One Piece: The Strongest Swordsman Of The Rocks Pirates

"Alright! You're qualified. Congratulations on officially becoming a member of my crew," Rocks D. Xebec announced with a smirk, his confidence radiating through the room.

Another promising force added to his arsenal—someone who might one day aid in his ambition to overthrow the World Government. Yet, this new recruit was still rough around the edges, not fully refined.

Himmel wiped the blood off his sword, his piercing eyes locked on Rocks. "A crew member? What happened to the chance to compete for a cadre position?" His tone was sharp, his fighting spirit far from dimmed. The earlier skirmish hadn't been enough to truly test his limits.

The entire hall grew quiet at Himmel's bold declaration.

"Hahahaha!" Rocks laughed, slamming his massive hand on the table. "You've got guts, kid! But to be a cadre, you've still got a long way to go. First, learn how to wield Haki properly. As it stands, you're talented but still incomplete. However," Rocks paused, pulling a worn leather-bound manual from his coat, "if you're determined, I'll give you the tools to make it happen."

He tossed the manual to Himmel, who caught it effortlessly.

"This contains the basics of Haki training," Rocks said. "With your potential, mastering it should only be a matter of time. Prove yourself, and I'll consider elevating your rank."

A faint grin crept onto Himmel's face. He had no intention of stopping here.

Rocks raised his mug high, his booming voice filling the room. "Now, let's welcome our new brother!"

A roar of cheers erupted as the pirates lifted their drinks in celebration.

Himmel found himself seated beside Whitebeard (Newgate), whose hulking frame nearly dwarfed the table. Across the room, Charlotte Linlin paused mid-bite of a massive cake, her eyes narrowing as she sized up the newcomer.

Even among the raucous celebration, Himmel's presence did not go unnoticed.

---

[Ding! Host has successfully joined the Rocks Pirates. Mission complete. Fusion with Genie template is now at 100%. Unlocking next swordsman template...]

[Congratulations! New template unlocked: Ziyu – The Sword Saint.]

Himmel glanced at the system's glowing interface, its mechanical tone echoing in his mind.

[Host: Himmel]

[Character Templates: Sword God Genie (100%), Ziyu (0%)]

[Skills: Hundred-Step Flying Sword, Sun-Piercing Slash, Ghost Valley Swordsmanship]

[Current Mission: None]

As the words faded, an invisible pressure surged through Himmel's body. The air around him seemed to crackle with energy, his sword intent spiking without warning.

The hall fell silent.

Golden Lion Shiki, seated nearby, instinctively reached for his blades, his brows furrowing as he felt the sharpness of Himmel's rising aura. Whitebeard, too, looked intrigued, his lips curling into a knowing grin.

"Kid's breaking through," Shiki muttered, unable to hide his surprise.

Rocks leaned back in his chair, a glint of approval in his eyes. He hadn't expected Himmel to have such rapid growth. A swordsman's journey required not just skill but moments of enlightenment—and this boy seemed to be forging ahead faster than anyone anticipated.

"Hey, Himmel," Shiki said, breaking the silence. "How about you join my crew? I'm the best swordsman among the cadres here. Stick with me, and I'll teach you everything I know about swordsmanship."

Himmel raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.

Shiki leaned closer, a sly grin on his face. "No one else here is as serious about swordsmanship as I am. Sure, Newgate over there swings a naginata, but he's just compensating for his fruit powers."

"Gu la la la!" Whitebeard's booming laughter cut through the room. "Shiki, don't spout nonsense. If it's swordsmanship you're talking about, I could teach this kid a thing or two myself. Besides, the last time we sparred, who was it that ended up flat on his back?"

Shiki's grin faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Details, details," he muttered.

Charlotte Linlin chose that moment to interject, her voice surprisingly sweet but tinged with underlying menace. "Himmel, dear, if you join my crew, I can do more than teach you swordsmanship. I can make that sword of yours come alive, give it a soul. And if you become my husband, I'll even make you my deputy captain."

The entire hall seemed to hold its breath as Linlin's proposition hung in the air. Even her blade, Napoleon, chuckled ominously, as if in agreement.

Himmel's lips twitched, caught between amusement and disbelief. The room, once full of noise and celebration, now seemed more like a battlefield of rival ambitions.

Who would have thought that one newcomer could stir up such a storm among legends?

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