Chapter 154: The Sharpened Blade
Isn't obeying orders the most basic quality for a "Kingdom's Hero"?
"Princess Rebecca, I've seen your fighting style," Ian stated, his voice cutting through her hopes. "And as a Marine, you lack something crucial. Someone too soft-hearted and kind isn't suited for the Navy."
He had pinpointed her greatest weakness in a single sentence.
Rebecca panicked. "Lieutenant General Ian, why am I not suitable? Is it... is it because I'm weak? Even though I struggled against the Donquixote underlings... I never backed down! Really!"
She couldn't recall Ian ever directly observing her fights and didn't understand his reference.
"Skylark," Ian commanded. "Tell her. What is the most important thing she lacks to be my subordinate?"
Skylark stepped forward with confidence. "As long as you can't practice to death, you practice to death! Nine thousand eight hundred punches! Nine thousand eight hundred kicks!..."
Ian cut her off. "Stop it!"
Skylark blinked. "...Take it home, huh? Isn't that what you meant, Lieutenant General Ian?"
The other subordinates stifled laughs. "Pfft!"
Ian: "..."
This team was reliable in a fight, but in daily life, their unique... "quirks" often gave him a headache.
Waving for Skylark to step back, Ian walked up to Rebecca and drew the sword from her back.
"You've been trained in swordsmanship by your father since childhood. You should have mastered Observation Haki, right, Rebecca?"
Rebecca gave a stiff nod.
"Then why," Ian continued, his gaze sharp, "are you still using a sword with no edge?"
Clang!
He casually tossed Rebecca's sword against the wall. The sound it made was a dull clang of metal, completely lacking the sharp ring of a honed blade.
Rebecca: "!!!"
So Lieutenant General Ian really did know everything! He had even noticed the minute details of her weapon.
It was just as Ian said. Excessive kindness had become a weakness. In the survival-of-the-fittest coliseum, Rebecca's method was to rely on her Observation Haki to dodge and predict, using her shield sword to unbalance her opponents and push them out of the ring without causing injury. But the ruthless waters of the New World had no place for such virtue. If she couldn't change this mindset, she would only bring harm to herself and, worse, drag down her comrades.
"So this is what the Lieutenant General meant..." Skylark muttered, finally catching on. "A kind, naive girl who's been bullied. She only brought a shield and sword for self-defense... I should have realized earlier."
"Do you understand now, Rebecca?" Ian's voice was firm. "This isn't a game, nor an arena for kindness. Every pirate on the sea wants to kill us Marines. If you don't know how to kill, then stay in Dressrosa. What's wrong with being a gentle, well-educated princess? The banquet should be on the first floor, right? Let's go eat and replenish our energy."
He handed the shield sword back to her. Everyone's eyes were on Rebecca, knowing Ian's character well enough to understand he was testing her, waiting to see if the gentle girl had a spine.
Rebecca was silent for a long moment. Then, suddenly, she swung the shield sword with all her might against the metal door frame.
CRACK!
BANG...
The powerful blow shattered the blunted weapon. The broken edge now gleamed, sharp and deadly. Gripping the half-sword, Rebecca drove it down into the stone floor with a final, decisive THUD!
The blade bit deep into the stone.
She then dropped to one knee. "Commander Ian! I will never use a weapon like that again! If I can become your subordinate, I swear to be the sharpest sword in your hand! Please give me this chance. If I fail, I will repay you with my life!"
Ian looked down at the kneeling girl, the broken sword embedded in the floor between them. "..."
A girl who had endured true suffering understood the value of hard-won light far better than those who had lived comfortable lives. Even her oath was fierce. It seemed another absolutely loyal subordinate had fallen into his lap.
"Start as a trainee," Ian said, his tone shifting to that of a commander. "You and Wicca want to be my direct subordinates? You'll have to earn it. For now, you'll do odd jobs on my ship to temper your resolve. Now, I'm starving. Let's go eat!"
Tears welled in Rebecca's eyes, but they were tears of fierce determination. "Yes, Lieutenant General Ian! I'll lead the way!!"
Buru Buru... Buru Buru...
Just as the group headed for the stairs, the portable Den Den Mushi on Nami's belt rang. It was a direct line to Ian. A call on this line was never good news.
As Nami answered, Ian activated his super vision and hearing, scanning the island's surroundings.
"Okay... Already? Understood. Okay..."
"We're in the royal city..."
"Right away!"
After hanging up, Nami turned to the group, her expression serious. "Lieutenant General Ian, be prepared... Someone from Headquarters is here."
She took a breath. "It's... Lieutenant General Tokikake! I heard he's carrying a special order from Marshal Sengoku!"
Ian's mind raced. A sly, knowing smile touched his lips as he looked at Nami.
💫 Loved the chapter? Want more? 100+ early chapters are waiting on Patreon —
👉 Patreon.com/EchoPen
Thank you all for keeping this story alive 💖
And don't forget to drop a Power Stone ⭐!
Thanks for reading! 🙌✨
🎉 "Join Patreon now and save 10% — offer lasts until New Year!"