Sabaody Archipelago.
At the Marine base in Area 66, within the training room, Gion stood with her arms crossed, observing as Kuina sparred against a Marine colonel, their swords clashing back and forth.
Watching the young swordswoman, Gion couldn't help but admire Kuina's refined technique. It wasn't just her skill with a sword that caught her attention—it was the raw potential that radiated from every strike. The other Marine Instructors beside her whispered among themselves, clearly impressed.
"It may seem like an ordinary move, but there's something powerful in its simplicity. Could it be that she's mastered the balance of strength, speed, and precision to its absolute peak?"
"Her movements are so fluid, almost as if her body moves on instinct. Truly a natural talent!"
"She might even have awakened her Observation Haki. Look at how she reads her opponent's every move."
"Still, she's too focused on executing the perfect sword swing. She needs more real combat experience—she's not adapting well to unpredictable situations."
Several of the Instructors offered their suggestions as they continued to evaluate Kuina's performance.
In the Marine's long-standing dominance over the seas, their rigorous training regimen had always played a crucial role. Unlike the newly established Hunter Guild, proposed by Leno but still in its infancy, Marine training facilities were systematic and well-supported.
Leno, though initially hesitant, had agreed to let Kuina receive specialized training from Gion. Deep down, he was pleased with the decision, happy to see her flourish. Watching Kuina grow stronger each day filled him with a sense of accomplishment.
Kuina was growing rapidly under Gion's mentorship, absorbing all the knowledge and experience like a sponge. But while Kuina thrived, there was another figure—one much older, yet equally exasperated by the concept of formal education.
Calm Belt, Amazon Lily.
On the isolated island of Amazon Lily, known for being inhabited solely by women, the young Empress Boa Hancock sat in deep thought, her delicate face marred with frustration.
"As the most beautiful woman in the world, why do I need to study?" she sighed dramatically.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted her reverie.
"Hebihime-sama!"
The sound was like music to Hancock's ears. Her eyes lit up, the drowsiness from her boredom immediately dissipating.
Entering the room was the Kuja pirate, a striking woman with a high ponytail and sharp, slender eyes.
In Amazon Lily, where the Kuja Pirates reigned supreme, the tradition was that every warrior was a woman, and each was trained to be a powerful fighter from birth. The island's laws had stood firm for centuries: no man was ever allowed to set foot on their shores. Any who dared would be eliminated without hesitation.
Hancock, blessed with the rare power of Conqueror's Haki, had quickly risen to become the Empress of the island, along with her two sisters, after being rescued by Gloriosa years ago.
With her strength, Hancock ruled with unquestioned authority. Her whims were law. And in this moment, she saw an opportunity to escape the boredom of her lessons.
"Is there an enemy approaching?" Hancock asked eagerly, already standing from her throne.
The Kuja warrior blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "Uh, no…"
But Hancock wasn't listening. She had already rushed out of the room, declaring, "I'll deal with them myself!"
Watching her Empress flee, turned to Gloriosa in confusion. "What just happened?"
Gloriosa sighed deeply. "It seems Hancock would rather fight a non-existent enemy than sit through another lesson."
Despite Hancock's incredible potential, Gloriosa couldn't help but worry. For all her strength, the Empress was stubborn and impulsive.
"Another willful one…"
As Hancock raced away from her responsibilities.
"Hebihime-sama, there's no enemy! It's just that Sandersonia encountered Rayleigh near the waters of Ruskaina."
"Rayleigh?" Hancock's interest piqued once more.
Gloriosa's expression shifted slightly. She was no stranger to Rayleigh, the former right-hand man of the Pirate King, and an old acquaintance of the former Empress Shakky.
Kikyo continued, "Sandersonia said that Rayleigh brought two men with him, and they've set up camp there."
Gloriosa tapped her staff thoughtfully. "Ah, yes. I heard Rayleigh was seen recently with a crew. One of the men must be Shanks… the other, perhaps, Benn Beckman?"
Kikyo shook her head. "No, it's someone else. And according to one of the scouts, those two men were wearing trench coats with badges—the same ones reported in the news."
The conversation took a darker turn as Gloriosa's brow furrowed. What was Rayleigh doing, bringing unknown individuals to Ruskaina? And what did the badges mean?
Meanwhile, in the shadows of Amazon Lily, the winds of change were beginning to stir. Powerful forces, including the legendary Rayleigh and the ever-volatile Hancock, were about to collide. How would this meeting shape the future?
