Chapter 106: Aokiji's Unexpected Visit & the Long Chain Islands
Over the next seven days, every member of the Straw Hat crew underwent Sol's hellish special training. From the crack of dawn until nightfall, Sol's fists and kicks rained down relentlessly like a storm—without the slightest mercy, even toward the three women: Nami, Vivi, and Robin.
No matter how brutal the beating, every midnight Sol would cast healing magic to restore everyone completely, allowing them to face the next day's "torture" full of energy once again.
This endless cycle felt like a nightmare for Nami and the others. Beyond the physical punishment, Sol would intermittently release Conqueror's Haki, keeping everyone's minds in a constant state of extreme tension.
Even more despairing was how precisely Sol seemed to gauge each person's limits. Even when they collapsed sobbing "I can't move anymore," this demonic instructor could still squeeze out the very last drop of strength from their bodies.
During these days, the only one truly enjoying himself was Sol. He finally understood why that rotten old man Garp loved training him so much—beating people up felt incredibly satisfying!
The only difference was that the Navy Headquarters had abundant resources to support such training, while Sol now had to play the roles of instructor, cook, and medic all at once—since the ship's cook Sanji and doctor Chopper, along with the others, were equally bruised and unconscious on the grass.
The only relief the Straw Hats felt came from the sudden challenge issued by the Foxy Pirates' Davy Back Fight. The unlucky group ran straight into the barrel of a gun, giving the crew—pent-up with resentment from the brutal training—a perfect outlet to vent. (This episode is glossed over briefly.)
In the evening, Sol uncharacteristically showed mercy and announced the training would end early. Cheers erupted immediately—especially when he declared that everyone had now grasped the basics of the Six Powers. Even the physically weakest Vivi had learned the techniques; she only needed to build up her stamina to use them proficiently.
Even more exciting was that Sanji had successfully awakened Armament Haki, and Nami had comprehended Observation Haki. This hellish training had yielded abundant results.
While Sanji prepared dinner, Luffy excitedly dragged Usopp, Chopper, and Karoo off to play. It wasn't until twilight deepened that the sweaty, laughing group returned—accompanied by a white horse named Sherry and a man who introduced himself as Tōgīt.
At dinner, the uninvited guest recounted his bizarre tale: he had lived for ten full years on a pair of homemade ten-meter-tall stilts because of his fear of heights preventing him from coming down. As a result, the wooden stilts kept growing longer, trapping him deeper and deeper. In the end, it was Luffy accidentally kicking the stilts and breaking them that "rescued" him.
"Ten years?!" Vivi set down her utensils in shock. "How did you manage food and daily needs?"
Tōgīt chewed happily on Sanji's specially grilled meat and explained: "This Long Chain Island consists of ten ring-shaped small islands. Due to the unique geography, everything here grows unusually long and tall."
He gestured with his hands: "I survived by eating the fruits that grew high up."
Nami spat out a mouthful of hot soup: "Sorry to be blunt, but… are you an idiot?"
"Thinking back now, it really was pretty terrifying." Tōgīt scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed laugh.
Usopp couldn't help interjecting: "Ten years of your life just to reach that conclusion? You're not ordinary-level stupid—you're legendary-level!"
After a hearty meal, Luffy decided they would first help Tōgīt find his people the next day before setting off for Water 7 to recruit a shipwright. The proposal passed unanimously. Everyone looked forward to a peaceful night's sleep for once, excited for tomorrow's easy schedule.
The next day, sunlight already flooded the deck by the time the Straw Hats lazily crawled out of their sleeping bags—the first time they had slept until naturally waking in many days.
After finishing breakfast, Tōgīt said he needed to return to his tent to pack. With nothing else to do, the crew decided to go with him.
"It's just that tent up ahead…" Tōgīt hadn't finished speaking when an irritated shout came from inside the tent: "So noisy! Which rude bastard is yelling first thing in the morning? Don't they know I traveled all night?!"
The tent flap was violently pulled open. A tall man wearing a green sleep mask stepped out yawning. He lazily lifted the mask, revealing sleepy eyes as he looked over the group.
Luffy tilted his head back: "Wow! So tall! Who are you?"
The instant Robin recognized his face, her legs nearly gave out; Sol quickly caught her.
"Ara ara…" The man's gaze lingered on Robin. "Nico Robin—you've grown into a fine woman." Then he turned to Sol. "And you—the little brat from back then has grown up too."
"Robin, Sol—you two know him?" Nami asked, seeing the stranger clearly recognized both of them.
Vivi covered her mouth in shock and answered Nami: "I know this man. He's one of the Navy Headquarters' highest combat powers—Admiral Aokiji!"
"Admiral?!"
The word exploded like a bomb in everyone's ears. Sanji's cigarette fell from his mouth; Usopp's legs began trembling; Chopper instantly hid behind Sol.
"Ara ara, no need to be so nervous. Relax—I'm not here to arrest anyone. I was just exhausted from traveling last night and randomly picked a tent to sleep in," Kuzan lazily waved his hand in explanation.
He suddenly bent down close to Nami: "Ara, forgive my rudeness—I only just noticed such a charming lady. I'm already completely captivated. Are you free tonight?"
He was immediately kicked flying by Sol: "Get lost, you horse-faced freak! Don't even think about hitting on my woman!!"
Kuzan rolled several times across the ground, covered in grass clippings, but calmly dusted himself off and stood up again. "Jeez… attacking your own senior brother so harshly the moment we meet. I'm genuinely hurt."
"Senior brother?!" Kuzan's words drew another round of shocked exclamations from the crew.
"Cut the act," Sol glared coldly at Kuzan. "You showing up at this exact moment—do you think I don't know what this is about?"
"Don't be so tense," Aokiji scratched his head. "I just overheard you're planning to escort this gentleman to the third island? My ability can help with that."
Luffy immediately turned to Tōgīt: "Don't trust him, old man! He's Navy!"
Tōgīt looked utterly confused: "Navy… is there a problem with that?"
Luffy froze for a second, then suddenly clapped his hands as realization hit: "Oh right! To normal people, the Navy are the good guys—and we're the bad guys!"
Usopp smacked Luffy on the back of the head: "Now's not the time to goof off."
Sol glanced at Tōgīt and Sherry beside him, then looked back at Aokiji: "Using your ability would definitely be more convenient."
"So then…" Aokiji shoved both hands in his pockets and stood lazily. "When do you plan to set out?"
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