On a certain sea in the New World, the Saber of Xebec was cutting through the waves.
The bow split the blue surface of the sea, and rolling white foam dragged a long wake behind the stern.
Compared with the hurried pace when they came, the ship's speed had clearly slowed. It was like a ship that had finally set down its burden, now drifting lazily beneath the sun.
In the several days since their return journey began, the atmosphere aboard the Rocks Pirates had been unexpectedly good. Of course, this was no exaggeration. The main reason was that everyone had something to do and had no time to provoke one another.
Ron used Rocks as a "teaching aid" and began high-intensity training in Haki and swordsmanship.
Kaido did not understand it, but he knew one thing: following Ron was right.
Annika was responsible for Ron's daily meals and living arrangements. In her free time, she made small snacks for the others to taste.
Linlin and Gloriosa had an argument over body management, and in the end, they even made a bet.
Golden Lion and Silver Axe, those two restless fellows, came over from time to time to invite Ron and Kaido to "play games," but Ron politely refused each time with the excuse that studies came first.
Whitebeard maintained his "idle" state. He was practically a godly person. He could sit by the deck railing all day with a small drink, quietly watching Ron and the others sweat through training without speaking or leaving.
As for the others, they spent their days doing nothing, lazing around, randomly fanning flames. If they succeeded once, they watched the show. After watching, they discussed who to pit next. They were simply demon pills.
On the deck, bright sunlight spilled down, warming the grain of the wooden planks.
Ron and Kaido were bare-chested, sweat sliding down their backs and leaving dark damp marks around their feet.
However, compared with Ron, Kaido's state was simply unbearable to look at.
His face was swollen like a pig's head, his eye sockets bruised purple, dried blood at the corner of his mouth, and his body covered in black and blue marks.
Ron, apart from sweat, was almost completely unharmed.
"Not fair." Kaido rubbed his face and shouted at Rocks in that voice distorted by being beaten. "Rocks, you bastard, you definitely went easy when hitting Ron!"
Rocks stood a few steps away and sneered inwardly when he heard that.
Went easy?
On the first day, after personally experiencing Ron's nearly abnormal recovery ability, he had come very close to using killing force.
Kaido, on the other hand, covered his stomach and lay on the ground after taking one impact from a punch. When Rocks told him to get up, it was either "the wind is blowing" or "it's raining."
On the second day, when he was told to continue training, he said, "I'll train after my injuries heal."
"Fine," Rocks said with a smiling face. "Then I'll use the strength I use against Ron to deal with you."
Kaido felt secretly delighted, but kept his face tense. "You'd better keep your word, Rocks."
"Of course." As Rocks spoke, his right hand slowly clenched. Powerful Haki wrapped around his fist as he continued, "You had better use Observation Haki to predict the direction of my attack, then use Armament Haki to defend."
Kaido instantly shivered.
For some reason, he felt that if he took this punch, he might see his life flash before his eyes.
"Wait." Kaido suddenly raised a hand. "Pause! My stomach hurts."
Without waiting for Rocks to agree, he had already turned and quickly drilled into the cabin, disappearing cleanly.
At the same time, Golden Lion happened to walk out of the cabin.
He swept a glance over the deck, then naturally walked toward Whitebeard's position and leaned against the ship's railing with casual posture. "Newgate, still so interested in watching idiots get beaten?"
Whitebeard lifted his eyelids and glanced at him with the eyes one used to look at an idiot. "I'm also watching an idiot call other people idiots behind their backs."
Golden Lion paused. He turned and looked at Whitebeard's expressionless face. In the end, he only coldly laughed and did not answer.
On the other side of the deck, Annika walked out carrying a tray. Three cups of plain water were neatly arranged on top.
Her footsteps were light as she walked to Ron and Rocks, her voice gentle. "Ron-sama, Rocks-sama, you must be thirsty. Have some water."
"Hah." Ron took the cup. After sweating all over, drinking a cup of water felt indescribably refreshing.
He lifted the cup to his mouth, but in the instant before it entered, he paused slightly.
This smell?
Wasn't it a little too sharp?
He subconsciously lowered the cup and looked at Annika. "What is this?"
"Plain water!" Annika answered with a bright smile.
Ron did not think too much. Perhaps Annika had added some seasoning she had mixed herself.
He was just about to try a sip when Annika suddenly lowered her voice and leaned closer, saying mysteriously, "Ron-sama, actually, this is life water that restores energy. Didn't you have a little unpleasantness with Shiki-sama before? He asked me to bring this to you as an apology. He also told me not to tell you, but I didn't want to steal the credit. After all, he worked very hard with Streusen-sama to develop it."
Not far away, Golden Lion's brows twitched violently. He cursed inwardly. Could this silly girl be any less reliable?
Slip away.
Slip away.
Then Golden Lion stepped toward the cabin.
Ron, who had been about to drink, stopped.
He glanced at Annika's face, which was filled with sincerity, then lowered his head and looked at the cup of "life water" in his hand. After that, he slowly raised his head and shouted toward the figure trying to slip away.
"Hey, Shiki."
Golden Lion's back stiffened. He turned around somewhat unnaturally and squeezed out the most natural smile he could. "What?"
"Lend me your lighter," Ron said calmly.
Golden Lion did not think much of it. He casually took a lighter from his pocket and tossed it over.
Ron caught it, clicked it on, and brought the flame above the cup.
In that instant, a deep-blue flame suddenly sprang up from the cup, dancing in the sunlight and sea breeze like a flower set on fire.
Annika's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow! This life water can catch fire!"
Ron reached out and lightly flicked her forehead. "Life water my ass. This is strong liquor."
Annika covered her forehead and shrank her neck, looking wronged.
Ron raised his eyes and increased his volume toward the figure who had nearly reached the cabin door. "Shiki, I really fucking thank you. Stretch your head over here. I have something to give you."
Golden Lion's footsteps clearly doubled in speed. His figure flashed and disappeared through the cabin door.