Pirates: Usurping a Kingdom Is Surprisingly Easy

"No wonder Emperor Kael values this demonic sword so much; it actually gave birth to a Sword Spirit!"

"What demonic sword? From now on, this is Emperor Kael's Emperor's Sword, a true Imperial Sword!"

"A Sword Spirit that recognizes its master is truly incredible!"

...

Everyone's gaze towards Kael grew increasingly fervent. With the Seven-Star Dragon Sword's influence on people's hearts, Laffitte, who had just joined, had his loyalty maxed out. Even Capone Bege experienced a huge internal change, unable to even conceive the thought of disobeying Kael.

Issho discovered a certain 'loyalty-enhancing' characteristic of the Seven-Star Dragon Sword. Subordinates weaker than Kael would become increasingly loyal to him. Even the powerful Aramaki, though capable of resisting this loyalty-enhancing power, didn't resist it at all, and his gaze grew increasingly fervent. This didn't seem like a bad thing for the Goa Empire.

Issho also stopped intentionally resisting the Seven-Star Dragon Sword's influence. He felt that Emperor Kael was indeed an Emperor worth following. He hoped Emperor Kael could become strong enough to completely change the Celestial Dragons' decisions. This was Issho's ultimate goal. It would be perfect if Emperor Kael could become strong enough to have veto power at the World Conference. After Issho stopped resisting the Seven-Star Dragon Sword's influence, his thoughts and ideas increasingly aligned with Kael's strategic direction.

In truth, Kael didn't manipulate the Seven-Star Dragon Sword to influence everyone; this was merely the sword's instinctive influence. It strengthened and amplified the loyalty and reverence in the hearts of his subordinates. Because most of Kael's subordinates were loyal individuals, hardly anyone was intentionally resisting the Seven-Star Dragon Sword's power.

Through communication with the Seven-Star Dragon Sword, Kael only discovered that Issho and Bege had briefly resisted. Issho later voluntarily accepted the influence, while Bege, lacking sufficient strength, had already been forcibly influenced by the Seven-Star Dragon Sword. Even Tashigi and other Marines felt that Kael's orders were more important than those from Marineford.

Kael didn't actively use the Seven-Star Dragon Sword's mind-control ability, but he also didn't interfere with its instinctive influence, allowing it to subtly affect everyone. As long as it didn't affect their combat awareness and potential, naturally strengthening their loyalty was fine.

After Tashigi completed the mapping of the Seven-Star Dragon Sword, Kael led everyone to leave the ancient village. The shrine maiden Maya, under her grandmother's instructions, joined Kael's team. The Marine instructor on Asuka Island hadn't expected the Goa Empire fleet to leave so quickly. But then again, this wasn't a bustling small island. There really wasn't much to enjoy or sightsee. He reported the news of Kael landing on Asuka Island for half a day to Marineford, as a record of the Goa fleet's real-time location. Now, Marineford and all Allied Nations knew Kael was causing a stir and wanted to know his movements accurately. This was to prevent him from overthrowing another Allied Nation. He was even more rampant than the Revolutionary Army.

...

Among the departing Goa fleet, on the lead ship, the Exile Emperor, Tashigi, the naturally clumsy glasses-wearing sword fanatic, was almost a permanent fixture and didn't even want to return to her East Blue 153rd Marine Branch warship.

"Your Majesty, what conditions are needed for a sword to give birth to a Sword Spirit?"

"Is it love? Or slaughter? Or battle?"

As Tashigi asked this question, Zoro and Saga immediately perked up their ears. Even Issho and Aramaki listened intently. As everyone learned that Sword Spirits truly existed, now even Aramaki followed suit, finding a decent sword to wear at his waist. Perhaps one day, he too could create a world-renowned sword that gives birth to a Sword Spirit.

"The sword's material, the owner's will and emotions, and special environments and time—these are all conditions for a Sword Spirit to be born."

Even the Seven Star Sword Spirit itself didn't know how it was born, so how would Kael know? But seeing everyone's expectant expressions, he could only make something up. He only knew that the Merry's ship spirit was naturally born from the Straw Hat's friendship and careful nurturing.

"Material matters too? It seems I also need to find a good sword." Aramaki immediately felt that the sword at his waist was not qualified; it needed to be at least a Ryō Wazamono, and a Supreme Grade Sword would be even better. Even Issho, who was blind, had a Supreme Grade Sword. As one of the Double Marquis of the Empire, Aramaki also wanted to get a Supreme Grade Sword.

"In the future, there will be more people vying for swords among the spoils of war." Saga was a bit helpless. He currently liked the Shusui, a good-grade sword, but if he had the chance to get a better renowned sword, he certainly wouldn't mind switching. However, constantly thinking about switching swords would contradict the condition of will and emotion. No wonder there weren't many renowned swords with Sword Spirits born in this world.

Renowned swords changed owners again and again in a world where the strong preyed on the weak. Their chances of giving birth to a Sword Spirit became even more remote. The legendary Dragon-Slaying Swordsman Ryuma, accompanied by his sword for many years, underwent a hundred battles, forging it into a black blade step by step, no less than a Supreme Grade Sword. But even this didn't give birth to a Sword Spirit. This shows that the conditions for a Sword Spirit to be born are truly very stringent. Even Issho was completely at a loss, feeling the Kitetsu in his hand, without any clue or opportunity. It seemed his desire for Kitetsu to give birth to a Sword Spirit was indeed greedy and attached to appearances.

Tashigi excitedly recorded this information in her notebook. And Zoro lightly gripped the hilt of Wado Ichimonji again.

'Wado Ichimonji, accompany me to become the world's greatest swordsman, let our names resound across the heavens together.'

'If you can give birth to a Sword Spirit, it must be in Kuina's image.'

Zoro thought of the determined Kuina again; she was the previous owner of Wado Ichimonji.

...

Many days later, the Goa Empire members still couldn't find any way to make their swords give birth to Sword Spirits. They did, however, see Kael repeatedly using the Seven-Star Dragon Sword to unleash exaggerated 100-meter and 1,000-meter sword slashes. It's worth noting that even with Saga, the swordsman who lost his right hand, the Seven Stars Sword could unleash a sword slash from the Marine dojo that spanned half the island, with its aftershock reaching the sea. A single sword could make a one-armed swordsman unleash the terrifying sword energy of a top-tier swordsman, showing the Seven Stars Sword's power.

Enma from Wano Country could also forcibly absorb the user's Haki and power to unleash sharp slashes. These renowned swords with special abilities displayed even more exaggerated and spectacular performances than Supreme Grade Swords.

"Your Majesty, Morgans has sent detailed intelligence regarding the zoologist and scientist, Baron Omatsuri, whom you wanted to investigate."

Laffitte didn't contend with Nami for the navigator position; he became Kael's administrative and diplomatic officer, responsible for external intelligence liaison. He now organized the purchased intelligence and handed it to Kael.