After making sure everything was clear, it was time for Ryuen to go. He looked firmly in the direction of the volcano island.
"Everyone, keep it up!" After saying that, Ryuen transformed into his full beast form.
"We know!" The four girls looked at Ryuen with determined expressions.
Ryuen nodded slowly, then spread his wings and flew toward the volcano island.
Once Ryuen was out of sight, Nami and the others turned their attention back to their own training.
"Alright, everyone, let's get started!" Nojiko said, looking at the group with a serious tone.
"Oh!!!"
---
The volcano island wasn't far from the unnamed island they had just left. Ryuen flew for a few minutes before arriving.
It was an active volcano, constantly flowing with hot lava, and there were no signs of any animals on the island.
Looking down at the boiling lava that spewed from the volcano, Ryuen's inner desire grew stronger, becoming almost uncontrollable.
It was an intense craving for immense power, as if it was a call from deep within his soul!
Driven by this powerful desire, Ryuen's phoenix body suddenly burst into flames, wrapping him entirely in fire.
Without hesitation, he leaped forward, soaring like a burning meteor straight into the volcano's mouth!
With a loud rumble, the previously calm lava erupted violently, sending huge waves of molten rock into the air.
Ryuen's massive body descended rapidly, creating a shockwave that made the lava churn like boiling water.
"Mmm~"
"This feels amazing; I can feel the energy!"
Surrounded by lava, Ryuen couldn't help but let out a pleased groan.
He clearly sensed a mysterious and wonderful fiery energy flowing endlessly from the surrounding lava, which was quickly absorbed by his phoenix body.
At the same time, the lava around him seemed to come to life, slowly gathering toward Ryuen.
It was as if it was drawn by some invisible force, automatically swirling around him to form a massive lava spiral.
And Ryuen's phoenix body was like the core of this spiral, radiating an intense and powerful aura.
Unconsciously, Ryuen's consciousness became immersed in the pleasure of absorbing energy, while his phoenix body slowly curled up.
Looking down at the volcano from above, Ryuen's fire phoenix form resembled a burning flame egg, with the surrounding lava continuously flowing towards it, as if nurturing this fiery egg.
At that moment, the volcano, which had existed for countless years, stopped its lava from flowing outward, and its restless energy gradually calmed down.
Ryuen, lost in his consciousness, was unaware that the lava rushing towards him, after being absorbed of that mysterious flame energy, was actually starting to cool down.
Moreover, the lava that lost its energy was slowly being replaced by new lava surging up from below, pushing the depleted lava out of the volcano.
At this moment, the volcano seemed to have formed a cycle: flame energy continuously surged from the depths, was absorbed by Ryuen, and then expelled, only to be followed by new energy rising again.
...
...
Meanwhile, the four girls began their own training journey.
In the training method sent by Lindgas, it was mentioned that only by enhancing their physical strength to a certain level could they master Marine Rokushiki effectively.
Physical strength and Rokushiki are complementary training methods, with each Isshiki Rokushiki being a technique that trains a specific aspect of the body to its utmost.
To develop a strong physique, one cannot simply rely on brute force in lifting weights. While this approach can indeed build strength, it might ultimately result in becoming overly muscular.
Those who achieve this level either become extremely powerful or are easily defeated, or they may have enough explosive power but lack endurance.
This method definitely wouldn't suit the four girls; they didn't want to turn into muscular women!
The correct training method is to develop, adapt, and skillfully control their energy while training.
The human body has great potential; by unlocking the energy within and mastering its control, they can break through physical limits and become true fighting masters.
The key is learning how to develop and mobilize the energy within their bodies, all of which is outlined in the training methods sent by Lindgas.
In the following days, the four of them began real physical training, and after each session, they made sure to support one another.
Kuina teamed up with Nojiko, while Daisy paired with Nami; they would only stop when their energy was completely drained.
Then they would replenish their energy with various wild beast meats from the forest, cycling through this process of consumption and replenishment, slowly learning to harness the energy within their bodies.
Unbeknownst to them, they had been on this island for six months.
During this time, all four girls experienced different levels of growth, and their physical strength improved significantly.
Now, each of them had basically mastered the technique of controlling their energy, and they could perform one or two moves of Marine Rokushiki.
Among them, Soru was a move everyone could use; it was the easiest Isshiki. In contrast, the most challenging one was Tekkai.
So far, none of them could use Tekkai, as doing so would mean their physical strength had reached an extreme level.
At this stage, awakening Armament Haki was just a thin veil away.
Each of the four girls had her own focus when it came to learning, which led to differences in their mastery of Rokushiki.
For example, Kuina could not only use Soru but also Rankyaku first! This was because she paid special attention to swordsmanship. Nojiko could use Soru and Shigan, but she was still working on Rankyaku. Nami and Daisy could only manage Soru, which is Isshiki.
However, Nami was close to mastering Geppo, and Daisy was nearly ready to use Shigan.
At that moment, the four girls were eating Sea King meat by their camp. This particular Sea King was a small one, and it was the first they had caught by themselves!
"Do you think... Ryuen is almost done?" Nami asked, looking toward the volcano island.
The other three girls paused in their actions. Yes, it had been half a year already, and there had been no sign from Ryuen.
"It shouldn't be so quick. Ryuen said it would take at least half a year, and it's only been six months. Don't worry, Nami," Nojiko said gently.
"I... I'm not worried about him! That jerk Ryuen, there's not a sound from him at all, hum!" Nami said angrily, swallowing the piece of grilled meat in her hand.
Seeing this, the other three girls exchanged knowing smiles and then turned their gazes back toward the volcano island.
Actually, they were just as worried!
---
At the volcano island, the fireball formed by the Fire Phoenix coiled in the lava was becoming increasingly bright. The flame energy rising from the ground had slowed down significantly, not because Ryuen was absorbing it slowly, but because the volcano was running out of energy.
Fortunately, there was still enough flame energy available!
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