"Another surprise?"
"Is this the choice the system said would shape my future?"
Hearing the prompt in his mind, Gawain snapped back to focus, his face lighting up with excitement.
Three advanced abilities were laid out before him. The best choice would be to take all of them, but reality didn't allow that.
For a moment, he hesitated.
This decision would affect his future combat strength, possibly marking his first major transformation in this world. He had to choose carefully.
The three abilities were clear from their names alone.
"Iron Cutting enhances the power of sword strikes. Zoro demonstrated this in Alabasta against Mr. 1—Daz Bonez. A top-tier swordsman can slice through steel like it's nothing."
"Flying Slash points to ranged attacks. It's a mainstream late-game technique for swordsmen in the One Piece world. Used well, it could let me cleave mountains or islands like Hawkeye."
Gawain then turned his attention to the final option—Godspeed.
"Godspeed boosts my attack speed. In battle, being even a fraction faster can decide victory or death."
After a moment's thought, he settled on Godspeed.
"My current opponents don't use Armament Haki, and the East Blue doesn't have those Devil Fruits that drastically boost physical strength."
"Iron Cutting is useful in high-intensity fights, but it's not as helpful to me right now."
"Flying Slash is the same—it's a late-game skill. No matter how strong a ranged slash is, it's still just a blade. If I need range, cannons or learning something like Isshin's swordplay would do."
"Why master swordsmanship if you're not using a sword?"
"Godspeed is the biggest boost for me right now!"
With that, Gawain chose Godspeed, and the system panel vanished.
His body instantly heated up, his skin turning red as scorching steam rose.
His fingers grew longer and stronger, his muscles reshaped, his entire frame undergoing a transformation toward greater perfection, precision, and power.
A few breaths later, his body temperature returned to normal. As he exhaled a puff of white vapor and opened his eyes, the world before him made his breath catch.
"This…"
Everything appeared to slow down.
Falling leaves, crashing waves, swaying branches—all moved as if in slow motion, like a video on half speed.
He could even track a mosquito flying past, its vibrating wings and flight path crystal clear.
"The world hasn't slowed—it's my perception that's sharpened!"
Gawain instinctively swung his sword.
Swish!
The blade traced a silver arc. Drawing, striking, and sheathing happened almost instantaneously.
By the time he reacted, the mosquito was sliced in half, its body spiraling to the ground, its transparent wings split and scattered by the wind.
Gawain stared at his sword, his pupils contracting.
"Did I do that?"
"So fast!"
"Too fast—I didn't even register it was over!"
Comparing himself to his past fight with Axe-Hand Morgan, Gawain's lips curled slightly.
"Now, I could take his head in one swing!"
Godspeed's boost was nearly comprehensive.
From neural reflexes to perception to instinctive sword strikes, everything served to maximize his speed.
From drawing to slicing the mosquito to sheathing, the entire sequence took less than 0.2 seconds—beyond the theoretical human limit in his past life.
Yet he could feel this wasn't his body's limit. With practice, he could do better.
He could be faster!
With Godspeed, his sword speed was absurdly exaggerated.
As long as he could break through an opponent's defense, a split-second edge could decide life or death.
Gawain tossed a stone into the air, his blade dancing.
When the stone hit the ground, it shattered into dozens of pieces, each cut smooth as glass.
"Thirteen strikes before it landed—that's as fast as a light rifle. It's enough for East Blue fights!"
Gawain's spirits soared.
The anxiety of transmigration eased with his newfound strength.
He grew even more excited about the system's future potential.
"If every five levels grants a new ability, then at swordsmanship level 10, I'll get another."
"No, wait!"
"My physique is nearing level 5. If the crew keeps training at this pace, I'll hit the threshold in half a month."
"What will physique's branch abilities be?"
Gawain's mind raced with possibilities, though they were just guesses.
As long as he could seize a ship from Morgan, a few weeks of training would push his physique experience over the edge.
Suppressing his stray thoughts, Gawain focused on mastering his newfound speed.
He practiced the sword techniques in his mind, move by move, even imagining Morgan as his opponent.
Time passed, and soon it was the dead of night. Sweating from familiarizing himself with his body, Gawain stripped off his shirt, revealing chiseled muscles. Combined with his over-two-meter height and ideal proportions, he looked like a Greek statue, brimming with aesthetic power.
This body was that of Gawain, a Round Table Knight and archetype of the "prince charming," with looks that could charm anyone—no wonder the Goa Kingdom's queen couldn't resist.
Mimicking a certain anime character's flair, Gawain slicked back his bangs, revealing sharp, refined features. The gentlemanly air gave way to a more aggressive edge.
After tidying up, he headed toward a cave.
The pirate ship was too damaged to repair.
Gawain had his crew dismantle its cannons, moving them and the supplies to this hidden cave, moisture-proofing the ammunition to create a temporary base.
Soon, the cave came into view.
Most of the pirates were asleep, their snores echoing. Even the night watchmen leaned back-to-back by the fire, dozing lightly.
Gawain scanned the area, his brow furrowing.
Aside from those guarding the ship, everyone under his command was here.
Except Jamila.
A wounded man should've stayed for the ship's doctor to treat.
"Guarding the ship?"
"No way. With enough hands, why send an injured man?"
…
At the same time, at the estuary.
A pirate ship with a broken mast lay quietly moored.
Scorch marks and a nearly shattered keel marked it as unfit for further voyages.
Jamila leapt lightly from the deck, glancing around to ensure no one was near. He slowly removed the seagull pendant from his chest.
Opening it, he revealed a tiny Den Den Mushi hidden inside.
"This is Private Third Class Jamila, reporting the position of Knight Gawain, relative to the 16th Branch…"
---
If you want to read more than 20 chapters early feel free to visit pa tre on . com /Archus