Moreover—
The effects of Haki are not limited to simply enhancing attack and defense.
Observation Haki can be used to perceive all kinds of enemy attacks. Armament Haki can be used to directly strike the physical body of Logia-type Devil Fruit users, no longer fearing the ineffectiveness of attacks after elementalization. It is, in fact, the most effective and convenient means of combating Devil Fruit users.
Of course, Devil Fruit users can also train Haki. As a result, in many battles, victory or defeat ultimately depends on the relative strength of the two sides' Haki. In this world, the power of Haki can be said to be of paramount importance.
Over the past two months of Haki training, nothing particularly unexpected occurred. Roya's strength increased steadily and rapidly. In addition to his progress in Haki, the Soul Sword was also strengthened by two additional minor tiers.
With a thought, a semi-transparent status panel appeared before Roya's eyes.
[Stage Three: Agile Soul Sword +6
Attributes: Attack +230, Strength +70, Agility +70
Special Attribute: All Things in the Universe, turn to ashes: Sword attacks can freely add fire damage
(evolution conditions not yet met)
Special Attribute: Getsuga Tenshō: Sword attacks can release crescent-shaped sword energy slashes
Enhancement Energy: 42/180]
At this point, further increases to basic attributes no longer had a very noticeable effect on Roya. By contrast, improvements to the special attributes were still quite significant.
In the blink of an eye, the fourth stage was gradually approaching.
Judging from the massive increase in basic attributes from the second stage to the third stage, the fourth stage should bring another substantial leap in base stats.
In addition, he should gain another green-tier attribute, as well as an extra chance to draw an additional attribute.
Increases in base attributes did not play a decisive role in Roya's overall combat strength, but special attributes—almost every single one of them—were critically important.
"I wonder what kind of attribute I'll draw at the fourth stage…"
After murmuring this to himself, Roya dismissed the status panel with a thought, sheathed Engetsu, and stretched his body slightly.
"It's already been two months since the last real combat mission…"
Elite Camp combat missions were usually assigned once every two to three months. Now more than two months had already passed, yet Zephyr had not mentioned anything about the next mission.
Having no combat mission for the time being was actually fine. Not being able to use Armament Hardening with one-hundred-percent consistency was still a problem that needed to be solved. Roya felt that his Armament Haki had not yet reached the limit that his current physical strength could support—it could still be strengthened further.
If the strength of his Armament Haki increased a bit more, he should be able to fully master Armament Hardening, using it at will without any chance of failure.
Since there was no news of a combat mission, Roya did not take the initiative to ask. Instead, he continued devoting himself to the training of Armament Haki.
---
Second floor of the Marine Headquarters fortress.
Inside the central large training ground, the Elite Camp recruits were chatting with one another during breaks in their training.
"It's already been more than three months since the last combat mission, right?"
"Huh? You're right—why hasn't there been a new combat mission yet?"
Several Elite Camp recruits sat there drinking water, casually discussing the matter, and couldn't help feeling puzzled.
Elite Camp combat missions were usually carried out once every two to three months, never later than three months. But now, more than three months had already passed since the previous one.
"Are you talking about the next combat mission?"
At that moment, Ain walked over and said to them, "I asked Instructor Zephyr before. It seems that because of some matter, the next combat mission will be delayed by a few months."
"A few months?"
Hearing Ain's words, the recruits present looked at one another in surprise.
Although not everyone liked combat missions, someone still couldn't help asking, "Delayed by a few months… what happened?!"
"I haven't heard of anything major happening on the seas lately either."
More recruits finished their training and came over to rest. Hearing the topic, they also voiced their surprise.
Ain spread her hands slightly and said, "I don't know the specifics. If you really want to know, you can go ask Instructor Zephyr."
"Haha, delayed is fine—who cares about the reason."
Someone immediately laughed. They were actually happy not to have to carry out a combat mission. After all, combat missions came with considerable pressure. Even though Zephyr would intervene in life-or-death situations and no one would lose their life, losing face was almost guaranteed.
And just as the Elite Camp recruits were chatting—
Suddenly, the main doors of the training ground were pushed open by a group of people.
"Are the strongest Marine recruits all here?"
After entering, the group walked straight toward the center of the training ground. The person at the front looked calmly and indifferently at the Elite Camp recruits and spoke.
"You are…?"
The Elite Camp recruits all showed looks of surprise when they saw this group enter.
The reason was simple: the clothes these people were wearing were clearly not Marine uniforms. In other words, they were not Marines. Yet this was the Marine Headquarters, and they had entered all the way to the Elite Camp's training grounds. Their identities were therefore worth careful consideration.
Although these people varied in build, with both men and women among them, and their clothing styles differed, the outfits they wore clearly resembled some kind of formal uniform.
"You don't need to know who we are."
Among the group dressed in extremely formal attire, one person revealed an aloof, condescending expression as he swept his gaze over the Elite Camp recruits.
From the moment they entered, this group carried an unmistakably superior attitude. Combined with their cold and arrogant tone, it immediately caused the expressions of many Elite Camp recruits to darken.
At this time, the Elite Camp recruits present also gathered together.
There were more than thirty Elite Camp recruits on site. Although not everyone was present, their numbers still far exceeded those of the intruders.
The group that had barged in numbered only a little over ten.
Yet even with such a clear numerical disadvantage, these people did not lose any momentum when facing the Elite Camp recruits. On the contrary, they faintly seemed to hold the upper hand in terms of presence.
"You're from the World Government, aren't you?"
One of the Elite Camp recruits spoke coldly.
Not Marines, yet able to freely enter the Marine Headquarters fortress and come directly to the Elite Camp's training grounds, while wearing what appeared to be a formal uniform—there was hardly any need to guess. These people could only be from the World Government.
They were correct.
These individuals were reserve members of CP, the intelligence agencies directly under the World Government.
And among them, the man at the front was the one who would later become a full CP9 member, hailed as the strongest CP9 agent in eight hundred years—
Rob Lucci!