Rusukaina Island.
This place is known as the Island of 48 Seasons, symbolizing where human civilization has succumbed to nature's power.
The G-5 warship docked at the island.
Dylan jumped onto the beach first, followed closely by Ain, Bell-mère, and Tahir.
After surveying the vast island, Dylan nodded, noting the abundance of beasts.
Bell-mère was slightly confused. It made sense for Ain to be here since her strength was currently lacking, but she and Tahir had no trouble dealing with these large animals. They were just slightly bigger kittens and puppies.
"The first stage goal: survive here for a month."
Dylan looked at the three who seemed hesitant, gave a mysterious smile, and reached out to Ain: "I'll be confiscating Shusui first."
Ain untied er Shusui and handed it to Dylan, then took the ordinary weapon handed over by the Marine next to him.
"Once inside, except for Ain, you two are not allowed to use Armament Haki, and Tahir cannot use the power of lightning."
With that, Dylan led the way into the massive forest.
"Are you coming too?" Bell-mère asked, walking beside him. If he went in, wouldn't his presence alone scare the beasts?
Dylan, in flip-flops and beach pants, said, "One of your tasks is to protect me. If I'm attacked by a wild beast, you fail the task."
·······
"Hey, Ain, left!!"
"Roar!!!"
A giant ape charged at Dylan, holding a tree trunk.
Dylan remained unmoved, focusing on the barbecue.
"Hah!!"
In the distance, Ain rushed towards Dylan's left side, her half-broken sword covered in Armament Haki.
Dylan glanced at Ain as he twirled the roast.
The huge size difference made Ain look tiny. Nearby, a huge lion was fighting Bell-mère.
"If you waste your energy like this, you won't last a few days," Dylan said, taking a bite of the barbecue and savoring it.
After a few mouthfuls, he groaned with satisfaction and continued speaking to Bell-mère: "You have to go all out in battle, but also know how to distribute your power. Cause the maximum damage while being the most efficient."
"To conserve one's own strength."
"With your style of fighting, if you encounter an opponent who's a bit faster or has more stamina, you'll exhaust yourself before you can take them down."
Haki consumes physical energy, just like a Devil Fruit ability.
The three people he brought here were still lacking in combat skills.
Bell-mère lacked technique, Ain's Armament Haki wasn't strong enough, and Tahir relied too much on his lightning powers and Sulong form.
"How do you use every muscle and every fiber of Haki effectively?"
"Why so much unnecessary dodging and jumping? Are you here to dance?"
"Why did you attack his legs? That move could've hit its throat!"
"Slashing isn't about making waves! Every swing of the sword has a purpose!"
"Tahir! Stop using your charm ability, even on female monkeys!"
········
Amazon Lily.
Palace.
"They left?"
Boa Hancock stood up, her face lighting up with joy.
This past year had been tough for everyone at Amazon Lily.
That notorious man would occasionally appear on Rusukaina Island nearby, so the Kuja Pirates couldn't risk going out to plunder.
Though Shichibukai looting was legal,...
On the G-5 warship.
Ain held Shusui in her arms, meditating. She had matured significantly in the past four years, both in demeanor and figure.
She was beginning to show signs of becoming a true swordsman.
Tahir, meanwhile, sat cross-legged at the bow, facing the wind, his autumn-colored eyes slightly narrowed.
"Hey, can't you be more careful? You're a woman too. If Genzo sees you like this, he might marry another girl from the village tomorrow."
Dylan took out a cigarette, lit it, and habitually tossed another to Bell-mère.
Bell-mère took it and smiled: "Ah~ you're so thoughtful, Dylan. Worried about my love life? I have Nami and Nojiko; that's enough."
Dylan rolled his eyes and didn't press further.
Some things are better left unsaid.
"Do you know what level you're at now?"
Dylan exhaled a puff of smoke and looked into the distance.
"Combat strength?"
"Yeah."
Bell-mère thought for a moment. "Honestly, I'm not sure, but I guess I'm still no match for Hancock."
"Oh? It seems you're not blinded by the flattery from others."
Over a year ago, Morgans speculated in the "World Economic News" that Bell-mère was strong enough to suppress Boa Hancock.
"Although her abilities don't affect me, her strength, physical skills, and Haki are stronger. In our recent battles, I can feel she's mastered a very unique power."
After hesitating for a while, Bell-mère continued: "After all, she still relies on her reputation, and she holds back every time she fights."
"Yes, training is basically over. Starting this year, the enemies you encounter won't hold back because of me."
Bell-mère's eyes lit up: "You mean... are you ready to contact the 'New World'?"
Although G-5 is stationed in the "New World," in the past four or five years, Dylan rarely took the initiative to advance.
This has led to the fact that in the New World, except for the "Red Hair Pirates" and "Donquixote Pirates," almost all other famous pirates have had no contact with G-5.
After all, Dylan fought the entire "Red Hair Pirates" incident alone.
Occasionally, some big pirates' followers were killed by other G-5 members, such as Shiryu and the others who were "hunting" outside. But no famous pirates were involved.
Dylan shook off the newspaper in his hand, and "Red-Haired" Shanks' bounty poster took up the entire headline.
"The Fourth Sea Emperor is Born, and the Struggle for Supremacy Officially Begins!"
The moment she saw the title, Bell-mère's breath froze.
The "Red Hair Pirates" were formidable. She had fought against them briefly and was defeated by Yasopp almost instantly.
Even a scary man like Shiryu, although he severely injured Lucky Roux, was also injured by Shanks' strike.
Now a few years have passed, and although both she and Shiryu have changed, Bell-mère believes that those who can be called "Emperors of the Sea" will not stand still.
Their improvement will be greater and more obvious. After all, she and Shiryu still live under Dylan's protection.
The other party faces bloody battles every day.
Thinking of this, Bell-mère's eyes darkened.
"Then, after I go back to rest this time, Ain and I will work together to advance."
"Go, fight, and experience real life and death. Time is running out. You must master your 'power' as soon as possible."
In the past few years, although Bell-mère knew she had something like Conqueror's Haki, she had almost never been able to release it after the Drum Island incident.
Dylan crumpled the newspaper into a ball: "Now that the division of power has been formed, go out and fight! Except for the Celestial Dragons for the time being, no matter who you kill on the sea, I can take the responsibility for you!"
----------
Read 35 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/CosmicKaminari