Chapter 25: A Terrifying Talent for Swordsmanship

After all, the official website only provided a brief overview of the Navy faction, stating that it was the largest group in the game and also the most legitimate. Even a fool could tell which side to choose. Moreover, people had already discovered that every beginner’s island had a Navy base recruiting new soldiers over the long term, and players could join them. Though initially assigned menial tasks, the training was standardized; besides drills, there was cleaning to do. At least this way, one wouldn’t starve and could grow stronger. For players just entering the game, it was the best choice.

Tang Shen had to admit that for ordinary players, this was indeed the wisest option. This holographic game was nothing like traditional online games; it was practically a real world. Since it was a genuine world, and the players entered it as weaklings, survival was the first concern.

Of course, elite players like him didn’t need to worry about such things.

After flipping through the forums for a while, most posts revolved around those topics or were calls to form teams and struggle together, trying every trick to hunt monsters. Tang Shen regarded these players, still fixated on monster hunting, with a sympathetic gaze. When they finally managed to kill their first beast, after countless companions had died, the real despair would only begin.

The experience gained was meager; it took ten level-one beasts to level up. Then there was the issue of food, stamina dropping too quickly, hunger setting in—one had to eat. Had they ever faced true despair? They would understand once they finished off a single beast.

Tang Shen shut down his computer, rubbed his temples, ate a quick nutritional meal, and burrowed under the covers, falling asleep the moment his head touched the pillow.

That day, after an afternoon of monster hunting in the game, his mind was exhausted.

He slept soundly and deeply that night.

...

The next morning, after preparing a simple breakfast, he logged back into the game.

This time, Tang Shen watched the entire promotional video, expecting to encounter the Pirate Empress. He was mentally preparing to flee at lightning speed, perhaps even toss out some bold threats for fun. But he found himself already logged into the game.

Tang Shen was bewildered. Had he logged in the wrong way? Did he need to restart and enter again?

He really did log out and back in, changing his approach this time.

But it made no difference; he was still dropped straight into the game. Tang Shen felt a pang of loss—as if the thrill of teasing the Pirate Empress and courting disaster was gone, along with the excitement of acting recklessly. He wished he had made his threats even more outrageous.

If Boa Hancock knew what Tang Shen was thinking, she would have tracked him into the game and kicked him senseless.

But the opportunity was lost; life offered no restart, no "again."

Much later, Tang Shen would learn that the temporary greeter in the game had already been replaced. After Boa Hancock kicked several players into oblivion, she vanished without a trace.

Feeling a sense of emptiness, Tang Shen heard the sounds of training from the Isshin Dojo and his spirits lifted instantly.

His expression shifted at once, calm and composed—a face change in a second. Anyone witnessing it would think their eyes were playing tricks.

He saw the dojo master, Koshiro, dressed in a gray kendo uniform with round glasses, gently explaining basic sword techniques to his students. It seemed Koshiro noticed Tang Shen’s arrival, but only glanced over and said nothing.

Scanning the room, Tang Shen saw Kuina was absent, but Zoro was diligently learning among the group. Tang Shen was about to turn and leave.

[Ding~ Great Swordsman Koshiro is instructing basic sword techniques. You are recognized as a student. Do you wish to learn?]

The system prompt stopped him in his tracks, his eyes widened—was this a stroke of luck?

Only a fool would pass up such an opportunity!

Tang Shen chose "yes" without hesitation. He only knew Iaido, so mastering basic sword techniques was essential. He valued the fundamentals highly.

Originally, he had planned to level up a bit before learning, but with this chance presented to him, he would not miss it. One of his guiding principles: never pass up a good thing.

It was a key reason he had survived and thrived before.

What surprised him, though, was that Koshiro was a great swordsman. It seemed unbelievable—a master of such caliber hiding in the weakest sea, on an obscure island, running a dojo and teaching kids to wield swords.

It was almost too much to believe; this was peak combat power in the pirate world.

Tang Shen took out his beginner’s wooden sword and followed Koshiro’s movements, while a steady stream of notifications sounded in his ear:

[Ding~ Basic Sword Technique experience +1]
[Ding~ Basic Sword Technique experience +1]
[Ding~ Basic Sword Technique experience +1]

Tang Shen was delighted. A great swordsman indeed—his group instruction was remarkably effective.

He studied even more earnestly, deepening his understanding of basic sword techniques. After all, he already possessed an intermediate skill, Iaido Slash.

Though it was merely a move, the knowledge instilled in his mind was authentic and included valuable experience.

Thus, Tang Shen found learning effortless; his execution of basic sword techniques was precise, quite unlike a beginner.

If someone with no kendo background tried to learn, unless their talent was exceptional, their movements would be awkward.

Moreover, as he continued, Tang Shen noticed that some moves Koshiro demonstrated felt smooth for him, but awkward when Tang Shen performed them. He instinctively adjusted his actions, aligning them with his own mental intuition, and immediately felt more comfortable—his movements became increasingly fluid.

This was the effect of Tang Shen’s innate swordsmanship talent, augmented by a +20 bonus.

If his hidden sword talent was originally 1, then +20 meant it increased twentyfold—a terrifying boost.

Basic sword techniques are standardized, refined over millennia, distilled to their essence—perfect for laying the foundation for young swordsmen and revealing their talent.

From mimicking moves at first to gradually making subtle adjustments—this is the process of a swordsman’s growth. Every body is different; every swordsman’s execution of basic techniques is unique.

Just as a thousand readers of Hamlet yield a thousand interpretations.

Koshiro, secretly observing Tang Shen, saw a flicker of brilliance in his eyes. No movement escaped his attention. From the moment Tang Shen produced his beginner’s sword and started practicing, from initial awkwardness to sudden fluency, he quickly entered a second phase—making subtle modifications to suit himself.

Koshiro was utterly astonished!