"Wow! This is custom-made just for me!"
Chopper hugged the manual like a treasure, then leaped forward and clung tightly to Ronan's leg.
"Ronan, you're the best!!"
"Haha, Chopper, you're the most precious little mascot on this ship," Ronan laughed.
"Idiot! I'm not a pet—I'm a doctor!" Chopper stomped angrily, drawing warm laughter from everyone.
Ronan stood up and looked toward Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, who were clenching their fists, feeling the power of thunder coursing through them.
"After this round of training—tenfold gravity combined with thunder tempering—our foundation has undergone a qualitative transformation."
"Our previously neutral Vajra inner energy has evolved into lightning-infused Vajra energy."
"At this rate, if we continue this method of training, it won't be long before our Vajra Body advances to the intermediate stage."
"Intermediate stage?" Luffy asked curiously.
"That's right." Ronan tightened his grip on the spear, which let out a low, dragon-like hum.
"At that level, the density of our bodies will be enough to withstand conventional artillery without leaving a mark."
"Even attacks from an Admiral… we'll be able to endure them head-on without being instantly crippled."
"An Admiral…" Zoro slowly drew Sandai Kitetsu, a faint violet spark dancing along the blade. "That day… isn't far off."
—
The Grand Line stretched endlessly.
Sunlight scattered across the vast ocean like shattered gold, rippling with dazzling reflections.
Clouds drifted lazily in the sky, while seabirds occasionally soared past with crisp cries.
Amid this sea of danger and mystery—
A dark-gold warship cleaved through the waves at high speed.
The Golden Merry.
Now a name that made even Marine Headquarters uneasy.
On the deck, an intense blend of killing intent and burning determination filled the air.
It had been two full weeks since the battle at Banaro Island.
Two weeks—
For the Straw Hat crew, it was a complete rebirth.
Under Ronan's "hell-level" training plan, the ship had become a moving furnace.
"Rumble—!"
The sound of lightning roaring through meridians echoed like thunder.
Ronan stood rooted in a deep stance, legs like ancient tree roots.
His body seemed fused with the golden deck.
His bare upper body looked like steel forged by the gods.
Nearby, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji were all immersed in deep training.
"Zzzzt—"
Fine yet intensely condensed strands of silver-blue lightning crawled across their skin before drilling into their bones.
This was Nami's microcurrent activation.
Under this near self-destructive thunder tempering—
Their Vajra energy and lightning had fully fused into a higher form of power.
"Break!"
Ronan roared inwardly.
In an instant—
A vast, ocean-like aura exploded from within him.
The inner energy that once flowed like a stream—
Expanded into a raging river.
Intermediate Vajra Body—
Achieved!
Not just him—
Luffy's physique became even tougher, as if wrapped in an invisible force field.
Zoro's sword intent grew more restrained, his entire being like a peerless blade waiting to be unsheathed.
Sanji's leg meridians expanded several times over, filled with a violent power capable of shattering anything.
—
On the other side of the deck—
Nami, Robin, Usopp, and Chopper were also immersed in their own growth.
As the source of the "thunder buff," Nami not only tempered others but was also strengthened in return.
Her once delicate body was becoming more resilient under the Thirteen Guardian Body training.
Robin, under the dual enhancement of Vajra training and lightning tempering—
Found every arm she manifested growing immensely stronger.
With newfound strength and the warmth of her companions—
Her once weary heart finally found peace.
The most excited, however, was Chopper.
Following the custom technique Ronan created for him, he trained diligently every day.
"This feeling of getting stronger… I can't stop!"
—
"Everyone!! I see land—!!"
Just as everyone was immersed in training—
Usopp's cracked voice rang out from the lookout post.
Everyone snapped back to reality and stood up.
At the horizon—
A massive island lay quietly across the sea.
It was shrouded in thick, almost tangible green mist.
Towering trees rose skyward, their dense canopies blocking out the sun.
From afar—
The island looked like a slumbering ancient beast, exuding a primal aura.
"No smoke… no signs of civilization."
Nami lowered her telescope, frowning slightly.
"Looks like an uninhabited island."
"Yahoo—! Let's land!"
Luffy dashed to the bow, ready to charge in.
"Hold it."
Sanji lit a cigarette and exhaled slowly.
"If it's uninhabited, then go gather ingredients."
"With your insane training, we're running out of high-quality food."
"Listen up!"
Nami suddenly put her hands on her hips, her tone deadly serious.
"You can gather food—but let me make this clear again—"
"No rats. No frogs."
"Anyone who brings that disgusting stuff back…"
"I'll blast them straight into the ocean!"
Everyone reacted differently.
Zoro, however, dug his ear impatiently and muttered:
"What's the big deal… out here, meat is meat… as long as it's cooked properly, even frogs—"
A vein popped on Nami's forehead.
"What did you say…?"
"I said, that's your—"
"BOOM—!!"
Before Zoro could finish—
A flash of lightning streaked past.
Nami's fist.
In Zoro's shocked gaze, that seemingly delicate punch carried irresistible force—
And smashed straight into his head.
"THUD!"
Zoro slammed into the deck, a massive smoking bump instantly swelling on his head.
"That… hurts…" he groaned, twitching.
"So that's… Nami-san's ultimate move?" Sanji grinned gleefully before turning to her with a fawning smile. "Don't worry, Nami-chan—I'll keep them in line!"
Ronan watched the scene and shook his head helplessly.
Even with an indestructible body—
You still couldn't withstand the wrath of the true apex predator on this ship.
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