章節 217: Chapter 217: Barrett’s Promotion to Core Officer
It wasn't just Li Yuan; even Esdeath and the kids had battled every giant child in Elbaf. Some of them even tried sparring with the adult giants, though they quickly learned that fighting adults was more punishment than play.
However, there were exceptions—like Faraday, who had eaten the Thunder-Thunder Fruit. Giants without Haki couldn't touch him.
"It's time to leave!"
A month later, Li Yuan gathered all the members of the Infinite Pirates and announced their return journey.
Following him were thirty giants he had personally selected to join the Infinite Pirates. Leading this group was Raditz, a giant nearly as strong as Brogy and Dorry. Li Yuan was confident that, with his training, Raditz would grow even stronger, perhaps even surpassing them.
"Captain, I'd like to stay a while longer in Elbaf,"
Barrett, Chinjao, and Karu-Kano stepped forward to make their request. They all loved Elbaf's battle-hardened atmosphere and were eager to continue honing their skills by fighting giants.
"Haha, of course! We've established trade with Elbaf, so Infinite Pirates' merchant ships will visit regularly. When you're ready to return, just hop on one of those,"
Li Yuan readily agreed to Barrett and the others' request. He'd even considered making Elbaf a regular training ground. The giants, being naturally inclined to battle, made perfect sparring partners—it would be a shame not to make use of them!
"Captain, rest assured! When I return, I'll have earned my place as a core officer!"
Barrett declared with determination.
"Hahaha, that's the spirit, Barrett! I'll be waiting for you in the Infinite Sea!"
"Set sail!"
Li Yuan laughed, pleased with Barrett's conviction. At only fifteen, Barrett was already remarkably powerful. In a few more years, he would certainly reach top-tier strength, making the Infinite Pirates even more formidable with two elite officers.
Upon returning to the Infinite Sea, Li Yuan resumed his usual training routine.
His current gravity training device was struggling to keep up with his growth; eventually, he added several dozen tons of weight to push himself to the limit.
By the end of Sea Calendar 1490, over a year had passed, and they entered 1492. During this time, Li Yuan alternated between rigorous gravity training, spending time with his loved ones, and guiding his children.
He also trained swordfighters selected from the Infinite Sword Hall. Most of them willingly joined the Infinite Pirates, forming the Sword Division. The Sword Hall wasn't exclusive to swordsmen; any talented individual was accepted, much like a naval training camp that provided fresh recruits for the Infinite Pirates.
On January 1, 1492, the Infinite Pirates held a recruitment event on Venice Island. Even Barrett and the others who had stayed in Elbaf had returned for this occasion.
All members who aspired to become division captains or officers gathered, their eyes fixed on Li Yuan, who stood on a high platform, exuding anticipation and resolve.
"Hahaha, it's selection day again! Everyone, line up!"
Li Yuan's voice boomed as he unleashed his Conqueror's Haki. Crimson lightning crackled around him, as if a storm had descended upon the twenty thousand pirates.
In the past year, the Infinite Pirates' ranks had swelled to over twenty thousand, though not everyone was present at this gathering.
Thud, thud, thud!
Within moments, nearly all the twenty thousand pirates had collapsed, leaving only a few hundred still standing. Li Yuan counted roughly two hundred—the candidates for division captains.
"Congratulations! You are now the division captains of the Infinite Pirates!"
Li Yuan declared with a smile, looking over the standing group.
Among these two hundred were both returning captains and first-time candidates. To keep even the existing captains on their toes, all captains were required to participate in each selection event. Failing meant losing their position, a rule that drove every captain to remain vigilant and never slack off.
"Captain, I want to become an officer!"
"I do too!"
The declaration came from Karu, Kano, and the giant Raditz, who all stepped forward. Their training in Elbaf, coupled with the constant pressure of Gravity Homies, had pushed them to new heights over the past year. Confident in their strength, they were ready for the challenge.
"Hahaha, step forward then! Prepare to face my test!"
Li Yuan said, pleased as he gestured for them to move to an open area.
Karu and the others quickly positioned themselves, bracing themselves to withstand Li Yuan's strike.
"Captain Karu and Captain Kano, as well as the giant Raditz—are they really going to withstand the captain's sword strike?"
"Back up, everyone! Those on the ground, move! You don't want to be caught in the blast!"
Twenty thousand pirates watched with bated breath, aware that if Karu and the others succeeded, three new officers would join the Infinite Pirates' ranks.
Karu, Kano, and Raditz lined up on the field, one hundred meters from Li Yuan and spaced fifty meters apart. Despite their confidence, they regarded their captain's upcoming strike with utmost seriousness. After all, his sword strike was reputed to be one of the world's strongest.
"Blood Fury: Abyssal Triple Slash!"
With his Seven Star Sword in hand, Li Yuan unleashed three strikes, each matching a full-power blow from an admiral-level fighter.
Three massive crimson slashes shot forth from his sword, tearing through the ground and speeding toward Karu, Kano, and Raditz.
