Eli Winters returned directly to the room in the Germa Kingdom where they had been staying, but it was empty everyone was gone.
Activating his spatial sensing ability, a vivid image unfolded before his eyes, and the corner of his mouth lifted into a grin. It seemed he had stumbled upon something quite amusing.
On a wide training field within the Germa Kingdom, Big Pan stood at the front, holding a thick book as he lectured with a teacher's gravity. The cover bore an eye-catching title: "Teaching You How to Establish Proper Values." It was a "gift" Eli had left for him before departing.
Sitting obediently before Big Pan were the three troublesome Vinsmoke brothers, listening with rare focus. The reason for their newfound obedience was clear enough Big Pan's other hand held a long, barbed whip that glinted ominously under the sun. This wasn't fear, exactly it was the wisdom of survival. Sometimes, submission was the best choice, a lesson they had learned through many painful experiences over the past few days.
Reiju, however, was the lucky one. Thanks to her friendship with Felina, Fiona, and Chiyo, she'd been spared the "training" her brothers endured.
"Alright, class dismissed for today," Big Pan said, snapping the book shut. "Make sure you reflect deeply on what you've learned. Tomorrow, there'll be a test. And if anyone fails…" He cracked the whip in the air, producing a sharp snap! that echoed across the field.
The three brothers flinched in perfect unison not out of fear, but from pure reflex. Every man instinctively winced at that sound.
"Y-Yes, Boss Pan!" they shouted in unison, voices trembling slightly.
Satisfied, Big Pan nodded approvingly.
Eli clapped slowly as he approached. "Not bad, Big Pan. Didn't expect you to have a knack for teaching."
At the sight of Eli, Big Pan's eyes lit up. He'd never been apart from his captain this long not since the day he was born. With a roar of joy, he rushed forward and crushed Eli in a bear-like hug. "Big Bro! You're finally back!"
Unfortunately, given Big Pan's massive size, Eli's face ended up buried in the panda's furry stomach.
"Gah Big Pan! You trying to smother me to death?!" Eli gasped as he patted the panda's arm frantically. Once freed, he took a deep breath of fresh air before glaring up at him.
Big Pan scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed chuckle. "Haha, sorry, Big Bro! I just got a little excited."
Eli rolled his eyes.
The three Vinsmoke brothers hurried over, bowing respectfully. "Greetings, Master of the Void."
Eli nodded casually. "How've you been these past few days?"
The three exchanged pained looks. How've we been? You really don't know? You're the one who set this up!
Out loud, however, they forced smiles. "Everything's great! We're eating well and feeling strong!"
"Haha, that's good to hear," Eli said, fully aware of their insincerity.
"Don't worry, Big Bro," Big Pan said cheerfully. "If they ever disobey, I'll whip them back into shape!"
The brothers' faces twitched, their eyes full of silent misery.
Eli smiled. "I know I can count on you. By the way, where's everyone else?"
"Felina, Fiona, and Chiyo went with that Reiju girl to play on a nearby island," Big Pan replied. "Dotai and Simon are off testing their new weapons."
Eli nodded. He decided to check on Dotai and Simon first he wanted to test the purification potions he'd brought back. If they worked, the two Fishmen would finally be able to awaken their Haki, giving their crew a massive boost in strength.
After sending the Vinsmoke brothers off, Eli asked Big Pan to point out the direction, then teleported them both using his space ability.
They arrived on a barren island devoid of plants or life.
Dotai and Simon were already there, locked in a fierce sparring match. Eli and Big Pan chose not to interrupt, instead finding a rock to sit on and watch.
Dotai wore a pair of heavy gauntlets that gleamed with a deep brownish-black sheen crafted from extraterrestrial meteor iron Eli had acquired through his system. The gloves pulsed with a raw, destructive aura, their rugged surface inscribed with strange runes that gave off an ancient, primal energy. Every punch he threw sliced the air with a shriek, the force so overwhelming it seemed capable of pulverizing stone and piercing steel alike.
