“Did you all not eat? You’re running like turtles! Pick up the pace!”
Under the scorching sun on the mountains behind Marineford, a hundred young recruits, each carrying iron weights heavier than their bodies, were running with sweat pouring off them.
From a hundred meters away, their heavy breathing was audible.
At the front, the four top recruits led the pack, with Akainu and Kizaru leading, followed by Aokiji and Nokiyoru.
However, no one noticed that the iron weight Nokiyoru was carrying, although similar in size to the others, was twice as heavy, a fact known only to him and Zephyr.
Drenched in sweat, Nokiyoru looked like he had just emerged from a pool, leaving a wet trail behind him.
“If you don’t finish this ten-kilometer run, no one gets to eat! You bunch of cowards aren’t even as tough as a bunch of women.” Zephyr’s face showed disdain as he taunted the recruits, including the female ones, though he was somewhat gentler with them.
Hearing Zephyr’s words, the male recruits, who were already exhausted, blushed with shame and pushed themselves to run faster as Zephyr’s taunt struck at their pride.
As time passed and it neared noon, most of the recruits had completed the run, except for a few who couldn’t keep up. These recruits were promptly expelled from the academy by Zephyr without mercy.
In this academy, people came and went frequently. Those who didn’t meet the standards were destined to be sent to branch offices for their future development.
In the afternoon, all the recruits gathered on the training ground as they were about to be introduced to the pinnacle of physical techniques: the Six Powers.
Excitement filled the faces of the recruits, eager to learn these advanced techniques.
“I assume you all know what I’m going to teach you next,” Zephyr said, seeing the eager expressions. “Indeed, with your current physical fitness, you can barely start learning the Six Powers.”
“But let me warn you, some of you are not up to the task. If your body isn’t strong enough, don’t attempt these techniques, or you’ll suffer the consequences.”
“Blame yourselves if you’re not strong enough, not anyone else.” Zephyr’s sharp gaze swept over the recruits. Those without confidence in their abilities couldn’t help but lower their heads.
“The Six Powers are Finger Pistol, Iron Body, Shave, Moonwalk, Tempest Kick, and Paper Art…”
“Shave involves stepping on the ground more than ten times in an instant, using the reaction force to move at explosive speed, becoming nearly invisible.”
“Tempest Kick creates a vacuum slash by kicking at super high speed…”
Zephyr demonstrated each technique from the stage, even creating a nearly hundred-meter-long fissure in the ground with a Tempest Kick.
Seeing the dust and cracked earth, all the recruits, including Nokiyoru, were initially stunned, then filled with boundless excitement.
The high-speed Shave, the airborne Moonwalk, the powerful offensive and defensive Tempest Kick and Iron Body were all abilities the recruits had dreamed of mastering.
“Again, if you don’t have the physical strength, don’t try these techniques. If you’re confident, choose one to start with.” After thoroughly explaining, Zephyr warned them again and announced, “No training this afternoon. Use the time to digest what you’ve learned.”
With Zephyr’s departure, the training ground buzzed with excitement.
Under a green tree, Nokiyoru sat cross-legged, pondering Zephyr’s teachings. Although he already knew some of it, reviewing the basics was always beneficial.
“Nokiyoru, which techniques are you planning to learn?” Aokiji asked lazily, lying next to Nokiyoru like a boneless creature.
Before Nokiyoru could respond, Aokiji continued, “But knowing you, you probably want to learn them all, right?”
“I don’t have that much energy,” Nokiyoru replied calmly, eyes closed.
“Huh? That’s not like you, you crazy guy,” Aokiji sat up, surprised. “That’s not like the Nokiyoru I know.”
“Am I really that bad in your eyes? A crazy guy? Are you complimenting or insulting me?” Nokiyoru opened his eyes and gave Aokiji a cold look.
“Ha… ha…” Aokiji yawned, not bothered by Nokiyoru’s cold demeanor. After all, in Nokiyoru’s world, there was nothing but training. If it were anyone else, Nokiyoru wouldn’t even bother responding.
This thought comforted Aokiji a bit.
Perhaps confirming Aokiji’s words, a slender beauty with a perfect figure walked gracefully toward Nokiyoru.
“Nokiyoru, can I sit here?” asked the beautiful Gion, looking at Nokiyoru with gentle eyes.
Nokiyoru glanced at her stunning looks and perfect figure, then, with a blank expression, he turned away, closing his eyes to continue developing his Devil Fruit ability.
Gion felt a surge of anger at being ignored. Not only was she beautiful, but she also held a significant position. Nokiyoru shouldn’t ignore her.
Gion knew Nokiyoru was under her sister Tsuru’s care. Regardless of his feelings, he shouldn’t treat his benefactor’s sister this way.
Flushing with anger, Gion was furious.
“Well, Nokiyoru is just like that, Gion. If you want to sit, go ahead,” Aokiji said with a helpless smile, not daring to ignore Gion.
“Hmph…” Gion huffed and turned away, leaving.
As she walked away, a piercing sound broke through the air. A long spear, carried by the wind, aimed straight at Nokiyoru’s heart.
“Swish…” Nokiyoru opened his eyes, raised his right hand, and caught the spear mid-air. The ground beneath him cracked as he stood up, glaring at Chaton, who sat with Akainu.
“How dare you treat Gion like that. You deserve to die,” Chaton said, oblivious to his mistake, trying to please the now-furious Gion.
Casually discarding the weapon, Nokiyoru turned a colder gaze to Gion before silently turning away, intending to leave.
Nokiyoru knew he had been dragged into this, but he didn’t care. To him, Gion and Chaton were insignificant, like weeds by the roadside.
Moreover, Nokiyoru suspected Akainu was behind Chaton’s actions. It wasn’t that Nokiyoru lacked a temper, but he didn’t want to waste time on such trivial matters when training was his primary goal.
Gion felt uncomfortable under Nokiyoru’s emotionless gaze, her anger growing.
Chaton, perhaps emboldened by Nokiyoru’s inaction, felt a surge of pride. Impressing his crush was a rare opportunity.
Chaton grabbed another weapon without hesitation and hurled it at Nokiyoru’s back.
“Whoosh…” The powerful attack sounded like a missile, tearing through the air.
“Boom…” Nokiyoru turned and caught the weapon again, but his usually calm eyes burned with fury this time.
Nokiyoru’s face twisted with rage as he glared at Chaton, his voice icy. “Not causing trouble doesn’t mean I’m afraid. Three strikes, and you’ll pay the price.”
Everyone watched Nokiyoru, feeling the intensity of his anger.
“This guy is terrifying when he’s angry,” Aokiji thought, shivering as he sensed Nokiyoru’s wrath, like a beast ready to attack.
Stunned by Nokiyoru’s reaction, Chaton hesitated. By the time he recovered, Nokiyoru had already turned away, while the other recruits looked at him strangely.
Feeling humiliated, Chaton, in a moment of rage, grabbed another weapon and attacked again.
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