The entire lineup was silent. Even swallowing was done cautiously; no one dared to meet Zephyr’s eyes, including Foxy.
Just a glance of 0.01 seconds felt like a death sentence.
Even though Zephyr wasn’t emitting any aura, his presence made everyone tense and fearful.
This was the strength of a true powerhouse. Even without trying, they naturally exude an intimidating presence.
Foxy wasn’t scared, but he felt a lump in his throat.
“Run one lap around the track in ten minutes.”
Zephyr’s command was straightforward, his face stern.
The lineup remained silent; no one moved. Zephyr just stood there, watching, without giving the signal to start.
Hesitating momentarily, Foxy glanced at Zephyr’s stern face and then bolted off.
Ten minutes for a ten-kilometre lap? In the previous world, untrained people would need over an hour, and even top athletes would take half an hour.
Ten minutes? How?
Although Zephyr hadn’t said anything, it was clear that not completing the lap within the given time would result in extra training.
Zephyr was sly, not saying when to start, just waiting.
Foxy wasn’t stupid. His past military training had taught him this. He remembered the lessons well, so when Zephyr started watching them, Foxy sprinted off with all his might.
Foxy’s sudden move stunned everyone. They watched his back and then looked at Zephyr.
“What are you looking at? One minute has already passed.”
Zephyr casually reminded them, crossing his arms and watching.
“Zephyr-sensei, you didn’t say start.”
Gaspard turned green, realising this wasn’t the usual routine.
“You idiots.”
The second to react was Hina, who dashed off after Foxy.
“Gaspard, hurry up!”
Drake felt tricked and quickly ran off as well.
Soon, Gaspard and the others followed, grumbling and complaining.
“No using Devil Fruit abilities.”
Zephyr’s voice boomed like thunder, a warning to everyone.
Running at the front, Foxy glanced back, feeling smug.
These kids didn’t know what was coming. He had been through many such tricks and traps in his previous life.
However, five minutes in, Foxy began to panic. These kids were catching up fast.
Damn it.
Gritting his teeth, Foxy pushed harder.
Seven minutes in, he watched helplessly as Hina overtook him with a sweet smile, followed by Drake, Shuzo, and Gaspard.
Unsurprisingly, Foxy ended up in the third tier, again finishing last.
The ten minutes passed quickly. Maybe out of pride or determination, Foxy barely managed to finish.
Hands-on his knees, Foxy was sweaty, breathing heavily, and looking pale.
While Gaspard and the others were panting, none were as exhausted as him.
He was far behind these kids, even the twelve-year-old Hina.
Despite being fourteen, his soul had lived for 21 years. Being outdone by these kids was a severe blow to his pride.
His left eye throbbed painfully, fueling his frustration.
“500 push-ups, start.”
After letting them catch their breath for three minutes, Zephyr became a devil, pushing them to the limit.
Foxy felt a mix of anger, competitiveness, and humiliation.
Although he appeared carefree and optimistic, he had his share of frustrations and pride.
Gritting his teeth, he started the push-ups. For him, 500 was challenging, especially with such intense training right from the start.
The first 100 push-ups weren’t too bad at first, but soon, his arms felt like lead, and his body ached terribly.
Beside him, Shuzo, Drake, and others were powering through with ease.
Holding his position, Foxy wanted to give up multiple times, but seeing the determination of the others, even Hina, he knew he couldn’t.
He dreamed of learning the Six Powers, Haki, getting revenge, and living a life of luxury. He couldn’t give up now.
“I swear on my life,” Foxy growled internally, bloodshot eyes fixated, finding strength he didn’t know he had, continuing the push-ups as if his body wasn’t his own.
Zephyr watched Foxy’s struggle, expressionless, observing closely.
After the 500 push-ups, Zephyr gave them a five-minute break before moving on to 500 sit-ups, 500 squats, and 500 pull-ups, among other exercises Foxy didn’t even recognise.
Throughout the gruelling session, Foxy dehydrated five times and fainted twice. Each time, Zephyr would harshly wake him, making him continue.
Zephyr didn’t spare his pride, admonishing him sternly.
“Your physical condition is the worst among them. If I were you, I’d put in ten or even a hundred times the effort. Either that or leave. Hina can do it, and she’s twelve. You’re fourteen. If you can’t keep up, I’ll have Tsuru take you back.
To become truly strong, you must be prepared to die in training. Every drop of sweat and blood you shed now will determine your future accomplishments.”
Feeling humiliated and furious, Foxy glared at Zephyr, memories of his life in this world flashing before him—every moment of danger, every injury, and the deathly fear he’d experienced.
Foxy didn’t know how he completed the training or what he ate or drank afterwards. He woke up in the middle of the night, body aching as if pierced by needles.
Bathed in pale moonlight, Foxy sat up, looking at Drake and the others’ sleeping forms, his expression eerily calm.
He absentmindedly touched his left eye, a cold determination in his gaze.
Getting out of bed, his face twisted in pain, Foxy quietly left the dormitory and headed to the training ground, clenching his fists as he looked up at the crescent moon. Zephyr was right; he needed ten or even a hundred times more effort.
However, his body was still young, and overtraining would be counterproductive.
Foxy wasn’t planning on reckless physical training but instead focused on developing his Devil Fruit abilities.
He decided to train his body during the day and his Devil Fruit at night.
As for developing his Devil Fruit, Foxy had a plan.
First, he aimed to increase the speed duration and reduce the cooldown time of his slowdown ability.
His slowdown ability was significantly less effective against more vigorous opponents and could be countered by Haki.
For example, when he helped kill the giant axe pirate, his slowdown only lasted three or four seconds against someone with Armament Haki, despite usually lasting eight or nine seconds.
The limitations were numerous.
Additionally, he planned to draw inspiration from Kuma’s Paw-Paw Fruit and Kizaru’s Glint-Glint Fruit.
Slowing down various types of damage or adverse effects,or rapidly firing numerous slow-motion points over a wide area were all possibilities.
Determined, Foxy began his training, focusing on improving the speed, duration, and cooldown of his slowdown ability.
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