Chapter 27: The Path to Perfection

The waves crashed against the jagged cliffs of the uninhabited island as I stepped onto its rocky shore. The wind howled through the trees, rustling the dense foliage of the forest beyond. There were no signs of life—no villages, no structures, no paths. Just untamed wilderness. It was perfect.

Here, I could train without distractions. No prying eyes, no rumors spreading about my existence, no Marine spies trying to uncover my identity. Just me, my sword, and the endless pursuit of perfection.

I had spent years refining my abilities, pushing my limits with every battle. But after my duel with Mihawk, I realized something—I was still incomplete. My skill had reached a level that allowed me to fight him to a standstill, but in a true battle to the death, he would have won. That gap, however small, needed to be erased. I could not allow myself to be anything less than absolute.

I needed to master Supreme Swordsmanship.

I needed to awaken my Black Blade.

And so, my training began.

A Year of Unyielding TrainingUnderstanding the Blade

Each day, I dedicated myself to refining my swordsmanship. My strikes became sharper, my movements more fluid. I dissected every lesson the Copy System had given me, analyzing Mihawk's techniques, deconstructing his footwork, perfecting his stance.

But it wasn't enough to just copy Mihawk. I needed to make the techniques my own. I started experimenting, blending my samurai heritage with the efficiency and power of Mihawk's swordsmanship. Slowly, my own unique style began to emerge.

I practiced drawing and sheathing my blade faster than the eye could see, striking in an instant.I honed my ability to counter and deflect attacks with the smallest possible movement, conserving energy while maintaining absolute control.I refined my precision, ensuring that every swing, every thrust, every block was executed with the least amount of wasted motion.

With each passing month, I felt myself transcending the limitations of conventional swordsmanship.

And then, after a year of relentless practice, I felt it—Supreme Swordsmanship Mastery.

The Awakening of My Black Blade

But my swordsmanship wasn't the only thing I focused on. I needed to bring my Haki to the next level.

For years, I had wielded Advanced Armament Haki, but Mihawk had taken it even further. His sword, Yoru, had been permanently blackened—proof of his unparalleled mastery. If I wanted to match him, if I wanted to stand at the very pinnacle of swordsmanship, I needed to achieve the same.

Each day, I meditated, focusing my Haki into my blade. I pushed it further, testing its limits, refining my control. A Black Blade was not achieved simply by infusing a sword with Armament Haki—it required willpower so unshakable that the blade itself accepted it as a part of its existence.

The process was grueling. There were times when my Haki faltered, when my sword resisted the transformation. But I did not give up. I fought against nature itself, bending the very essence of my blade to my will.

And then, on the final night of the year, it happened.

I stood atop a cliff, the wind whipping around me, my sword raised high. I poured everything I had into it—every battle, every hardship, every victory, every loss. My Haki surged, wrapping around the blade like an unbreakable shroud. The sword trembled, then stilled.

It had accepted me.

A deep black hue spread across its edge, and in that moment, Oden became a Black Blade.

Updated System Panel Display

As the system screen flickered before me, I saw the full extent of my growth over the past year.

System Panel

Age: 14 – Physically developed beyond my years, my growth has been accelerated due to extreme training and natural resilience. My body resembles that of a warrior in his early 20s.

Physique: Oden's Successor – My body has grown immensely, mirroring my father's powerful frame. My muscles are compact yet dense, refined for peak strength, endurance, and agility. My height has increased further, now standing at nearly 8 feet (243 cm), exuding a presence worthy of a true samurai lord.

Current Skills:

✅ Supreme Swordsmanship Mastery – The pinnacle of all sword techniques. Every strike is absolute, every motion refined to perfection. My swordsmanship is now at the level of the strongest swordsmen in the world.

✅ Advanced Conqueror's Haki (High-Level Coating) – My willpower enhances my attacks, allowing my strikes to bypass physical defenses and clash with the strongest fighters.

✅ Advanced Armament Haki (Black Blade Achieved) – My blade, Oden, has been permanently blackened, enhancing its durability and cutting power beyond normal limits.

✅ Advanced Observation Haki (Near-Future Sight Capabilities) – Extreme awareness allows me to predict attacks before they happen, giving me an edge against even the fastest and most unpredictable opponents.

✅ Monstrous Durability and Recovery – Copied from Kaido, my body possesses extreme resilience, allowing me to withstand devastating attacks and recover from injuries at an accelerated rate.

✅ Supreme Grade Cursed Sword (Oden, Now a Black Blade) – A legendary weapon permanently blackened through mastery of Haki, capable of cutting through nearly anything and rivaling the greatest blades in history.

I stared at the panel, letting everything sink in. This was my new reality. I had honed my body, mind, and spirit to a level where few could challenge me.

But strength alone wasn't enough. Now, I needed battle.

The time had come to test my limits against the world's strongest warriors.