One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

Over the span of about a week, Wright completed the Lightforging of the Dawn, using a massive quantity of the highest-quality white crystals.

Now, the entire Dawn warship—just as Smoker had joked—

Looked like a giant lightbulb!

Truly blinding!

However, with the ship's cloaking system activated, only a few areas allowed the golden glow of the Lightforged crystals to shine through. Most of the crystals were well-protected beneath thick armor plating.

Unlike standard lightforged crystals, those on the Dawn were infused entirely with Wright's own Holy Light energy.

Thanks to Germa's advanced technology, the Dawn could deploy shields using the lightforged crystals to block a certain level of attacks. The Holy Light energy could also be harnessed to accelerate the ship, enabling swift maneuvers over short distances.

Additionally, it was equipped with fourth-generation Lightforged Beacons, allowing it to receive limited support from the base when necessary.

The radiant Dawn amazed everyone at G-5 Base—well, everyone except for a certain "blind to it all" uncle.

Issho had been quite at ease lately. Not only did he train the soldiers rigorously, but he also found G-5 Base's marines to be a bit different from the usual crowd.

To become a true elite troublemaker, one needed some solid credentials:

Exceptional combat ability. A weakling had no right to stir up trouble in the military.

An explosive attitude. They had to have the guts to take on pirates and challenge their superiors—otherwise, how could they earn the title of a rebel?

At least one unique skill. Be it drinking, gambling, or another vice, they had to excel in something unconventional.

Anyone lacking these three traits had no place in G-5 Base.

Thus, Issho had found himself surrounded by a host of kindred spirits.

Gambling gods, gambling saints, gambling heroes, gambling maniacs—they emerged one after another. Defeating them all to become the undisputed gambling champion of the base was Issho's favorite pastime during his leisure hours.

In his opinion, this was far better than a casino. At a casino, people either avoided him due to his superior gambling skills or outright cheated him because of his blindness.

Here, there was no need to worry about such issues!

With the Dawn now set to replace the Lightbringer as G-5 Base's flagship, Issho naturally assumed the role of the Dawn's head instructor, continuing to oversee the soldiers' training.

"Mr. Issho, have you been keeping up with the recent changes in the world?"

Wright approached Issho. Though this formidable trump card had yet to showcase his true strength, no one at G-5 Base doubted the immense power of this blind gambling swordsman.

"Vice Admiral Wright, the events unfolding lately have been nothing short of spectacular—Reverie, Fish-Man Island, and all the news from the New World. If I were still wandering as a drifter, I'd never have learned these details."

Issho tapped his cane-sword lightly as he spoke, his tone steady. "Especially Fish-Man Island. I never would have imagined that you, Vice Admiral, played such a pivotal role there!"

"I hold no prejudice against Fish-Men, but to assist them as you did... I lack both the ability and the motivation to take such measures."

"What you've done, Vice Admiral, is a testament to your noble dreams."

"And your battle against Kaido—it's a shame I couldn't witness it in person. Just hearing about it sets my blood boiling!"

"Haha... When I spoke with Fleet Admiral Sengoku recently, he explicitly ordered me to secure G-5 Base at all costs."

Wright gazed at the Dawn docked in the harbor and said gravely, "Our fight with Kaido has eased some of the pressure on G-5 Base, but I doubt those three will let us fortify our position in the New World unchallenged."

"Kaido is focused on consolidating his control over Wano and advancing his partnership with Doflamingo, so he'll likely remain quiet for now."

"Big Mom hasn't had any more children these past two years, but she's been busy arranging marriages for her offspring. Her influence has been growing rapidly."

"However, she's relatively far away in Totto Land, so her elite forces don't often raid this area."

"But Whitebeard..."

At the mention of that name, both Wright and Issho fell silent.

The Whitebeard Pirates represented a monumental obstacle to the Navy's ambitions in the New World.

Edward Newgate, known as "Whitebeard," was hailed as the "Strongest Man in the World." With the destructive power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, one of the "Supreme Grade Blades," Murakumogiri, and countless legendary exploits, his presence defined this era—an era called "Whitebeard's Era."

"Initially, I thought Whitebeard wouldn't pay us much attention."

Wright rested his hand on his sword, Ashes, and spoke solemnly. "At first, that was true. But as I returned to G-5 Base and began systematically eliminating pirates entering the New World..."

"Even Whitebeard's crew couldn't sit idly by. Recently, the influx of fresh blood into his fleet has slowed significantly."

"Judging from the patrol ships' encounters, Whitebeard's subordinates have likely been sent to probe us. They'll probably act soon."

"Do you need me to step in?"

Issho's grip tightened on his cane-sword at the mere mention of "Whitebeard." He had come to understand the gravity of that title during his time in the New World.

"Not yet..."

Wright chuckled. "As long as Whitebeard doesn't send someone like 'Phoenix' Marco to test us, I can handle things."

"Mr. Issho, your strength surpasses mine. You're like a hidden, Admiral-level ace."

"It wouldn't be wise to reveal your power in a mere skirmish."

Issho sighed. "Admiral-level... I understand. Still, if we can avoid a full-blown war, I'd rather not draw my blade."

"But when the time comes, you won't hesitate to act, will you?"

"Of course."

...

"Gurararara..."

Somewhere in the New World, aboard the colossal Moby Dick, flagship of the Whitebeard Pirates, Edward Newgate—the man known as Whitebeard—tilted back a massive jug of liquor.

The alcohol wasn't particularly fine, but it was cheap and plentiful—typical for Whitebeard, who was notoriously frugal with his own expenses.

"What's the matter, brats? Don't you think that Navy brat did quite well?"

"Dad, drinking that much will make this morning's medication pointless!"

Marco, the First Division Commander and ship doctor, sighed helplessly at the sight of the liquor jug, which was twice his size.

"Keep this up, and I'll have to put you on an IV drip to ease the pain!"

"Gurararara... Marco, booze is the best painkiller there is!" Whitebeard laughed heartily.

"Father..."

Two subordinate captains, "Thunder Lord" McGuy and "Ice Witch" Whitey Bay, stepped forward. Whitey Bay, clearly indignant, remarked:

"That Vice Admiral Wright's efforts on Fish-Man Island are indeed impressive. He's one of the rare high-ranking Navy officers worthy of your recognition."

"However, by stationing him at G-5 Base, Sengoku clearly intends to use him to choke off the flow of new blood into the New World. Between G-5 and G-1, they're wiping out new pirate crews, leaving us with fewer recruits!"

"Gurararara... That just proves the Navy brat has earned Sengoku's trust!"

"In the past, G-5 Base was nothing more than a dumping ground for the Navy's misfits!"

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