The Flame Fang departed Water Seven loaded with enough supplies to sustain the crew for five months.
Under Hans's navigation, guided by the Log Pose and sea charts, a lush green silhouette finally appeared on the horizon several days later.
"Captain, that's Katuna Island ahead," Hans said as he lowered his telescope and pointed toward the gradually approaching island.
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami nodded.
"Follow the coastline and find a suitable anchorage. Prepare to land."
The Flame Fang slowed as it sailed along the island's winding shoreline. Eventually, following the markings on the chart, it entered a natural harbor surrounded by reefs.
Stepping onto solid ground, Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami surveyed the verdant land before turning toward the gathered crew.
"This is the place."
"According to the charts, this island lies far away from all major routes. There aren't even any standard trade lanes nearby. No one will come here to disturb us."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the companions curiously studying the jungle.
"But stay sharp."
"There's a reason an island with such favorable climate and abundant resources has no inhabitants."
"The animals here are probably not to be underestimated. They may be even more dangerous than the dinosaurs we encountered on Little Garden."
"So no matter what happens, never lower your guard."
Everyone's expressions tightened as they nodded solemnly.
"For the next three months, we'll undergo closed-door training here."
"There's only one goal—"
"To have more people awaken Haki!"
This training camp was a comprehensive enhancement program for the entire crew.
Aside from the combat and artillery divisions, even the doctors, navigators, cooks, and sailing crew members had to participate in training.
However, they were not specifically required to awaken Haki.
Their primary training focused on physical conditioning, combat techniques, and crisis response ability, all to ensure that in the future, they could survive in the New World, perform their duties, and even support their comrades in battle.
The following three months passed rapidly amidst relentless tempering.
At the beginning, Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami shared every bit of his understanding and experience regarding Observation and Armament Haki without reservation.
Theoretical explanations naturally left some people completely bewildered, though others vaguely grasped that mysterious sensation.
All of this was within Sami's expectations.
Compared to verbal instruction, Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami preferred Roger's teaching method far more—
Learning through actual combat.
He believed that with a foundational understanding combined with the pressure of battle and the urgency born between life and death, it would become easier to force out the hidden power buried deep within the body.
Thus, the training quickly shifted from theory lessons to far harsher practical exercises.
Under the arrangement and supervision of Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami and Hans—who had awakened Observation Haki—the crew split into groups to conduct mock encounters within the island's complex terrain.
At times, they even fought the island's savage beasts under controlled circumstances.
Injuries became commonplace.
But under Doctor Hiriluk's care and through mutual support, everyone gritted their teeth and persevered.
These three months of high-pressure tempering not only strengthened their bodies and wills, but also deepened the bonds between comrades.
The results of the training were remarkable.
Most of the officers successfully crossed that threshold, mastering one or even both types of Haki.
This outcome aligned closely with Sami's earlier expectations.
These officers were already exceptionally talented individuals who had distinguished themselves among their peers.
Moreover, since Little Garden, they had already been exposed to Haki training and possessed solid foundations.
What they lacked was often merely that final push and sustained, high-intensity guidance.
Now, with Sami—the pioneer—pouring everything into guiding them for three straight months, alongside Hans, the first genius among them to awaken Observation Haki, the power they had accumulated for so long finally broke through.
As more officers awakened Haki, the burden on Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami gradually lessened.
He delegated more of the daily training for the unawakened crew members and squad leaders to those officers who had already succeeded, creating a healthy cycle where veterans guided newcomers.
And at last, Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami himself could devote more energy toward studying his own path of Haki.
The uninterrupted three months of tempering, the mutual growth between teaching and learning, and his constant adaptation to his regenerated limb all caused his Haki cultivation to rise rapidly.
Whether it was the strength, coverage, and endurance of his Armament Haki or the sensitivity and precision of his Observation Haki, all had improved tremendously.
Standing at this new starting point, he had already begun exploring higher-level applications.
At this moment, Aldo walked around with his hands behind his back, inspecting crew members engaged in sparring practice.
"Put more force into it!"
"Pour every thought in your head into your fist!"
The exhausted crew members panted heavily, looking utterly confused.
"Brother Aldo… h-how exactly are we supposed to concentrate our thoughts into our fists?"
"How?"
Aldo frowned deeply, seemingly finding the question absurdly simple.
He clenched his right fist, instantly coating it in dark Armament Haki.
"Like this! Got it now? Just think about making it hard, and it becomes hard!"
"???"
The crew members stared at the blackened fist, looking even more confused than before.
Pfft—
A mocking chuckle came from nearby.
Marcus wandered over while carrying his beloved sword, a teasing grin on his face.
"Aldo, with teaching like yours, forget them—even I, someone who's already awakened both Observation and Armament Haki, feel my head spinning listening to you."
He deliberately emphasized both types of Haki.
Aldo's expression darkened instantly as he snorted heavily.
Of course he knew Marcus was intentionally showing off and trying to one-up him.
Their rivalry for the title of strongest beneath the captain had never ceased.
But during these three months, Marcus had successfully mastered both Observation and Armament Haki, making him the only officer besides Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami to awaken dual-color Haki.
Naturally, he had been feeling quite pleased with himself lately and constantly flaunted it in front of Aldo whenever possible.
In response, Aldo could only snort coldly and turn away, refusing to engage.
As for the remaining officers—
Feige, Kahilo, Alberto, and Henry had each awakened the type of Haki best suited to them.
Only Officer Isaac and squad leaders such as Gade, Hawk, Buck, Johnny, and Silent remained stuck.
Though all of them claimed they had already touched the edge of that realm and felt only one final step remained—
None of them had managed to achieve the final breakthrough.
It seemed they still needed the right opportunity.
You can read extra chapters ahead on Patreon if you're interested:
patreon.com/Luna023