The Going Merry hummed.
It was a new sound, a low thrum of power that seemed to rise from the wood itself. The Straw Hats stood on the deck, the morning sun spilling across polished planks that now glowed with a faint, invisible energy. For a long moment, no one spoke. The ship felt alive.
Ben broke the silence, his white hair stirred by the sea breeze. "There's one more place I want to show you."
He led them into a newly built meeting room. It was large, circular, and bright, with wide windows overlooking the ocean. A round table sat in the center, polished smooth and surrounded by enough chairs for everyone. It wasn't grand, but it felt like theirs.
As they took their seats, Nami spread a large map across the table.
"Our next stop," she began, her tone quiet but certain, "is Loguetown—the Town of Beginning and End. The place where Gold Roger was born… and executed."
Luffy's eyes widened, his voice filled with an awe that burned brighter than the sea. "I wanna see it!"
"That's where we'll need to stock up before heading to the Grand Line," Nami nodded.
Ben leaned back in his chair. "Loguetown is guarded by Captain Smoker of the Marines. He's not someone ordinary pirates can just walk past."
The crew fell silent.
"Smoker has eaten a Devil Fruit," Ben continued, his voice calm. "The Moku Moku no Mi. He can become, control, and generate smoke. He can suffocate and bind anyone who fights him. Normal attacks won't work."
Usopp gulped. "So… he's invincible?"
"No," Ben said steadily. "No one is invincible. But he's strong. Strong enough to crush most pirates before they even set foot in his town."
Sanji exhaled a stream of smoke. "Then what do we do if he comes for us?"
Ben's gaze shifted to each of them. "You get stronger."
The words hung in the air, heavy with resolve.
Ben leaned forward, his gaze sweeping the map. "I need to tell you something. The world is bigger than you think. There are people out there who can cut islands in half, destroy fleets with a single punch, or see your movements before you make them. It's not just Devil Fruits that make them strong—it's something deeper."
He looked at Zoro. "It's called Haki."
Zoro's eyes sharpened.
"There are three kinds," Ben explained, his voice low. "Observation Haki—the ability to sense intent, to see attacks before they land. Armament Haki—a way to harden your body and weapons, to strike even the 'invincible' Devil Fruit users. And Conqueror's Haki—a power of will, the ability to dominate others with sheer presence alone."
"You mean… people can just scare enemies unconscious?" Usopp whispered.
"If their will is strong enough." Ben's gaze returned to Zoro. "Usopp told me about your fight with Dracule Mihawk."
Zoro's jaw tightened.
"Mihawk is one of the strongest Haki users in the world," Ben said. "His swordsmanship is so refined, it can slice through an island. If you want to surpass him, you'll need more than skill. You'll need Haki."
Zoro's hand clenched the hilts of his swords. He said nothing, but his determination was a physical force.
Ben turned to Sanji. "You too. To protect your friends, to fight enemies who don't play fair, you'll need strength that goes beyond fire and kicks."
Sanji lit a new cigarette, his eyes serious. "I understand."
Finally, Ben faced Luffy. "And you—if you want to become the Pirate King, you need to be ready. There will be people who can destroy entire islands. If you can't protect your crew… you might lose one of us."
The words hit harder than any blow. Luffy's grin vanished, his expression turning deadly serious. His hand tightened into a fist, his voice low and absolute. "I won't let that happen."
"Good," Ben said, standing. "Then we start today."
He led them down a corridor to a series of gravity training rooms. Inside the chamber, the ceiling was fifty feet height, and football field size of chamber. And there were iron golems present all around the chamber borders, their walls humming faintly with indestructible charms.
"These rooms were made for training under gravity," Ben said. "The more pressure your body endures, the stronger it becomes. You won't get stronger overnight, but you will be ready."
He looked to Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji. "You three first."
They entered the chambers. Ben raised his hand, and the floor glowed. Instantly, the gravity pressed—three times heavier, thickening the air, forcing their knees to bend.
From the far corners, tall, silent figures of solid steel emerged, joints grinding as they rose.
Luffy's and Usopp's eyes sparkled in unison. "Robots!"
Ben's voice was firm. "Zoro—your goal is to learn the art of cutting steel. Feel the flow. Understand the resistance. Luffy—your punches must carry the power to shatter the golems completely. Sanji—your kicks must burn with enough heat to melt the steel."
Zoro drew his swords, grunting under the weight. "Understood."
Luffy cracked his knuckles. "I'll smash 'em to bits!"
Sanji took his fighting stance. "I'll show you."
Ben turned to the others. "Nami, Usopp—your task is different. You'll train under double gravity. Build your stamina. Master your movement. You are the eyes and heart of this crew; you'll need strength, too."
They nodded and headed to their room, immediately feeling the weight press down.
Finally, Ben entered his own chamber, set the gravity to three times normal, and began. His movements were fluid, deliberate. His goal wasn't raw strength, but control—to balance his power so it wouldn't consume him.
Hours bled into a grueling afternoon. The Merry sailed on, self-guided through calm waters, but inside her new training halls, it was a symphony of agony.
Sparks flew as Zoro's blades screeched against steel, his arms roaring in protest. Luffy's fists hammered his golem, denting the metal but failing to break it. Sanji's kicks were blurs of fire, the air scorching as he strained against the crushing weight.
Sweat poured. Muscles screamed. But no one stopped.
Dusk painted the sky when Ben finally deactivated the gravity. The sudden lightness was dizzying. The crew collapsed as one, gasping, drenched, and trembling—but through the exhaustion, they were smiling.
Ben walked among them. "Good work," he said quietly. "This is just the beginning."
Luffy lay flat on his back, grinning at the ceiling. "We'll be ready," he panted. "For Smoky… for anyone."
Zoro sat cross-legged, his swords beside him. "I'll cut steel. No matter how long it takes."
Sanji stretched his leg, a burnt-out cigarette dangling from his lips. "My kicks will melt through anything."
Nami leaned against the wall, breathing hard but steady. "Feels like we're finally moving forward."
"Moving forward… or dying slowly," Usopp muttered beside her, but even he was smiling.
Ben looked at the faces of his crewmates, their determination burning like small suns in the dim light. He felt something deep and quiet. Belonging.
The ship sailed on, guided by its new magic, carrying seven souls bound by a single promise:
To grow stronger.
To protect each other.
And to never, ever turn back.