Sorry for the inconvenience missed to insert the chapter
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The crew of the Eclipse gathered around the sealed books taken from the World Government shipwreck. The aged leather covers and pristine condition of the pages suggested these were no ordinary documents. Michael carefully opened the first book, the faint scent of old parchment wafting into the air. The meticulous handwriting within was accompanied by detailed illustrations.
"What is it?" Lia asked, her curiosity piqued as she leaned over Michael's shoulder.
Michael scanned the pages, his sharp eyes narrowing as he read. "This… this is a manual. It details techniques I've heard of but never thought I'd see written down."
Amara, standing nearby with her arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "You going to share with the rest of us, or keep us guessing?"
Michael looked up, his expression serious but tinged with excitement. "It's the Marine's Six Styles—Rokushiki. These are techniques taught only to the elite within the World Government."
The room went silent as the gravity of his words settled over the crew. Lia reached for another book, flipping through its pages. "This one's about something called 'Life Return.' It says it's a technique for controlling every aspect of your body, down to your hair and organs."
Amara let out a low whistle. "They were carrying some serious secrets on that ship. And now it's ours."
Michael nodded. "If we can learn these, it'll change everything. But these aren't techniques you pick up overnight. They'll take time—and a lot of discipline."
Lia grinned, holding up the book on Life Return. "Good thing we've got supplies and an island ahead. If we're going to dock and train, this is the perfect opportunity."
Michael smirked. "Then let's do it."
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The Eclipse docked at a small, isolated island surrounded by jagged cliffs and lush greenery. It was uninhabited, the perfect place for uninterrupted training. The crew disembarked, unloading supplies and setting up a camp near the beach.
Michael stood in the center of the clearing, the books laid out before him. He divided the crew into roles, ensuring everyone had a specific focus during their time on the island.
"We'll work on the Six Styles first," Michael said. "Lia, keep improving your control over the Metal-Metal Fruit. The more precise you are, the more effective you'll be. Amara and I will focus on mastering the physical techniques."
Amara smirked, rolling her shoulders. "Sounds like my kind of training."
Lia nodded enthusiastically. "I'll start with small adjustments, then work up to more complex structures. Let's see what this fruit can really do."
Michael's gaze swept over his crew, his voice steady but firm. "This won't be easy. These techniques are designed to push your body and mind to their limits. But if we stick to it, we'll come out of this stronger."
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The training began in earnest the next morning. The Six Styles—Rokushiki—were broken into their fundamental techniques: Soru for speed, Geppo for air walking, Tekkai for defense, Shigan for offensive strikes, Rankyaku for ranged slashes, and Kami-e for evasiveness. Each style demanded extreme physical and mental discipline.
Michael started with Soru, the technique of moving so fast it seemed like teleportation. He sprinted repeatedly across the beach, focusing on explosive bursts of speed. At first, the technique eluded him—his body couldn't quite match the mental commands—but with each attempt, he came closer.
Amara worked on Geppo, launching herself into the air and attempting to create footholds from seemingly nothing. Her powerful legs and years of experience in combat gave her a natural advantage, but she still hit the ground more often than she stayed in the air.
"This is harder than it looks," Amara muttered, brushing sand off her clothes.
Michael smirked. "That's the point. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it."
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Lia, meanwhile, focused on mastering her Devil Fruit abilities. Using small scraps of metal from the ship, she practiced reshaping and refining the materials with increasing precision. At first, her creations were simple—a rod, a blade, a small shield—but as the days passed, her confidence and control grew.
"I can feel every detail," Lia said one afternoon, her hands glowing faintly as she manipulated a chunk of iron. "The density, the structure… it's like I'm holding its essence."
Amara, taking a break from Geppo training, watched with interest. "Can you make something stronger? Something with an edge?"
Lia grinned, her hands moving in a blur as she shaped the iron into a razor-sharp dagger. She handed it to Amara with a flourish. "Try this."
Amara inspected the weapon, giving an approving nod. "Not bad. You're getting good at this."
"Thanks," Lia said, her grin widening. "But I'm just getting started."
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As the weeks passed, the crew's progress was undeniable. Michael began to feel the effects of Soru click into place, his body moving with a speed that defied logic. He combined it with Observation Haki, using his heightened awareness to anticipate movements and strike with precision.
Amara's mastery of Geppo improved steadily. By the end of the second week, she could launch herself into the air and stay there, her movements fluid and deliberate. She began combining it with her combat techniques, creating a deadly mix of agility and power.
Lia's growth with the Metal-Metal Fruit was perhaps the most remarkable. She built intricate mechanisms, reinforced parts of the ship, and even created small gadgets that enhanced the crew's capabilities. Her abilities had transformed her from a tinkerer into a true creator.
One evening, as the crew gathered around the campfire, the mood was lighter than it had been in weeks. The progress they had made filled them with pride and anticipation for what was to come.
Michael looked around at his crew, a rare smile on his lips. "We've come a long way. These techniques, Lia's fruit… they're changing us. And it's just the beginning."
Amara raised an eyebrow. "You're feeling pretty optimistic these days, Captain."
Michael smirked. "I've got a crew that makes it easy."
Lia held up one of her latest creations—a compact device made of interlocking gears. "And we've got the tools to make sure we're ready for anything."
As the fire crackled and the stars glittered overhead, the crew of the Eclipse felt stronger and more united than ever. The Grand Line's challenges loomed ahead, but they were no longer the same crew that had started this journey. They were evolving, adapting, and preparing for whatever lay in their path.
The Grand Line wouldn't know what hit it.
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