Chapter 106: Rear Admirals Walking Everywhere, Captains as Common as Dogs
Despite being at the center of world-shaking waves and turbulence, Marine Headquarters had been surprisingly calm during this period.
Apart from confirming some of the news reported in the media, the Navy hadn't made any excessive moves.
Large numbers of Navy elites continued arriving at Marine Headquarters Marineford from around the world every day.
However, as time passed, the Navy's troop assembly seemed to be nearing its end. What was once a relatively empty headquarters had now become crowded.
High-ranking Navy officers who were rarely seen before were now everywhere at Marine Headquarters—you could truly say rear admirals were walking everywhere, and captains were as common as dogs.
Among them, a large group were Zephyr's disciples. After returning to headquarters and word spreading among them, they quickly learned that their teacher had actually taken on an adopted son, and according to their teacher, he intended to make him his successor.
Suddenly, Bane, who had already become famous again due to factors like propaganda warfare, immediately became the most sought-after person at Marine Headquarters.
Officers from all walks wanted to meet this mysterious individual. Various banquet invitations arrived at Bane's residence like endless snowflakes.
Initially, Bane attended some invitations from Vice Admirals like Momousagi, but after three or four consecutive days of not returning until drunk, Zephyr became furious. He scolded all his disciples, telling them not to disturb Bane's training, then gave Bane a thorough scolding, ordering him to obediently train with him until the war began.
At the Navy Officer Training Camp's training ground.
Zephyr was sparring with a figure while Bane practiced his boxing techniques in another area, each punch and stance creating powerful wind pressure.
Zoro, like Bane, had no sparring partner and was alone swinging his long sword, practicing his swordsmanship.
On the distant steps, Fubuki sat reading a book titled "Detailed Explanation of Haki," authored by Zephyr himself. The value of this book went without saying—it would be fought over anywhere.
Only these few people were in the training ground.
Dr. Genos had been secretly escorted to Egghead by warship several days ago, while Issho and Nami were currently immersed in the Navy's grand library.
Nami was learning and absorbing the Navy's navigation knowledge, world geographical secrets, and other high-level knowledge points inaccessible to outsiders.
As for Issho, despite being blind, he spent every day sitting in the library "reading." No one knew how he could see the text in books. Could Observation Haki have such applications?
The books he read required very high clearance to borrow, mostly containing Navy naval warfare essentials, strategies, tactical explanations, flag signals, and other military secrets.
Originally, with Issho's current status, he wouldn't be qualified to read such materials—the same went for Nami's books. But with Zephyr's word, Fleet Admiral Sengoku immediately granted them sufficient clearance. This was the benefit of having strong connections within the Navy.
After more than ten minutes, Zephyr suddenly punched his sparring partner flying. The figure rolled several times on the sandy ground before standing up breathlessly, wincing as he rubbed his bruised muscles—black and blue all over.
That's right, the one sparring with Zephyr was none other than the great Shandian warrior Wiper.
Seeing that Wiper had been defeated, Bane immediately stopped his movements and waved. "Foster Father, it's my turn—"
"I told you to call me Teacher during training!" Zephyr glared at Bane sternly.
"Yes, Teacher, then it's our turn—" Bane immediately corrected himself.
Before he could finish, Zephyr quickly said, "No need to rush. Your foundation is excellent, and these boxing techniques are all very impressive—clearly master-level skills. Even I don't have anything better to teach you. What you lack is only practical combat experience. Once your combat experience catches up, you can elevate your strength to the next level in the shortest time!"
Zephyr's judgment was quite accurate. After several interactions, he had determined that Bane's talent wasn't just strong—it was terrifyingly strong, to the point where Zephyr regretted not meeting this kid earlier and letting him go astray!
That's right, in Zephyr's view, whatever swordsmanship Bane learned and whatever Devil Fruit he ate were all burdens. If he just put down his sword, ignored Devil Fruits, and focused on combat techniques, martial arts, and Haki, given his current level, he would shine brightly before long.