Even from a distance, the surrounding pirates felt the deadly intent in those slashes, a terror that made their hearts race. They were grateful it wasn't them standing before those lethal blows.
As soon as Li Yuan launched his attacks, Karu and the others moved. Karu, closest to Li Yuan, transformed into his human-beast form, dual-wielding swords formed from his wings, each coated in Armament Haki. With a powerful burst forward, he crossed his swords.
"Dual Blade Style: Cross Evil Slash!"
With fierce determination in his tiger-like gaze, he poured all his strength into a cross-shaped strike.
But as the bloody slash met his cross attack, it shattered his strike effortlessly, the force driving his swords back against his chest.
"Hold…hold it off!"
Digging his feet into the ground, Karu was pushed back three hundred meters, carving deep grooves into the earth before deflecting the slash to the side.
"I did it!"
Dropping his swords, Karu clutched his injured chest, a faint smile of relief on his face.
"Dual Blade Style: Meteor Star Thrust!"
"Elbaf's Spear: Hakoku!"
At the same time, Kano and the giant Raditz mirrored Karu's approach, risking severe injury to withstand the strikes. Each fought off Li Yuan's slashes, emerging victorious though visibly wounded.
"Hahaha! Well done, Karu, Kano, Raditz!"
"By my authority as Captain, I now declare you officers of the Infinite Pirates!"
Seeing the three still standing, Li Yuan announced their promotion.
"Awesome! The Infinite Pirates now have three more officers!"
"With seven officers now, and Barrett and Ashura Doji once able to hold off an admiral together, the Infinite Pirates are even stronger!"
"Unbelievable! They really endured those devastating strikes. Someday, I'll pass the test and become an officer too!"
As Li Yuan's announcement echoed, the crowd erupted in cheers, fueled by renewed hope for their own advancement.
"Captain, I want to become a core officer!"
The crowd fell silent as Barrett stepped forward, his voice clear and resolute.
Most had assumed that officer was the highest rank under the captain, and many had forgotten that Li Yuan had once mentioned the existence of core officers.
But now, Barrett stood, challenging that rank for the first time.
"Barrett, if I draw my sword, I can't hold back. If you fail to endure, you will die!"
"So I'll ask again—are you ready?"
Li Yuan's voice was grave as he met Barrett's gaze from five hundred meters away, his aura blending Conqueror's Haki, Armament Haki, and sword intent into his Seven Star Sword.
Even without swinging, the air around him grew tense with invisible pressure, his sword's keen edge filling the area for kilometers.
The twenty thousand pirates couldn't bear to look directly at the Seven Star Sword; those who dared passed out with just a glance.
"Captain, I'm ready!"
Barrett's response was immediate as he fully transformed into a massive, fifty-meter-tall Titan with golden fur and muscles radiating power.
Without further hesitation, Li Yuan's energy surged, and a five-hundred-meter blood-red dragon formed behind him, casting an imposing shadow over the battlefield.
"Triple Harmony Ultimate Technique: Dragon Severing Slash!"
Li Yuan swung his sword, and the blood dragon launched forward, tearing through the air toward Barrett, the very earth shaking in its path. Even the clouds above seemed to scatter, their light consumed by the dragon's ominous aura.
"Titan God Fist: Gravity Impact!"
The colossal Titan's feet activated Soru, propelling him forward. His fists, cloaked in pitch-black Armament Haki, compressed a gravity field within their impact force.
With a fierce clash, Barrett's fists met the blood dragon, the impact creating a storm that swept the area, sending pirates flying as if they were mere leaves.
Only those who retreated far enough were spared the deadly shockwaves, realizing that just watching this clash was beyond their capacity.
Crack!
In just a brief moment, the Armament Haki and gravitational force on Barrett's fists completely collapsed. The blood dragon slash shattered his punches, striking his Armament-coated Titan form.
The fifty-meter-tall Titan was sent flying back over a kilometer, crashing heavily into the ground. The sheer force of the attack forced Barrett to revert to his human form.
At that moment, everyone's eyes were fixed on the fallen Barrett, waiting to see if he had survived this single strike and could rise as the Infinite Pirates' first core officer!
Cough, cough!
Under everyone's gaze, Barrett, after hitting the ground, struggled to stand up. A deep sword wound stretched across his chest, revealing glimpses of his bare bones and internal organs.
"Hahaha! Barrett, congratulations on becoming the first core officer of the Infinite Pirates!"
"A core officer will receive a monthly salary of eight million Beli as a basic benefit. There are more perks, which I'll have someone announce soon!"
Li Yuan declared loudly, watching as Barrett stood.
The emergence of a core officer signified that the Infinite Pirates had grown even stronger.
"That's amazing! A core officer—do you think he could take on an admiral?"
"Of course! Even if it's close, he wouldn't lose—he's the Demon Titan, Barrett!"
"Incredible! He really withstood that world-shatter
ing slash!"
With Li Yuan's announcement, the crowd of twenty thousand pirates erupted into cheers once more—the Infinite Pirates now had their first core officer!
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