"In that case, I'll have to think of someone else."
Hera pondered who else would be suitable for this devil fruit. Eneru wouldn't do; Hera didn't want anyone who oppressed commoners among her crew. Besides, if she was looking for a permanent crewmate, a beautiful girl would be better. After much thought, Hera remembered that person.
"I can't help it, little brother Luffy. I really didn't want to steal your Navigator, but the Rumble-Rumble Fruit is just too strong." Hera made up her mind. After the Training Camp ended, she would return to the East Blue to find Nami and see. If Nami agreed, she would take her to Sky Island; if not, she would keep the devil fruit stored for now.
Hera and Kuina did not disturb the fights of the others. After all, it was training, and everyone had to rely on themselves to defeat their opponents. Of course, Hera's Observation Haki was constantly monitoring the situation. As soon as one of her people collapsed from exhaustion, she would immediately intervene. The remaining enemies completely despaired when they realized that whenever their side was about to win, they would be dragged into the ground by a black shadow.
Some even tried to jump into the sea to survive. How could Hera allow her time reserves to slip away? She had already used the City of Devouring Time to seal the deck, and anyone who jumped overboard would simply be devoured.
Soon, Black and Kruger also collapsed onto the deck. The battle ended in a complete victory for the Marines with zero casualties.
Zephyr watched the battle and felt that Hera's strength had far surpassed that of her contemporary Marines. Only Kuina, who had been training since childhood, could barely keep up with her pace. It seemed the East Blue was already limiting her growth.
Zephyr looked at the victorious group returning and said, "It seems the Pirates of the Four Seas are no longer enough to meet your training needs. Next, we will enter the First Half of the Grand Line and conduct Pirate hunting there."
Zephyr figured they had fought enough 'easy mode' battles, and the recruits had witnessed real combat. It was time to go to the true training ground, the First Half of the Grand Line, to let them experience some pressure.
After another period of sailing, they reached the Grand Line. Once there, the strength of the Pirates increased significantly. Many Pirate Crew Captains in the Four Seas couldn't defeat recruits who knew some of the Six Powers, but here, even the Grunt Soldiers in a Pirate Crew could exchange blows with the recruits. The frequency with which Hera needed to intervene also increased.
In the blink of an eye, the day for the return voyage arrived. After undergoing the tempering of blood, the recruits had grown considerably. The entire team looked much more seasoned, and the constant fighting filled the group with a scent of blood.
Just then, a small wooden boat suddenly appeared ahead of their return route. On the boat were only a plump old woman and a burly man who looked less than intelligent.
Whitebeard Jr. said, "Mama, there's a warship here."
Miss Bakkin instructed Whitebeard Jr.: "Go, destroy this warship for Mama! Show off your strength so the Marines will recruit us to become Shichibukai."
"Yes, Mama." Upon hearing this, Whitebeard Jr. wielded his massive Bisento. His sturdy upper body drove the rotation of the Bisento, which was coated in Armament Haki, and he slashed towards the warship.
Zephyr sensed the approaching danger, stepped forward first, and blocked the attack, asking, "Who are you, daring to actively provoke the Marines?"
Miss Bakkin said, "I didn't expect there to be someone on this warship capable of blocking that strike. Look closely at his beard and Bisento—do you still not understand? This is Whitebeard's son, Whitebeard Jr., Edward Weevil."
Hera looked at his robust, massive upper body and the slender legs beneath and quipped, "Another one who skips leg day. He'll get ED sooner or later."
Zephyr saw his signature white beard, but having dealt with Whitebeard before, he found it hard to connect this fat man—who looked somewhat simple-minded, with 'wisdom' written all over his face—with the hero Whitebeard. He cursed, "What Whitebeard's son? I've never heard of him! Besides, if Whitebeard truly had a son, how could a man of his character allow him to stay with an old hag like you?"
Miss Bakkin was furious upon hearing Zephyr's words and shouted at Whitebeard Jr., "My child, he dares to question your identity as Whitebeard Jr.! Go, kill him for me!"
Whitebeard Jr. immediately replied upon hearing Miss Bakkin's command, "Yes, Mama."
His massive figure swung the Bisento, and the man charged toward Zephyr like a beast.
Zephyr was completely unafraid. The fame of the black arm was not spread just by the No-Kill Principle. Armament Haki covered Zephyr's two arms, and he chose to meet the attack head-on. The two were locked in a stalemate for a moment.
Miss Bakkin saw the stalemate and grew anxious, commanding, "Go kill those Marines first, disrupt his rhythm."
"Yes, Mama." Upon hearing this, Weevil immediately turned his blade, preparing to ignore Zephyr for the moment and clear out the Marines.