[Six months later]
Isaac stood on the deck of the massive navy ship, his long black hair swaying in the gentle sea breeze. His physique had grown taller and more muscular, and his chiseled face, coupled with his mysterious black eyes, exuded an air of intrigue beyond his years.
It had been six months since Isaac joined the Navy, and he was now embarking on his first real mission. Success in this mission would earn him the rank of Seaman Recruit, officially making him a member of the Navy.
Until then, he remained a trainee, enjoying certain privileges but not yet considered a full-fledged Navy member.
"Get back to work, trainees! This is not a leisurely stroll to admire the ocean. Each one of you has tasks to complete, or you'll be skipping lunch!" An officer of the Navy passed by, donning a brown uniform with a white cloak draped over his back, prominently displaying the word "Justice" in bold letters.
His face appeared somewhat pale, with brown eyes encircled by dark shadows. Towering at about four meters tall, Joffrey, the ship's captain and a Lieutenant Commander, made Isaac seem like a mere infant in comparison.
"Yes, sir!" All the trainees on the deck promptly resumed their tasks. Some began cleaning while others made their way to their assigned sections in the kitchen or elsewhere. Isaac, too, grabbed a mop he had placed nearby, ensuring the deck was thoroughly cleaned.
"This bastard is nothing but a bully, taking advantage of his higher rank to mistreat us trainees!" The trainees cleaning the deck alongside Isaac expressed their frustration and resentment.
"It's even worse than that. I've heard rumors about this guy. They say he's one of the biggest scoundrels at the Southern Blue headquarters. He abuses his power to extort and rob innocent citizens.
I've also heard he takes bribes from pirates, merchants, and even bandits. Anyone can buy his favor. The problem is, he's incredibly strong, so even the Commodore can't do much other than reprimand him or deduct his salary.
I've heard he's skilled in half of the Rokushiki techniques." One of the more experienced apprentices chimed in with a disgusted expression. Having served on the ship longer than most, he held a deep disdain for the captain.
"Damn it, why are people like him even allowed to work in the Navy? The Navy's purpose is to protect people, not bully them. Don't you agree, Isaac?"
The apprentice directed his question to Isaac, who seemed lost in thought. In reality, Isaac was deeply intrigued. The mention of the captain's knowledge of Rokushiki techniques sparked his curiosity, and he began contemplating ways to gather information from him.
"I need to learn those techniques myself. Climbing the ranks through normal means will take too long. I remember in the anime how koby quickly learned Rokushiki and Haki, but he had the advantage of training under Vice Admiral Garp.
That made things much easier for him. Perhaps I can sneak into the captain's quarters and search for his diaries or manuscripts."
"A pirate ship has appeared on the eastern side, all sailors prepare to chase and fight."
Ring! Ring!
The blaring sound of the ship's loudspeaker jolted Isaac out of his reverie, prompting him to swiftly make his way to the starboard side of the vessel, eager to ascertain the cause.
As he gazed intently at the expanse of the sea before him, his eyes widened at the sight of a colossal ship looming in the distance. Its flag bore the ominous emblem of a skull with a sinister cleft.
The unmistakable symbol of the pirates struck fear into the hearts of those aboard. Observing the crew and trainees on the deck, Isaac noticed a prevailing sense of tension among them.
"Take your positions, everyone! Trainees, provide support to the main forces," the commanding officer ordered. The sailors sprang into action, each fulfilling their assigned tasks.
Some hurried to the cannon rooms, loading the artillery for the upcoming battle, while others worked swiftly to adjust and optimize the ship's sails, aiming to maximize its speed.
The vessel Isaac found himself on belonged to the third-class category, the least formidable among the Navy's combat ships. Through his time at the headquarters, he had learned about the three distinct types of ships utilized by the Navy.
The ship he stood upon was reliant on winds and sails for its propulsion, lacking exceptional speed. The second type comprised warships of a higher caliber.
Are larger vessels constructed with a reinforced base made of kairoseki stones. These ships are equipped with a propulsion engine that allows them to navigate through the treacherous waters of the quiet belt.
