"Oh? I see now, it's really a good fit for Faraday!"
Hearing Niu Lishan's words, Li Yuan decided to channel his own stamina into the Thunderstrike. The sword immediately erupted with immense electrical power.
This was somewhat similar to the Great Blade Enma, but while Enma absorbed Haki and released it all at once, the First Generation Thunderstrike absorbed stamina and converted it into lightning power, which was then unleashed.
"Since it's called the First Generation Thunderstrike, does that mean there's also a Second and Third Generation Thunderstrike?"
Li Yuan asked, curious as he looked at Niu Lishan.
"Yes, General. The ore that Prince Faraday brought back was quite abundant. Apart from the materials used to forge the First Generation Thunderstrike, there's still a small piece left. Though it's not enough to forge another First Generation Thunderstrike, it's enough to create a Great Blade-level Second Generation Thunderstrike."
"The Second Generation Thunderstrike is actually my work before I created the First Generation Thunderstrike, and it's currently stored in the warehouse."
Niu Lishan answered honestly.
"Damn, I want that Second Generation Thunderstrike."
As soon as Wei Zhuang heard about the Second Generation Thunderstrike, he immediately thought of taking it for himself to prepare for his future subordinates.
"Second Brother, Big Brother already has that Second Generation Thunderstrike reserved."
However, before Wei Zhuang could finish, Faraday broke his fantasy.
"..."
Wei Zhuang, hearing this, was speechless. He hadn't expected the Second Generation Thunderstrike to already be claimed.
"Dad!!"
Seeing that the Thunderstrike had the perfect properties for him, Faraday couldn't resist wanting to take the First Generation Thunderstrike from Li Yuan.
"Here, take it. What's the rush? Do you think I'd steal your First Generation Thunderstrike?" Li Yuan said with a smile.
Faraday eagerly took the Thunderstrike from Li Yuan, overjoyed.
"Hahaha, the First Generation Thunderstrike! I finally have my own Supreme Great Blade!" Faraday exclaimed, excited as he caressed the sword as if it were a lover.
As Li Yuan's son, Faraday had been practicing swordsmanship for a long time. Although he wasn't yet a grand swordsman, the First Generation Thunderstrike, forged with his own blood, resonated with him, and as a result, it didn't reject him.
Furthermore, as a Natural-type Lightning Fruit user, the sword was a perfect match for his abilities, and obtaining the sword greatly boosted his power!
"Dad, Third Brother, I'm going out to test the sword's power!"
After receiving the First Generation Thunderstrike, Faraday eagerly flew out to see its effects.
"Niu Lishan, you've done an excellent job forging the Supreme Great Blade. Your treatment and status will be doubled from now on!"
Li Yuan was very pleased with Niu Lishan. He was an honest and loyal man with no ulterior motives, so Li Yuan naturally rewarded him generously.
"Thank you, Lord Li Yuan!"
Niu Lishan was extremely pleased to hear Li Yuan's words. Now, he was practically treated like nobility in Wano, and if his treatment and status doubled again, he'd be almost on par with the former daimyo of Wano.
"Xiao Zhuang, make sure to visit your mother more often. Don't go a year or more without visiting."
Li Yuan looked at Wei Zhuang and said. Ever since Wei Zhuang had gone out for training, this was the only time he had returned. He hadn't visited much otherwise. Even Gai Nie, that guy, came back every three to four months!
"I know, Dad!"
Hearing Li Yuan's words, Wei Zhuang realized something.
"Lord Wei Zhuang, do you need something from me?"
After Li Yuan left, Niu Lishan turned to Wei Zhuang and asked.
"Oh, right. Can you forge these two swords together? Use this Zanbato as the prototype."
"Also, this is the Great Blade, Ghost Poison. It has a very strong toxicity, so be careful not to get poisoned during the forging process."
When Niu Lishan inquired, Wei Zhuang remembered the real reason for his visit. He then brought out the two swords.
"Ghost Poison, huh? It's indeed very toxic!"
"Don't worry, Lord Wei Zhuang. This won't be a problem for me. Come back in ten days to pick up the new sword!"
After carefully examining the two swords, Niu Lishan spoke.
"Alright, I'll come back then!"
After getting Niu Lishan's response, Wei Zhuang left. He had just taken over the position of the King of Assassins and had a lot of things to deal with. He didn't have time to wait around for ten days, so he would come back when the sword was ready.
Amidst the global upheaval, another World Conference was held.
The World Government was planning to raise Heaven's Gold from the allied countries and use it to fund the rebuilding of Mary Geoise.
Under pressure from the World Government, the allied nations reluctantly agreed, but they also secured more rights for themselves.
For example, the World Government could no longer restrict the expansion of allied nations, and the Navy had to send more forces to deal with the pirates surrounding the allied nations.
With the conclusion of the World Conference, Li Yuan had expected everything to proceed in a stable manner, and he could continue his quiet development.
However, the sudden arrival of a war challenge disrupted his plans.
"Whitebeard is challenging me? That's not like him."
Li Yuan looked at the challenge letter that Yadina handed to him, confused.
"Whitebeard's newly adopted son, Alberto Gomes, was killed by the newly promoted officer, Mari, and Mari has already returned to the Infinite Sea."
"Whitebeard probably doesn't want a full-scale war with the Infinite Pirate Crew, so he's decided to challenge you instead."
Yadina explained.
"Do we know the full details of what happened?"
Li Yuan asked.
He felt that this situation was not so simple. If Mari knew the person was Whitebeard's son, she wouldn't have killed him.
"Mama Shakky is still investigating the specifics, but based on the current information, it's about 80% likely that the World Government is behind this."
Yadina replied.
"I see. The World Government tried to incite a conflict between the Infinite Pirate Crew and the Flying Sky Pirates, but now that it failed, they're trying to provoke a conflict between the Infinite Pirate Crew and Whitebeard's Pirates. The goal is to stall the Infinite Pirate Crew and escalate the competition between the pirate factions in the New World, preventing them from dealing with the weakening World Government."
"I'm sure not only the Infinite Pirate Crew and Whitebeard's Pirates were provoked, but also the Flying Sky Pirates and other pirate factions."
"But it's only after Whitebeard's son was killed that he reacted, which is why he's the first to step forward."
Li Yuan listened to Yadina and deduced the World Government's plan.
"Husband, should we...?"
"No need. If Whitebeard wants to fight, I'll fight him. I also want to see how strong Whitebeard is at his peak, and whether my Seven Star Sword can withstand his power!"
Before Yadina could finish, Li Yuan interrupted her. After defeating Roger and Garp, there were only two people left in the world who could truly challenge him: Whitebeard and Shiki the Golden Lion.
If Shiki dared to face Li Yuan head-on, Li Yuan was confident he could crush him, but Shiki had grown accustomed to a hit-and-run style of combat. Without using his Vampire Demon Fruit flight ability, Li Yuan would have trouble dealing with him.
Whitebeard's Gura Gura no Mi, said to have the power to destroy the world, was now in its peak state. Li Yuan was eager to fight him!
"The time is in five days, at Brand Island, between the territories of the Infinite Pirate Crew and Whitebeard's Pirates?"
"Reply to Whitebeard, telling him I accept the challenge. He should make sure to bring a doctor along, though, in case he gets too injured and dies!" Li Yuan said confidently.
-Support me on Ko-Fi for 35+ advance chapters there.
https://ko-fi.com/zxc1015
Thanks!