Simon, on the other hand, wielded a trident over two meters long. Its icy-blue metal reflected the sunlight sharply, the three tips gleaming like a predator's fangs. As he moved, faint ripples of water energy shimmered around him, dispersing Dotai's heavy blows with practiced fluidity.
Both were using Fishman Karate a combat style that combined physical might with water manipulation. Their strength was evenly matched, each strike a test of raw power and precise control.
Fists and tridents clashed again and again, shockwaves rolling outward. Dust billowed, and the ground cracked beneath their feet.
Eventually, both were drenched in sweat and panting heavily, calling an end to their spar.
"Captain! You're back!" Dotai shouted with excitement, wiping his forehead.
"Haha, just got back," Eli said. "How's the new gear treating you?"
"It's incredible," Simon said, his usual calm demeanor breaking into a grin. "This trident… it feels alive. I can finally fight on par with Dotai again."
"That's good," Eli said with a knowing smile. "Because I brought you both something even better."
The two Fishmen exchanged surprised glances. "What is it, Captain?"
Eli held up two small vials filled with faintly glowing liquid. "Purification potions. They might be able to remove whatever's blocking your ability to use Haki. I haven't tested them yet, though so I can't guarantee what will happen."
The two stared, wide-eyed. For years, they had believed Haki would forever be out of their reach. To hear otherwise filled them with hope they hadn't felt in ages.
"I'll go first!" Dotai declared without hesitation, grabbing one of the vials and downing it in a single gulp.
Simon blinked. "How do you feel?"
Dotai smacked his lips, face twisting in disgust. "Blech awful. That stuff's bitter!"
"Uh… you know, you can also apply it externally," Eli said, smirking.
Dotai froze. "...You couldn't have mentioned that before I drank it?"
"Who told you to be so fast?" Eli burst out laughing.
"So? Any change?" Big Pan asked eagerly.
Dotai focused inward, frowning. "Nothing. I don't feel any different."
Simon's excitement dimmed, disappointment flashing in his eyes.
"Hold on," Eli said thoughtfully. "Maybe you just need a little push. Dotai, let me hit you once try to feel the flow of energy when I do."
Dotai nodded. Eli coated his fist in Armament Haki and lightly struck Dotai's abdomen not too hard, but enough to sting.
Dotai doubled over at first, then froze. His eyes widened. "I… I can feel it! The Haki it's flowing through me! Captain, it worked!"
"Really?!" Simon grabbed his friend's shoulders in disbelief.
"Yeah! I can't control it yet, but it's there!"
Simon looked at Eli with burning determination. "Captain, my turn!"
Eli smiled and handed over the second vial. Without hesitation, Simon drank it too grimacing immediately.
"Big Pan! Hit me!"
"With pleasure!" Big Pan's grin was a little too wide as he slammed a Haki-coated fist into Simon's chest, sending him flying into the sand.
A moment later, Simon shot back up, laughing wildly. "I can feel it too! Haki it's really there!"
Big Pan blinked. "Big Bro, did Simon just lose his mind?"
Eli chuckled. "No. He's just happy. Looks like you've got two new sparring partners, Big Pan."
"Ha! Leave it to me. I'll train them hard!"
After their excitement settled, Dotai and Simon knelt before Eli, voices filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Captain."
Eli smiled warmly. "We're crewmates, aren't we? From now on, we'll face everything together. But remember strength doesn't come easy. You two have a lot of training ahead."
"We understand!" they said in unison.
Big Pan cracked his knuckles, smirking. "Hehe, then let's get started. Time for some real practice."
"Bring it on!" the brothers shouted back, bracing themselves.
Moments later, the peaceful island echoed with screams and explosions as Big Pan joyfully "trained" his new sparring partners.
Unable to bear watching the chaos any longer, Eli sighed and decided to find Felina and the others instead. After getting Big Pan to point out their location, he teleported away in a shimmer of space.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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