chsdbacks Chapter 54 Ashes and Flames
Chapter 54 Ashes and Flames
Within the True Spirit Space, starlight flowed.
Genma and Jin's consciousnesses sat facing each other, sharing every insight from the fierce battle that day.
"His mastery of Conqueror's Haki has become even more refined."
Genma could clearly sense King's progress in the battle. "Although he was exhausted in the end, he was able to withstand Kaido's 'Thunder Bagua' head-on without being defeated. This rate of growth is terrifying."
"Not enough."
King's consciousness conveyed resentment and an even stronger determination: "That Kaido guy didn't stop at all! I must become stronger, strong enough to truly stand against him and even defeat him, instead of just 'barely holding on'!"
Through the soul connection, Genma could feel Jin's frustration at being "ambushed" and his desire for absolute power.
He pondered for a moment and said, "Your 'movement and stillness method' has been remarkably effective, but perhaps it can be taken a step further. Try to integrate the control of 'stillness' into the extreme of 'movement,' and while unleashing power, control every bit of strength more precisely. You need to find that feeling of 'effortless mastery.'"
Jin seemed to be deep in thought: "To handle something with such ease, to control the raging Conqueror's Haki as if it were an extension of one's own limb?"
"That's right."
Xuanjian affirmed, "This requires an even stronger mental will and unparalleled control over one's own energy. In the next stage of training, based on the 'Movement and Stillness Method,' you can further refine the 'gathering and releasing' of power. After the ultimate 'release,' try the instantaneous 'gathering,' allowing the power to circulate repeatedly within the body, rather than simply pouring it out. This might extend your peak combat time and make your attacks more refined."
"I see."
A flash of understanding crossed King's eyes. "Thank you for your suggestion, my other 'me.' Next time, I'll definitely make that bastard Kaido look at me in a new light!"
When consciousness returned, Jin opened his eyes in the cave. His whole body was still sore, but his eyes were sharp.
He began to try to simulate, in his mind, the feeling of instantly restraining power and performing micro-management during a violent attack, as Genma had suggested.
Several days later, Jin's injuries were fully healed, and his strength even seemed to have improved slightly.
Kaido wandered back from who-knows-where, reeking of alcohol and bearing fresh wounds, seemingly having gone to cause trouble for some powerful figure once again.
Seeing the energetic Jin, he grinned and said, "Hehehe! You've recovered pretty quickly! How about it, kid, dare to come again?"
"I couldn't ask for more!"
Jin was full of fighting spirit and showed no sign of backing down.
The two engaged in another fierce battle in the center of the island.
This time, Jin put Genma's suggestion into practice.
He continued his fierce attack, but with each burst of Conqueror's Haki, he tried to subtly restrain and control his power at the peak of his attack, making the penetration stronger while reducing the burden on himself.
At first, he was very awkward, and even nearly got hit by Kaido several times because he was distracted and tried to control himself.
But gradually, he found that subtle feeling.
His attacks were no longer just brute force; they had acquired a penetrating "sharpness."
Kaido also keenly noticed this change, and his surprise deepened: "Oh? Kid, that's interesting! You've improved again so quickly?"
His attacks became increasingly fierce, forcing Jhin to focus all his attention on them.
This battle lasted even longer than the last one, lasting nearly two hours, until King was exhausted again and was swept away by Kaido's club, embedding himself in the mountain wall.
This time, however, King lasted longer and caused Kaido even more trouble.
Kaido looked at King, who had crawled out of the rubble, looking disheveled but with bright eyes, and laughed loudly: "Hehehehe! Not bad! Not bad at all! I'm liking you more and more, King!"
The days that followed flew by in this cycle of "battle - recovery - training - battle again".
Jhin's strength increased at a visible rate, and his mastery of Conqueror's Haki became increasingly sophisticated.
On this day, Kaido's enormous figure tore through the clouds, carrying with it the salty smell of the sea breeze and a lingering scent of gunpowder, and landed heavily on the island's beach.
He casually tossed a long, thin object he was carrying on his shoulder in front of Jin, making a dull metallic clang.
"Hehehehe! Kid, look what good stuff I brought you!"
Kaido took a swig of sake and laughed triumphantly.
Jin opened his eyes from his meditation and his gaze fell on the item.
It was a long sword with an ancient design. The scabbard was dark red, as if it had been soaked in countless years of wind, frost, blood and fire. Its length was astonishing, more than four meters long. For Jin, who was already over five meters tall and still growing, it was a large sword that required both hands to wield freely.
"This is……"
A hint of surprise flashed in Jin's eyes.
"I ran into an old guy who used a knife the other day. He was quite skilled with swordsmanship and called himself the 'Flame-Slaying Sword Master'."
Kaido patted the Eight Jade Rings at his waist, his tone filled with disdain and arrogance, "Too bad, his sword couldn't even cut my skin! This sword is sturdy enough, it didn't get smashed by my blow. Didn't you say you like using swords as weapons? This sword is perfect for you!"
Without hesitation, Jin stepped forward and grasped the cold hilt of the sword.
A strange resonance came from my palm; the knife seemed to contain a remarkable spirituality.
He slowly drew the knife out a few inches, revealing a dark, flowing pattern on the blade. The edge reflected a cold, sharp light in the setting sun, and ancient cloud patterns were engraved on the guard. Overall, the knife gave off a heavy and fierce feeling.
"A fine knife."
Jin praised sincerely.
He could feel that this sword could perfectly bear his power—whether it was domineering aura or flames.
"If you like it, that's all that matters!"
Kaido seemed very pleased. "With this thing, don't disappoint me next time we fight! Let me see what kind of sparks you can create with this sword, hehehehehe!"
Jin took a deep breath, gripped the hilt of the sword with both hands, and drew the longsword completely from its sheath.
The four-meter-long blade did not appear clumsy in his hands; instead, it possessed a strange sense of harmony.
With a slight thought, he tried to attach a tiny flame to the blade.
"Buzz—"
The blade emitted a slight hum, as if awakening its dark red color. The dark, flowing patterns on the blade seemed to come alive under the light of the flames, resembling flowing lava.
The flames and the blade merged perfectly, without any loss; instead, they became more concentrated and intense.
"It's truly a fine knife!"
A sharp light flashed in Jin's eyes.
He could feel that the knife greatly enhanced his ability to conduct and amplify the flames.
"It doesn't have a name yet."
Jin stroked the cold blade, feeling the ferocity and ancient aura it contained.
"name?"
Kaido scratched his head. "How the hell would I know the name of this sword? You figure it out yourself!"
After a moment of contemplation, a crimson light flashed in Jin's eyes: "Since I am named 'Jin,' and this is my weapon, let me call it 'Yan'!"
"Yan? Does that mean flame?" Kaido laughed. "It suits your name perfectly. From now on, you'll use this 'Yan' to turn all those who dare to underestimate our Beasts Pirates to ashes!"
Jin nodded slightly, gently stroking the blade, silently thinking, "Yan, though you are currently unknown, rest assured, I will use my domineering power to forge you into the strongest 'Black Blade'!"