One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

It had been a full night since an unknown, hapless pirate crew was single-handedly dismantled by a terrifying young foe.

The night had been torturous for the remaining pirates. Without their captain, both their bodies and spirits were battered, leaving them yearning for the comforts of home.

What were they to do when the enemy, after incapacitating the entire crew, decided to stick around rather than finish them off?

As the morning sun rose over the sea, its light shimmered across the water, and the cool breeze stirred the groaning pirates awake, forcing them to face reality once more.

"That kid is terrifying! Is that the power of a Devil Fruit user? Absolutely horrifying..."

"Yeah, yeah! That slash of his—it was like being cut twice in one strike! And that flame..."

"I swear, that fire felt like it burned my very soul... I'd rather just take a blade to the gut!"

"Shh! Do you have a death wish?! He didn't even blink while cutting through so many people! The captain was sliced clean in half with just one strike. And you dare gossip?"

"..."

The sun grew brighter as clouds thinned, hinting at yet another beautiful day.

On the deck, injured pirates lay sprawled out, groaning in pain as they soaked up the sun. Their bandages were haphazard, and some had none at all, given the lack of medical supplies aboard their subpar ship. Only the mysterious holy flame that had cauterized their wounds had kept them from bleeding out entirely.

Occasionally, hushed whispers would break the silence, only to be swiftly silenced. After all, in the vast and ruthless world of the Grand Line, strength ruled supreme, and many who dared speak ill of the strong found themselves dead soon after.

For now, sunbathing was their best bet. At least it eased the pain in their wounds. The ship's doctor had claimed sunlight was good for recovery, after all.

"Haah… achoo!"

A loud yawn and sneeze broke the monotony as a figure emerged from the cabin. It was Wright, the boy who had dismantled their crew. His expression twisted in mild disgust as his golden eyes scanned the scene before him: a group of shirtless, sunbathing pirates sprawled out like beachgoers.

This low-tier pirate crew was the epitome of mediocrity. Their supplies were pitiful, and their medical provisions even worse. Most didn't even have proper bandages. Their lives had been spared only because of the cauterizing effect of Wright's Holy Flame, though the searing pain it caused was clearly unforgettable.

Hearing the pirates' groans of agony, Wright smirked. He hadn't realized just how much the Holy Flame could torment someone until now. But considering the energy's spiritual connection, it made sense.

"Stop whining. Come closer."

"..."

The pirates exchanged wary glances, reluctant to approach the "Little Demon." Some even assumed defensive stances, prepared to flee at the first sign of danger.

Wright's lips twitched in annoyance, but he shrugged it off, raising both hands. A radiant golden light surged from his palms, spilling across the deck.

"Light of Dawn."

The golden light rippled outward like waves. The nearest pirates, haunted by memories of their captain's demise, flinched in terror, expecting the worst. Yet, as the light washed over them, they suddenly felt relief. Their wounds began to heal, and strength returned to their weary bodies.

"Huh… feels like a misnomer. I can't even get it to 'blind' like a proper flashlight…" Wright muttered to himself, shaking his hands. "Oh well, it works. Details don't matter."

The pirates couldn't understand his self-directed grumblings, but their shock was evident. The healing light—so broad and immediate—was unheard of in a world where life on the sea was fraught with danger and resources were scarce.

Excitement erupted among the crew as they inspected their wounds and reveled in their renewed vigor.

"Amazing! Such power—he's unstoppable in a fight and can heal too!"

"Not even the legends speak of such abilities…"

Wright raised a hand, silencing their clamor.

"That's enough!" His stern voice cut through the excitement. "For the record, I had planned to keep my powers secret. But now that you all know... If I hear even a whisper about my abilities floating around the East Blue, you know what'll happen, right?"

The pirates broke into cold sweats, stumbling over each other to swear secrecy.

"Yes, sir! Understood!"

"Not a word, we promise!"

"Please let us follow you, Boss!"

"Awooo—"

A strange howl emerged from the crowd, but Wright ignored it.

Shaking his head, he grabbed his long blade and walked toward the stern. "Follow me? Forget it. I'm no pirate."

"How much longer until we reach Shimotsuki Village?"

Hearing Wright ask about their destination, the pirates quickly quieted down. The ship's navigator stepped forward.

"Sir, the weather should stay favorable for the next few days. With steady winds, we should arrive at Shimotsuki Village in two days."

"Good." Wright nodded, satisfied.

As the pirates scattered to give him space, Wright began practicing swordsmanship. The blade, nearly five feet long, moved as if weightless in his hands. His strikes were fluid and precise, honed by six relentless years of training.

Slash. Thrust. Parry. Leap.

Though his body had been enhanced by the Holy Light over time, Wright knew his strength stemmed from relentless effort. The energy's regenerative properties allowed him to push his training to the extreme without fear of injury, creating the formidable swordsman he was today.

For Wright, the choice between martial arts and swordsmanship was clear. Swords were undeniably cooler.

"Sir is so strong yet trains so hard…"

"No wonder he's so powerful at such a young age!"

Two days passed in a blur.

"Sir! We're approaching Shimotsuki Village!"

Wright, now dressed in training clothes with his signature gentleman's hat and coat tucked away, slung his bag over his shoulder and prepared to disembark.

Turning to the pirates, he left them with a final warning: "If I ever catch any of you as pirates again, I'll take you down without hesitation."

"Yes, sir!"

"Understood!"

"And no spreading any word about me. You've been warned."

"Yes, sir! We swear!"

With that, Wright strode onto the shore, long blade resting against his shoulder as the pirates watched him leave, their gazes filled with a strange mix of fear, awe, and even reluctant admiration.

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