Marineford Military Academy, Swordsmanship Dojo.
The thirty First Class Military School Students stood straight, silent, watching Zefa Sensei and Sephiroth in front of them, quietly listening.
Zefa Sensei cleared his throat before speaking.
"This is our Marine's number one Great Swordsman, Lieutenant General Sephiroth. He's also a graduate of the Marine Academy, your senior. I'm sure many of you have heard of him.
This term's swordsmanship class will be taught by him!"
"In terms of swordsmanship, this old man considers himself not weak, but frankly, I can't compare to him.
It can be said that in swordsmanship, he has surpassed his teacher!
Therefore, he will be teaching you next!"
With Zefa Sensei's permission, Sephiroth immediately stepped forward and addressed the thirty Military School Students.
"Swordsmanship is a technique used to kill. No matter how flashy the sword technique, it all evolves from basic sword moves, so the foundation is the most important thing.
Therefore, to become a Sword Master, or even a Great Swordsman, requires years of persistent swordsmanship training to achieve.
However..."
"I've looked at your files, and not many of you specialize in swordsmanship.
Therefore, since you don't specialize in swordsmanship, and swordsmanship is just a combat auxiliary method for you, based on the principle of teaching according to aptitude that Zefa Sensei mentioned to me before, I think when you practice swordsmanship, you can use it in conjunction with a pistol.
As the saying goes, the gun is fast beyond seven steps, and within seven steps, the gun is both fast and accurate..."
"Wait! Why do I feel like your words sound familiar!"
Zefa Sensei quickly raised his hand to interrupt Sephiroth, his beard bristling and his eyes wide with anger.
"This is swordsmanship class! Swordsmanship class..."
"How can you, a Great Swordsman, make such a strange suggestion just like Onigumo did before!"
Hearing this, Sephiroth shook his head earnestly.
"Zefa Sensei, times have changed!
In the near future, pure swordsmen, unless they are top-tier powerhouses, will only be suppressed by various heavy firepower weapons, unable to lift their heads, so!
Since they are not pure swordsmen, they should be taught techniques that are more conducive to actual combat: a gun in the left hand, a sword in the right.
After emptying the magazine, if the enemy opposite is still standing, it's not too late to finish them off."
Zefa Sensei: "..."
After a moment of changing expressions, Zefa Sensei could only grit his teeth and say irritably,
"'Uh!...Alright!..."
"Since Zefa Sensei won't let me teach practical swordsmanship, let's talk about high-level swordsmanship theory!"
"In my opinion, there are three realms in swordsmanship training.
The first realm is having a sword in hand, but no sword in heart. It focuses on training moves and forms. Most people in this world who use swords never get past this realm.
The second realm is having a sword in hand and a sword in heart, the so-called unity of man and sword, training in sword energy. Very few people can reach this realm; they are usually Sword Masters, and the best among them are Great Swordsmen.
The third realm is having no sword in hand and no sword in heart, a state of ultimate emptiness and peace, and this is the highest realm of swordsmanship.
As for this third realm, I've only just touched its threshold, having no sword in hand, but a sword in heart.
I believe that after reaching this realm, swordsmanship and the way of the sword will return to their original simplicity. The sword is the sword, the man is the man. Every move and form conforms to the Way, without needing to deliberately adhere to techniques, allowing the power of every sword strike to be fully unleashed..."
As the thirty Military School Students listened to Sephiroth's endless swordsmanship theory, they all had expressions that seemed to say, 'Although I don't understand what he's talking about, it sounds amazing.'
Seeing this scene, Zefa Sensei couldn't help but cover his face with his hand, his expression contorted.
"Sephiroth, aren't you going to teach something practical?"
"Let alone them, even I can't quite understand what you're saying."
"Ah! When I was talking about practical application, you told me to talk about theory.
Now I'm teaching theory, and you say it's too profound and want me to teach something practical..." Sephiroth sighed, shaking his head slightly.
"Then you can't possibly say things that the students can't understand and expect them to comprehend, can you?" Zefa Sensei said angrily.
"Alright! I'll show you what the realm of having no sword in hand, but a sword in heart is."
As Sephiroth's words fell, his eyes suddenly glared at everyone, directly activating the kill intent illusion.
In an instant, overwhelming kill intent descended. Including Zefa Sensei, everyone present felt a chill on their necks, as if a pitch-black saber had pierced through their chests from behind.
Thump! Thump! Thump!...
One by one, all thirty Military School Students present rolled their eyes, lost consciousness, and fainted on the dojo floor.
Suddenly subjected to the intense impact of kill intent and illusion, Zefa Sensei's mind couldn't help but become momentarily bewildered and dazed.
But...
However, the combat instinct he had honed through years of battles instinctively activated the Armament Haki within his body, covering his entire body for defense.
Zefa Sensei, who was recovering, immediately glanced at the Military School Students who had all fainted on the ground. He frowned, his tone laced with displeasure.
"You brat... This isn't some 'realm of having no sword in hand, but a sword in heart.' This is clearly the intimidating effect of Conqueror's Haki!"
"The sword cuts the body, the heart cuts the soul!"
"Zefa Sensei, I just defeated them with the sword in my heart. Have you ever seen anyone whose Conqueror's Haki can make others hallucinate?"
"This..."
Hearing this, Zefa Sensei was momentarily speechless. He didn't have Conqueror's Haki and wasn't sure if Sephiroth was just spouting nonsense.
He had encountered many opponents who could stun enemies with Conqueror's, and he understood its effects and uses.
But...
Could Conqueror's Haki really create illusions, making enemies feel like they'd been killed?
"Zefa Sensei, this is a very profound swordsmanship realm. You are not a Great Swordsman who specializes in the way of the sword, so you wouldn't understand..."
Sephiroth wore a mischievous smile, his tone teasing.
The essence of Conqueror's Haki is a mutated form of mental energy. Most people who possess this power can only release it to intimidate enemies and clear out weaklings. However, those with extremely strong power also have stronger mental energy and can focus this energy to form powerful attacks, which is Haoshoku Haki.
After continuous exploration and research, Sephiroth created the kill intent illusion, a technique that uses his mental will to distort others' perception, allowing the opponent to experience the illusion of being killed.
This technique isn't very useful when facing strong enemies; it can only be used for showing off occasionally.
Whether it's strong is one thing, but whether it's cool is for a lifetime!
Therefore, Sephiroth is still very fond of this technique...