Compared to when he had just returned to Marine Headquarters last year…
Nao's base stats had all improved through relentless training, but looking strictly at the numbers, the increase wasn't obvious—only his stamina had gone up by one point.
After all, the stronger you get, the harder it becomes to push further.
Not to mention, his training during this time was mainly focused on his swordsmanship and Haki.
He has already used five of the meditation incense sticks and has half a stick left, which allowed him to break through in his Observation Haki. This was already an unexpected surprise.
"Advanced Observation Haki…"
Nao slowly closed his eyes, calming his mind. In an instant, his Observation Haki surged outward like a silent, invisible tide, spreading in all directions without a sound.
Even through the thick steel walls, as long as he focused, he could perceive everything within a radius of a few kilometers.
In the north, fallen leaves fluttered down the tree-lined avenue, dancing wildly in the wind.
To the west, the snoring and tooth-grinding of recruits in the dorms, occasionally interrupted by muttered dream-talk.
Even the flapping of seagulls flying in the sky…
Every detail, no matter how small, came through in perfect clarity.
"Phew…"
Nao opened his eyes and slowly exhaled, clearly satisfied with the strength of his Observation Haki.
Both the range and precision had grown severalfold compared to last year, and its effectiveness in a real fight was obvious.
It could be said that his weak point had been completely filled.
Observation Haki, Armament Haki, swordsmanship, close combat, physical strength, recovery ability…
Nao now considered himself to have reached the level of a world-class powerhouse in every aspect, with almost no blind spots or weak points.
"And… this!"
His eyes gleamed faintly as he focused on the steel plate in front of him. With a thought—
Whummm!
A terrifying force burst out from his body, shaking the air like a hurricane let loose.
Conqueror's Haki!
It was invisible and formless, but the four walls of the entire training room were now shaking violently as if an earthquake had hit.
The iron plates attached to the top were as fragile as thin crackers and kept clattering.
The night sky outside also seemed to be affected by this terrifying aura. Dark clouds gathered, the moonlight disappeared, and a strong wind began to blow between the heaven and the earth.
Withdraw.
With another thought, the terrifying aura instantly disappeared without a trace, and everything returned to normal.
Outside, the moon and stars were still bright, and the night was still quiet. Only the continuous chirping of insects and birds in the dense woods would not return for a while.
All was silent.
"My control has improved a little since I first awakened my Conqueror's Haki."
A sharp light flashed in Nao's eyes. He clenched his fists, stood up, and looked at the night sky, muttering to himself:
"But this level is not enough. I still have a long way to go before I can reach the level of control that Big Mom and Kaido have."
Conqueror's Haki was an innate gift.
Unlike Observation and Armament, it couldn't be honed simply through training—it could only grow along with the user's own personal development.
Nao was no exception.
But luckily, his Conqueror's Haki was naturally at the top level in the world; it was just that his control over it was still in its infancy and required a lot of time to practice and consolidate.
This was also a form of training.
It was said that at the highest level, one could even combine Conqueror's Haki with Armament Haki, channeling it directly into physical strikes and head-to-head clashes, reaching the legendary "Conqueror's Coating" that only the strongest few in history had ever achieved.
Looking at the world, in the last few decades, it seemed that only Pirate King Roger and Whitebeard Newgate were able to do this.
As for the other two new generation "Emperors", Kaido and Big Mom, they had not yet been able to reach this level.
"I wonder if Admiral Sengoku can do it…"
The thought of Sengoku crossed his mind—the only man among the Marine high command born with Conqueror's Haki, a living legend who had once clashed as an equal with both Whitebeard and Roger in their prime.
He rarely displayed it, keeping a low profile.
Not just newcomers like Nao— even veteran vice admirals could count on one hand the times they'd seen him use it.
Maybe when Sengoku had some free time, he could ask him for advice?
"It's a possibility…"
But that would have to wait until he had some free time. He wouldn't have time for that for at least the next two days.
Nao thought to himself as he walked out of the training room door. He squatted down by a trickling stream, cupped his hands to wash his face, and looked at the night sky, remembering the two phone calls he had received two days ago.
If nothing had gone wrong—
Shia would be arriving at Marineford after sunrise today.
As for Gion, she'd hit a storm after leaving the Calm Belt, forcing her to take a detour. That meant her arrival would be a bit later than planned, but no later than the night after tomorrow.
A battlefield of love, huh… Looks like it's really happening this time.
...
Early morning.
Just back from grocery shopping, Yukika tiptoed first to the children's bedroom.
Nojiko was already up and was trying hard to make her own bed. She was grunting and sweating from the effort. As soon as she saw Yukika come in, she obediently called out, "Grandma."
In the newly bought baby cradle, Nami was still sleeping soundly. Her head was slightly tilted, she was sucking on her thumb, and drool was flowing onto half of her pillow. She looked adorably naive.
Yukika's heart was about to melt from the cuteness of these two little ones. She dotingly patted little Nami's head and covered her with a light blanket.
Then, she nimbly and skillfully made the bed for Nojiko, pinched the blue-haired girl's cheek, and said with a scolding tone:
"Silly child, you're not even three years old yet. You don't have to do this. Just leave it to Belle-mère and me."
Nojiko scratched her head awkwardly.
She'd grown up in an orphanage, self-reliant from a young age, so even after being adopted by Bell-mère and gaining a new family, she still tried not to trouble others. Being smothered with affection like this was something she still wasn't used to.
"Where's Mom?"
She looked around and didn't see Belle-mère, so she asked curiously.
"She hasn't had much time these past few days. She got up early today to report to Headquarters. From today on, her Marine status has been officially transferred from the East Blue to Headquarters."
Yukika smiled. "It seems like her rank will be reduced by three levels. I wonder if she's a Master Chief Petty Officer or a Warrant Officer now…"
Halfway through, she decided there was no point explaining such details to a child. Instead, she rubbed Nojiko's hair and said warmly:
"Go brush your teeth and wash your face. Grandpa and I will make breakfast, and when Bell-mère comes back, we can all eat together!"
"Mm!"
Seeing the little one leave obediently, Yukika smiled. After she went into the other bedroom, the kind and amiable expression on her face disappeared without a trace.
"The sun is already on your butt, and you're still sleeping!"
She looked expressionless as she kicked old Captain Natsuya, who was still sound asleep on the bed, and then, amidst his screams, she dragged him to the kitchen by his ear.
The two of them had a clear division of labor. One washed and cut vegetables, while the other cooked. There was a natural understanding between the loving old couple.
Soon, most of the hearty breakfast was ready and served on the dining table.
Click.
Just then, the sound of a key turning came from the door. A ponytailed young woman with chestnut-red hair stepped inside.
"You're back, Bell-mère!"
Yukika untied her apron, greeting her cheerfully. "How was it? Was your status transferred successfully? Was your position set? If…"
Her voice stopped halfway through.
Yukika had just noticed—ever since Bell-mère stepped in, she'd kept her head lowered, silent. Her face didn't look good.
"…What's wrong?"
A sudden twinge of unease prickled in Yukika's chest.
"Aunt Yukika…"
Bell-mère finally looked up. She bit her lip, fingers twisting the hem of her shirt. Her eyes, when they met Yukika's, were full of grievance—and a faint trace of confusion.
"Have you… ever heard of the name… Gion?"