Only time would tell.
Gloriosa, holding the newspaper, raised an eyebrow.
"Is this what you're looking for?"
"Yeah, that's it!"
"The mark has a ferocious dragon in the center. It must be this one!"
"The Hunter Guild?" Gloriosa asked in surprise. "Are they making their move on the Grand Line already?"
Gloriosa was the most insightful elder on Amazon Lily, once the former Empress. Her foresight was remarkable, able to predict events before they unfolded. She had cleverly maneuvered Hancock into becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, ensuring the Kuja Pirates' safety from the Marines by granting them legal rights to plunder.
She saw the danger coming even before the Summit War, sensing that Whitebeard would make his move.
Now, after Kuzan's defection, the Hunter Guild piqued her interest even more.
"They're different from pirates," she mused.
"A well-structured organization with clear goals, rules, and purpose. It's only a matter of time before more notable figures, like Kuzan, join them."
Watching from the window, noticed a ship heading out to sea.
"Should we stop Hebihime-sama from leaving?"
Gloriosa sighed, shaking her head. "No, let her go. She's chasing Rayleigh. Besides, Rayleigh can handle it. But Hancock's temper is getting out of hand."
She thought back to when Hancock first returned to Amazon Lily, timid and filled with insecurities. Now, only four years later, she had transformed into a domineering and self-willed empress. The drastic change worried Gloriosa.
Ruskaina Island
Boom! Boom!
The island trembled as Leno and Rayleigh exchanged powerful blows, their Haki clashing and sending shockwaves through the jungle. Leaves scattered, trees shattered, and debris flew in all directions like bullets. Buggy, watching from a safe distance, gulped nervously.
"Those two are monsters," Buggy muttered, ducking as a branch flew over his head. He tried to follow their movements, but they were too fast, blurs of energy and force as Haki illuminated their strikes.
Suddenly, Leno's Conqueror's Haki flared, a burst of pure willpower clashing with Rayleigh's own Haki. The island's wildlife scurried in terror.
Predicting Rayleigh's next move, Leno acted swiftly. He launched a kick, enhanced by Armament Haki, catching Rayleigh off guard. The older man grunted as he was sent flying back, crashing through a massive tree.
"You're strong, kid," Rayleigh said, appearing from the debris, dusting himself off.
"But to defeat Kaido, you'll need more than that. His body is like a fortress."
Leno nodded. "I know, but that's why I'm training. I need to break through his defenses."
Rayleigh reminisced. "During the Battle of the Valley of Gods, Garp and the Roger Pirates teamed up to defeat the Rocks Pirates. Even back then, Kaido was a beast. His durability is beyond reason. You need to find the key to breaking his defense, just like Garp did."
Leno's brow furrowed. Garp's Armament Haki was legendary, but even after all his training, something still felt... incomplete.
"Maybe I'm missing something," Leno admitted. "That's why I need your guidance, Rayleigh."
Rayleigh grinned. "Then attack me with everything you've got. Let's see what's missing."
Leno took a deep breath, focusing all his energy into his Armament Haki. His body began to glow, a brilliant red hue as if his skin had turned into molten steel. His Haki, concentrated to the limit, formed a shield around him, the very air vibrating with its intensity.
Rayleigh's eyes narrowed. "Impressive. At your age, even Garp wasn't this advanced."
The ground beneath their feet cracked as they clashed once more, Haki against Haki, raw power against raw power. The force of their strikes sent ripples through the landscape, causing a nearby volcano to erupt, spewing magma into the air.
Buggy, riding on an elephant, screamed in terror as he fled from the destruction. "You two maniacs! Stop fighting before you destroy the whole island!"
But the battle continued.
Rayleigh and Leno's strikes were pure, no tricks, just the clash of their Armament Haki. Every hit illuminated the sky like fireworks, shaking the very island.
Rayleigh, his body encased in pure black Haki, matched Leno's strikes blow for blow. His experience was evident, but Leno's sheer potential shone through. They were evenly matched, a testament to Leno's strength.
Suddenly, with a surge of determination, Leno pushed his Armament Haki to the limit. His body radiated power, his eyes focused. He was ready to surpass his limits, to defeat Kaido.
The island quaked, the sky roared, and in that moment, Leno's true power was revealed.
The future of the seas would be shaped by this battle, and Leno knew... the road to Kaido had only just begun.
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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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