Chapter 8: Breathing
When Rhodes arrived at the meeting point, Rez and the others had already arrived, each one looking nervously around.
The castle's base was vast, dotted with thick stone pillars, each so large that four men could embrace it. These pillars gleamed with a cold sheen, looking as if cast from metal, engraved with mysterious patterns.
Standing there, the humans felt a sudden sense of insignificance.
Even Rez, the strongest of the newcomers, possessing a near-superhuman physique, clenched his fists, his pride subdued.
"Revolutionary Army Headquarters..."
Rhodes was fearless. In this respect, time travelers possessed an extraordinary psychological advantage.
He glanced around, his eyes flickering with curiosity.
No one knew how many powerful individuals and secrets were hidden within such a dangerous organization recognized by the World Government.
"Tada ta..."
Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the distance, seeming distant in the empty space.
Rez and the others turned to look.
A sturdy man in a martial arts uniform slowly approached.
"Fishman Hack?" Rhodes's eyes flickered. Was he in charge of training the reserves?
He wondered where Sabo was now, or how strong he was.
Arriving before Rhodes and the others, Hack said in a deep voice, "I am your future instructor, Hack."
"Follow me,"
he said, and headed off, with Rez and the others quickly following.
Hack led Rhodes and his group unimpeded to the second floor of the castle, passing countless checkpoints along the way.
This headquarters was clearly heavily guarded, with countless powerful individuals lurking in the shadows.
However, in the eyes of the truly powerful, even the strongest defenses were nothing.
Just like Marine Headquarters, half destroyed by the Golden Lion's invasion, and shattered after the Battle of Marineford, the Revolutionary Army headquarters would also be completely destroyed by the Blackbeard Pirates.
This was a world of the strong, and the truly powerful were fearless.
After passing through several corridors, the group arrived at a spacious hall.
Inside, many young men and women, slightly older than Rhodes and the others, were engaged in training or sparring with each other.
When Hack arrived, everyone stopped, looked over, and bowed to the fishman Hack respectfully.
"Are you all the Revolutionary Army reserves?"
Rhodes glanced at them briefly. His enhanced senses made him even more sensitive to auras. Any one of these reserves was likely stronger than Rez, the strongest of Rhodes's generation.
"Yeah, they should last a few more arcs." Rhodes averted his gaze, no longer paying attention.
Hack didn't linger, but led Rhodes and the others to a smaller hall.
"Everyone, sit down."
Hack gestured for everyone to find a seat, then spoke. "This is where you'll be staying from now on. Move your living quarters here, too."
"Once you become a reserve, you'll bid farewell to ordinary life."
"What you'll face next isn't just my special training, but real combat, bloody battles, perhaps against vicious pirates or brutal beasts."
These words were spoken with such solemnity that Rez and the others couldn't help but feel serious, their hearts heavy.
For a long moment, they remained silent.
Fishman Hack spoke again, his tone slightly slower. "But you don't have to dwell on that for now."
"Your most urgent priority is to strengthen yourselves."
He paused briefly, glancing at everyone present. "Whether you're a swordsman or a Devil Fruit user, you all must understand one thing."
"Physical strength is the foundation of everything."
"Without a strong body, no matter how powerful you are in other areas, it's all just an illusion."
His words were resounding and convincing.
Rez and the others seemed to understand,
but Rhodes, familiar with the series, was completely convinced. In the pirate world, any truly powerful individual was a monster capable of fighting for days and nights, their stamina practically endless.
This was why Rhodes was so excited after developing the Lightning Body Forging Technique.
Without a physique stronger than a monster, one couldn't really compete on the seas.
"Now, let me teach you a breathing method,"
said Hack. "While strengthening your physique is a gradual process, and there are no shortcuts, there are some good techniques that can speed up the process."
"The most important thing is this breathing method. A correct breathing method can ensure that the muscles in your body receive adequate oxygen, thereby accelerating the effectiveness of training, comprehensively strengthening every corner of your body, and building a flawless superhuman physique."
Rhodes and the others listened quietly. As Hack explained, they tried to follow his instructions.
The breathing method Hack taught was very unusual.
As a doctor, Rhodes knew well that while a normal person inhales oxygen when breathing, they also exhale some oxygen when exhaling, leaving this oxygen unused.
However, the method taught by fishman Hack allowed one to control breathing patterns and absorb and utilize all the oxygen.
Changing instincts was extremely troublesome, but those present were no ordinary people—they were semi-superhumans with Doriki values exceeding 200. Naturally, common sense wouldn't apply.
Having mastered concentration and studied lightning-based body tempering, Rhodes possessed far superior control over his body. He quickly grasped the technique and began to adjust his breathing, bit by bit.
Gradually,
as he mastered this special breathing method, he felt a change in his entire being. He felt lighter,
his heart beat more powerfully, and his mind seemed clearer.
"This breathing method seems to strengthen the internal organs?"
Rhodes's narrowed eyes flashed with brilliant light.
At that moment, he seemed to have discovered the reason for the unnatural stamina of the peak powerhouses.
The internal organs influence the body in all aspects. If they could be strengthened through practice, they would naturally forge a monstrous life force.
This was even more important to Rhodes.
The Lightning Body Tempering Technique didn't dare pass through the internal organs—wasn't it because of their fragility?
If this breathing method could slowly strengthen the internal organs, reaching a level where they could withstand the strengthening current,
then the Lightning Body Tempering would be complete, and Rhodes's body would be free of all weaknesses.
"Hmm, you've mastered it so quickly?"
Suddenly, fishman Hack seemed to sense something, slightly startled, and glanced deeply at Rhodes, who was sitting at the edge.
"Is that the young swordsman koala mentioned?"
"You're truly formidable."
This breathing technique wasn't difficult; the challenge lay in transforming over a decade of instinct. To master it so quickly meant Rhodes possessed extraordinary control over his body.
Fishman Hack had taught many reserves, but he had never seen anything like it.
Even Sabo back then took considerable time to reverse his instincts.
"Once you've mastered this breathing method, you should try to make it completely second nature, integrating it into every aspect of your daily life, whether you're sleeping or exercising. Maintain it at all times."
Fishman Hack had originally intended to say these words after everyone had finished learning.
(End of Chapter 8)
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