One Piece: Ascending the Divine Path

After playing the role of a caring older brother for a while, Knight quickly finished his workout, returned to his dorm, took a shower, and then lay down on his bed to sleep.

Finally, I can get some rest.

Fun fact: When consciousness enters the dream world, the body is essentially asleep, so both mental and physical energy can be restored.

The awarding ceremony, originally scheduled for tomorrow, had been postponed due to the unexpected search mission. However, since the incident ended so quickly, the awarding ceremony will proceed as scheduled tomorrow morning.

I still have to get up early. I should take some time to rest.

In the next instant, Knight had already entered the dream world.

He appeared in the sky above a town.

The city wasn't very large; it was roughly the size of a small county town in my previous life.

The architectural style is not much different from the mainstream style on the sea. The difference is that this town has no residential areas, only various entertainment facilities.

Taverns, restaurants, casinos, amusement parks, red-light districts, gladiatorial arenas...

Since entering the dream world is itself a form of rest, people who come to this world only need to enjoy themselves to the fullest.

This is the City of Dreams.

Knight divided the current dream world into three layers.

The first layer is the planet where Dream City is located. Ordinary people who enter the dream world will live here, but at this time, apart from Dream City, the rest of the world is still a wilderness.

The second floor was where officials with higher authority, such as Bagingom, lived.

Each one is an independent little world, isolated from one another. Each cadre's little world is a manifestation of what they truly desire deep in their hearts. The little world is connected to the City of Dreams, and the cadres can travel freely to and from it, and can also bring ordinary people from the City of Dreams into it.

The third level is the true dream world, where Knight usually moves around. It has no fixed shape or scope, and moves according to Knight's will; it is his playground.

Knight sensed it.

There are currently 87 fugitives in Dream City, most of whom have already entered. If it weren't for the fact that we are still sailing in the deep sea and need enough manpower to control the ship, the number would probably be even greater.

Nine people were drinking in the tavern.

Four people in the restaurant ate and drank excessively, taking advantage of the fact that they would never get full.

Seventeen people were gambling away at the casino.

Twenty-six people were indulging in revelry in the red-light district, some even disregarding gender, which Knight found offensive.

The rest of the people cheered and shouted in the arena.

Knight appeared instantly in an empty seat in the arena. No one noticed his arrival, or rather, no one was entitled to know he was there.

The arena, modeled after the Grand Colosseum in Dressrosa, was now bustling with activity, almost every seat filled, with countless spectators shouting excitedly.

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Of course, these audience members are all NPCs in the atmosphere-building team; for details, please refer to President Kaiba.

There weren't many actual spectators, but their behavior was no different from that of the NPC audience members; they were just as enthusiastic.

After all, the people fighting on the field are real people.

"Hahaha! Salt, is all you can do is hide?"

The giant bear Anthony laughed loudly, and with each slam of his massive, imposing paws, the ground trembled.

"Keep up with me first!"

Solt moved like a phantom, flitting back and forth beside the giant bear, leaving wounds on Anthony's body.

"Then try this! A massive earthquake!!"

The giant bear raised its paws high and slammed them heavily to the ground.

The arena collapsed instantly, sending stones of all sizes flying everywhere, killing a group of spectators on the spot.

But Solt stepped over the stones and approached like the wind, plunging his sword fiercely into Anthony's chest.

"Wow!"

Anthony let out a scream.

Although the pain sensation is greatly reduced in the arena, it still hurts.

then.

Anthony's bear-like face revealed a sly look. "You fell for it, didn't you! You idiot!"

Solt's expression changed slightly. He couldn't draw his sword. This guy's muscles were so hard. Was this the strength of a bear?

The enormous bear paw was already slamming down on him.

"Ohhh!!"

Cheers immediately resounded through the sky.

Knight seemed thoughtful.

Satisfying physical desires alone is not enough; even he himself often feels bored.

Our spiritual and cultural development must also keep pace.

Slaughter, hunting, and even war—all of these can be arranged.

There's also music, drama, literature, and film—although one could act as a plagiarist and copy works from the previous life, it would be better to wait until there are more people in this world and let those who enter this world become the creators, wouldn't it?

Just as he was pondering this, a figure appeared out of thin air in the aisle next to Knight.

"Lord Knight."

Luna bowed slightly to Knight.

As the second-highest authority in the dream world, she was naturally aware of Knight's arrival.

"How's it going? Have you arrived in the new world yet?"

Knight asked casually.

"Not yet, we just passed Fishman Island."

Luna answered.

From the very beginning, there was no intention to land on Fishman Island. Jinbe is, after all, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. If a reckless landing were to cause a conflict, Knight didn't think it was a good idea to fight a group of fishmen 10,000 meters below the surface at this stage.

"Don't rush into action after arriving in the New World; Kizaru is still there."

Knight said, "Let's hide for a while and make our move after Kizaru switches back to Marin."

Luna is not strong enough.

Its defense is indeed top-notch, but its offensive power is far too weak.

