To Shirayama, relying on raw instinct alone was inefficient and a waste of energy. For someone determined to climb the ladder of strength, such sloppiness was unacceptable.
A month passed in relentless training.
"Whoosh!"
A sharp whistle pierced the air as Shirayama vanished from his original position, reappearing a hundred meters away. His movement was now precise and fluid, a far cry from the awkwardness he displayed when he first learned Shave.
"Finally, some real progress! Let's see how much faster I can go with the fruit's augmentation."
Standing tall, Shirayama closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and braced himself. His body tensed, a radiant white glow enveloping him.
In the blink of an eye, with a sharp sonic boom, Shirayama disappeared again. This time, he materialized 150 meters away.
"Incredible! With the fruit's boost, I can cover 50 meters more than the base technique in the same amount of time. That's about a third faster!"
He compared it mentally. "This speed should rival half the potential of a fully mastered Shave. Impressive!"
Satisfied with the day's progress, Shirayama exhaled deeply and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Alright, that's enough for today."
When Shirayama returned home, he was greeted by the sight of a lavishly prepared meal, courtesy of Aki.
Like many powerful figures in the world of One Piece, Shirayama's appetite was immense. The resources on the island alone couldn't satiate his hunger, so the nearby sea kings often became his unfortunate prey. Every few days, Shirayama would hunt one down to add to their meals.
To avoid monotony, he also collected fruits and vegetables from nearby islands, transporting them back with the help of Yuri's commandeered warships.
The result? A noticeable improvement in the standard of living for everyone on Kuro Island. The locals, who had never dared to taste sea kings before, were now enjoying the delicacies of these once-terrifying beasts.
"Thanks for your hard work."
From behind, Shirayama embraced Aki as she stood over the stove, pulling her into a warm hug.
"You're impossible! Always up to no good the moment you come home!"
Caught off guard, Aki jumped in surprise. But when she realized it was Shirayama, she rolled her eyes in mock annoyance, her face softening.
"Who else would I bother if not my wife?" Shirayama replied cheekily, his grin mischievous as if daring her to scold him.
"Ugh, you're all sweaty! Go shower before you sit down for dinner," Aki huffed, swatting away his wandering hands with a mix of exasperation and affection.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Before she could say another word, Shirayama gave her a quick peck on the cheek and dashed off with a laugh, disappearing into the house at lightning speed.
"That guy…"
Aki shook her head, stamping her foot in mock frustration, though a smile tugged at her lips.
"Ah, there's nothing like a good soak! The only downside is this drained feeling…"
Shirayama's bathroom was located in the part of his house closest to the sea. Using knowledge from his past life as an engineering prodigy, he had designed a device to convert seawater into fresh water for everyday use.
However, even purified water couldn't eliminate the curse of the Devil Fruit. The moment he touched the water, he felt his strength ebb away, leaving him weak and lethargic.
Still, it didn't stop him from indulging in the soothing comfort of a warm bath.
To be continued...
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