In terms of offensive capabilities, they are fitted with a combination of smaller movable cannons and feature sturdy defense systems supported by multiple metal plates.
The last category of ships, reserved exclusively for deputy admirals and leaders of the main branches in the Grand Line, are colossal armored vessels. These behemoths boast a formidable array of fixed bombardment cannons strategically positioned throughout the ship.
Additionally, they are powered by advanced engines that grant them incredible speed, surpassing most other ships in the world. The renowned Basser Cole ships exemplify this exceptional type of vessel.
Isaac swiftly made his way to a side room filled with cannons, where he found a group of individuals loading them in a straightforward manner.
Gunpowder was carefully placed into the cannon barrel, compressed with a long stick, and finally, a colossal metal ball was inserted. As the windows for the cannons on the pirate ship's rear opened, the gap between the two vessels diminished, and the impending clash became inevitable.
In an instant, an explosion resonated from the opposing ship, signaling the commencement of the cannon battle.
Isaac yanked a string attached to the cannon, igniting the fuse.
BOOM!
The projectile hurtled forward with incredible velocity, striking the pirate ship directly. Although the missile was merely a solid metal ball, the relentless bombardment inflicted considerable damage, particularly on the less professionally constructed pirate vessel, in stark contrast to the naval ship's sturdy design.
In a split second, Isaac leaped into action, swiftly climbing up to cling onto the ship's ceiling. Within moments, a metallic projectile pierced through the wooden hull, precisely where Isaac had previously stood, striking one of the sailors behind him.
The impact was devastating, severing the man's hand and causing blood to spatter in all directions. The gruesome sight left several trainees in shock, unaccustomed to the brutal realities of life at sea.
Isaac gazed at the injured man lying on the floor, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. The echoing sound of the projectile slicing through the air resonated in his ears.
While he believed his body could withstand such a blow, he knew it would likely result in several broken ribs. As he made his way back to the ship's deck, Isaac realized that the gunfire had ceased, replaced instead by the jarring collision and chaotic swaying of the two ships.
"This area is swarming with naval officers. I reckon joining the pirates' side would bring about more excitement," Isaac contemplated.
Upon locating an unoccupied space, Isaac leaped several meters into the sky and gracefully landed on the roof of the pirate ship. The deck was nearly deserted as most of the pirates had jumped over to the navy ship.
"What's your business here, you tramp" The moment Isaac stepped foot on the ship's deck, he was greeted with sarcastic glances from the pirates. Their fierce countenances, adorned with scars, lent them an air of authenticity as true pirates.
Isaac replied with a confident smirk. "I'm here to show you that even a 'tramp' can make you beg for mercy."
The pirates exchanged glances, some amused by Isaac's audacity, while others grew more intrigued by his boldness.
With a powerful punch, Isaac sent one of the pirates soaring several meters away. Witnessing this display of strength, another pirate lunged forward with his sword, but Isaac remained unfazed, coldly observing his adversaries.
As the sword approached, Isaac calmly crossed his arms, causing a resounding clash as the blade met his hand. The impact produced a strong metallic sound, accompanied by a shower of sparks.
"What's the matter? Is your hand made of iron or something?" The pirate was left in awe, his body trembling from the sheer force of the clash between his sword and Isaac's hand. Little did he know that Isaac had utilized the metal weights he wore to nullify the sword's impact.
These weights were crafted from heavy and sturdy metal, ensuring that Isaac remained unscathed by an ordinary sword like the one wielded by the pirate. With a current weight of 260 kilograms, Isaac moved and fought effortlessly, the result of consistently training while bearing this immense weight.
Only once a day did he remove the weights, whether to take a shower, clean the belt, or train with a lighter load. With his body honed and strengthened by this rigorous routine, Isaac was confident that no pirate on the ship would be able to defeat him once he shed the weights.
With swift and powerful punches, Isaac swiftly incapacitated the pirates who had surrounded him on the ship. Making his way towards the heart of the ship"Oh, let's put on our thinking cap, shall we? I'm definitely not here to engage in a thrilling battle. No, no. My sole purpose is to graciously plunder their precious treasures.
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