"Before anything else," Rojen said to Crocodile, "You need to train the Dragon-Elephant Prajña Merit to the fifth level."
After giving the necessary guidance and pointing out the important details, Crocodile immediately began practicing the technique. His talent wasn't quite on Jason's level, but it wasn't far off either. In just one hour, he had already familiarized himself with the method.
"Ka-cha-cha!"
His joints began shifting and adjusting, forming smoother, more optimized lines. With a sudden jolt through his body, Crocodile felt something inside change.
He had trained in this technique before, under Jason's instruction, but Jason only knew how to use it, not how to teach it. Under Rojen's proper guidance, Crocodile's progress skyrocketed. In the blink of an eye, he had broken through to the third level, gaining the Power of Three Dragons and Three Elephants, a truly remarkable feat.
"This is way better than how Jason taught me," Crocodile thought. "That fool just passed along what worked for him. He never considered whether it was suitable for me."
Opening his eyes and seeing Rojen smiling at him, Crocodile felt a surge of gratitude.
"Thank you, Captain."
"Keep training," Rojen waved dismissively. "Use this time to push for another breakthrough."
"Got it!" Crocodile nodded and prepared to step away. Now that his body training was on track, he finally felt some relief.
"Next time I face a close-combat expert, I won't be crushed so easily."
"Call Trens in. I need to fix a few issues with his training," Rojen added.
Crocodile quickly left to fetch Trens, then wandered over toward Jason.
He stood silently on the deck, watching Jason's unusual training poses. The aura coming off Jason was fierce, like a silent warning not to get too close. Crocodile couldn't help but shiver inwardly.
"This big oaf may be slow, but his fleshly body is terrifying…"
Three minutes later, Jason slowly opened his eyes. A ripple ran through his body, so intense that it blasted the dust off his clothes. His control over his physical strength was downright frightening.
"Jason," Crocodile asked, "What level have you reached in the Dragon-Elephant Prajña Merit?"
"Seventh level! Why?" Jason blinked, then answered casually.
A flash of shock crossed Crocodile's face. Without a word, he stepped aside, assumed his stance, and dove into training.
That silent brute... already that far along?
Unbelievable.
Rojen called Trens into his cabin for a one-on-one lesson. After a detailed correction, Trens too had several breakthroughs.
In the days that followed, Sanbes, the new guide assigned to the ship, witnessed a strange and astonishing sight.
Every day, the three senior crew members would practice bizarre postures or sit cross-legged on the deck from dawn until dusk. Occasionally, sharp cracking noises like miniature explosions would echo from their bodies, clear, crisp, and powerful.
What shocked Sanbes most, however, was Jason. After each session, an oppressive aura radiated from him, like a primordial beast awakening, so heavy that Sanbes could barely breathe when standing nearby.
"What… what are they doing?" One day, Sanbes finally couldn't help but ask.
"Training," Replied one of the trainee crew, looking on with envy.
"Captain said that once we become full crew members, we can start training too. By then, we might become just as strong as the senior cadres."
They couldn't help but say it with longing in their voices.
"Training?" Sanbes was stunned. He looked at Jason and the others, confused.
Sure, the Marines had body training and physical training methods, but those required blood, sweat, and years of effort to gain even minor improvements. And now these people… just posed weirdly and somehow got stronger?
Of course, no one could explain it. Even the trainee crew themselves didn't fully understand the mysteries of this training system.
Three days later, under Sanbes' navigation, [The Logan] entered an unfamiliar sea route.
"This is a Marine-developed passageway that was recently opened. It leads to Long Ring Island. The journey may take a bit longer, but it's far safer,"
Sanbes explained to the crew.
That same day, Jason's fleshly body suddenly trembled violently. A terrifying imposing aura burst out from him, making the entire deck quake. The ship [The Logan] groaned under the pressure, its hull sinking slightly with a deep creak.
"Dragon-Elephant Prajña Merit, Eighth Level, Power of Eight Dragons and Eight Elephants!"
Jason opened his eyes. His gaze was sharp as a blade. He threw out a punch.
"Bang!"
The air exploded with a loud boom. A moment later, the air in front of him twisted violently like a gust of storm, sweeping outward with raw power.
"Big Brother Jason, you've gotten stronger again!"
Crew members watching nearby ran up, eyes filled with envy.
"No need to be jealous," Jason said loudly. "Once you pass the trials and begin training, you'll be able to gain this kind of strength too!"
At that moment, a similar shockwave rippled from Crocodile, his aura surging as a breakthrough took place. The ship trembled lightly again.
"Haha! Crocodile, you broke through too!" Jason blinked, then burst out laughing.
"Me too!"
Trens, who had been sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes. A flicker of Cyan Energy glowed in his pupils. He extended his right hand, and a pale cyan energy wrapped tightly around it like a translucent flame.
"This is… Astral Energy?"
Trens slowly stood. With just a single step, he crossed over ten feet, appearing right next to Jason and Crocodile.
"Trens, your internal training has broken through, you've already formed Astral Energy!"
Jason was stunned, and even Crocodile looked visibly shaken.
This kid's True Energy training is terrifying... It's only been a short while, and he's already left us in the dust.
"You guys are focused on strengthening your flesh. So I focused on training True Energy," Trens said with a grin.
"All three of you, come in." Just then, Rojen's voice rang out from within the cabin.
The trio tensed slightly, then headed straight into Rojen's room.
Watching Jason, Trens, and Crocodile walk into the captain's quarters, the remaining trainee crew exchanged glances and couldn't help showing envious expressions.
"The cadres have all advanced again… They're even scarier than before."
"Yeah. I used to be familiar with Big Brother Crocodile's body strength. But now, if you get too close, even his aura is overwhelming. It's unreal."
"And Big Brother Trens... I was right next to him earlier. The Cyan Energy wrapped around his hand; it was razor-sharp, like a blade itself."
"When will it be our turn to receive training guidance from the captain?"
"Don't rush. If we do our best and prove ourselves, the captain won't hold back."
"Yeah! Starting today, I'll work even harder!"
Their hushed voices carried across the deck, and even Sanbes, standing quietly at the helm, could hear them.
He was stunned.
What kind of training is this...?
It's completely different from the Marines' system, but it clearly boosts strength just the same.
And this guy Rojen… What kind of person is he? Even Vice Admiral Garp assigned me to help him...
A storm of questions filled Sanbes' mind. But none of them had answers.
(End Of This Chapter)
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