After all, the island was currently crawling with Swordsmen and Great Swordsmen.
Even with two Admirals, Garp, Tsuru, and a large number of officers present, it would still be a significant headache if the opposition decided to revolt collectively.
It wasn't that they couldn't suppress them, but once a chaotic brawl broke out, a single mistake could provide Vista and Thatch with an opportunity to escape.
Granted, there were three cruisers stationed nearby, and their sailing speed was more than double that of a standard sailing ship, but what if the pirates' ships were coated?
Furthermore, according to Gion, every sparring session at the Swordsmanship Gathering was incredibly fierce. Injuries and permanent disabilities were common occurrences; even death was considered normal.
Consequently, Akainu decided to let them fight for a while. He would wait until everyone was wounded and exhausted before making his move.
'''
To be honest, Sean was somewhat disappointed.
As he watched the two people sparring in the arena, he found it utterly boring.
"What's wrong? Do you feel the level is too low to be interesting?"
Standing beside him, Gion noticed Sean's expression and immediately guessed what was on his mind. She asked with a small smile.
Sean nodded.
Weren't those just two guys who had barely reached the level of Swordsman pecking at each other like rookies? Even Zoro could have easily taken them down.
"You... this is only the first day. According to tradition, the first day is for the Swordsmen to spar. The second day is when the Great Swordsmen take the stage."
"After all, the difference in strength between a Swordsman and a Great Swordsman can be described as worlds apart, which is why they are split into two sessions."
"Besides, a swordsman who can reach the level of a Swordsman is already far from weak in the eyes of the rest of the world!"
Alright, Sean understood. The sessions were divided by rank.
That made sense. Otherwise, there would be no point in a Great Swordsman challenging a regular Swordsman. And Gion was right; a Swordsman was certainly not weak in the grand scheme of the Great Pirate Era.
The main issue was that after his Zanjutsu had reached Level 9, he subconsciously felt that the techniques and attacking power of ordinary Swordsmen were simply too crude.
In Sean's current understanding, even if Hawkeye were evaluated using the system's algorithm, his swordsmanship would likely be around Level 8.5 at most.
While he didn't know if there were any hidden swordsmen in the world who were even stronger, he had at least surpassed the man known as the World's Strongest Swordsman.
The first day passed quickly. Although Sean spotted a few promising talents, whenever he asked Gion about them...
Good grief, they were all pirates, and most of them were notoriously infamous.
Looking back at the Marines, aside from Gion, there were only a few Swordsmen.
Comparing the two, the future of the Marine's swordsmanship was truly worrying.
Of course, that was assuming he himself wasn't counted!
'''
The next day.
The Great Swordsman session began.
Despite there being over a hundred people on the island, the vast majority were regular Swordsmen. As for the Great Swordsmen, only five had come.
A man named Atravis, roughly thirty-five or thirty-six years old, stepped onto the field and immediately called out Sean's name, challenging him.
As for his reason...
Since most of the people here were old acquaintances, they were already familiar with each other's faces and strengths. Therefore, he wanted to challenge Sean, a complete stranger, to experience a new style and see if it could help him make a breakthrough.
The reason was sound enough, and Sean naturally didn't shrink away.
However, the sparring match quickly turned into a swordsmanship lesson.
While the observing Swordsmen couldn't tell, the few Great Swordsmen present understood exactly what was happening.
Sean was guiding the opponent's attacks, directing his defenses, and even suppressing his own power. No matter how you looked at it, this was a textbook example of a master instructing a student.
This realization shocked the other Great Swordsmen.
Giving instructions during a fight wasn't rare, but the problem was that the "student" here was a Great Swordsman, not some novice!
Usually, such a level of guidance is only possible if the opponent is significantly weaker than the teacher. Yet, even while holding back a great deal of his strength, Sean effortlessly led Atravis into his own rhythm, guiding him through various offensive and defensive maneuvers.
It was utterly absurd.
Meanwhile, Hawkeye, sitting on a rock outside the arena, had his eyes glowing. He looked as if he wanted to jump up immediately, blast Atravis away with a single strike, and have a full-power match with Sean.
'''
An hour later.
"Vice Admiral Sean, thank you for the guidance. I have benefited greatly!"
"It was nothing, just a small effort. Your talent in the way of the sword is quite impressive. Would you be interested in serving under me?"
"This... if I join, will I still be able to spar with you in the future, Vice Admiral?"
"Of course. We can explore the path of the sword together."
"Then I am willing to join the Marines and serve under your command, Vice Admiral Sean!"
Atravis was decisive. Then again, most people who study the way of the sword possess a decisive nature; otherwise, it would be difficult to become a Great Swordsman.
"Very well. Once things are settled here, you will leave on my warship."
"Understood!"
With a nod, Atravis stepped down. Sean sheathed his blade and followed suit. After all, the Swordsmanship Gathering wasn't a "king of the hill" style tournament.
"Sean, that guy..."
"He's already reached that level?"
As Sean walked down, Gion spoke directly. If it were her, she could defeat Atravis, but she could never treat the fight like a lesson as Sean did—especially while suppressing her strength.
"It was alright, I guess?"
"Hah, now you're being humble?"
"Not at all. Speaking of which, Sister Gion, who are you planning to fight?"
"Vista, of course! Although I lost to him three years ago, I won't lose today!"
As Sean changed the subject, Gion's expression became resolute. To her, the failure three years ago was unforgivable. As a Marine, she had lost to a pirate—and a mere Division Commander at that! It was an absolute disgrace.
Gion gripped her Konpira and stepped onto the field.
Sean felt a flicker of curiosity. He had crafted two blades for Gion: one was a native Zanpakutō, and the other was the result of Gion asking him to reforged her Konpira.
Thus, while the sword's name was still Konpira, it was no longer the same weapon it once was. As for what the new Konpira's ability was, Sean didn't know yet.
But the answer was about to be revealed.
"Vista, come on up!"
Gion shouted authoritatively as she slowly drew Konpira, pointing the blade directly at Vista, who was standing outside the arena.
'''
At the same time, thirty nautical miles away.
Watching the images transmitted by the surveillance Den Den Mushi, Akainu and the others were dumbfounded once again.
"If I heard correctly, Sean just recruited Atravis into his fold?"
"That bounty hunter who is famous even in the New World?"
"And like Gion, he is also a Great Swordsman?"
How could Akainu not be exasperated? Just look at what that guy Sean had been doing.
First, he brought Hancock, one of the Warlords, under his control. Then, he made a bet with Hawkeye, intending to bring him down as well. They had thought that would be the limit.
But the result? In the blink of an eye, the man had recruited another Great Swordsman with strength at least on par with an elite Vice Admiral.
This was getting a bit ridiculous!!
Most importantly, watching the clash between Sean and Atravis, even Akainu—who wasn't a swordsman—could tell that Sean's strength far surpassed Atravis's.
"Tell me... do you think Sean has already..."
"...attained the strength of an Admiral?"