It is very difficult to achieve a leap in strength in a short period of time by simply training the body and honing one's domineering aura.

Therefore, a Devil Fruit is needed.

Nika and the Black Dragon Fruit already have their owners, and the Dark-Dark Fruit is still nowhere to be found.

That one powerful Devil Fruit is the easiest to obtain.

Right there, in Punk Hazard.

"Yes."

Luna nodded respectfully.

After watching the gladiatorial combat for a while, Knight stretched and yawned, somewhat losing interest.

"Come on, Luna, play a game with me for a while."

"Yes."

It's only fun when it's PVP, let's start a game.

The next morning.

As usual, after morning exercise and breakfast, the conferment ceremony officially began.

All the new recruits assembled on the parade ground; from today onwards, they officially graduated.

First is the flag-raising ceremony.

As the flag bearers dispatched from headquarters slowly raised the naval ensign, Zeli, standing at the foot of the flagpole, led the new recruits in singing a military song.

"The ocean is watching the beginning of this world."

"The ocean is watching, at the end of this world..."

Perhaps knowing this was probably the last time they would sing a military song together, many of the new recruits were shouting at the top of their lungs, even though it wasn't exactly a stirring song.

Standing next to Knight, Binz, who was still using a cane, even had slightly red eyes.

Even Knight felt a strange sense of emotion.

I've spent almost the entire year here since I transmigrated here.

After today, it will be time to say goodbye.

After the flag-raising ceremony, Zephyr began reading the military order from headquarters, which was the conferment order from Marshal Sengoku.

Next, the official conferment of ranks began.

"Locke!"

Zefa called out the first name.

"arrive!"

Locke, the recruit who led Binz away from the battlefield yesterday, responded loudly.

Zephyr announced, "Recruit Locke, having performed exceptionally well and demonstrated excellent conduct during his year of training, is hereby awarded the rank of Sergeant! Please come forward!"

"yes!"

Locke strode onto the stage.

A brigadier general sent by headquarters to witness the event solemnly picked up a tray placed to the side and handed it to Zefa.

Zefa took the epaulets from the tray and put them on Locke, then the military cap, the neckerchief, and finally a new standard-issue musket.

Zephyr personally helped Locke tidy his appearance, then gave him a military salute. "I hope you won't forget your original aspirations and will fight for justice!"

"yes!"

Locke roared and returned the salute.

One recruit after another came on stage, and one recruit after another came off stage.

Most of them are sergeants, a small number of those who perform better are sergeants, and those who lag behind are corporals.

Until Ian.

"Recruit Ain, for his outstanding performance during training and his excellent teamwork, is hereby awarded the rank of Second Lieutenant!"

"yes!"

With a slightly excited expression, Ain quickly walked onto the stage.

Once you reach the rank of second lieutenant, you can wear the coat of justice.

So Zephyr personally draped the coat over Ain's shoulders.

Binz, standing next to Knight, couldn't help but mutter to himself, "He's just a lieutenant? It's one thing if he can't beat Knight, but surely I can't even beat Ain?"

Knight also pondered, if Ain was a lieutenant, then what about himself?

After Ain came Binz, and as it turned out, his worries were unfounded; he was also a second lieutenant.

When Binz rejoined the ranks, draped in the coat of justice, he turned his head slightly and gestured with his chin toward Knight with a smug look.

Knight wasn't surprised.

Although Binz is indeed weaker than Ian and performs worse in training, the gap is not large, and after all, this guy did make a contribution yesterday.

Several more people went on and off the stage, until only one person remained.

Zefa on the stage licked his lips slightly and looked at his beloved disciple standing in the first row of the queue.

"Recruit Knight! Your outstanding performance and exemplary conduct during training, setting a positive example, and your crucial role in the pirate attack during your graduation assessment and return voyage, are hereby conferred the rank of Major!"

"hiss!"

Binz, who had been so smug just moments before, couldn't help but gasp in shock.

Is he going straight to major?

This level would be enough to make someone the commander of a base in the Four Seas! In fact, even the commander of a base in the Four Seas isn't as high-ranking as Knight.

However, if it's Knight, then it seems understandable.

Ain couldn't help but turn her head slightly to glance at Knight's back out of the corner of her eye.

Although I had expected it, it was still really frustrating to realize how big the gap was. Knight, how can I ever catch up with you?

Most of the recruits were surprised, but no one thought anything was wrong.

Because it's Knight.

Amidst the new recruits' admiring glances, Knight strode onto the stage.

As usual, Zefa put on his epaulets and military cap, and then draped him in the coat of justice.

"I was originally going to award you the rank of captain, but I tried to get it for you."

Zefa said quietly, his face expressionless, "Although they got away yesterday, you still did a great job."

Knight lowered his voice as well, "I'm only a major, I don't feel any recognition from above."

Zefa's lips twitched slightly.

This kid...

He saluted Knight. "I hope you stay true to your principles and fight for justice!"

"Major Knight!"

"yes!"

Knight returned the gift.

Major?

It's barely passable.