After nearly a month of elimination rounds, the final 45 swordsmen with the highest scores were finally selected. Once the Top 64 roster was finalized, information cards featuring each swordsman's details, photo, and assigned number were displayed on screens and broadcast worldwide.
Many betting houses immediately opened, with bets pouring in on the final ranking of these 64 contestants. Without question, the overwhelming favorite to win was Li Yuan, followed closely by Roger.
"The Top 64 list has been released! The tournament will pause for three days to allow these 64 contestants a chance to rest. Three days from now, they'll resume duels to determine the true World's Greatest Swordsman!"
The host's passionate announcement echoed across the world, signaling a brief intermission in the fierce tournament. After nearly a month of intense matches, the swordsmen were exhausted and needed some time to recuperate, giving them a chance to gather strength for the upcoming climax.
"Did Kano and Karu both get eliminated?"
"Well, that makes sense. Without their Devil Fruit abilities, their swordsmanship is only at the level of an ordinary swordsman."
Looking at the Top 64 list, Li Yuan realized that only he and Asura Doji from the Infinite Pirate Crew had made it through. All the others were eliminated. Even Asura Doji's inclusion in the Top 64 was a close call, as a significant part of his power came from his Devil Fruit abilities.
"I hope this experience pushes Asura Doji to achieve the rank of Grandmaster Swordsman," Li Yuan mused. Asura Doji had reached the peak of swordsmanship years ago but still hadn't crossed the threshold to become a Grandmaster.
The Grandmaster level was a formidable barrier; out of a hundred skilled swordsmen, perhaps only one or two might ever reach it. Those unable to break through to the Grandmaster level would always be limited in power. But those who achieved it would experience a surge in strength, the true allure of becoming a Grandmaster Swordsman.
Elsewhere, near a coastline outside Wano, time itself rippled, and from the void emerged a beautiful woman clad in a pink kimono and shorts, with a sword at her waist and flowing green hair.
"So, this is Wano, eight hundred years into the future? The borders are still closed," Toki said softly, a hint of sadness flickering in her eyes as she gazed upon the towering walls and cascading waterfalls in the distance.
"Grumble, grumble…"
"Since I'm here, I'd better find something to eat," Toki murmured. She'd exhausted her strength using her Devil Fruit power to escape danger by crossing through time, and she hadn't eaten in a long while.
Noticing a path ahead, Toki followed it to a bustling marketplace in a nearby town. She immediately perked up at the sight of the lively stalls and all the street food vendors. Eagerly, she hurried over.
"Sir, I'd like this one!" Toki's eyes sparkled as she pointed to a small rabbit-shaped pastry.
"No problem, miss. That'll be fifty Berries per pastry," the vendor said, packing up the pastry but holding onto it until she paid.
"I… I'm sorry, sir. My money was stolen by bandits earlier. Could you…"
Upon hearing the vendor's price, Toki instinctively reached for her pockets but quickly realized she didn't have any money left. Looking at the vendor with wide, hopeful eyes, she tried to plead for a free meal.
"No money, no pastry, young lady! I don't care how pretty you are—nothing here is free! Now, off you go and come back when you can pay," the female vendor said briskly, packing away the pastry and motioning for Toki to move along.
Unfortunately for Toki, she had misjudged her approach. Had the vendor been a man, her charm might have worked. But luck wasn't on her side.
"Are you very hungry? Here, you can have this to eat."
As Toki walked away, pondering ways to earn some money, she heard a gentle voice. Turning around, she saw a striking man with a powerful yet gentle presence, wearing a red cloak and holding out a small deer-shaped pastry toward her.
"You… you're talking to me?" Toki stammered, taken aback by his captivating presence.
"Yes, I am. I noticed you couldn't afford the pastry, and your stomach was rumbling. I bought a bit more than I needed, so here—have one," Li Yuan said, offering her the pastry.
"Thank you so much!" Blushing, Toki took the pastry from him and lowered her head, focusing intently on eating and too shy to meet his gaze.
Li Yuan observed the woman curiously. When he returned to Wano via the Mirror World, he had sensed a disturbance in the void and had come to investigate, leading him to this encounter.
"So… this is Toki," he realized, immediately recognizing her as the woman who had come from eight hundred years in the past through the power of the Time-Time Fruit—a woman who could traverse time to reach the future.
"Pastries alone won't fill you up. Let's go. I'll take you to get a proper meal," he offered, gently taking her hand and leading her toward a nearby inn.
"Ah…!" Startled by his gesture, Toki instinctively wanted to pull her hand away. But something about his warm and calm demeanor made her hesitate, and she ultimately allowed him to lead her.
"Order whatever you'd like," Li Yuan said with a smile once they arrived at the inn, handing her the menu.
"I'll… I'll just have this," Toki stammered, still a bit flustered from earlier, choosing a simple bowl of noodles and focusing on her food without looking up.
"By your attire, you must be from Wano, right?" Li Yuan asked, intrigued.
"Yes, that's right. My name is Toki. I'm from Wano," she answered quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm the current Shogun of Wano," Li Yuan said, smiling. "My name is André Li Yuan. But I've never heard of a family name like 'Amatsuki' in Wano. I've only heard of the Kozuki clan."
Toki's eyes widened in surprise. "You… you're the Shogun of Wano? But how can that be? The Shogun's position belongs to the Kozuki family!"
"I am indeed Wano's Shogun. As for why it's me and not the Kozuki clan, you'll understand when you get there. Ask the people; they'll be happy to tell you everything." Li Yuan reached out to wipe away a stray noodle from the corner of her mouth.
Toki's cheeks flushed as she mumbled, "I'm so sorry… I didn't mean to be rude."
"Don't worry about it," Li Yuan reassured her with a laugh. "You must have been away from Wano for a long time if you're unaware of the recent events there. Let me take you back; it'll be faster that way."
"A-are we taking a ship?" she asked nervously, glancing at his hand that still held hers.
"No, no need for a ship—it's too slow. We'll fly back," Li Yuan said, tilting her chin up with a smirk.
"Fly…?" Toki blinked, confused.
"Yes, we'll fly. Hold on tight," he said, then wrapped an arm around her waist and leaped skyward.
"Ah!" Toki gasped, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck as they soared upward. As the initial shock wore off, she dared to open her eyes and was amazed by the breathtaking view.
"This is… really flying?" she marveled, gazing at the land and sea below as they approached Wano's borders.
"Toki, make sure you hold on tight!" Li Yuan chuckled as he noticed her reaching out toward the passing clouds.
Snapping back to reality, Toki realized she was still clinging to Li Yuan's neck and quickly buried her face in his chest, feeling completely embarrassed.
"Don't be so shy. It's just a simple carry," Li Yuan teased, amused by her flustered reaction.
But his words only made Toki burrow even deeper into his embrace, hiding her face in utter mortification. Little did he realize that women in the Wano of her time were extremely reserved, making even a gesture like this overwhelming for her.
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