Speaking of teaching, all Zephyr could really teach Bane now was the power of Haki. He was truly a top expert in this area and naturally very good at education and training—much more efficient than Issho, who was also an expert. Sometimes Issho clearly knew things but couldn't explain them well, while Zephyr could express things concisely and clearly, making Bane suddenly understand.
Through several accumulations and Zephyr's repeated guidance, Bane had successfully made his Armament Haki flow—this was the second stage of Armament Haki, what Koushirou called Ryuo!
Actually, Bane hadn't expected to enter this stage so quickly. He had always thought Haki was a very gradual power, unless you were naturally gifted.
Like the Red Count, who was born able to use Observation Haki to hear people's hearts, having excellent talent in Observation Haki—his starting point was others' endpoint.
Teacher Zephyr also agreed with Bane's assessment. Haki power was an accumulative force, requiring continuous effort—the more you practiced, the stronger it became. Often Haki's strength was linked to age; among people with similar talent, whoever practiced longer had stronger Haki!
Bane's previous misconception was thinking that only when Haki's strength reached a certain level could you master the next stage's changes.
But with Zephyr, this idea was directly negated. Strength was strength, technique was technique. In Zephyr's view, whether making Armament Haki flow or using Observation Haki to hear hearts and foresee the future—these were all techniques.
As long as you possessed Haki power, you could train these techniques. There was no strength threshold.
Strength determined the upper limit of techniques, not the lower limit!
In other words, among those who mastered Ryuo, those with deeper foundations and stronger Haki were more powerful—it was that simple.
"Yes, Teacher, precisely because my practical experience is limited, I need more—" Bane again proposed sparring with Zephyr.
Before he could finish, Zephyr interrupted: "Don't aim too high. I've found many people for you. Every day, different ones will come for practical combat training with you. When you've thoroughly understood them, then consider challenging me."
Initially, Zephyr was happy to personally train Bane, but after several sessions, he felt Bane's intensity. This guy was incredibly strong, physically robust, fearless of injury, and fought too fiercely. He could still handle it now, but it put serious strain on Zephyr's body. Being a proud person, he was unwilling to admit he couldn't keep up with Bane's intensity. After thinking it over, since so many officers had returned to headquarters and were idle anyway, why not conscript them to fight Bane?
This would also help quickly address Bane's lack of practical combat experience through various experts.
"Oh!" Hearing this, Bane was very moved. Look, his foster father truly cared for him, even finding a bunch of sparring partners.
"Who is coming today?" Bane asked curiously.
"Momousagi. She'll come after her afternoon meeting," Zephyr said casually.
While chatting, Wiper also approached to ask for advice: "Teacher, do you think there's anything I still need to improve?"
"Mm, your talent is also quite good, especially your fighting spirit is very strong. You have that unyielding, life-risking momentum. Such spirit can actually give you a better chance of survival on the battlefield than those who are timid," Zephyr began instructing Wiper.
Speaking of which, he was very optimistic about all of Bane's group now. That Zoro was a swordsmanship genius, this Wiper also had great potential, the girl named Fubuki was excellent in fruit development and ability application, and as for Bane—needless to say, he was completely a monster.
"Then Teacher, what kind of ability user do you think Wiper would be suited for?" Bane interjected.
"Why obsess over ability users? Garp and I don't rely on abilities, yet we still stand among the top-tier powerhouses," Zephyr said somewhat dissatisfied.
Bane didn't argue, just smiled. Seeing his expression, Zephyr was helpless. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Given Wiper's situation, fruits that enhance close-combat fighting ability would be best. Zoan types generally have this power—find a powerful one. Some Paramecia types could also be considered. Logia types would be least suitable for him."
"Enhance close combat?" Bane stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Undoubtedly, Zoan types generally had this effect. Coincidentally, at Punk Hazard, there was that pink dragon Mythical Zoan... However, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck Bane's mind.
Wiper fought fearlessly, habitually using injury-for-injury, life-risking tactics. Speaking of such fighting styles... it seemed like that Supernova Mad Monk Urouge's ability would be perfect!
The more injured you became, the stronger the positive feedback—an ability where the more you hit me, the stronger I become!
It was a perfect match!
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