spirit Points)
Haki Mastery:
Armament Haki — Lv.3 → (160 Spirit Points to next level)
Observation Haki — Lv.3 → (160 Spirit Points to next level)
Conqueror's Haki — Lv.3 → (240 Spirit Points to next level)
Current Points:
Sword Skill Points: 1170
Spirit Points: 1122
System Notes:
Sword practice: +5 Sword Skill Points per day
Training: +2 Spirit Points per hour (Sword training counts as both)
Draws Available: 5(Draw rarity: Bronze → Purple Gold. Guaranteed Gold every 10 draws, Platinum every 50, Diamond every 100, Purple Gold every 1000.)
Kaoru thought for a moment, then spent 800 Sword Skill Points to raise his One Sword Style to Lv.6.
He then spent 640 Spirit Points to max out his Armament Haki, 160 to raise his Observation Haki to Lv.4, and 240 to bring his Conqueror's Haki to Lv.4.
As the surge of power flooded through him, Kaoru could feel it — his blade sharper, his will stronger. At that moment, he knew he could defeat Rayleigh with ease.
Rayleigh smiled faintly. "You're cheating, kid… but damn, you're impressive."
Whitebeard helped Kaoru back to the ship while Rayleigh returned to the Oro Jackson.
From the sidelines, Marine officer Bogard quietly ordered a subordinate to record the duel. Something told him that Kaoru Tsubasa would never become a pirate who endangered the seas.
Still, he made no move to capture him — not with the Rocks Pirates still present, and Rayleigh standing nearby. The priority was still the man named Rocks.
"Brother, are you okay?" Kaido asked worriedly as Whitebeard helped Kaoru aboard.
"I'm fine," Kaoru said, smiling weakly.
By then, Rocks, Roger, and Garp were all drenched in blood. Yet through his newly enhanced Observation Haki, Kaoru could sense it — Rocks' aura was fading fast, while Roger's and Garp's remained fierce and unyielding.
Sensing the tide turning, Shiki spoke first. "I'm outta here." He flew off, taking a small ship with him.
Charlotte Linlin followed soon after, laughing as she rode Zeus into the storm clouds.
"Let's go too," Whitebeard said.
"Newgate, take Kaido and leave first," Kaoru told him.
"Don't be stupid — you're in no condition to fight," Whitebeard barked.
"Yeah, brother, come with us!" Kaido added.
Kaoru shook his head. "Newgate… remember what you promised me?"
He turned to Kaido. "When you form your own pirate crew and make your name known across the seas, I'll come find you."
Kaido clenched his fists. "Then it's a promise!"
Kaoru smiled faintly and handed him a golden bracelet. "Keep this with you. No matter where you go, I'll be able to find you."
Whitebeard wanted to protest further, but Kaoru's eyes stopped him. "Take Kaido and go. Leave the rest to me."
Reluctantly, Whitebeard nodded and departed with Kaido.
Only John remained, loyal to Rocks until the end.
"Kid, you're not leaving with them?" Rayleigh asked.
Kaoru grinned. "A battle between the three strongest men on the seas — how could I miss that?"
In truth, he stayed because his system still had a mission linked to Rocks' fate.
Rayleigh laughed. "You've got guts. Come aboard and have a drink, then!"
"Why not?" Kaoru said, leaping onto the Oro Jackson.
He knew Roger's personality was like Luffy's — bold, carefree, and far from malicious. He wouldn't be in danger here.
"Hahaha! You've got some nerve, kid!" Rayleigh tossed him a bottle of rum.
Kaoru took a swig and asked, "Rayleigh… you've been to that island, haven't you? The one known as the final island?"
Rayleigh nodded. "We've been to Water Star Island, but it's not the final one."
"Indeed. To reach the last island, you'll need the four red Poneglyphs."
"We know," Rayleigh replied, "but without an archaeologist, we can't read them. Even if we gathered them all, they'd be useless."
"One day," Kaoru said with a knowing smile, "you'll find the one who can take you to the true final island — Raftel."
Rayleigh's eyes widened. "How do you know its name…?"
Kaoru smirked faintly, looking up at the stormy sky."That's a secret."