Training resumed after lunch. Zoro stood before the steel dummy, striking it repeatedly with a single sword. His form was exactly as taught - perfect angle, correct force, proper follow-through. Unfortunately the steel still wouldn't be cut.
"Your form is perfect," Lucius said, watching the repeated strikes. "But remember to feel the steel's rhythm, don't fight against it."
"Tch," Zoro grunted. Sweat ran down his face as he kept striking.
On the other side of the dojo, four large industrial fans surrounded Nami. Each one was as tall as she was, with metal blades spinning at maximum speed. The wind they created was strong enough to move furniture. Nami practiced Paper Art in the middle of this artificial storm, trying to maintain her balance while adjusting her body's weight. Sometimes she became light enough to sway with the wind, other times heavy enough to stand firm.
"That's it!" Lucius called out. "Let the wind guide your movement, don't resist it!"
"This would be... easier..." Nami said as she fought against another gust, "if someone hadn't set the fans to maximum!"
A loud crack sounded as Karoo's Tempest Kick cut through an iron dummy. The dummy split in half and fell to the ground. Karoo was already in position for another attack.
"QUACK!" Karoo stood tall, looking at the destroyed target.
"Impressive," Lucius said. New targets appeared, these ones darker and shinier than the iron dummies. "Let's see how you handle these. The material is much stronger than iron."
Vivi stood in her training area, practicing Shave. Her feet moved faster with each attempt. The impacts against the floor created sharp sounds as she managed eight rapid kicks before losing the rhythm. Her breathing was heavy from the effort.
"Your speed is increasing," Lucius said, watching her form. "Focus on maintaining the pattern rather than raw power. Keep the kicks consistent."
"Yes, sensei," Vivi said. She wiped the sweat from her face and readied herself for another attempt.
Usopp practiced Finger Pistol in his designated space. The air around his extended finger showed small distortions. His face was tight with concentration as he repeated the jabbing motion.
"S-sensei!" Usopp called out. "The air compression... I can feel it more clearly now! There's resistance around my finger when I strike!"
"You're getting closer," Lucius said. "Remember, accuracy before power. Even a small strike in the right spot-"
"Can take down giants!" Usopp said. "Like the time I defeated ten thousand-"
"Focus!"
Luffy stood in the center of the dojo. His entire body was rigid and solid, completely different from his usual rubber state. Every muscle was tensed and hard. His face was frozen in concentration, cheeks puffed out, eyes squinted. The expression made him look like a statue.
"Luffy, your progress is remarkable," Lucius said as he walked around him. "I think you're ready for the next step in Iron Body training."
"Really?" Luffy's face brightened, causing his solid form to soften slightly.
A large log appeared, hanging from the ceiling by metal chains. The log was marked with strange symbols that gave off a faint glow. It was as thick as a person and long enough to reach from one end of the training area to the other.
"This training tool is special," Lucius explained. The other students stopped to watch. "Your task is simple - don't move when it hits you."
"Shishishi! That's easy!" Luffy stood with his hands on his hips. "I'm rubber, remember? Nothing can hurt me!"
"Oh?" Lucius said. "We'll see."
The log started swinging toward Luffy. It moved faster than its size suggested it should. Luffy stood firmly, grinning as it approached. The log struck him directly in the chest.
The log hit Luffy and sent him flying across the dojo. He crashed into the far wall and fell to the ground. His rubber body didn't bounce back like usual. Instead, he clutched his chest, showing actual pain.
"WHAT?" Everyone stopped their training to stare.
"Ow ow ow!" Luffy sat up, rubbing the spot where the log hit him. A red mark showed on his chest.
"How did that hurt?" Nami walked closer, staring at the mark. "Nothing hurts Luffy except..."
"Sea stone," Vivi said quietly.
"No, not sea stone," Lucius said. He looked at Vivi with interest but didn't ask about it. "This log is designed to test true Iron Body. The force it generates goes beyond surface impact."
"But how?" Usopp stepped away from his training area. His finger was still pointed outward from practicing. "Nothing can hurt Luffy except-"
"AGAIN!" Luffy jumped up and ran back to his position. His eyes were fixed on the log. "I'll get it this time!"
"Wait," Lucius held up his hand. The log stopped swinging. "Before you try again, what did you feel when it hit you?"
"It was like..." Luffy moved his hands around his chest. "Like the log wasn't just hitting my body, but going through it!"
"Exactly. Your rubber powers make you immune to blunt force, but this is different. This log strikes with..."
A loud metal sound interrupted them. Everyone turned to look at Zoro's training area. The steel dummy had a small cut in it, barely deeper than a scratch.
"Progress," Lucius nodded at Zoro. He turned back to Luffy. "As I was saying, this log strikes with impact force that penetrates defenses. It's perfect for training Iron Body."
"I don't get it," Luffy tilted his head to one side. "But I won't lose to a stupid log! Let me try again!"
"Very well," Lucius stepped back. "Remember - don't just make your body hard. Make it absolutely immovable."
The log began swinging again. Luffy planted his feet firmly and tensed his muscles. His face showed complete focus.
The log struck Luffy again. This time he moved back only three meters instead of flying across the room.
"Better," Lucius said. Watching Luffy's training brought back a memory...
---Flashback---
Lucius sat in his Iowa farmhouse, watching a documentary about Shaolin monks on his old TV. The narrator explained their training methods as the camera showed monks standing in lines.
Heavy logs swung into their bodies - abs, chest, even their groins. The monks didn't flinch. Their bodies had become like iron through years of conditioning.
"Through repeated impact," the narrator said, "the body learns to withstand force that would cripple normal humans."
Lucius instinctively crossed his legs as the camera zoomed in on the groin strikes. Even through the TV screen, he felt phantom pain watching the training.
---End Flashback---
"Again!" Luffy's voice brought Lucius back to the present. Despite being knocked down twice, his student's determination hadn't wavered.
"Wait," Lucius adjusted Luffy's stance slightly. "This training is similar to ancient martial arts from... where I'm from. The key isn't just making your body hard - it's about learning to absorb and redirect the force."
"Redirect?" Luffy frowned. "But you said don't move."
"Don't move your body, but feel how the impact travels through you. Like waves in water."
"Oh! Okay!"
"You need to let it pass through you without causing damage."
The log swung again. This time Luffy slid back only one meter.