He was about to ask the obvious question, but Rance beat him to it, shouting, "WOW! What are the other Six Powers?"
Captain Trapano was the Chief Drill Instructor for the Southern Blue. His position and abilities were significant, yet even he couldn't resist the admiration of the three children who looked up to him as a hero.
So, he demonstrated each of the Six Powers sequentially. Although he hadn't fully mastered them himself due to his position, he needed at least to be able to train others to a basic level.
After his demonstration, Trapano sighed heavily and said, "It's important to remember that 'Moon Step,' 'Storm of Legs,' 'Iron Mass,' 'Finger Gun,' 'Art of Paper,' and 'Shave' are all incredible techniques, but they are part of a broader martial arts system. This system is just a portion of an even wider and endless world of martial arts, which involves the fusion of mind and body."
(Note: I understand we are all used to the names like Rokushiki, Rankyaku, Shigan, etc., but the author writes it this way, and I find it quite interesting to understand the meaning of the techniques in the name itself!)
Having finished his demonstration and speech, Bill naturally asked if he would teach him and his friends these techniques. With what the captain showed here, Bill thought the threat from sea monsters and Devil Fruits might be reduced somewhat.
To Bill's question, Trapano responded sternly, "The Six Powers are official martial arts of the Marines. I can't pass them on to anyone who isn't part of the organization yet. Moreover, to officially get permission to train, a Marine must sign a twenty-year service contract."
Looking at the trio, he continued, "This means you wouldn't be able to retire before the age of thirty-six. In some cases, exceptions can be made" He looked at Fia before continuing, "For example, a junior assistant can sign an additional contract for sixteen years. This means a junior assistant can gain the right to learn the Six Powers, but they will have to serve until the age of forty."
As Trapano continued to explain the intricacies of learning this superhuman martial art, Rance was excited, while Fia remained interested but mostly neutral. As for Bill himself, he understood that this was probably a dead end because, even if his mother supported his idea of joining the Marines, he could never become a junior assistant just to learn this.
He wasn't Fia, who had a useful Devil Fruit. So, even if he became a junior assistant, he'd just be swabbing decks.
Wrapping up his explanation, Trapano added, "Although it seems like a long commitment, remember that those who master the Six Powers are obliged to uphold higher justice and advance faster in service than those who haven't."
When Trapano finished speaking, Rance ran home. Bill didn't think it likely that parents would allow their nine-year-old child to commit to a twenty-four-year obligation.
"But it's a different world," he thought to himself. At least on the island of Vallipo, Marines were held in high regard. There was some chance Rance could convince his parents.
Turning to Bill, Trapano took out a communication snail and called another sailor. The arriving sailor wore a large white hat and was clean-shaven. Looking at Fia, he said, "This is Culinary Officer Chibo. Junior Assistant Fia, you think over everything that's been said here. In the meantime, you'll be helping in the kitchen for the rest of the day."
After they left, Bill was left alone with Trapano. The man looked at him and said, "Alright, show me what you can do," before indicating for Bill to start an exercise.
Nodding in approval as Bill stood on his hands, the stout captain watched him intently in silence. When Bill finished, he looked at him and said, "I cannot teach you the Six Powers. I know you want to learn them, but rules are there for a reason."
"However..." he said as steam rose from his shoulders.
As he spoke, the stout captain became thinner and more muscular: "But I can explain to you one of the most important techniques you can master in this life."
By this point, to Bill's amazement, the captain looked as if he had lost a hundred pounds of fat and turned into an Olympic bodybuilder.
Still looking at Bill, he said, "This technique is the foundation of everything, and it is called 'Return of Life.'"
I cannot explain it in words. So I will show you."
From this moment, Bill's journey to true strength began.
Sitting in meditation, Bill took a deep breath.
Several days had passed since Bill met with Captain Trapan. Fia was still working in the kitchen, Ricky continued his training, and Sasha was supposed to return today. Moreover, it turned out that Rance's parents had signed his contract, and he was now undergoing training at the MCT building.
"No, it's not surprising," thought Bill. This is not the United States, damn it, this is not Earth. He couldn't rely on assumptions from his past life.
Rance's parents had signed their nine-year-old son up for service in the Marines until he turned forty. In his past life, Bill loved his country and was proud of his culture, but such a proposal would have been madness and would quickly be rejected if his children came with such a request.